FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2006

Hancock Bank, local officials celebrate new Pascagoula East ‘Lighthouse’ branch

PASCAGOULA, MS (June 9, 2006) — As South Mississippians brace for the uncertainties of another hurricane season, Pascagoula community leaders and Hancock Bank executives cut the proverbial ribbon Thursday, June 8, 2006, to officially open a new Hancock Bank Pascagoula East Financial Center equipped to ensure customers have access to cash should a storm target the Mississippi Gulf Coast this summer.

Located at 3939 Denny Avenue, just off Highway 90, the new 4,500-square-foot branch is the first of several Hancock Bank Gulf Coast “Lighthouse” branches to feature a permanent emergency generator programmed to start automatically with loss of commercial power. According to local Hancock Bank officers, that back-up equipment will operate essential banking functions — including teller machines and ATMs — during an emergency.

Even if a storm knocks out electricity, our Pascagoula East team can still conduct uninterrupted basic banking services. Anyone who was on the Coast after Katrina knows what it means for a branch to be open and for an ATM to work after a storm,” said Lindsey Larsen, the Pascagoula native who manages the new Pascagoula East Hancock Bank.

Larsen said the financial center provides customers easier, more convenient access to Hancock’s full array of comprehensive financial solutions. He also invited customers to visit the new branch, which reflects Hancock’s new architectural standards. Open for regular business hours Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, the facility offers traditional lobby banking, business and consumer loans, an additional 1,400 square feet accommodating five drive-up lanes, a commercial drive-up window, a drive-through ATM, drive-up night depository designed to help ensure customer safety, trusts and investments, mortgage services, insurance, and wealth management.

Lighting the Way for A Better Jackson County -- During ribbon cutting ceremonies at Hancock Bank's new Pascagoula East Financial Center at 3939 Denny Avenue, Hancock Bank presented $1,000 donations to each of three Jackson County organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for local citizens. Pictured (from left) are David Thomas, Hancock Bank Jackson County division manager; Dr. Dewey Lane chairman of the board, Bacot-McCarty Foundation; Catherine Glaude, CPO, Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County, and Latan Griffin, president, Habitat for Humanity Jackson County affiliate chapter.

Hancock Bank has been a partner for Gulf Coast community growth for 107 years. Our Hancock bankers are local folks who know the daily challenges our customers face and understand customers’ needs. The bankers at Pascagoula East and all 10 of our Jackson County Hancock branches work one-on-one with consumer and business customers to develop the right mix of Hancock products and services that supports each customer’s financial goals,” added Larsen.

Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank stands among the strongest, safest financial institutions in the United States and is the only financial services company headquartered in the Gulf South to rate among the top 20 percent of America’s top-performing banks.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
R. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
228.563.7953 or paul_maxwell@hancockbank.com