News/Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2003

Hancock Bank agrees to sell Hineston branch to Sabine State Bank

BATON ROUGE, LA (July 10, 2003) - Earlier today, executives at Hancock Bank of Louisiana and Sabine State Bank and Trust Company jointly announced execution of a definitive agreement enabling Sabine to purchase Hancock's Hineston, LA, branch in central Louisiana.

Today's agreement, endorsed by Hancock and Sabine management as mutually beneficial for Hineston customers and both financial institutions, establishes a unique partnership in which both banks will operate side by side at the 1927 Highway 121 office until that location officially becomes a Sabine branch.

"We at Hancock Bank have always strived to preserve quality financial choices for the Gulf South hometowns we serve. We believe this agreement will benefit the people of Hineston and will help both institutions meet respective obligations to shareholders," said Hancock Bank of Louisiana President and Chief Executive Officer George A. Schloegel.

Sabine State Bank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Cole added, "We invite all customers and residents of Hineston and surrounding towns to visit Sabine State Bank to experience the best in personal service and hometown community banking."

According to the agreement, Hancock will continue to serve current Hineston customers while representatives of Sabine State Bank - headquartered in Many, LA - assist customers in converting existing Hancock accounts to comparable Sabine products and services. Sabine Bank will begin occupying space in the Hineston facility in mid-July, with Hancock Hineston branch employees transitioning to Sabine Bank during the conversion period. Sabine Bank will establish an automated teller machine at the Hineston location later this month. Officials at both banks expect to complete the transition by August 29, 2003.

Sabine State Bank President Lee McCann said, "We look forward to bringing Sabine State Bank's century-old traditions of service to the Hineston community and will work closely with Hancock Bank to support a smooth conversion for customers of the Hineston branch."

Sabine State Bank, established in 1902, operates 35 offices in Louisiana and Texas, including locations in Alexandria, Pineville, Cheneyville, and Leesville. Sabine Bank offers traditional and electronic banking options as well as consumer, commercial, and mortgage loan services. Those services include special deposit accounts for students, the military, and senior citizens; electronic banking products, including Internet banking, telephone banking, Internet bill pay, debit cards, automated teller machines, and commercial cash management; and insurance products through Sabine Bank's subsidiary, Sabine Insurance Agency, Inc. Sabine Bank lending services include 30-year home loans, credit cards, auto and other types of personal loans, as well as commercial loans for retail, timber, poultry, construction, and manufacturing purposes. The bank's web site contains additional information about Sabine Bank.

Hancock Holding Company has more than $4.0 billion in assets. Founded 1899, Hancock Bank consistently ranks as one of America's strongest, safest five-star financial institutions. Hancock Bank operates 102 full-service offices and over 140 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. Additional corporate information and on-line banking and bill pay services are available at www.hancockbank.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
George A. Schloegel, President & CEO, Hancock Bank of Louisiana
Carl J. Chaney, CFO, Hancock Holding Company
Telephone: 1.800.522.6542 (x. 84727)

Lee McCann, President, Sabine State Bank & Trust Company
Telephone: 318.256.7000