Hancock
Announces Hurricane Assistance Programs and Updates Branch Openings
Bank
will waive certain fees and charges to assist customers
BATON
ROUGE, La. (September 9, 2005) - Hancock Holding Company CEO and
Vice-Chairman George A. Schloegel today announced a broad based
program of special disaster relief for customers in areas affected
by Hurricane Katrina. Measures include reductions and waivers
of various fees as well as rebate offers to assist customers in
ravaged areas.
"Hancock
Bank has a 106-year tradition of standing by our customers and
the communities in which they live and work in good times and
bad times," Schloegel said. "To assist our friends in
this time of need, we are announcing a program of assistance that
will help our customers get back on their feet as soon as possible.
This program will provide individuals and businesses with immediate
relief so that we can all begin the difficult task of re-building
our lives and businesses."
Hancock's
Disaster Relief Program
Hancock's disaster relief program focuses on waiving certain deposit-related
fees and terms as well as special services for loan customers.
Highlights of the program include:
-
Waive
and/or rebate charges for customers using other banks' ATMs
in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina
-
Waive
and/or rebate fees for domestic wire transfers transmitted
from Monday, August 29, through Friday, September 9, 2005
-
Waive
Internet bill fees until further notice
-
Customers
who need to reorder checks should call 1-800-355-8123 (reference
code 1.3)
-
Hancock
Bank will work with customers who have special needs related
to certificate of deposits that have not yet matured and customers
who are overdrawn due to circumstances created by Hurricane
Katrina
In addition, Hancock will work with our mortgage customers in
areas affected by the Hurricane to minimize or prevent delinquencies,
based on investor guidelines. Hancock will also work closely with
our consumer and commercial customers in affected areas to determine
if they qualify for payment and/or maturity date extensions.
Hancock
is also offering special "Together We Rebuild" discounted
rates on new direct consumer installment loans.
Branch
Openings and Bank Operations
Hancock reported today that 76 full-service banking facilities
were open for business, including 29 branches in Mississippi,
42 branches in Louisiana, and all five of the Company's branches
in Florida. Hancock operates 103 full-service banking facilities
throughout Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida.
Hancock
Holding Company President Leo W. Seal stated, "Hancock was
able to open several branches the morning after the Hurricane
due to the successful implementation of our disaster recovery
plan and through the efforts of our dedicated associates."
