Hancock Announces Sale of 10 Whitney Bank Branches

GULFPORT, Miss., July 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hancock Holding Company (Nasdaq: HBHC ) announced today it has signed purchase agreements with buyers to acquire 10 of 40 branch locations the Company previously announced were scheduled for closure on August 30, 2013 or by year-end 2013.

"We have been honored to help create commerce and opportunities in the communities we serve," said Hancock Holding Company President and Chief Executive Officer Carl J. Chaney. "Through the transactions announced today, we are able to continue that local commitment by keeping both jobs and business opportunities in these markets."

Chaney said decisions to relocate, close, buy, or sell branches are common business strategies used by banks to sustain strength, enhance service, and align growth with changes in demographics, customer habits, and industry trends.

Hancock has agreed to sell three retail branch locations in the greater Alexandria (Louisiana) market to Sabine State Bank in Many, La. As part of the branch acquisition, Sabine expects to acquire approximately $20 million in loans and to assume approximately $30 million in deposits. The branch locations to be sold are

203 Ansley Blvd., Alexandria, La.
4716 Jackson St., Alexandria, La.
2704 Hwy 28 E., Pineville, La.

Hancock has agreed to sell seven retail branch locations in the greater Houston (Texas) market to Texas Dow Employees Credit Union ("TDECU") in Lake Jackson, Texas. As part of the branch acquisition, TDECU expects to acquire approximately $34 million in loans and to assume approximately $30 million in deposits. The branch locations to be sold are

3800 SW Fwy. Ste. 100, Houston, Texas
6348 Woodway, Houston, Texas
5102 Richmond Ave., Houston, Texas
24250 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, Texas
9915 Broadway, Pearland, Texas
24706 SW Fwy., Rosenberg, Texas
2109 State Hwy 6, Sugar Land, Texas

The branch sales, which are subject to regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions, are expected to be completed by year-end 2013 and will be reflected in Hancock's fourth quarter 2013 financial results.

Advisors

Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor to Hancock Holding Company. Jones Walker, LLP acted as its legal advisor. 

About Hancock Holding Company

Hancock Holding Company, the parent company of Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank, operates branches and ATMs across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. 

The Hancock Holding Company family of financial services companies also includes Hancock Investment Services, Inc.; Hancock Insurance Agency and Whitney Insurance Agency, Inc.; corporate trust offices in Gulfport and Jackson, Miss., New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., and Orlando, Fla.; and Harrison Finance Company. 

Additional information is available at www.hancockbank.com and www.whitneybank.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and we intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions therein and are including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe-harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements provide projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information, such as expectations about future conditions and descriptions of plans and strategies for the future .  

Hancock's ability to accurately project results or predict the effects of future plans or strategies is inherently limited. Although Hancock believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in Hancock's forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risk factors outlined in Hancock's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at the SEC's internet site ( http://www.sec.gov ).

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Hancock does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of differences in actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such statements, except as required by law.

R. Paul Maxwell VP, Director Corporate Communications 228.867.8690; Trisha Voltz Carlson SVP, Investor Relations Manager 504.299.5208;