News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2005

Hancock Bank joins SBA effort to reduce business loan red tape

GULFPORT, MS (November 9, 2005) - Gulf South financial services leader Hancock Bank has endorsed and partnered with an innovative new U.S. Small Business Administration plan to simplify traditional business loan approval and provide prompt financing crucial to small business recovery in communities blasted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

SBA recently announced the Gulf Opportunity Pilot Loan (GO Loan) Program, a unique initiative through which SBA provides its guaranty plus streamlined, centralized loan processing to qualified lending partners that agree to make SBA 7(a) loans to small businesses in these disaster areas. Under the program, lenders receive SBA guaranty authorization in 24 hours or less, expediting loan approval for customers.

Hancock Bank President and Chief Executive Officer George A. Schloegel said the bank's participation in the GO program proves a natural extension of Hancock's longstanding relationship with the agency as an approved SBA Express Lender.

"Hancock Bank has partnered with SBA as an Express Lender since 2002," said Schloegel. "That small business lending experience and the simplified, pro-active GO program structure will help our hometown business banking experts quickly channel much-needed recovery funding to the small business owners who are working to rebuild their livelihoods and rejuvenate our local economies."

Only businesses located in, locating to, or relocating to counties or parishes - including contiguous counties or parishes - declared major disaster areas as a result of Katrina or Rita are eligible for GO loans. Schloegel said those areas comprise most of Hancock's Mississippi and Louisiana geographical footprint.

"With the majority of our offices located in communities hardest hit by these storms, our Hancock bankers are living amid the same daily challenges our customers face. Our business banking teams understand that local business owners' families and communities are depending on them to rebuild and reopen. These small businesses are on tight timelines that do not allow for proverbial red tape," Schloegel reiterated.

The maximum GO loan amount is $150,000. The federal government guarantees 85 percent of the loan amount, and participating banks will set interest rates. Repayment terms usually fall between five and 25 years. Schloegel said small business owners can contact their Hancock business bankers or visit any Hancock Bank branch for more information about SBA GO loans. Business owners can find general information about the program at www.sba.gov.

Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank operates 103 branches and more than 140 ATMs in South Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle. Hancock Holding Company, the bank's parent company, has assets of $4.91 billion. Additional corporate information is available on the Hancock Bank website.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
(228) 563-7427
paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com