News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2005

Hancock Bank to open for regular business hours today as Cindy crosses Gulf Coast

     GULFPORT, MS (July 6, 2005 - 7:00 a.m. CDT) - As Tropical Storm Cindy tracks across the southern Louisiana, South Mississippi, and Alabama coastal regions, all Hancock Bank locations will maintain regular business hours today, Wednesday, July 6, 2005, as weather conditions allow.

Bank executives urged bank associates in storm affected areas to exercise common-sense precautions in reporting to work as soon as possible, avoiding flooded roads or other hazards to personal safety or property. Additionally, Hancock management encouraged employees to stay tuned to local media broadcasts and to call the Hancock Bank InfoLink for updated weather advisories or to confirm unlikely changes in bank hours of operation.

Employees with special needs or circumstances resulting from Tropical Storm Cindy should contact the bank's Disaster Recovery Hotline or their immediate supervisors.

Hancock Bank President and Chief Executive Officer George A. Schloegel said the company's business recovery team continues to monitor Cindy's course with direct links to updated National Weather Service coordinates and forecasts.

"We at Hancock Bank have activated our comprehensive storm watch strategy and have the resources to make necessary decisions as the weather changes. Additionally, we are following our standard emergency procedures to ensure our employees' safety and our customers' access to funds through our local financial centers, online banking, telephone banking, and an extensive ATM network," said Schloegel.

Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank stands as one of the strongest, safest financial institutions in America, with 103 offices and more than 130 automated teller machines in South Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, and Harrison Finance Company. Hancock also has corporate trust offices in Gulfport, MS, Jackson, MS, Baton Rouge, LA, and downtown New Orleans, LA, and a business financial center in Alabama's port city of Mobile.

Hancock Holding Company - the parent company of Hancock Bank (Mississippi), Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida, and Magna Insurance Company - has assets of $4.8 billion. Additional corporate information and online banking and bill-pay services are available online.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
(228) 214-5252 or 1.800.522.6542 (x.85252)
paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com