News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2005

Hancock Bank acquires insurance leader J. Everett Eaves, Inc.

     Gulfport, MS, (July 1, 2005) -One of New Orleans' oldest property and casualty insurance agencies has officially joined one of America's strongest and safest financial institutions, headquartered in Gulfport, MS.

Earlier today, officials representing Hancock Bank (Hancock) and J. Everett Eaves, Inc. (JEE) signed the proverbial dotted lines in an all cash transaction finalizing Hancock's acquisition of JEE as a division of Hancock Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Hancock Bank. The joint announcement confirms Hancock's intent to purchase JEE made on June 13, 2005. The acquisition expands Hancock's insurance presence in LA; Hancock also operates in MS, AL and FL.

Under the terms of the transaction, J. Everett Eaves will maintain its existing agency team and operational structure, including its current Poydras Center and Covington offices.

According to Chris Roth, CPCU, corporate head of Hancock Insurance Agency, "Both J. Everett Eaves and Hancock Insurance Agency represent some of the nation's most well respected carriers. We believe this mutually beneficial partnership will enhance the breadth of insurance options we can offer Hancock's banking customers and will introduce J. Everett Eaves customers to Hancock's comprehensive lines of financial services."

John L. Beckmann, Jr., president of JEE, says, "With more and more bank owned insurance agencies nationwide, we believe the timing is perfect to forge this partnership between J. Everett Eaves and Hancock. This venture is a win:win partnership, allowing us to bring stronger insurance resources to Hancock while offering our customers Hancock's wide spectrum of financial services."

Established in 1899 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Hancock Bank entered the New Orleans market with a legacy as a Gulf South financial leader committed to understanding and serving local communities. Hancock Insurance Agency, founded in 1902, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hancock Bank. Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) recently named Hancock Insurance Agency a "Best Practices" agency.

Last year, Hancock acquired Ross-King-Walker, Inc., a well-known Hattiesburg, MS, based property and casualty insurance pioneer.

Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC) - 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. Hancock Bank stands among the top four percent of all United States banks, according to a Veribanc, Inc., Blue Ribbon rating for 50 consecutive quarters, and has received a BauerFinancial, Inc., five-star superior rating (the highest rating possible) for exceptional performance the past 41 consecutive quarters. Hancock Bank operates 103 offices and more than 130 automated teller machines in South Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle as well as other subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc., 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. Additional information about Hancock Bank is available online.

Additional information about JEE is available on the J. Everett Eaves website.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Carl J. Chaney, EVP & CFO, Hancock Bank
228.868.4727 or 1.800.522.6542

R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager, Hancock Bank
228.214.5252 or 1.800.522.6542

Betsie Gambel, Keating Magee Public Relations
504.299.7157 or 504.319.3442
bgambel@keatingmagee.com