Hancock Bank names veteran New Orleans banker Zornman as Market President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2005

Hancock Bank names veteran New Orleans banker Zornman as Market President

BATON ROUGE, LA (December 2, 2005 ) - Don Zornman, a Hancock Bank senior vice president with 30-plus years' experience in the metropolitan New Orleans area banking arena, is the new Market President for Hancock's Orleans and Jefferson parish markets.

Hancock Bank President and Chief Executive Officer said Hancock's board of directors approved Zornman's appointment in anticipation of the company's continued growth throughout the Crescent City region. Zornman, a graduate of Loyola University and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, has been the senior commercial officer for Hancock's Pontchartrain market since 2003.

"We are extremely pleased that Don Zornman - one of the city's most experienced, respected bankers - will direct Hancock Bank's commercial banking initiatives throughout the metropolitan area," said Schloegel. "His expertise, community involvement, and business relationships will continue to help strengthen and expand the full array of financial services that Hancock provides our customers south and north of Lake Pontchartrain."

Zornman completed Jefferson Leadership last year and serves on the boards of directors for Maison Hospitaliaire and Jefferson Dollars for Scholars. He attends Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Orleans.

"Hancock Bank has a strong legacy of helping hometowns grow and prosper. As our cities and surrounding parishes meet the challenges of recovery, we at Hancock Bank look forward to bringing our customers the comprehensive, convenient financial resources they need. I am honored to be part of a banking team so thoroughly committed to helping rebuild a better, brighter community," said Zornman.

Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank stands as one of America's strongest, safest financial institutions. Hancock Holding Company - 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. Hancock Bank operates 103 branches and 140-plus automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investments Services, Inc.; Hancock Insurance Agency and its J. Everett Eaves and Ross King Walker divisions; corporate trust offices in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Gulfport, MS, and Jackson, MS; a Mobile, AL, business financial center; and Harrison Finance Company. Additional corporate information and online banking services are available online.

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