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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2006
Hancock
Bank selects GE Money to provide credit card products to retail
customers
Partnership
is key to GE's expansion of card program in agent bank space
STAMFORD, CT - November 9, 2006 - Hancock Bank (NASDAQ:
HBHC) has selected GE Money, the consumer lending unit of
General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), to provide a Platinum
VISA credit card product to its customers in Mississippi,
Louisiana, Florida, and Alabama.
The
agreement is part of GE Money's strategy to expand its partnerships
in the agent bank space and supports Hancock Bank's 107-year-old
commitment to providing customers the comprehensive, sophisticated
financial choices of a regional bank complemented by a community
banking way of doing business.
"GE
is very excited to partner with Hancock Bank to provide enhanced
credit card programs and exceptional rewards offerings,"
said Scott Young, leader of GE Money's Personal Finance business.
"As a leading provider of partnership credit card programs,
we are constantly working to align with financial institutions
that deliver excellent value and the highest levels of service
to their customers. Teaming up with Hancock Bank is a perfect
match."
Under
terms of the agreement for the new consumer card program,
scheduled to launch November 15, GE will provide a Platinum
VISA card product featuring the Hancock Bank brand. Cardholders
will earn Net Rewards - one point for every dollar spent.
Points may be redeemed for merchandise, travel, gift cards
or cash. The product will be made available to Hancock Bank's
retail customers throughout the Gulf Coast region at Hancock
Bank branches, the bank's website as well as through direct
mail.
"Our
Hancock Bank financial services teams are pleased to offer
our customers the convenient purchasing power and rewards
advantages of the new Hancock Bank Platinum VISA card,"
said Jim Howarth, the senior vice president responsible for
retail sales throughout Hancock's four-state market.
"We
selected GE Money because they share our mission of helping
people achieve their financial goals and dreams with an array
of simple, innovative financial solutions," said Howarth.
To
learn more about GE Money's agent bank and affinity consumer
credit programs, please contact Rick Cunningham at (847) 605-4680
or at rick.cunningham@ge.com.
About
Hancock Bank
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 $6.26 billion. Founded in
1899, Hancock Bank stands among the strongest, safest financial
institutions in the United States and is the only financial
services company headquartered in the Gulf South to rate among
the top 20 percent of America's top performing banks. Hancock
offers comprehensive financial solutions through more than
140
banking and financial services offices and more than 130
automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi,
Louisiana, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
About
GE Money
GE
Money's Personal Finance business is an innovative, customer-centric
lending organization that provides financial services such
as personal loans, mortgages, bankcards and student loans
both directly to consumers, as well as through partner-based
channels. The business brings to personal lending GE's legendary
passion for delivering imaginative customer solutions that
help people live their dreams.
With
$163 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General Electric
Company (NYSE:GE), is a leading provider of credit services
to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 50 countries around
the world. GE Money, based in Stamford, Connecticut (USA),
offers a range of financial products, including private label
credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases,
mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation
and home equity loans, and credit insurance. For more visit
www.gemoney.com.
GE
(NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology,
media and financial services company focused on solving some
of the world's toughest problems. With products and services
ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing
and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer
financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves
customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than
300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the
company's Web site at www.ge.com.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, Corporate Communications Manager
800.522.6542 (ext. 5252) or 228.214.4252
paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com
Gene
Ullrich
GE Money
(847) 605-7005
eugene.ullrich@ge.com
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