News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2006

Hancock Horizon Value Fund Receives Top Rating From
Global Investment Research Firm

Hancock Investment Bankers see increase in investing post
Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 21, 2006) - Officials at Hancock Bank announced today that the company's Hancock Horizon Value Fund earned a five-star overall Morningstar Rating^TM for the five-year period ending February 28, 2006. This is the highest rating given by the prestigious investment research firm.

This rating is based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance, and rewards consistent performance. The five-star overall rating places the Hancock Horizon Value Fund within the top 10 percent of the more than 1,000 large capital value funds evaluated by Morningstar. The Hancock Horizon Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and current income by investing primarily in companies believed to be undervalued.

Additionally, the Hancock Horizon Growth Fund received a four-star overall Morningstar Rating for the five-year period ending February 28, 2006. The Hancock Horizon Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in common stocks believed to have above-average growth potential based on fundamental analysis.

"Over the past three years, Hancock Bank's fund management team has consistently earned four and five-star ratings from Morningstar," says David Lundgren, Director of Equities and Research for Hancock Bank's Institutional Asset Management Group. "Considering many of the financial challenges people are facing as the region recovers from Hurricane Katrina, we are pleased to announce this good news to our shareholders."

Lundgren reports that he has seen an increase in investing following Hurricane Katrina, particularly since January 1st. He attributes this to a combination of large insurance settlements, lucrative land and property sales, and the boom in the construction business.

With more than 40 years of investment management experience jointly, David Lundgren and Hancock Bank Chief Investment Strategist, John Portwood, CFA, use a strict, quantitative approach to managing the Hancock Horizon Funds. Hancock Bank's wealth management division manages $2 billion in assets, including the $700 million Hancock Horizon proprietary family of mutual funds.

The Hancock Horizon Family of Funds is distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with Hancock Bank, or any of its affiliates.

Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC) - parent company of Hancock Bank Mississippi, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida, and Magna Insurance Company - has assets of more than $6 billion. Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank consistently ranks among America's strongest, safest financial institutions. Hancock Bank operates 102 full-services offices and more than 130 automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle, as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, Ross-King-Walker Insurance Agency, and Harrison Finance Company. Investors can access additional corporate information or on-line banking services online.

For more information about Morningstar, please visit www.morningstar.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Libby Wunsch, Keating Magee
(504) 299-7181
libbyw@keatingmagee.com

R. Paul Maxwell
Hancock Holding Company
(228) 563-7953
Paul_Maxwell@hancockbank.com