Hancock Whitney
HWC
#2857
Rank
A$8.31 B
Marketcap
A$103.61
Share price
-0.43%
Change (1 day)
8.61%
Change (1 year)
Text size:
1
FORM 10-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

(Mark One)

[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 .

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

For the transition period from to .
------------------- -----------------
Commission file number 0-13089
-------------

Hancock Holding Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Mississippi 64-0693170
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization) Number)

One Hancock Plaza, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501
- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (601) 868-4715
-----------------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Name of Each Exchange on
Title of Each Class Which Registered
------------------- ------------------------
NONE NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

COMMON STOCK, $3.33 PAR VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes X No
----- -----

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No
----- -----



Continued
2
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of January 3, 1996, was approximately $267,761,000. For purposes
of this calculation only, shares held by non-affiliates are deemed to consist
of (a) shares held by all shareholders other than directors and executive
officers of the registrant plus (b) shares held by directors and officers as to
which beneficial ownership has been disclaimed.

On December 31, 1995, the registrant had outstanding 8,880,905 shares of
common stock for financial statement purposes.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year
ended December 31, 1995, are incorporated by reference into Part II of this
report.

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the
Registrant's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on February 22, 1996, filed by
the Registrant on January 23, 1996, are incorporated by reference into Part III
of this report.





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CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
PART 1

Item 1. Business 4
Item 2. Properties 37
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 38
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders 38

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock
and Related Stockholder Matters 38
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 38
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 38
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 39
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 39

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
Registrant 39
Item 11. Executive Compensation 39
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management 40
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 40

PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K 40
</TABLE>





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PART I

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

BACKGROUND AND CURRENT OPERATIONS

BACKGROUND

GENERAL:

Hancock Holding Company (the "Company"), organized in 1984 as a bank
holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended, is headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Company operates 73
banking offices and 102 automated teller machines ("ATM's") in the states of
Mississippi and Louisiana through three wholly-owned bank subsidiaries,
Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi ("Hancock Bank MS"), Hancock Bank of
Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana ("Hancock Bank LA"), and First National Bank
of Denham Springs, Denham Springs, Louisiana ("Denham"). Hancock Bank MS,
Hancock Bank LA and Denham are referred to collectively as the "Banks."

The Banks are community oriented and focus primarily on offering
commercial, consumer and mortgage loans and deposit services to individuals and
small to middle market businesses in their respective market areas. The
Company's operating strategy is to provide its customers with the financial
sophistication and breadth of products of a regional bank, while successfully
retaining the local appeal and level of service of a community bank. At
December 31, 1995, the Company had total assets of $2.2 billion and employed on
a full-time basis 819 persons in Mississippi and 478 persons in Louisiana.

Hancock Bank MS was originally chartered as Hancock County Bank in 1899.
Since its organization, the strategy of Hancock Bank MS has been to achieve a
dominant market share on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Prior to a series of
acquisitions begun in 1985, growth was primarily internal and was accomplished
by concentrating branch expansions in areas of population growth where no
dominant financial institution previously served the market area. Economic
expansion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has resulted primarily from growth of
military and government-related facilities, tourism, port facility activities,
industrial complexes and the gaming industry. Hancock Bank MS currently has
the largest market share in each of the four counties in which it operates:
Harrison, Hancock, Jackson and Pearl River. With assets of $1.4 billion at
December 31, 1995, Hancock Bank MS currently ranks as the fifth largest bank in
Mississippi.





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In August 1990, the Company formed Hancock Bank LA to assume the deposit
liabilities and acquire the consumer loan portfolio, corporate credit card
portfolio and non-adversely classified securities portfolio of American Bank
and Trust, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ("AmBank"), from the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Economic expansion in East Baton Rouge Parish
has resulted from growth in state government and related service industries,
educational and medical complexes, petrochemical industries, port facility
activities and transportation and related industries. With assets of $683
million at December 31, 1995, Hancock Bank LA is the fourth largest bank in
East Baton Rouge Parish.

In January 1995, the Company merged with First Denham Bancshares, Inc.
("Bancshares"), which owned 100% of the stock of First National Bank of Denham
Springs, Denham Springs, Louisiana. Denham Springs is a bedroom community of
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the merger enhanced the Company's ability to
attract and service customers working in East Baton Rouge Parish and living in
Livingston Parish. First National bank of Denham Springs currently operates
seven locations in Livingston Parish.

Beginning with the 1985 acquisition of the Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank
("PMP") in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the Company has acquired approximately
$884.8 million in assets and approximately $796.9 million in deposit
liabilities through selected acquisitions or purchase and assumption
transactions.

RECENT ACQUISITION ACTIVITY:

In August 1991, Hancock Bank MS acquired certain assets and deposit
liabilities of Peoples Federal Savings Association, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi,
from the RTC. As a result of this transaction, the Bank acquired assets of
approximately $39.0 million and deposit liabilities of approximately $38.5
million.

The Company borrowed $18,750,000 from Whitney National Bank, New Orleans,
Louisiana ("Whitney"), to partially fund the acquisition of Metropolitan
National Bank and AmBank in 1990. On November 28, 1991, the Company sold
1,552,500 shares of its common stock at $17 per share. This followed a
two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend on October 15,
1991, and an increase in authorized shares to 20,000,000. The





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net proceeds of this sale, after underwriting discount and expenses, of
approximately $24,700,000, were used to pay the principal and interest on
$18,500,000 of principal debt on the Whitney loan and increase Hancock Bank
LA's capital by $5,000,000.

In April 1994, the Company merged Hancock Bank of LA with First State
Bank and Trust Company of East Baton Rouge Parish, Baker, Louisiana ("Baker").
The merger was consummated by the exchange of all outstanding common stock of
Baker in return for 527,235 shares of common stock of the Company. The merger
was accounted for using the pooling-of-interests method; therefore, all prior
years' financial information has been restated.

On January 13, 1995, the Company merged with Bancshares, which owned
100% of the stock of Denham. The merger was in return for approximately
$4,000,000 cash and 774,098 shares of common stock of the Company. The merger
was accounted for using the purchase method. Bancshares had total assets of
approximately $111,000,000 and stockholders' equity of approximately
$11,300,000 as of December 31, 1994, and net earnings of approximately
$2,600,000 for the year then ended.

On February 1, 1995, the Company merged Hancock Bank LA with Washington
Bank and Trust Company, Franklinton, Louisiana ("Washington"). The merger was
consummated by the exchange of all outstanding common stock of Washington in
return for 542,650 shares of common stock of the Company. The merger was
accounted for using the pooling-of-interests method; therefore, all prior
years' financial information has been restated. Washington had total assets of
approximately $86,100,000 and stockholders' equity of approximately $12,400,000
as of December 31, 1994, and net earnings of approximately $1,300,000 for the
year then ended.


CURRENT OPERATIONS

LOAN PRODUCTION AND CREDIT REVIEW:

The Banks' primary lending focus is to provide commercial, consumer,
leasing and real estate loans to consumers and to small and middle market
businesses in their respective market areas. The Banks have no concentrations
of loans to particular borrowers or loans to any foreign





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entities. Each loan officer has Board approved loan limits on the principal
amount of secured and unsecured loans he or she can approve for a single
borrower without prior approval of a loan committee. All loans, however, must
meet the credit underwriting and loan policies of the Banks.

For Hancock Bank MS, all loans over an individual loan officer's Board
approved lending authority and below a regional approved limit must be approved
by his or her region's loan committee or by another loan officer with greater
lending authority. Both the regional loan committee and the Bank's senior loan
committee must review and approve any loan for a borrower whose total
indebtedness exceeds the region's approved limit. Each loan file is reviewed
by the Bank's loan review department to ensure proper documentation.

For Hancock Bank LA, all loans over an individual loan officer's Board
approved lending authority must be approved by his or her region's loan
committee or by another loan officer with greater lending authority. Both the
regional loan committee and the Bank's senior loan committee must review and
approve any loan for a borrower whose total indebtedness exceeds $500,000. Each
loan file is reviewed by the Bank's loan review department to ensure proper
documentation.

For Denham, all loans over an individual loan officer's Board approved
lending authority must be approved by an officer with a higher lending limit or
by the Bank's senior loan committee. The Company's loan committee must approve
aggregate lending relationships up to $750,000. Each loan file is reviewed by
the Bank's loan review department to ensure proper documentation.

LOAN REVIEW AND ASSET QUALITY:

Each Bank's portfolio of credit relationships aggregating $250,000 or
more is annually reviewed by the respective Bank to identify any deficiencies
and to take corrective actions as necessary. Periodically, selected credit
relationships aggregating less than $250,000 are reviewed. As a result of such
reviews, each Bank places on its Watchlist loans deemed to require close or
frequent review. All loans classified by a regulator are also placed on the
Watchlist. All Watchlist and past due loans are reviewed at least monthly by
the Banks' senior lending officers and monthly





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by the Banks' Board of Directors.

In addition, all loans to a particular borrower are reviewed, regardless
of classification, each time such borrower requests a renewal or extension of
any loan or requests a new loan. All lines of credit are reviewed annually
before renewal. The Banks currently have mechanisms in place that allow for at
least an annual review of the financial statements and the financial condition
of all borrowers, except borrowers with secured installment and residential
mortgage loans.

Consumer loans which become 60 days delinquent are reviewed by
management. Generally, a consumer loan which is delinquent 90 days is in
process of collection through repossession and liquidation of collateral or has
been deemed currently uncollectible. Loans deemed currently uncollectible are
charged-off against the reserve account. As a matter of policy, loans are
placed on a nonaccrual status where doubt exists as to collectibility.

The Banks follow the standard FDIC loan classification system. This
system provides management with (1) a general view of the quality of the
overall loan portfolio (each branch's loans and each commercial loan officer's
lending portfolio) and (2) information on specific loans that may need
individual attention.

The Banks hold nonperforming assets, consisting of real property,
vehicles and other items held for resale, which were acquired generally through
the process of foreclosure. At December 31, 1995, the book value of
nonperforming assets held for resale was approximately $1,086 thousand.

SECURITIES PORTFOLIO:

The Banks maintain portfolios of securities consisting primarily of U.S.
Treasury securities, U.S. government agency issues, mortgage-backed securities,
CMOs and tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions. The
portfolios are designed to enhance liquidity while providing acceptable rates
of return. Therefore, the Banks invest only in high grade investment quality
securities with acceptable yields and generally with durations of less than 7
years.





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The Banks' policies limit investments to securities having a rating of
no less than "Baa" by Moody's Investors' Service, Inc., except for certain
obligations of Mississippi or Louisiana counties and municipalities.

DEPOSITS:

The Banks have several programs designed to attract depository accounts
offered to consumers and to small and middle market businesses at interest
rates generally consistent with market conditions. Additionally, the Banks
offer 102 ATMs: 61 ATMs at their 73 banking offices and 41 free-standing ATMs
at other locations. As members of regional and international ATM networks such
as "GulfNet," "PLUS" and "CIRRUS," the Banks offer customers access to their
depository accounts from regional, national and international ATM facilities.
Deposit flows are controlled by the Banks primarily through pricing and to a
certain extent through promotional activities. Management believes that the
rates it offers, which are posted weekly on deposit accounts, are generally
competitive with or, in some cases, slightly below other financial institutions
in the Banks' respective market areas.

TRUST SERVICES:

The Banks, through their respective Trust Departments, offer a full range
of trust services on a fee basis. The Banks act as executor, administrator or
guardian in administering estates. Also provided are investment custodial
services for individuals, businesses and charitable and religious
organizations. In their trust capacities, the Banks provide investment
management services on an agency basis and act as trustee for pension plans,
profit sharing plans, corporate and municipal bond issues, living trusts, life
insurance trusts and various other types of trusts created by or for
individuals, businesses and charitable and religious organizations. As of
December 31, 1995, the Trust Departments of the Banks had approximately $1.3
billion of assets under management, of which $893 billion were corporate
accounts and $444 million were personal, employee benefit, estate and other
trust accounts.

OPERATING EFFICIENCY STRATEGY:

The primary focus of the Company's operating strategy is to increase





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operating income and to reduce operating expense. Beginning in January of
1988, management has taken steps to improve operating efficiencies. As a
result, employees at Hancock Bank MS have been reduced from .78 per $1 million
in assets in February 1988 to .58 as of December 31, 1995. Since its
acquisition in August 1990, Hancock Bank LA employees have been reduced from
.97 per $1 million of assets to .56 as of December 31, 1995. Management
annually establishes an employee to asset goal for each Bank. The Banks also
have set an internal long range goal of at least covering total salary and
benefit costs by fee income. The ratio of fee income to total salary and
benefit costs is $.50 to $1.00 at Hancock Bank MS. Hancock Bank LA has a
higher level of fee income and through December 31, 1995, has achieved a ratio
of $.71 to $1.00.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Hancock Bank MS has seven subsidiaries through which it engages in the
following activities: providing consumer financing services; mortgage lending;
owning, managing and maintaining certain real property; providing general
insurance agency services; holding investment securities; marketing credit life
insurance; and providing discount brokerage services. The income of these
subsidiaries generally accounts for less than 10% of the Company's total income
annually.

During 1994, the Company began offering alternative investments through
a third party vendor. The Investment Center is now located in several branch
locations in Mississippi and Louisiana to accommodate the investment needs of
customers that fall outside the traditional commercial bank product line.

Hancock Bank MS also owns approximately 3,700 acres of timberland in
Hancock County, Mississippi, most of which was acquired through foreclosure in
the 1930's. Timber sales and oil and gas leases on this acreage generate less
than 1% of the Company's annual income.

COMPETITION:

The deregulation of the financial services industry, the elimination of
many previous distinctions between commercial banks and other financial
institutions and legislation enacted in Mississippi, Louisiana and other





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states allowing state-wide branching, multi-bank holding companies and regional
interstate banking has created a highly competitive environment for commercial
banking in the Company's market area. The principal competitive factors in the
markets for deposits and loans are interest rates paid and charged. The
Company also competes through the efficiency, quality, range of services and
products it provides, convenience of office and ATM locations and office hours.

In attracting deposits and in its lending activities, the Company
competes generally with other commercial banks, savings associations, credit
unions, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities
brokerage firms, mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial
institutions. Many of these institutions have greater available resources than
the Company.





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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

BANK HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION

GENERAL:

The Company is subject to extensive regulation by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve") pursuant to the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Bank Holding Company Act"). The
Company also is required to file certain reports with, and otherwise comply
with the rules and regulations of, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under federal securities laws.

FEDERAL REGULATION:

The Bank Holding Company Act generally prohibits the Company from engaging
in activities other than banking, managing or controlling banks or other
permissible subsidiaries. Acquiring or obtaining control of any company engaged
in activities other than those activities determined by the Federal Reserve to
be so closely related to banking, managing or controlling banks as to be proper
incident thereto is also prohibited. In determining whether a particular
activity is permissible, the Federal Reserve considers whether the performance
of the activity can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public
that outweigh possible adverse effects. For example, making, acquiring or
servicing loans, leasing personal property, providing certain investment or
financial advice, performing certain data processing services, acting as agent
or broker in selling credit life insurance and performing certain insurance
underwriting activities have all been determined by regulations of the Federal
Reserve to be permissible activities. The Bank Holding Company Act does not
place territorial limitations on permissible bank-related activities of bank
holding companies. However, despite prior approval, the Federal Reserve has
the power to order a holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any
activity or its control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable cause to
believe that continuation of such activity or control of such subsidiary
constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of
any bank subsidiary of that holding company.

The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to





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obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve: (1) before it may acquire
ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if, after such
acquisition, such bank holding company will own or control more than 5% of the
voting shares of such bank, (2) before it or any of its subsidiaries other than
a bank may acquire all of the assets of a bank, or (3) before it may merge with
any other bank holding company. In reviewing a proposed acquisition, the
Federal Reserve considers financial, managerial and competitive aspects. The
future prospects of the companies and banks concerned and the convenience and
needs of the community to be served must also be considered. The Federal
Reserve also reviews the indebtedness to be incurred by a bank holding company
in connection with the proposed acquisition to ensure that the holding company
can service such indebtedness without adversely affecting the capital
requirements of the holding company or its subsidiaries. The Bank Holding
Company Act further requires that consummation of approved acquisitions or
mergers must be delayed at least 30 days following the date of approval.
During such 30-day period, complaining parties may obtain a review of the
Federal Reserve's order granting its approval by filing a petition in the
appropriate United States Court of Appeals petitioning that the order be set
aside.

The Federal Reserve has adopted capital adequacy guidelines for use in its
examination and regulation of bank holding companies. The regulatory capital
of a bank holding company under applicable federal capital adequacy guidelines
is particularly important in the Federal Reserve's evaluation of a bank holding
company and any applications by the bank holding company to the Federal
Reserve. If regulatory capital falls below minimum guideline levels, a bank
holding company or bank may be denied approval to acquire or establish
additional banks or non-bank businesses or to open additional facilities. In
addition, a financial institution's failure to meet minimum regulatory capital
standards can lead to other penalties, including termination of deposit
insurance or appointment of a conservator or receiver for the financial
institution. There are two measures of regulatory capital presently applicable
to bank holding companies: (1) risk-based capital and (2) leverage capital
ratios.

The Federal Reserve rates bank holding companies by a component and
composite 1-5 rating system. The leverage ratios adopted by the Federal
Reserve require all but the most highly rated bank holding companies to
maintain Tier 1 Capital at 4% to 5% of total assets. Certain bank holding





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companies having a composite 1 rating and not experiencing or anticipating
significant growth may satisfy the Federal Reserve guidelines by maintaining
Tier 1 Capital of at least 3% of total assets. Tier 1 Capital for bank holding
companies includes: stockholders' equity, minority interest in equity accounts
of consolidated subsidiaries and qualifying perpetual preferred stock. In
addition, Tier 1 Capital excludes goodwill and other disallowed intangibles.
The Company's leverage ratio at December 31, 1995, was 9.28%.

The risk-based capital guidelines are designed to make regulatory capital
requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profile among banks and bank
holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposure and to minimize
disincentives for holding liquid assets. Under the risk-based capital
guidelines, assets are assigned to one of four risk categories: 0%, 20%, 50%
and 100%. As an example, U.S. Treasury securities are assigned to the 0% risk
category while most categories of loans are assigned to the 100% risk category.
A two-step process determines the risk weight of off-balance sheet items such
as standby letters of credit. First, the amount of the off-balance sheet item
is multiplied by a credit conversion factor of either 0%, 20%, 50% or 100%.
Then, the result is assigned to one of the four risk categories. At December
31, 1995, the Company's off-balance sheet items aggregated $237.4 million;
however, after the credit conversion these items represented $24.5 million of
balance sheet equivalents.

The primary component of risk-based capital is Tier 1 Capital, which is
essentially equal to common stockholders' equity plus a certain portion of
perpetual preferred stock. Tier 2 Capital, which consists primarily of the
excess of any perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities,
subordinated debt and general reserves for loan losses, is a secondary
component of risk-based capital. The risk-weighted asset base is equal to the
sum of the aggregate dollar values of assets and off-balance sheet items in
each risk category, multiplied by the weight assigned to that category. A
ratio of Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4% and a ratio of
Total Capital (Tier 1 and Tier 2) to risk-weighted assets of at least 8% must
be maintained by bank holding companies. At December 31, 1995, the Company's
Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios were 17.69% and 18.64%, respectively.





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Proposed regulations will increase capital requirements when as yet
undetermined levels of interest rate risk are exceeded. Because the Company's
liabilities generally reprice within periods of one year, interest rate risk
occurs when assets funded by such liabilities reprice at longer intervals. It
is not anticipated that such regulations will have a significant impact on the
Company's capital requirements.

The prior approval of the Federal Reserve must be obtained before the
Company may acquire substantially all the assets of any bank, or ownership or
control of any voting shares of any bank, if, after such acquisition, it would
own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of
such bank. In no case, however, may the Federal Reserve approve an
acquisition of any bank located outside Mississippi unless such acquisition is
specifically authorized by the laws of the state in which the bank to be
acquired is located. The banking laws of Mississippi presently permit
out-of-state banking organizations to acquire Mississippi banking
organizations, provided the out-of-state banking organization's home state
grants similar privileges to banking organizations in Mississippi. This
reciprocity privilege is restricted to banking organizations in specified
geographic regions that encompass the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. In addition,
Mississippi banking organizations are permitted to acquire certain out-of-state
financial institutions. A bank holding company is additionally prohibited from
engaging in non-banking activities, or acquiring direct or indirect control of
more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in non-banking
activities.

With the passage of The Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act
of 1994, adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies are
permitted to acquire control of banks in any state, subject to federal
regulatory approval, without regard to whether such a transaction is prohibited
by the laws of any state. Beginning June 1, 1997, federal banking regulators
may approve merger transactions involving banks located in different states,
without regard to laws of any state prohibiting such transactions; except that,
mergers may not be approved with respect to banks located in states that,
before June 1, 1997, enacted legislation prohibiting mergers by banks located
in such state with out-of-state institutions. Federal banking regulators may
permit an out-of-state bank to open new





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branches in another state if such state has enacted legislation permitting
interstate branching. The legislation further provides that a bank holding
company may not, following an interstate acquisition, control more than 10% of
nationwide insured deposits or 30% of deposits in the relevant state. States
have the right to adopt legislation to lower the 30% limit. Additional
provisions require that interstate activities conform to the Community
Reinvestment Act.

The Company is required to give the Federal Reserve prior written notice
of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross
consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net
consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the proceeding
12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Company's consolidated net worth.
The Federal Reserve may disapprove such a transaction if it determines that the
proposal constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice, would violate any law,
regulation, Federal Reserve order or directive or any condition imposed by, or
written agreement with, the Federal Reserve.

In November 1985, the Federal Reserve adopted its Policy Statement on Cash
Dividends Not Fully Covered by Earnings (the "Policy Statement"). The Policy
Statement sets forth various guidelines that the Federal Reserve believes that
a bank holding company should follow in establishing its dividend policy. In
general, the Federal Reserve stated that bank holding companies should pay
dividends only out of current earnings. It also stated that dividends should
not be paid unless the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding
company appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall
financial condition.

The activities of the Company are also restricted by the provisions of the
Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 (the "Act"). The Act prohibits the Company from
owning subsidiaries engaged principally in the issue, floatation, underwriting,
public sale or distribution of securities. Regulators and legislators are
currently reviewing the interpretation, scope and application of the provisions
of the Act. The outcome of the current examination and the effect of the
outcome on the ability of bank holding companies to engage in securities
related activities cannot be predicted.

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Banks. There
are various restrictions that limit the ability of the Banks to





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finance, pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to the Company or other
affiliates. In addition, subsidiary banks of holding companies are subject to
certain restrictions on any extension of credit to the bank holding company or
any of its subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or other securities
thereof and on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans
to any borrower. Further, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are
prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with
extensions of credit, or leases or sales of property or furnishing of services.

BANK REGULATION:

The operations of the Banks are subject to state and federal statutes
applicable to state banks and national banks, respectively, and the regulations
of the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency ("OCC"). Such statutes and regulations relate to, among other things,
required reserves, investments, loans, mergers and consolidations, issuance of
securities, payment of dividends, establishment of branches and other aspects
of the Banks' operations.

Hancock Bank MS is subject to regulation and periodic examinations by
the FDIC and the State of Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer
Finance. Hancock Bank LA is subject to regulation and periodic examinations by
the FDIC and the Office of Financial Institutions, State of Louisiana. Denham
is subject to regulation and periodic examinations by the OCC. These
regulatory authorities examine such areas as reserves, loan and investment
quality, management policies, procedures and practices and other aspects of
operations. These examinations are designed for the protection of the Banks'
depositors, rather than their stockholders. In addition to these regular
examinations, the Company and the Banks must furnish periodic reports to their
respective regulatory authorities containing a full and accurate statement of
their affairs.

As a result of the enactment of the Financial Institutions Reform,
Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA"), a financial institution
insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any losses incurred by, or
reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (1) the
default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured financial institution or (2) any
assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled financial





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institution in danger of default.

The Banks are members of the FDIC, and their deposits are insured as
provided by law by the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF"). On December 19, 1991, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") was
enacted. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended by Section 302 of
FDICIA, calls for risk-related deposit insurance assessment rates. The risk
classification of an institution will determine its deposit insurance premium.
Assignment to one of three capital groups, coupled with assignment to one of
three supervisory sub-groups, determines which of the nine risk classifications
is appropriate for an institution.

Effective in the third quarter of 1995, the FDIC lowered banks' deposit
insurance premiums from 23 to 31 cents per hundred dollars in insured deposits
to a rate of 4 to 31 cents. The Banks have received a risk classification of
1A for assessment purposes. The Banks paid BIF premiums of 23 cents per
hundred dollars of insured deposits for the first five months of 1995 and 4
cents for the remaining seven months, which amounted to $2.2 million. The
decrease in 1995 rates resulted in $1.6 million FDIC premium reductions over
the 1994 level of $3.8 million. Premiums for the first and second quarters of
1996 have been reduced to 0 cents per hundred dollars of insured deposits.
Premiums on OAKAR deposits from the 1991 acquistion of Peoples Federal Savings
Association are insignificant.

In general, FDICIA subjects banks and bank holding companies to
significantly increased regulation and supervision. FDICIA increased the
borrowing authority of the FDIC in order to recapitalize the Bank Insurance
Fund, and the future borrowings are to be repaid by increased assessments on
FDIC member banks. Other significant provisions of FDICIA require a new
regulatory emphasis linking supervision to bank capital levels. Also, federal
banking regulators are required to take prompt regulatory action with respect
to depository institutions that fall below specified capital levels and to
draft non-capital regulatory measures to assure bank safety.

FDICIA contains a "prompt corrective action" section intended to resolve
problem institutions at the least possible long-term cost to the deposit
insurance funds. Pursuant to this section, the federal banking agencies are
required to prescribe a leverage limit and a risk-based capital requirement
indicating levels at which institutions will be deemed to be





-18-
19
"well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized,"
"significantly undercapitalized" and "critically undercapitalized." In the
case of a depository institution that is "critically undercapitalized" (a term
defined to include institutions which still have positive net worth), the
federal banking regulators are generally required to appoint a conservator or
receiver.

FDICIA further requires regulators to perform annual on-site bank
examinations, places limits on real estate lending and tightens audit
requirements. The new legislation eliminated the "too big to fail" doctrine,
which protects uninsured deposits of large banks, and restricts the ability of
undercapitalized banks to obtain extended loans from the Federal Reserve Board
discount window. FDICIA also imposes new disclosure requirements relating to
fees charged and interest paid on checking and deposit accounts. Most of the
significant changes brought about by FDICIA required new regulations.

In addition to regulating capital, the FDIC and the OCC have broad
authority to prevent the development or continuance of unsafe or unsound
banking practices. Pursuant to this authority, the FDIC and the OCC have
adopted regulations that restrict preferential loans and loan amounts to
"affiliates" and "insiders" of banks, require banks to keep information on
loans to major stockholders and executive officers and bar certain director and
officer interlocks between financial institutions. The FDIC also is authorized
to approve mergers, consolidations and assumption of deposit liability
transactions between insured banks and between insured banks and uninsured
banks or institutions to prevent capital or surplus diminution in such
transactions where the resulting, continuing or assumed bank is an insured
nonmember state bank, like Hancock Bank MS and Hancock Bank LA.

Although Hancock Bank MS and Hancock Bank LA are not members of the
Federal Reserve System, they are subject to Federal Reserve regulations that
require the Banks to maintain reserves against transaction accounts (primarily
checking accounts), money market deposit accounts and nonpersonal time
deposits. Because reserves generally must be maintained in cash or in
noninterest-bearing accounts, the effect of the reserve requirements is to
increase the cost of funds for the Banks. The Federal Reserve regulations
currently require that reserves be maintained against net transaction accounts
in the amount of 3% of the aggregate of such accounts up to $41.4





-19-
20
million, or, if the aggregate of such accounts exceeds $41.4 million, $1.233
million plus 12% of the total in excess of $41.4 million. This regulation is
subject to an exemption from reserve requirements on a limited amount of an
institution's transaction accounts.

The foregoing is a brief summary of certain statutes, rules and
regulations affecting the Company and the Banks. It is not intended to be an
exhaustive discussion of all the statutes and regulations having an impact on
the operations of such entities.

EFFECT OF GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES:

The difference between the interest rate paid on deposits and other
borrowings and the interest rate received on loans and securities will comprise
most of a bank's earnings. However, due to recent deregulation of the
industry, the banking business is becoming increasingly dependent on the
generation of fees and service charges.

The earnings and growth of a bank will be affected by both general
economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policy of the United States
Government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal
Reserve sets national monetary policy such as seeking to curb inflation and
combat recession. This is accomplished by its open-market operations in United
States Government securities, adjustments in the amount of reserves that
financial institutions are required to maintain and adjustments to the discount
rates on borrowings and target rates for federal funds transactions. The
actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank
loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates on loans and
deposits. The nature and timing of any future changes in monetary policies and
their potential impact on the Company cannot be predicted.





-20-
21
STATISTICAL INFORMATION


The following tables and other material present certain statistical
information regarding the Company. This information is not audited and should
be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and
the accompanying notes.


DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
AND INTEREST RATES AND DIFFERENTIALS

Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest
expense, is the most significant component of the Banks earnings. For internal
analytical purposes, management adjusts net interest income to a "taxable
equivalent" basis using a 35% federal tax rate on tax exempt items (primarily
interest on municipal securities).

Another significant statistic in the analysis of net interest income is
the effective interest differential, which is the difference between the
average rate of interest earned on earning assets and the effective rate paid
for all funds, noninterest-bearing as well as interest-bearing. Since a
portion of the Bank's deposits do not bear interest, such as demand deposits,
the rate paid for all funds is lower than the rate on interest-bearing
liabilities alone. The rate differential for the years 1995 and 1994 was 5.10%
and 4.74%, respectively.

Recognizing the importance of interest differential to total earnings,
management places great emphasis on managing interest rate spreads. Although
interest differential is affected by national, regional, and area economic
conditions, including the level of credit demand and interest rates, there are
significant opportunities to influence interest differential through
appropriate loan and investment policies. These policies are designed to
maximize interest differential while maintaining sufficient liquidity and
availability of funds for purposes of meeting existing commitments and for
investment in loans and other investment opportunities that may arise.





-21-
22
The following table shows interest income on interest-earning assets and
related average yields earned and interest expense on interest-bearing
liabilities and related average rates paid for the periods indicated:


Comparative Average Balances - Yields and Rates

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Interest Average Interest Average Interest Average
Average Income or Yield or Average Income or Yield or Average Income or Yield or
Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate
----------- ---------- ------ ---------- ---------- ------ --------- --------- ------
ASSETS (Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest-earning assets:
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury $257,228 $ 14,568 5.66% $ 316,232 $ 17,168 5.43% $ 292,239 $ 16,861 5.77%
U.S. government obligations 493,315 33,726 6.84% 423,555 24,772 5.85% 397,490 24,874 6.26%
Municipal obligations 57,001 5,426 9.52% 48,194 4,912 10.19% 43,656 5,200 11.91%
Other securities 87,606 6,231 7.11% 75,956 4,713 6.20% 85,712 4,775 5.57%
Federal funds sold & securities
purchased under agreements
to resell 99,559 5,820 5.85% 89,341 3,832 4.29% 125,204 3,603 2.88%

Interest-bearing time deposits
with other banks 500 31 6.20% 725 38 5.24% 1,095 45 4.11%
Net loans (2)(3) 1,000,907 98,029 9.79% 906,342 82,967 9.15% 847,526 80,644 9.52%
---------- -------- ------ ---------- --------- ------ ---------- -------- ------
Total interest-earning
assets/interest income (1) 1,996,116 163,831 8.21% 1,860,345 138,402 7.44% 1,792,922 136,002 7.59%
Less: Reserve for loan losses (16,532) --- (15,251) --- (15,644) ---

Noninterest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks 104,854 --- 112,931 --- 105,931 ---
Property and equipment 37,786 --- 34,815 --- 34,596 ---
Other assets 93,302 --- 50,435 --- 46,708 ---
---------- -------- ------ ---------- -------- ----- ---------- -------- ------
Total assets $2,215,526 $163,831 7.39% $2,043,275 $138,402 6.77% $1,964,513 $136,002 6.92%
========== ======== ====== ========== ======== ====== ========== ======== ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money
market $ 739,091 $ 20,515 2.78% $ 755,888 $ 20,703 2.74% $ 718,597 $ 19,366 2.69%
Time 717,064 37,097 5.17% 657,587 27,490 4.18% 662,646 27,569 4.16%
Federal funds purchased 15,284 863 5.65% 18,622 754 4.05% 18,023 537 2.98%
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase 53,924 2,219 4.12% 24,710 718 2.91% 22,480 484 2.15%
Long-term bonds 2,799 203 7.25% 3,656 256 7.00% 4,651 350 7.53%
Capital notes --- 265 0.00% 1,571 76 4.84% 1,319 90 6.82%
---------- -------- ------ ---------- -------- ------ ---------- -------- ------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities/interest
expense 1,528,162 61,162 4.00% 1,462,034 49,997 3.42% 1,427,716 48,396 3.39%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits 439,495 --- 393,120 --- 364,612 ---
Other liabilities 32,135 --- 13,183 --- 12,865 ---
Stockholders' equity 215,734 --- 174,938 --- 159,320 ---
---------- -------- ------ ---------- -------- ------ ---------- -------- ------
Total liabilities &
stockholders' equity $2,215,526 $ 61,162 2.76% $2,043,275 $ 49,997 2.45% $1,964,513 $ 48,396 2.46%
========== ======== ====== ========== ======== ====== ========== ======== ======
</TABLE>





-22-
23
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest-earning assets $1,996,116 $1,860,345 $1,792,922
Interest-bearing liabilities $1,528,162 $1,462,034 $1,427,716
Interest income $163,831 $138,402 $136,002
Interest expense 61,162 49,997 48,396
-------- -------- --------
Interest income/interest-
earning assets 8.21% 7.44% 7.59%
Interest expense/interest-
bearing liabilities 4.00% 3.42% 3.39%
Interest spread 4.21% 4.02% 4.20%
Net interest income $102,669 $ 88,405 $ 87,606
======== ======== ========
Net interest margin 5.13% 4.75% 4.89%
</TABLE>
- ----------

(1) Includes tax equivalent adjustments to interest income of $2.3 million,
$2.1 million and $2.3 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, using
a tax rate of 35%.

(2) Interest income includes fees on loans of $4.1 million in 1995, $3.2
million in 1994 and $3.3 million in 1993.

(3) Includes nonaccrual loans. See "Nonperforming Assets."





-23-
24
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a summary of
the changes in interest income on interest-earning assets and interest expense
on interest-bearing liabilities relating to rate and volume variances.
Nonaccrual loans are included in average amounts of loans and do not bear
interest for purposes of the presentation. Changes that are not solely due to
volume or rate are allocated to volume.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993
------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
Volume Rate Total Volume Rate Total Volume Rate Total
------ ---- ----- ------ ---- ----- ------ ---- -----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury $(3,327) $ 727 $(2,600) $ 1,301 $ (994) $ 307 $ 96 $ (3,834) $(3,738)
U.S. government obligations 4,761 4,193 8,954 1,528 (1,630) (102) 3,271 (2,382) 889
Municipal obligations (1) 837 (323) 514 463 (751) (288) (1,251) 11 (1,240)
Other securities 827 691 1,518 (602) 540 (62) 1,065 (1,072) (7)
Federal funds sold & securities
purchased under agreements
to resell 594 1,394 1,988 (1,536) 1,765 229 482 (1,074) (592)
Interest-bearing time deposits
with other banks (14) 7 (7) (19) 12 (7) (34) (2) (36)
Net loans (2) 9,261 5,801 15,062 5,459 (3,136) 2,323 4,898 (5,331) (433)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Total 12,939 12,490 25,429 6,594 (4,194) 2,400 8,527 (13,684) (5,157)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------

INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money
market (490) 302 (188) 978 359 1,337 2,171 (3,902) (1,731)
Time 3,097 6,510 9,607 (212) 133 (79) (702) (5,431) (6,133)
Federal funds purchased (189) 298 109 24 193 217 (97) (43) (140)
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase 1,202 299 1,501 63 171 234 (1) (246) (247)
Long-term bonds (62) 9 (53) (69) (25) (94) (167) (111) (278)
Capital notes 265 (76) 189 12 (26) (14) 25 41 66
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- -------- -------
Total 3,823 7,342 11,165 796 805 1,601 1,229 (9,692) (8,463)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- -------- -------

Increase (decrease) in
net interest income $ 9,116 $ 5,148 $14,264 $ 5,798 $ (4,999) $ 799 $ 7,298 $ (3,992) $ 3,306
======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======= ======== =======
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1) Yields on tax-exempt investments have been adjusted to a tax equivalent
basis utilizing a 35% tax rate.

(2) Interest earned includes fees on loans of $3.3 million in 1993, $3.2
million in 1994 and $4.1 million in 1995.





-24-
25
RATE SENSITIVITY

To control interest rate risk, management regularly monitors the volume
of interest sensitive assets compared with interest sensitive liabilities over
specific time intervals. The Company's interest rate management policy is to
attempt to maintain a stable net interest margin in periods of interest rate
fluctuations. Interest sensitive assets and liabilities are those that are
subject to maturity or repricing within a given time period. Interest rate
risk is monitored, quantified and managed to produce a 5% or less impact on
short-term earnings.

The interest sensitivity gap is the difference between total interest
sensitive assets and liabilities in a given time period. At December 31, 1995,
the Company's cumulative interest sensitivity gap in the one year interval was
(18.44%) as compared to a cumulative interest sensitivity gap in the one year
interval of (15.80%) at December 31, 1994. The percentage reflects a higher
level of interest sensitive liabilities than assets repricing within one year.
Generally, when rate sensitive liabilities exceed rate sensitive assets, the
net interest margin is expected to be positively affected during periods of
decreasing interest rates and negatively affected during periods of increasing
rates.

The following tables set forth the Company's interest rate sensitivity
gap at December 31, 1995 and 1994:





-25-
26
Analysis of Interest Sensitivity at December 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
After Three
Within Through One After Five
Three Twelve Through Years and
Months Months Five Years Insensitive Total
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loans $ 281,636 $ 103,346 $ 429,298 $ 220,697 $1,034,977
Securities and time deposits 181,199 137,057 219,763 311,837 849,856
Federal funds 153,725 -- -- -- 153,725
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Total earning assets $ 616,560 $ 240,403 $ 649,061 $ 532,534 $2,038,558
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
30.25% 11.79% 31.84% 26.12% 100.00%
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
Interest-bearing deposits, excluding
CDs greater than $100,000 $ 566,967 $ 443,939 $ 234,772 $ 15 $1,245,693
CDs greater than $100,000 73,320 79,031 61,191 -- 213,542
Short-term borrowings 66,585 -- -- -- 66,585
Other borrowings 1,045 1,970 2,100 -- 5,115
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Total interest-bearing funds 707,917 524,940 298,063 15 1,530,935
Interest-free funds -- -- -- 507,623 507,623
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Funds supporting earning assets $ 707,917 $ 524,940 $ 298,063 $ 507,638 $2,038,558
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
34.73% 25.75% 14.62% 24.90% 100.00%
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
Interest sensitivity gap $ (91,357) $(284,537) $ 350,998 $ 24,896 --
Cumulative gap $ (91,357) $(375,894) $ (24,896) -- --
Percent of total earning assets (4.48%) (18.44%) (1.22)% -- --
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
</TABLE>

Analysis of Interest Sensitivity at December 31, 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
After Three
Within Through One After Five
Three Twelve Through Years and
Months Months Five Years Insensitive Total
--------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loans $ 236,825 $ 70,147 $ 400,668 $ 218,025 $ 925,665
Securities and time deposits 266,501 182,695 335,839 83,755 868,790
Federal funds 55,900 -- -- -- 55,900
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Total earning assets $ 559,226 $ 252,842 $ 736,507 $ 301,780 $1,850,355
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
30.22% 13.67% 39.80% 16.31% 100.00%
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
Interest-bearing deposits, excluding
CD's greater than $100,000 $ 539,127 $ 397,897 $ 275,853 $ 253 $1,213,130
CD's greater than $100,000 62,228 48,754 61,310 230 172,522
Short-term borrowings 54,296 -- -- -- 54,296
Other borrowings 1,386 700 2,255 -- 4,341
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Total interest-bearing funds 657,037 447,351 339,418 483 1,444,289
Interest-free funds -- -- -- 406,066 406,066
--------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Funds supporting earning assets $ 657,037 $ 447,351 $ 339,418 $ 406,549 $1,850,355
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
35.51% 24.18% 18.34% 21.97% 100.00%
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
Interest sensitivity gap $ (97,811) $(194,509) $ 397,089 $(104,769) --
Cumulative gap $ (97,811) $(292,320) $ 104,769 -- --
Percent of total earning assets (5.29%) (15.80%) 5.66% -- --
========= ========= ========= ========= ==========
</TABLE>





-26-
27
INCOME TAXES

The Company had income tax expense of $13.1 million and $10.5 million
for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. This represents
effective tax rates of 32.6% and 31.2% for December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively; a greater portion of the Company's income in 1995 has been
generated from taxable sources contributing to the rise in the effective tax
rate.

PERFORMANCE AND EQUITY RATIOS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
percentage of net income to average assets and average stockholders' equity,
the percentage of common stock dividends to net income and the percentage of
average stockholders' equity to average assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Return on average assets (%) 1.22 1.13 1.27
Return on average stockholders' equity (%) 12.50 13.22 15.61
Dividend payout ratio (%) 32.06 31.90 28.03
Average stockholders' equity to average assets (%) 9.74 8.56 8.11
</TABLE>

SECURITIES PORTFOLIO

The Company generally purchases securities to be held-to-maturity, with
a maturity schedule that provides ample liquidity. Securities classified as
held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost. Certain securities have been
classified as available-for-sale based on management's internal assessment of
the portfolio considering future liquidity, earning requirements and capital
position. The Company increased its available-for-sale portfolio during 1995
to approximate the dollar volume of excess capital over internal and regulatory
requirements. Generally, securities with market risk have been placed in this
category. The December 31, 1995, book value of the held-to-maturity portfolio
was $739 million and the market value was $749 million. The available-for-sale
portfolio balance was $110 million at December 31, 1995.





-27-
28
The book values of securities classified as available-for-sale as of
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-----------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993
-------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury securities $ 1,493 $ --- $ ---
Other U.S. gov. obligations 61,470 --- ---
Municipal obligations 962 997 930
Other securities 544 --- ---
Mortgage-backed securities 5,140 --- ---
CMOs 34,695 19,385 27,314
Equity securities 4,993 --- ---
-------- ------- -------
$109,297 $20,382 $28,244
======== ======= =======
</TABLE>

The book value, book yield and market value of the debt securities
classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 1995, by estimated
maturity, were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Book Value Yield (%) Market Value
---------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less $ 6,053 6.88 $ 5,968
Due after one year through five years 89,654 6.80 90,097
Due after five years through ten years 8,014 6.87 8,122
Due after ten years 583 6.80 597
-------- ---- --------
$104,304 6.81 $104,784
======== ==== ========
</TABLE>

The book values of securities classified as held-to-maturity as of
December 31, 1995, and 1994 and 1993 were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-----------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993
-------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury securities $239,892 $280,578 $282,629
Other U.S. gov. obligations 317,140 275,209 241,987
Municipal obligations 56,961 58,224 40,561
Other securities 11,027 15,747 13,316
Mortgage-backed securities 50,427 129,028 95,406
CMOs 63,082 88,807 87,171
-------- -------- --------
$738,529 $847,593 $761,070
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>


The book value, book yield and market value of the securities classified
as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1995, by contractual maturity, were as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Book Value Yield (%) Market Value
---------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less $183,484 6.61 $184,132
Due after one year through five years 190,193 6.64 193,781
Due after five years through ten years 142,856 6.70 145,098
Due after ten years 221,996 6.65 226,486
-------- ---- --------
$738,529 6.64 $749,497
======== ==== ========
</TABLE>





-28-
29
LOAN PORTFOLIO

The Banks' primary lending focus is to provide commercial, consumer and
real estate loans to consumers and to small and middle market businesses in
their respective market areas. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a
means of reducing the risks associated with economic fluctuations. The Banks
have no concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or loans to any foreign
entities.

Loan underwriting standards and loan loss reserve maintenance further
reduce the impact of credit risk to the Company. Loans are underwritten on the
basis of cash flow capacity and collateral market value. Generally, real
estate mortgage loans are made when the borrower produces sufficient cash flow
capacity and equity in the property to offset historical market devaluations.
The loan loss reserve adequacy is tested monthly based on historical losses
through different economic cycles and projected future losses specifically
identified.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
composition of the loan portfolio of the Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Loan Portfolio
--------------

December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Real estate:
Residential mortgages 1-4 family $ 224,646 $214,247 $213,216 $211,931 $203,591
Residential mortgages multifamily 9,674 7,302 7,124 7,804 5,308
Home equity lines 11,825 11,740 13,147 12,873 12,205
Construction and development 41,602 35,719 24,234 18,454 14,729
Nonresidential 127,027 112,957 119,094 111,504 130,495
Commercial, industrial and other 176,942 119,997 160,385 157,797 147,560
Consumer 409,608 397,879 366,401 297,401 278,645
Lease financing and depository
institutions 13,811 10,074 6,673 6,079 9,733
Political subdivisions 14,394 12,806 11,668 12,791 15,655
Credit card 32,104 30,794 27,466 26,482 16,436
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
1,061,633 953,515 949,408 863,116 834,357
Less, unearned income 26,656 27,850 26,396 22,393 20,385
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net loans $1,034,977 $925,665 $923,012 $840,723 $813,972
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>





-29-
30
Prior to July 1991, a correspondent bank of Hancock Bank MS issued
credit cards under the Bank's name to customers of Hancock Bank MS and retained
the outstanding receivables. In July 1991, Hancock Bank MS purchased, at par,
from its correspondent bank, certain credit cards with outstanding balances of
approximately $7.8 million and simultaneously transferred, at par, the cards
and balances to Hancock Bank LA. The resulting combined consumer and corporate
credit card portfolio aggregated approximately $11.5 million with approximately
17,700 cards outstanding. At December 31, 1995, the portfolio balance had
increased to approximately $32.1 million with approximately 36,000 cards
outstanding.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the
approximate maturity by type of the loan portfolio of the Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Loan Maturity Schedule
----------------------

December 31, 1995 December 31, 1994
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Maturity Range Maturity Range
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
After One After One
Within Through After Five Within Through After Five
One Year Five Years Years Total One Year Five Years Years Total
-------- ---------- ------ ----- -------- ---------- ----- -----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial, industrial and
other $ 70,958 $ 77,897 $ 28,087 $ 176,942 $ 59,776 $ 50,459 $ 9,762 $119,997
Real estate - construction 20,227 14,685 6,690 41,602 18,885 11,597 5,237 35,719
All other loans 154,587 454,385 234,117 843,089 257,361 339,299 201,139 797,799
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Total loans $245,772 $546,967 $268,894 $1,061,633 $336,022 $401,355 $216,138 $953,515
======== ======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

The sensitivity to interest rate changes of that portion of the
Company's loan portfolio that matures after one year is shown below:

Loan Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, December 31,
1995 1994
----------- -----------
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Commercial, industrial, and real estate construction
maturing after one year:
Fixed rate $150,111 $ 55,674
Floating rate 80,298 19,156
Other loans maturing after one year:
Fixed rate 559,592 476,321
Floating rate 25,860 66,342
-------- --------

Total $815,861 $617,493
======== ========
</TABLE>





-30-
31
NONPERFORMING ASSETS

The following table sets forth nonperforming assets by type for the
periods indicated, consisting of nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, real
estate owned and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual loans:
Real estate $ 2,406 $ 1,914 $ 1,888 $ 4,050 $ 5,121
Commercial, industrial and other 1,144 525 1,424 399 940
Consumer 1,176 1,287 1,322 1,735 1,335
Lease financing -- -- -- 22 --
Depository institutions -- -- -- -- --
Political subdivisions -- -- -- -- --
Restructured loans 611 614 482 194 111
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonperforming loans 5,337 4,340 5,116 6,400 7,507
Acquired real estate owned 140 -- -- -- --
Real estate owned 946 1,001 1,029 1,673 4,549
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonperforming assets $ 6,423 $ 5,341 $ 6,145 $ 8,073 $12,056
======= ======== ======= ======= =======
Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing $ 4,089 $ 2,692 $ 4,338 $ 7,356 $ 5,958
======= ======== ======= ======= =======
Ratios (%):
Nonperforming loans to net loans 0.52 0.47 0.55 0.76 0.92
Nonperforming assets to net loans and
real estate owned 0.62 0.58 0.67 0.96 1.47
Nonperforming loans to average net loans 0.53 0.48 0.60 0.80 0.97
Reserve for loan losses to nonperforming
loans 325.86 354.19 299.18 229.41 170.57
</TABLE>


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amount of
interest that would have been recorded on nonaccrual loans had the loans not
been classified as "nonaccrual" as well as the interest that would have been
recorded under the original terms of restructured loans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual $ 463 $ 340 $ 441 $ 603 $ 712
Restructured 60 56 45 17 10
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total $ 523 $ 396 $ 486 $ 620 $ 722
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>

Interest actually received on nonaccrual and restructured loans was
insignificant.





-31-
32
LOAN LOSS, CHARGE-OFF AND RECOVERY EXPENSES

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, average net
loans outstanding, reserve for loan losses, amounts charged-off and recoveries
of loans previously charged-off:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loans outstanding at end of period $1,034,978 $925,665 $923,012 $840,723 $813,972
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Average net loans outstanding $1,000,907 $904,342 $847,526 $796,018 $777,915
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
Balance of reserve for loan losses
at beginning of period $ 15,372 $ 15,306 $ 14,682 $ 12,805 $ 13,052
Loans charged-off:
Real estate 210 106 318 766 514
Commercial 636 637 2,218 2,516 2,853
Consumer 4,524 2,706 3,087 3,981 2,868
Lease financing 13 -- 53 2 --
Depository institutions -- -- -- -- --
Political subdivisions -- -- -- -- --
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total charge-offs 5,383 3,449 5,676 7,265 6,235
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Recoveries of loans previously
charged-off:
Real estate 15 53 102 85 100
Commercial 971 570 695 430 413
Consumer 839 886 869 648 465
Lease financing 5 8 2 1 6
Depository institutions -- -- -- -- --
Political subdivisions -- -- -- -- --
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total recoveries 1,830 1,517 1,668 1,164 984
---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net charge-offs 3,553 1,932 4,008 6,101 5,251
Provision for loan losses 4,425 1,998 4,632 7,978 5,004
Balance acquired through acquisition 1,147 -- -- -- --
--------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance of reserve for loan losses
at end of period $ 17,391 $ 15,372 $ 15,306 $ 14,682 $ 12,805
========== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain
ratios related to the Company's charge-offs, reserve for loan losses and
outstanding loans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratios (%):
Net charge-offs to average net loans 0.35 0.21 0.47 0.77 0.68
Net charge-offs to period-end net loans 0.34 0.21 0.43 0.73 0.65
Reserve for loan losses to average net loans 1.74 1.70 1.81 1.84 1.65
Reserve for loan losses to period-end net loans 1.68 1.66 1.66 1.75 1.57
Net charge-offs to loan loss reserve 20.43 12.57 26.19 41.55 41.01
Net charge-offs to loan loss provision 80.29 96.70 86.53 76.47 104.94
</TABLE>





-32-
33
An allocation of the loan loss reserve by major loan category is set
forth in the following table. The allocation is not necessarily indicative of
the category of future losses, and the full reserve at December 31, 1995, is
available to absorb losses occurring in any category of loans.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
----------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Reserve % of Reserve % of Reserve % of Reserve % of Reserve % of
for Loans for Loans for Loans for Loans for Loans
Loan to Total Loan to Total Loan to Total Loan to Total Loan to Total
Losses Loans Losses Loans Losses Loans Losses Loans Losses Loans
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Real estate $ 2,000 39.08 $ 1,250 40.06 $ 1,250 39.69 $ 1,250 42.00 $ 1,250 43.90
Commercial, industrial
and other 5,250 19.32 5,000 14.98 5,000 18.82 4,750 20.47 4,250 20.73
Consumer 7,500 38.58 6,500 41.73 6,500 38.60 6,250 34.46 5,750 33.40
Credit card 500 3.02 500 3.23 500 2.89 500 3.07 500 1.97
Unallocated 2,141 -- 2,122 -- 2,056 -- 1,932 -- 1,055 --
------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------

$17,391 100.00 $15,372 100.00 $15,306 100.00 $14,682 100.00 $12,805 100.00
======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ======
</TABLE>

DEPOSITS AND OTHER DEBT INSTRUMENTS

The following table sets forth the distribution of the average deposit
accounts for the periods indicated and the weighted average interest rates on
each category of deposits:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1994 1993
------------------------------- --------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Percent Percent Percent
of of of
Amount Deposits Rate (%) Amount Deposits Rate (%) Amount Deposits Rate (%)
------ -------- -------- ------ -------- -------- ------ -------- --------
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Non-interest bearing
accounts $ 439,495 23.18 -- $ 393,120 21.76 -- $ 364,612 20.88 --
NOW accounts 288,947 15.24 2.64 293,347 16.24 2.58 237,288 13.59 2.93
Money market and other
savings accounts 450,144 23.75 2.86 462,541 25.60 2.84 481,309 27.57 2.58
Time deposits 717,064 37.83 5.17 657,587 36.40 4.18 662,646 37.96 4.16
---------- ------ ---------- ------ ---------- ------

$1,895,650 100.00 $1,806,595 100.00 $1,745,855 100.00
========== ====== ========== ====== ========== ======
</TABLE>


The Banks traditionally price their deposits to position themselves in
the middle of the local market. The Banks' policy is not to accept brokered
deposits.





-33-
34
Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over at December 31, 1995,
had maturities as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1995
-----------------
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C>
Three months or less $ 73,320
Over three through six months 25,290
Over six through twelve months 53,741
Over twelve months 61,191
--------
Total $213,542
========
</TABLE>


SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
Company's short-term borrowings, which consist of federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
---------------------------
1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal funds purchased:
Amount outstanding at period-end $11,300 $29,150 $14,650
Weighted average interest at period-end 4.85% 5.63% 2.75%
Maximum amount at any month-end during period $16,325 $37,000 $27,725
Average amount outstanding during period $15,284 $18,622 $18,023
Weighted average interest rate during period 5.65% 4.05% 2.98%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Amount outstanding at period-end $55,285 $25,146 $31,148
Weighted average interest at period-end 4.33% 3.00% 2.50%
Maximum amount at any month-end during period $88,070 $43,096 $31,289
Average amount outstanding during period $53,924 $24,710 $22,480
Weighted average interest rate during period 4.12% 2.91% 2.15%
</TABLE>

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity represents an institution's ability to provide funds to
satisfy demands from depositors, borrowers and other commitments by either
converting assets into cash or accessing new or existing sources of incremental
funds. The principal sources of funds that provide liquidity are customer
deposits, payments of interest and principal on loans, maturities in and sales
of investment securities, earnings and borrowings. At December 31, 1995, cash
and due from banks, securities available-for-sale, federal funds sold and
repurchase agreements were in excess of 10% of total deposits at December 31,
1995.

The Company depends upon the dividends paid to it from the Banks as a
principal source of funds for its debt service requirements. As of December





-34-
35
31, 1995, there was approximately $65 million available to be dividended to the
Company from the Banks.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Risk-based and leverage capital ratios for the Company and the Banks for
the periods indicated are shown in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Risk-Based Capital Ratios Tier 1 Leverage
-------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
Total Tier 1 Ratio
-------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
1995 1994 1995 1994 1995 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hancock Bank MS 17.98% 15.93% 17.18% 15.10% 9.26% 8.12%
Hancock Bank LA 22.35 19.77 21.10 19.77 9.61 9.43
Denham 11.50 -- 10.25 -- 7.38 --
Company 18.64 18.53 17.69 17.58 9.28 8.84
</TABLE>

Risk-based capital requirements are intended to make regulatory capital
more sensitive to risk elements of the Company. Currently, the Company is
required to maintain a minimum risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, with not less
than 4.0% in Tier 1 capital. In addition, the Company must maintain a minimum
Tier 1 leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to total assets) of at least 3.0% based
upon the regulator's latest composite rating of the institution.

RECENT CHANGES IN FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities," which requires the investment portfolio to be
classified into one of three reporting categories, held-to-maturity,
available-for-sale or trading. On December 29, 1995, as permitted by "A Guide
to Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities" issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
the Company reclassified securities with a book value of $67,789,000 and
unrealized gains of $251,000 from securities held-to-maturity to securities
available-for-sale. The Company's adoption of this statement in 1994 did not
have a material effect on its financial statements.

IMPACT OF INFLATION:

Unlike most industrial companies, the assets and liabilities of financial





-35-
36
institutions such as the Banks are primarily monetary in nature. Therefore,
interest rates have a more significant effect on the Banks' performance than
the effect of general levels of inflation on the price of goods and services.
Interest rates earned and paid by the Banks are affected to a degree by the
rate of inflation, and noninterest income and expenses can be affected by
increasing rates of inflation; however, the Company believes that the effects
of inflation are generally manageable through asset/liability management.





-36-
37
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

The Company's main offices are located at One Hancock Plaza, Gulfport,
Mississippi. The building has fourteen stories, of which seven are utilized by
the Company. The remaining seven stories are presently leased to outside
parties.

The building is leased from the City of Gulfport in connection with an
urban development revenue bond issue with a present balance of $2,035,000. The
lease payments by Hancock Bank MS, which are equivalent in amount to the
payments of principal and interest on the bonds, are used by the City to make
payments on the bonds. Hancock Bank MS, however, effectively has ownership of
the building since title will revert when all outstanding bonds have been paid.
For this reason, the Company carries the building as an asset and the bonds as
a long term payable on its balance sheet. The bonds mature at various dates
through 1997.

The following banking offices in Mississippi and Louisiana are held in
fee (number of locations shown in parenthesis):

Albany, LA (1) Gulfport, MS (6)
Angie, LA (1) Long Beach, MS (2)
Baker, LA (2) Lyman, MS (1)
Baton Rouge, LA (12) Moss Point, MS (2)
Bay St. Louis, MS (2) Mt. Hermon, LA (1)
Biloxi, MS (3) Ocean Springs, MS (2)
Bogalusa, LA (2) Pascagoula, MS (4)
Denham Springs, LA (4) Pass Christian, MS (1)
D'Iberville, MS (1) Picayune, MS (2)
Escatawpa, MS (1) Poplarville, MS (1)
Franklinton, LA (2) Walker, LA (1)
French Settlement, LA (1) Waveland, MS (1)
Gautier, MS (1)

The following banking offices in Mississippi and Louisiana are leased
under agreements with unexpired terms of from one to twelve years including
renewal options (number of locations shown in parenthesis):

Baton Rouge, LA (5) Pascagoula, MS (1)
Bay St. Louis, MS (2) Picayune, MS (2)
Biloxi, MS (1) Springfield, LA (1)
Diamondhead, MS (1) Vancleave, MS (1)
Gulfport, MS (5)





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38
In addition to the above, Hancock Bank MS owns land and other properties
acquired through foreclosures of loans. The major item is approximately 3,700
acres of timber land in Hancock County, Mississippi, which Hancock Bank MS
acquired by foreclosure in the 1930's.

ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation
with outside legal counsel, all such matters are adequately covered by
insurance or, if not so covered, are not expected to have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information under the caption "Market Information" on page 6 of the
Company's 1995 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information under the caption "Consolidated Summary of Selected
Financial Information" on Page 7 of the Company's 1995 Annual Report to
Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on Pages 33 and 34 of the
Company's 1995 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by
reference.





-38-
39
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and
subsidiaries, and the independent auditors' report, appearing on Pages 18
through 32 of the Company's 1995 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated
herein by reference:

Consolidated Balance Sheets on Page 18
Consolidated Statements of Earnings on Page 19
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity on Page 20
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow on Page 21
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 22 through 31
Independent Auditors' Report on Page 32

ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

There have been no disagreements with the Company's independent
accountants and auditors on any matter of accounting principles or practices or
financial statement disclosure.

PART III

ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

For information concerning this item, see "Election of Directors" (Pages
2-7) and "Management Compensation" (Pages 15-20) in the Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders held February 22, 1996, which was filed by the
Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 23, 1996, and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

For information concerning this item see "Management Compensation"
(Pages 15-20) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
held February 22, 1996, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form
with the Commission on January 23, 1996, and is incorporated herein by
reference.





-39-
40

ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

For information concerning this item see "Principal Stockholders" (Page
12) and "Election of Directors" (Pages 2-7) in the Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders held February 22, 1996, which was filed by the
Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 23, 1996, and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

For information concerning this item see "Certain Transactions and
Relationships" (Page 21) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders held February 22, 1996, which was filed by the Registrant in
definitive form with the Commission on January 23, 1996, and is incorporated
herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
(a) 1. and 2. Consolidated Financial Statements:

The following have been incorporated herein from the Company's 1995
Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference:

- Independent Auditors' Report
- Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1994
- Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three years ended December
31, 1995
- Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three years
ended December 31, 1995
- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended
December 31, 1995
- Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the three years ended
December 31, 1995

All other financial statements and schedules are omitted as the required
information is inapplicable or the required information is presented in the





-40-
41
consolidated financial statements or related notes.

(a) 3. Exhibits:

(2.1) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 30, 1985, among Hancock
Holding Company, Hancock Bank and Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank
(filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated June 6,
1985, and incorporated herein by reference).

(2.2) Amendment dated July 9, 1985, to Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated May 30, 1985, among Hancock Holding Company, Hancock Bank
and Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank (filed as Exhibit 19 to
Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1985, and
incorporated herein by reference).

(2.3) Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 12, 1990, among Hancock
Holding Company, Metropolitan Corporation and Metropolitan
National Bank (filed as Exhibit 2.3 to Registrant's Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by
reference).

(2.4) Modified Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated August 2, 1990,
among Hancock Bank of Louisiana and the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, receiver of American Bank and Trust Company of Baton
Rouge, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1990, and incorporated herein
by reference).

(2.5) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated November 30, 1993,
among Hancock Holding Company, Hancock Bank of Louisiana and
First State Bank and Trust Company of East Baton Rouge Parish,
Baker, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant's Form
10-K dated December 31, 1993).

(2.6) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated July 6, 1994, among
Hancock Holding Company and Washington Bancorp, Franklinton,
Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form S-4,
Registration Number 33- 56505, dated November 16, 1994).

(2.7) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 20, 1994, among





-41-
42
Hancock Holding Company and First Denham Bancshares, Inc., Denham
Springs, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form
S-4, Registration Number 33-56285, dated November 2, 1994).

(3.1) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated November 8,
1990 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein by
reference).

(3.2) Amended and Restated Bylaws dated November 8, 1990 (filed as
Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3.3) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Hancock
Holding Company, dated October 16, 1991 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1991).

(3.4) Articles of Correction, filed with Mississippi Secretary of State
on November 15, 1991 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1991).

(3.5) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Hancock
Holding Company, adopted February 13, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 3.5
to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1992, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3.6) Articles of Correction, filed with Mississippi Secretary of State
on March 2, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrant's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, and incorporated
herein by reference).

(4.1) Specimen stock certificate (reflecting change in par value from
$10.00 to $3.33, effective March 6, 1989) (filed as Exhibit 4.1
to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(4.2) By executing this Form 10-K, the Registrant hereby agrees to
deliver to the Commission upon request copies of instruments
defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the
Registrant or its consolidated subsidiaries or its unconsolidated
subsidiaries for which financial statements are required to be
filed, where the total amount of such securities authorized
thereunder does not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the
Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.





-42-
43
(10.1) 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan (described on pages 8-12 of the
Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its annual
shareholders' meeting on February 22, 1996, filed with the
Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 23, 1996, and
in full text at Exhibit A).

(10.2) Description of Hancock Bank Executive Supplemental Reimbursement
Plan, as amended (provided on page 19 of the Registrant's
definitive Proxy Statement for its annual shareholders' meeting
on February 22, 1996, filed with the Registrant's definitive
proxy materials on January 23, 1996, and incorporated herein by
reference).

(10.3) Description of Hancock Bank Automobile Plan (provided on page 19
of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its annual
shareholders' meeting on February 22, 1996, filed with the
Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 23, 1996, and
incorporated herein by reference).

(10.4) Description of Deferred Compensation Arrangement for Directors
(provided on pages 15-20 of the Registrant's definitive Proxy
Statement for its annual shareholders' meeting on February 22,
1996, filed with the Registrant's definitive proxy materials on
January 23, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.5) Site Lease Agreement between Hancock Bank and City of Gulfport,
Mississippi dated as of March 1, 1989 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to
the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989,
and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.6) Project Lease Agreement between Hancock Bank and City of
Gulfport, Mississippi dated as of March 1, 1989 (filed as Exhibit
10.5 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).





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44
(10.7) Deed of Trust dated as of March 1, 1989, from Hancock Bank to
Deposit Guaranty National Bank as trustee (filed as Exhibit 10.6
to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.8) Trust Indenture between City of Gulfport, Mississippi and Deposit
Guaranty National Bank dated as of March 1, 1989 (filed as
Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.9) Guaranty Agreement dated as of March 1, 1989, from Hancock Bank
to Deposit Guaranty National Bank as trustee (filed as Exhibit
10.8 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.10) Bond Purchase Agreement dated as of February 23, 1989, among
Hancock Bank, J. C. Bradford and Co. and City of Gulfport,
Mississippi (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by
reference).

(13) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ending December 31,
1995 (furnished for the information of the Commission only and
not deemed "filed" except for those portions which are
specifically incorporated herein by reference).

(21) Proxy Statement for the Registrant's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on February 22, 1996 (deemed "filed" for the
purposes of this Form 10-K only for those portions which are
specifically incorporated herein by reference).





-44-
45
(22) Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Jurisdiction Holder of
Name Of Incorporation Outstanding Stock (1)
---- ---------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Hancock Bank Mississippi Hancock Holding Company
Hancock Bank of Louisiana Louisiana Hancock Holding Company
First National Bank of
Denham Springs Louisiana Hancock Holding Company
Hancock Bank Securities
Corporation Mississippi Hancock Bank
Hancock Insurance Agency Mississippi Hancock Bank
Town Properties, Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank
The Gulfport Building, Inc.
of Mississippi Mississippi Hancock Bank
Harrison Financial Services,
Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank
Hancock Mortgage Corporation Mississippi Hancock Bank and
Hancock Securities Corp.
Harrison Life Insurance Mississippi 79% owned by Hancock
Company Bank
Hancock Investment Services Mississippi Hancock Bank
</TABLE>

(1) All are 100% owned except as indicated.

(23) Independent Auditors' Consent.

(27) Selected financial data.





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46
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY

DATE March 26, 1996 /s/ Leo W. Seal, Jr.
-------------------------- ------------------------------
By Leo W. Seal, Jr., President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


/s/ Leo W. Seal, Jr. President and Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------ (Principal Executive,
Leo W. Seal, Jr. Financial, and Accounting
Officer)


/s/ Joseph F. Boardman, Jr. Director, March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------ Chairman of the Board
Joseph F. Boardman, Jr.


/s/ Thomas W. Milner, Jr. Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------
Thomas W. Milner, Jr.


/s/ George A. Schloegel Director, March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------ Vice-Chairman of the Board
George A. Schloegel


/s/ Dr. Homer C. Moody, Jr. Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------
Dr. Homer C. Moody, Jr.


/s/ James B. Estabrook, Jr. Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------
James B. Estabrook, Jr.


/s/ Charles H. Johnson Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------
Charles H. Johnson


/s/ L. A. Koenenn, Jr. Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------
L. A. Koenenn, Jr.


/s/ Victor Mavar Director March 26, 1996
- ------------------------------
Victor Mavar





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47
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------

(2.1) Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 30, 1985, among Hancock
Holding Company, Hancock Bank and Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank
(filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated June 6,
1985, and incorporated herein by reference).

(2.2) Amendment dated July 9, 1985, to Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated May 30, 1985, among Hancock Holding Company, Hancock
Bank and Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank (filed as Exhibit 19 to
Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1985,
and incorporated herein by reference).

(2.3) Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 12, 1990, among
Hancock Holding Company, Metropolitan Corporation and
Metropolitan National Bank (filed as Exhibit 2.3 to
Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989,
and incorporated herein by reference).

(2.4) Modified Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated August 2,
1990, among Hancock Bank of Louisiana and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, receiver of American Bank and Trust
Company of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the
Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1990,
and incorporated herein by reference).

(2.5) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated November 30, 1993,
among Hancock Holding Company, Hancock Bank of Louisiana and
First State Bank and Trust Company of East Baton Rouge Parish,
Baker, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant's
Form 10-K dated December 31, 1993).

(2.6) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated July 6, 1994, among
Hancock Holding Company and Washington Bancorp, Franklinton,
Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form S-4,
Registration Number 33-56505, dated November 16, 1994).

(2.7) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 20, 1994,
among
48
Hancock Holding Company and First Denham Bancshares, Inc.,
Denham Springs, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the
Registrant's Form S-4, Registration Number 33-56285, dated
November 2, 1994).

(3.1) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated November
8, 1990 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein
by reference).

(3.2) Amended and Restated Bylaws dated November 8, 1990 (filed as
Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1990, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3.3) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of
Hancock Holding Company, dated October 16, 1991 (filed as
Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1991).

(3.4) Articles of Correction, filed with Mississippi Secretary of
State on November 15, 1991 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the
Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1991).

(3.5) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of
Hancock Holding Company, adopted February 13, 1992 (filed as
Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3.6) Articles of Correction, filed with Mississippi Secretary of
State on March 2, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the
Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992,
and incorporated herein by reference).

(4.1) Specimen stock certificate (reflecting change in par value
from $10.00 to $3.33, effective March 6, 1989) (filed as
Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(4.2) By executing this Form 10-K, the Registrant hereby agrees to
deliver to the Commission upon request copies of instruments
defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the
Registrant or its consolidated subsidiaries or its
unconsolidated subsidiaries for which financial statements are
required to be filed, where the total amount of such
securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10 percent of
the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis.
49
(10.1) 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan (described on pages 8-12 of the
Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its annual
shareholders' meeting on February 22, 1996, filed with the
Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 23, 1996,
and in full text at Exhibit A).

(10.2) Description of Hancock Bank Executive Supplemental
Reimbursement Plan, as amended (provided on page 19 of the
Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its annual
shareholders' meeting on February 22, 1996, filed with the
Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 23, 1996,
and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.3) Description of Hancock Bank Automobile Plan (provided on page
19 of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its
annual shareholders' meeting on February 22, 1996, filed with
the Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 23,
1996, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.4) Description of Deferred Compensation Arrangement for Directors
(provided on pages 15-20 of the Registrant's definitive Proxy
Statement for its annual shareholders' meeting on February 22,
1996, filed with the Registrant's definitive proxy materials
on January 23, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.5) Site Lease Agreement between Hancock Bank and City of
Gulfport, Mississippi dated as of March 1, 1989 (filed as
Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.6) Project Lease Agreement between Hancock Bank and City of
Gulfport, Mississippi dated as of March 1, 1989 (filed as
Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).
50
(10.7) Deed of Trust dated as of March 1, 1989, from Hancock Bank to
Deposit Guaranty National Bank as trustee (filed as Exhibit
10.6 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.8) Trust Indenture between City of Gulfport, Mississippi and
Deposit Guaranty National Bank dated as of March 1, 1989
(filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by
reference).

(10.9) Guaranty Agreement dated as of March 1, 1989, from Hancock
Bank to Deposit Guaranty National Bank as trustee (filed as
Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1989, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.10) Bond Purchase Agreement dated as of February 23, 1989, among
Hancock Bank, J. C. Bradford and Co. and City of Gulfport,
Mississippi (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989, and incorporated
herein by reference).

(13) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ending December 31,
1995 (furnished for the information of the Commission only and
not deemed "filed" except for those portions which are
specifically incorporated herein by reference).

(21) Proxy Statement for the Registrant's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on February 22, 1996 (deemed "filed" for the
purposes of this Form 10-K only for those portions which are
specifically incorporated herein by reference).
51
(22) Subsidiaries of the Registrant (included as part of this Form
10-K on page 45).

(23) Independent Auditors' Consent.

(27) Selected financial data.