FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2008

Hancock Bank to offer free pine saplings at Lighthouse Park

GULFPORT, MS (January 31, 2008 ) - When a bank offers something "green" for free, folks are bound to take note.

Tomorrow, February 1, 2008, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., hearty evergreens, rather than trusty greenbacks, are the featured attractions at a "Downtown Gulfport Green Giveaway" sponsored by Hancock Bank at Lighthouse Park, adjacent to the company's One Hancock Plaza headquarters at 2510 14th Street. According to Hancock Holding Company Chairman George A. Schloegel, the giveaway includes approximately 1,000 Virginia pine and 2,000 Loblolly pine seedlings - part of an ongoing Coast-wide effort to refurbish South Mississippi's storm damaged landscape.

"Hancock Bank has been involved in numerous reforestation opportunities during the past 108 years and has always advocated preservation of our natural resources. With the loss of so many trees in Hurricane Katrina, we must all take steps now to ensure our children and grandchildren can enjoy the beautiful backdrop of green that has always made our Mississippi Gulf Coast scenery so unique," said Schloegel.

A team of Hancock associates will hand out a maximum of one Virginia pine and two Loblollies per person from the west end of the park near the old Gulfport train depot until supplies are gone. While Gulfport Police Department officers will be on hand to manage traffic, citizens should consider parking along downtown streets and walking to the park to receive trees.

Gulfport police officials have asked that individuals who prefer to drive through the tree giveaway area turn from Highway 49 westbound on 16th Street (between the railroad and Harbor Square Parking Deck) and exit southbound on 27th Avenue after picking up trees. 27th Avenue will be closed to northbound traffic at 14th Street for the duration of the giveaway. Cars exiting the parking deck can bypass the tree giveaway by turning east on 16th Street, then south on Highway 49.

The Hancock saplings are 12 - 18 inches long and have been specially nourished and nurtured by forestry experts to promote fast growth. Also known as spruce pines, Virginia pines grow to medium size and are a popular reforesting option. Loblolly pines are native to the Southeast and can grow to 115 feet. Schloegel encouraged tree recipients to keep saplings moist, plant as soon as possible according to provided instructions, and tend the trees to maturity.

"Many folks choose to plant Virginia pines as outdoor Christmas trees, and the Loblolly pine is a South Mississippi standard that helped establish the timber industry in this region and, ultimately, the early port at Gulfport," Schloegel added.

Although National Arbor Day is traditionally the last Friday in April, and Mississippi's state Arbor Day is the second Friday in February, many Coast communities and organizations are offering free trees early to replant foliage destroyed by saltwater surge, hurricane-force winds, and post-storm disease.

Hancock Holding Company - the parent company of Hancock Bank (Mississippi), Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida, and Hancock Bank of Alabama - has assets of approximately $6.0 billion. Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank recently ranked third among America's top-performing financial institutions, according to Bank Director magazine, and rates among the nation's strongest, safest banks. Hancock operates 162 banking and financial services offices and 130-plus ATMs in South Mississippi, south central Louisiana, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Additional corporate information and online banking and bill pay services are available at www.hancockbank.com.

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For More Information

R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
228.563.7953 or paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com