LOCAL BANK AIDS COMMUNITIES IN REBUILDING
Hancock Bank Opens Temporary Branches to Help Local Communities Recovery

GULFPORT, Miss., September 14, 2005 - As the Gulf Coast begins recovery from a storm many sources are calling the worst natural disaster in America's history, Gulfport-based Hancock Bank today announced the opening of temporary branches in Pass Christian and Waveland, two of the hardest hit coastal communities.

The bank's branches in both communities suffered extensive storm damage. Hancock placed the temporary units - actually converted RVs - at the corner of Fleitas and Second streets in Pass Christian and on Highway 90 at the Hancock's Waveland branch site to provide customers with much-needed access to banking service. The temporary branches will be open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

"Most of the folds in these communities have not had access to banks or their money since the storm. Our local Hancock teams have worked tirelessly to help bring banking services to the people of Pass Christian and Waveland as quickly as possible," said Hancock Bank President and CEO George A. Schloegel.

For the next few weeks, the temporary branches will offer customers essential services such as check-cashing and storm recovery loans, progressing to more comprehensive banking options as local utilities partnerships are able to restore telephone and internet infrastructures.

Schloegel said that even as Katrina loomed off the Mississippi and Louisiana coastlines, Hancock Bank officials had implemented the company's disaster recovery plan, enabling Hancock to open several of the company's Gulf Coast branches within 24 hours after the storm's landfall. To date, Hancock has reopened 64 branches affected by the hurricane, including 31 in Mississippi's most devastated areas.

"We went through a similar situation following Hurricane Camille," said Schloegel. "The Mississippi Gulf Coast will be back thanks to the indomitable spirit among the people who live here. The Coast will be rebuilt as an even greater destination; and we at Hancock Bank will be there to help every step of the way," he added.