News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2003

Hancock Bank Paycard gives workers, businesses direct deposit
convenience & security

GULFPORT, MS (August 28, 2003) - As many Americans take an end-of-summer pause to honor the nation's workforce this Labor Day, Hancock Bank debuts a new electronic business banking service that empowers companies to offer the ease and safety of direct-deposit paychecks to all employees - even workers who forgo having their own checking accounts.

Powered by Money Network, the Hancock Bank Paycard gives employees without traditional bank accounts convenient nationwide access to take-home pay through automated teller machines or at other locations accepting personal identification number (PIN) debits, all free of expensive check-cashing charges. Employees can also pay bills using the Paycard's Transcheck feature, thus eliminating money order fees.

"The Hancock Bank Paycard benefits the employee and the employer. Employees who do not have checking accounts enjoy convenient electronic access to their paychecks and can substantially reduce the charges they may pay to cash paychecks. In turn, the subscribing business lowers the production, distribution, fraud, and other costs an employer can incur using paper checks," said Marty Regan, manager of Hancock Bank's cash management services group.

According to Regan, employees using Hancock Bank's Paycard are not subject to monthly card fees, credit checks, or minimum balance requirements. They also receive monthly statements and can call toll-free, bi-lingual customer service for Paycard assistance.

Businesses enrolling in the Hancock Bank Paycard program use the same direct-deposit process in place for employees with bank accounts. Additionally, the Hancock Bank Paycard can protect employees from the hazards of carrying excess cash and gives employees a cash-back option at merchants using a PIN based debit system.

Hancock Holding Company, parent company of Hancock Bank (Mississippi) and Hancock Bank of Louisiana, has more than $4.0 billion in assets. Founded 1899, Hancock Bank consistently ranks as one of America's strongest, safest five-star financial institutions. Hancock Bank operates 102 full-service offices and more than 140 automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi and Louisiana as well as other subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, Hancock Mortgage Corporation, and Harrison Finance Company. Additional corporate information and on-line banking and bill pay services are available at www.hancockbank.com.

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