News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18 , 2003

Hancock Bank to fête new Pineville-Beatline Road branch September 26

GULFPORT, MS (September 18, 2003) - Just 25 years after the bank was founded in Bay St. Louis, Hancock Bank joined the Long Beach business community. Next Friday, September 26, 2003, as the five-star financial services company approaches its 105th year, Hancock will celebrate the grand opening of its newest full-service financial center in Long Beach at the intersection of Pineville and Beatline roads - two of the city's busiest thoroughfares.

Civic leaders and bank officials will officially open Hancock's new 3,100-square-foot Pineville-Beatline Road branch (5101 Beatline Road) on Friday with an 8:00 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by complimentary refreshments throughout the day. Relocated to the new site from an existing Pineville Road office, Hancock's Pineville-Beatline branch features expanded, renovated lobby space and offices, additional drive-through lanes and drive-up ATM, and increased parking area.

"It's important to us that we can offer customers a larger, more convenient facility that houses a full-array of financial services - traditional banking, mortgages, insurance, trusts, and investments. With the larger property, we also have more than 40 additional parking spaces," commented Debbie Carr, the Pineville-Beatline Road branch manager.

During the week, visitors to the branch can register to win a Hancock Bank "Light Up the Good Life" tailgate party package grand prize worth $400, including a Fire and Ice grill, barbeque gift basket, and $50 Wal-Mart gift card. The grand-opening festivities culminate with a drawing for the grand prize and a second-prize limited edition Ship Island Lighthouse print at 4:30 p.m. on September 26.

Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC), parent company of Hancock Bank (Mississippi) and Hancock Bank of Louisiana, has more than $4.1 billion in assets. Founded October 9, 1899, Hancock Bank currently operates 102 full-service offices and more than 135 automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi and Louisiana as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, Hancock Mortgage Corporation, and Harrison Finance Company.

Veribanc, Inc., has consistently granted Hancock Bank the Blue Ribbon Bank Commendation of Excellence - the country's oldest formal recognition of exceptionally high banking standards - for financial strength and stability. Additionally, BAUEFINANCIAL, Inc., has consecutively awarded Hancock Bank a five-star superior rating (the highest rating possible).

Additional corporate information and on-line banking and bill pay services are available at www.hancockbank.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, AVP & Corporate Communications Manager
1.800.522.6542 (x. 85252) or 228.214.5252
paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com