News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2005

Hancock Bank names Shane Loper as Chief Information Officer

GULFPORT, MS (December 22, 2005 ) - Shane Loper, an Ocean Springs native and Hancock Bank senior vice president, has been named Chief Information Officer for Hancock Bank.

Hancock Bank President and Chief Executive Officer George Schloegel said Hancock's board of directors approved Loper's appointment in anticipation of the company's planned investments in new technology for banking, insurance, and consumer finance subsidiaries. Loper will also continue his current responsibilities as Hancock's human resources director.

Loper received a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MBA from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and was selected as one of the 2005 Top 40 under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal. He has held management positions in Information Technology, Bank Operations, and Human Resources during his 15-year career with Hancock.

"We are extremely pleased that Shane Loper - who started his career in Information Technology at Hancock - will direct our technology initiatives as we invest many millions toward broadening Hancock product features and services to our customers across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana," said John Hairston, Hancock EVP and COO. "Shane will use his leadership skills, business acumen, and knowledge of the technology industry to deliver great value to Hancock customers, shareholders, and associates."

Loper is also a major in the Mississippi Army National Guard and a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast. Active in the Jackson County and Mississippi Gulf Coast community, Loper lives in Ocean Springs with his wife, Mona, and their two children. Loper is also an active member of St. Paul Methodist Church in Ocean Springs.

"Hancock Bank has a strong legacy of leadership in technology development and commitment to customer service. The Information Technology team has worked tirelessly at great personal sacrifice to restore services to customers and fellow Hancock team members after Hurricane Katrina. I am honored to serve once again with this team," said Loper.

Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank stands as one of America's strongest, safest financial institutions. Hancock Bank operates 103 branches and 140-plus automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investments Services, Inc.; Hancock Insurance Agency and its J. Everett Eaves and Ross King Walker divisions; corporate trust offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Gulfport, MS, and Jackson, MS; a Mobile, AL, business financial center; and Harrison Finance Company. Additional corporate information and online banking services are available on the Hancock Bank website.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
228.563.7427 or paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com