Hancock Bank Expands Saturday Hours

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2005

Hancock Bank Expands Saturday Hours

Weekend Banking Seen As Crucial to Hurricane Recovery Process

GULFPORT, Miss. (December 1, 2005) - Hancock Bank will temporarily expand its Saturday banking hours and services to a number of branch locations along the Gulf Coast, enabling customers in hurricane-affected areas to meet weekend banking needs.

Starting December 3, six Hancock Bank rebuild loan centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, offering consumer, small business (SBA) and mortgage loans, in addition to all-day banking. Each center will feature full service banking and loan specialists, insurance representatives and investment advisors on site.

In addition, 60 branch locations in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida will be open Saturdays from 9 until noon, offering either lobby or drive-through service. The expanded weekend hours will continue through January 29.

Many South Mississippians are struggling to balance the challenges of hurricane recovery with erratic work schedules, family responsibilities and a unique post-storm holiday season. Hancock Bank officials believe expanded Saturday hours will provide much-needed relief - and extra time - for customers.

"We are in a critical period of recovery from the most devastating hurricane in our history," said Hancock Bank CEO George Schloegel. "It's important that some of our key branches be open during this time beyond regular banking hours so that people can access the services they need."

The six rebuild loan centers will be located in areas that were selected to maximize convenience for banking customers in affected areas:

Picayune South Side
Diamondhead
Crossroads-Gulfport
Cedar Lake-Biloxi
East Ocean Springs
Triangle-Pascagoula

A full listing of Hancock Bank branches with Saturday banking hours is available online.

"We know that our customers could use some extra time to get things done," Schloegel said. "Many of our banking employees are coping with the same loss and issues their friends and neighbors are facing. The enthusiasm our bank employees have shown in wanting to support the hurricane recovery effort has been truly inspiring to our management committee.

"Together, we are all re-building a better and brighter Gulf Coast and hopefully the weekend hours will help to expedite the business of recovery."

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Hancock Bank sustained considerable damage but moved quickly to restore its banking operations. Currently, a total of 38 Mississippi branches are operating along with 47 in Louisiana and five in Florida. Hancock Bank began using its older, historic downtown bank building in October while repairs and renovations are proceeding at One Hancock Plaza in Gulfport, which was damaged by the August 29 storm. Hancock Bank was the first bank to re-open in downtown Gulfport.

About Hancock Bank
Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ:HBHC) - the parent company of Hancock Bank Mississippi, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida and Magna Insurance Company - has assets of $4.91 billion. Found in 1899, Hancock Bank consistently ranks among America's strongest, safest, financial institutions. Hancock Bank operates 103 full-service offices and more than 140 automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle, as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc. Hancock Insurance Agency, Ross King Walker, J. Everett Eaves and Harrison Finance Company.

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