Hancock Bank

Hancock Bank Activates Business Recovery Procedures in Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Tuesday, August 30,2005

Hancock's recovery team is working around the clock to insure the integrity of critical business operations. Corporate headquarters has been temporarily relocated to Hancock Bank of Louisiana corporate offices in Baton Rouge for the duration of the recovery effort. Facility damage assessments are in process, and Hancock Management reports that several branch locations in selected markets were open for business on Tuesday, August 30, 2005. In additional branches will reopen as power is restored and the facility are certified ready for occupancy.

According to George A. Schloegel, Vice Chairman and CEO, "While the damage associated with Katrina is significant throughout the Mississippi and Southeastern Louisiana markets, our commitment to be open and ready to serve our customers is in full effect. We are working diligently to insure the safety of our Hancock associates and their families, teaming with local authorities and vendors to get damaged facilities back in operation, and activating our back-up systems to restore service to the over 200,000 customers that depend on Hancock Bank to meet a broad range of financial needs.

"Our Thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected by this storm. Helping customers rebuild in the wake of natural disasters like Katrina is a tradition dating back to the early 1990's and today's generation of Hancock associates stand ready, willing and able to deliver on that commitment."

For information regarding the status of specific branch locations or for customer's who may want to verify the status of their Hancock account, please call one of the following Numbers:

Mississippi Customers: 1-800-448-8812
Louisiana Customers: 1-800-256-4636
Florida Customers: 1/800-726-0920