Hancock Bank to celebrate opening of new Zachary financial center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2005

Hancock Bank to celebrate opening of new Zachary financial center

BATON ROUGE, LA (March 16, 2005) - This week, grand opening festivities will officially debut Hancock Bank's new Zachary location at 5440 Main Street, introducing local consumers and businesses to bright, comprehensive money management solutions backed by one of America's strongest, safest banks and honoring the memory of one of East Baton Rouge Parish's most respected citizens.

Slated for this Friday, March 18, 2005, the 10:00 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony will culminate with dedication of the branch to former Hancock Bank of Louisiana advisory director Mansel S. Slaughter, Sr., who died earlier this year. A public "Cruising into Zachary" grand opening Saturday, March 19, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. features an open-house celebration, complimentary refreshments and seafood etouffee, and a grand-prize drawing at 12:45 p.m. for a Carnival Caribbean cruise for two.

"We're very excited to offer our Zachary neighbors a convenient new financial center delivering the strength, stability, integrity, and service that distinguishes Hancock Bank as a Gulf South financial services leader," said Greg Hodges, the banking officer who manages the Zachary office.

The new 3,500-square-foot branch represents Hancock's architectural standard and houses both traditional lobby banking services plus consumer and business loans, three drive-through teller lanes, a drive-up ATM, safe deposit boxes, and mortgage, insurance, and investment services.

Steve Stein, a Hancock senior vice president and community business banker, added, "The same commitment to excellence that defines Hancock's community banking philosophy reflects the strength of character that made Mr. Slaughter such an inspiration to so many local residents and our Hancock Bank of Louisiana family. We're honored to commemorate his service to our East Baton Rouge Parish community and Hancock Bank."

Slaughter, a retired rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service and a lifelong resident of Baker, died January 11, 2005, in Zachary. He served in North Africa and Italy during World War II as company commander of the 362nd Cannon Company 91st infantry division. He was a life member of the Louisiana and National Cattlemen's Association and a member of the Louisiana and National Farm Bureau Association. A member of Gideon International and a major supporter of the East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H, he was also an elder emeritus of the Baker Presbyterian Church. Slaughter joined the First State Bank board of directors in 1990 and became a Hancock Bank of Louisiana director following Hancock's 1994 merger with First State 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 $4.7 billion. Founded 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, and Harrison Finance Company. Additional corporate information and online banking and bill-pay services are available on the Hancock Bank website.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
(228) 214-5252 or 1.800.522.6542 (x.85252)
paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com