FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2008

DAPHNE, AL (March 5, 2008) - A literal and figurative gumbo of Gulf Coast fun is the order of business this Friday, March 7, 2008, as Hancock Bank of Alabama celebrates its new 4,000-square foot full-service financial center at Malbis - the second Hancock Bank grand opening on the Eastern Shore since January.

With the official ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a "Jubilee" of music and coastal comfort food from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., festivities include a live remote radio broadcast by Clear Channel's Lite Mix 99.9 FM, limited edition souvenir cups, Scan-&-Win giveaways, and chances to win a 42-inch flat-screen television grand prize. The new Hancock Bank Malbis office is located on 1.2 acres at 30723 Highway 181, across from the Eastern Shore Centre near Spanish Fort.

Local community leaders and Hancock bankers hosted grand-opening events at the bank's Daphne branch on Highway 98 in late February. A new Hancock Bank at Cottage Hill in West Mobile opens for business this week, with a grand opening slated for early April. Hancock's downtown Mobile financial center debuted in summer 2007.

"We are so pleased to welcome folks to our new Hancock Bank of Alabama financial center at Malbis. The Eastern Shore is booming as a preferred place to live and do business. Hancock was founded on a commitment to facilitate commerce and opportunity, and our financial services teams are honored to partner with individuals and businesses dedicated to growing the area," said Spanish Fort resident Rose Catanzaro, Hancock's Malbis branch manager.

Catanzaro added that Hancock's Malbis branch comprises four lobby tellers, four drive-up lanes, safe deposit boxes, convenient and safe drive-up night depository, and separate ATM. White-Spunner Construction, Inc., was contractor for the Malbis branch; Brian Puckett of WHL Architecture, the architect. Labarre Associates, Inc., designed the building. Eastern Shore artist Ricky Trione provided artwork for the Hancock Bank of Alabama Jubilee invitations.

Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank recently ranked third among America's top-performing financial services institutions and has rated among the country's strongest, safest banks for 73 consecutive quarters. Hancock Holding Company - parent company of Hancock Bank of Alabama, Hancock Bank (Mississippi), Hancock Bank of Florida, and Hancock Bank of Louisiana - has assets of approximately $6.1 billon and operates 162 banking and financial services offices and 132 ATMs in southern Alabama, South Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle, and south central Louisiana. Bank subsidiaries include Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, and Harrison Finance Company. Links to more corporate information and online banking and bill services are available at www.hancockbankAL.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
1.800.522.6542 (x 87953) or paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com