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, 1996. 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 incorporation or organization) Identification 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 The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of January 2, 1997, was approximately $367,105,000. 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, 1996, the registrant had outstanding 10,725,102 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, 1996 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 Shareholders held on February 20, 1997, filed by the Registrant on January 21, 1997, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
CONTENTS PART I Item 1. Business 4 Item 2. Properties 38 Item 3. Legal Proceedings 39 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 39 PART II Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters 40 Item 6. Selected Financial Data 40 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 40 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 40 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 41 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 41 Item 11. Executive Compensation 41 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 41 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 41 PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 42 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 80 banking offices and over 100 automated teller machines ("ATM's") in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana through two wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi ("Hancock Bank MS") and Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana ("Hancock Bank LA"). Hancock Bank MS and Hancock Bank LA 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, 1996, the Company had total assets of $2.3 billion and employed on a full-time basis 845 persons in Mississippi and 436 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, 1996, Hancock Bank MS currently ranks as the fourth largest bank in Mississippi. 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 $868 million at December 31, 1996, Hancock Bank LA is the largest bank in East Baton Rouge Parish. In November 1996, the Company acquired Community Bancshares, Inc., Independence, Louisiana which owned 100% of the stock of Community State Bank (Community). This acquisition expanded the Baton Rouge market area into the Hammond area where many of the people who work in Baton Rouge live. Beginning with the 1985 acquisition of the Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank ("PMP") in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the Company has acquired approximately $976.2 million in assets and approximately $876.5 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 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 loans and increase Hancock Bank LA's capital by $5,000,000. In April 1994, the Company merged Hancock Bank 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 acquired First Denham Bancshares, Inc. ("Bancshares") which owned 100% of the stock of First National Bank of Denham Springs ("Denham"), Denham Springs, Louisiana. The acquisition was in return for approximately $4,000,000 cash and 774,098 shares of common stock of the Company. The acquisition 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 August 15, 1996, Denham was merged into Hancock Bank LA. On February 1, 1995, the Company merged Hancock Bank LA with Washington Bank & 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. In November 1996, the Company acquired Community Bancshares, Inc., which owned 100% of the stock of Community State Bank ("Community"). This acquisition expanded the Company's market to the Hammond, Louisiana area, where many of the people who are employed in East Baton Rouge Parish reside. On January 17, 1997, the Company acquired Southeast National Bank, Hammond, Louisiana (Southeast). The acquisition was in return for approximately $3,700,000 cash and 105,000 shares of common stock of the Company. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. Southeast had total assets of approximately $40,000,000 and stockholders' equity of approximately $4,000,000 as of December 31, 1996 and net earnings of approximately $500,000 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 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 standards 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 operations quality assurance function, a component of its loan review system, to ensure proper documentation and asset quality. For Hancock Bank LA, all loans over an individual loan officer's Board approved lending authority must be approved by the Bank's, his or h 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 operations quality assurance function, a component of its loan review system, to ensure proper documentation and asset quality. LOAN REVIEW AND ASSET QUALITY: Each Bank's portfolio of loan 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 loan relationships aggregating less than $250,000 are reviewed. As a result of such reviews, each Bank places on its Watchlist loans requiring close or frequent review. All loans classified by a regulator are also placed on the Watchlist. All Watchlist and past due loans are reviewed monthly by the Banks' senior lending officers and 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 regularly by management. Generally, a consumer loan which is delinquent 120 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 when the loan is 1) maintained on a cash basis due to the deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower, 2) payments, in full, of principal or interest are not expected or 3) the principal or interest has bee in default for a period of 90 days, unless the loan is well secured AND in the process of collection. 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 loan portfolio and each commercial loan officer's loan 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, 1996, the book value of nonperforming assets held for resale was approximately $1.9 million. 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. 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 over 100 ATMs: over 65 ATMs at the 80 banking offices and over 40 free-standing ATMs at other locations. As members of regional and international ATM networks such as "PULSE", "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, 1996, the Trust Departments of the Banks had approximately $1.6 billion of assets under management, of which $1.0 billion were corporate accounts and $0.6 billion were personal, employee benefit, estate and other trust accounts. OPERATING EFFICIENCY STRATEGY: The primary focus of the Company's operating strategy is to increase 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 .59 as of December 31, 1996. Since its acquisition in August 1990, Hancock Bank LA employees have been reduced from .97 per $1 million of assets to .50 as of December 31, 1996. 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 $.56 to $1.00 at Hancock Bank MS. Hancock Bank LA has a higher level of fee income and through December 31, 1996, has achieved a ratio of $.86 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 investment brokerage services. The income of these subsidiaries generally accounts for less than 10% of the Company's total annual income. 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 whose needs 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 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. 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. Despite prior approval, however, 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 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. This system is designed to help identify institutions which require special attention. Financial institutions are assigned ratings based on evaluation and rating of their financial condition and operations. Components reviewed include capital adequacy, asset quality, management capability, the quality and level of earnings, and the adequacy of liquidity. Effective January 1, 1997, a sixth component was added to the rating system - Sensitivity to market risk. This component addresses primarily the issue of a bank's sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations. 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 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 capital ratio at December 31, 1996, was 10.37%. The risk-based capital guidelines are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles 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%. The result is then assigned to one of the four risk categories. At December 31, 1996, the Company's off-balance sheet items aggregated $253.2 million; however, after the credit conversion these items represented $19.1 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, 1996, the Company's Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios were 18.03% and 19.02%, respectively. 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 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 preceding 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 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. 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 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 first quarter of 1996, the FDIC lowered banks' deposit insurance premiums from 4 to 31 cents per hundred dollars in insured deposits to a rate of 0 to 27 cents. The Banks have received a risk classification of 1A for assessment purposes. Total assessments paid to the FDIC amounted to $285 thousand. The Banks paid BIF premiums of 0 cents per hundred dollars of insured deposits during 1996. The decrease in the 1996 rates resulted in $1.9 million FDIC premium reductions over the 1995 level of $2.2 million. Premiums for the first and second quarters of 1997 have remained 0 cents per hundred dollars of insured deposits. Premiums on OAKAR deposits from the 1991 acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings Association totalled $86 thousand. In addition to the normal premiums paid on OAKAR deposits, a one-time assessment of $191 thousand was paid. 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 "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 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 is also 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 the 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 $47,700 million, or, if the aggregate of such accounts exceeds $47,700 million, $1.302 million plus 10% of the total in excess of $47,700 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. Due to recent deregulation of the industry, however, the banking business is becoming increasingly dependent on the generation of fee and service charge revenue. 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. 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 and loans). 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 1996 and 1995 was 5.10%. 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 loan 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. 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:
<TABLE> <CAPTION> COMPARATIVE AVERAGE BALANCES - YIELDS AND RATES ----------------------------------------------- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 --------------------------------- ------------------------------ -------------------------------- Interest Average Interest Average Interest Average Average Income or Yield or Average Income or Yield Average Income or Yield Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense or Rate Balance Expense or Rate (%) (%) (%) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> ASSETS Interest-earning assets: Investment securities: U.S. Treasury $221,120 $13,567 6.14% $257,228 $14,568 5.66% $316,232 $17,168 5.43% U.S. government obligations 449,687 34,886 7.76% 493,315 33,726 6.84% 423,555 24,772 5.85% Municipal obligations 60,690 5,451 8.98% 57,001 5,426 9.52% 48,194 4,912 10.19% Other securities 171,889 6,780 3.94% 87,606 6,231 7.11% 75,956 4,713 6.20% Federal funds sold & securities purchased Under agreements to resell 106,316 5,580 5.25% 99,559 5,820 5.85% 89,341 3,832 4.29% Interest-bearing time deposits with other banks 1,543 87 5.64% 500 31 6.20% 725 38 5.24% Net loans (2)(3) 1,083,165 107,079 9.89% 1,000,907 98,029 9.79% 906,342 82,967 9.15% Total interest- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- earning assets/ interest income (1) 2,094,410 173,430 8.28% 1,996,116 163,831 8.21% 1,860,345 138,402 7.44% Less: Reserve for loan losses (17,670) --- (16,532) --- (15,251) --- Noninterest- earning assets: Cash and due from banks 121,157 --- 104,854 --- 112,931 --- Property and equipment 37,185 --- 37,786 --- 34,815 --- Other assets 50,795 --- 93,302 --- 50,435 --- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total assets $2,285,877 $173,430 7.58% $2,215,526 $163,831 7.39% $2,043,275 $138,402 6.77% ===================================================================================================== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Interest-bearing liabilities: Deposits: Savings, NOW and money market $ 694,017 19,001 2.74% $ 739,091 $ 20,515 2.78% $ 755,888 $ 20,703 2.74% Time 778,602 41,624 5.35% 717,064 37,097 5.17% 657,587 27,490 4.18% Federal funds purchased 11,425 549 4.80% 15,284 863 5.65% 18,622 754 4.05% Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 79,411 3,465 4.36% 53,924 2,219 4.12% 24,710 718 2.91% Long-term bonds 1,795 158 8.80% 2,799 203 7.25% 3,656 256 7.00% Capital notes 7 --- --- 265 0.00% 1,571 76 4.84% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest- bearing liabilities/ interest expense 1,565,250 64,804 4.14% 1,528,162 61,162 4.00% 1,462,034 49,997 3.42% Noninterest- bearing liabilities: Demand deposits 472,909 --- --- 439,495 --- --- 393,120 --- --- Other liabilities 17,667 --- --- 32,135 --- --- 13,183 --- --- Stockholders' equity 230,051 --- --- 215,734 --- --- 174,938 --- --- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities & stockholders' equity $2,285,877 $ 64,804 2.83% $2,215,526 $ 61,162 2.76% $2,043,275 $ 49,997 2.45% ====================================================================================================== Interest-earning assets $2,094,410 $1,996,116 $1,860,345 Interest-bearing liabilities 1,565,250 1,528,162 1,462,034 Interest income $173,430 $163,831 $138,402 Interest expense 64,804 61,162 49,997 -------- -------- -------- Interest income/ interest- earning assets 8.28% 8.21% 7.44% Interest expense/interest- bearing liabilities 4.14% 4.00% 3.42% Interest spread 4.14% 4.21% 4.02% Net interest income $108,626 $102,669 $ 88,405 ======== ======== ======== Net interest margin 5.19% 5.13% 4.75% - ---------- </TABLE> (1) Includes tax equivalent adjustments to interest income of $1.9 million, $2.3 million, and $2.1 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, using an effective tax rate of 35%. (2) Interest income includes fees on loans of $4.5 million in 1996, $4.1 million in 1995 and $3.2 million in 1994. (3) Includes nonaccrual loans. See "Nonperforming Assets." 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. <TABLE> <CAPTION> ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME ------------------------------------------ YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 --------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------ VOLUME RATE TOTAL VOLUME RATE TOTAL VOLUME RATE TOTAL --------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------ (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> INTEREST INCOME Investment securities: U.S. Treasury $(2,044) $ 1,043 $(1,001) $( 3,327) $ 727 $( 2,600) $ 1,301 $( 994)$ 307 U.S. government obligations (2,984) 4,144 1,160 4,761 4,193 8,954 1,528 (1,630) ( 102) Municipal obligations (1) 351 ( 326) 25 837 ( 323) 514 463 ( 751) ( 288) Other securities 5,992 (5,443) 549 827 691 1,518 ( 602) 540 ( 62) Federal funds sold & securities purchased under agreements to resell 395 ( 635) ( 240) 594 1,394 1,988 (1,536) 1,765 229 Interest bearing time deposits with other banks 65 ( 9) 56 ( 14) 7 ( 7) ( 19) 12 ( 7) Net Loans 8,053 997 9,050 9,261 5,801 15,062 5,459 (3,136) 2,323 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 9,828 ( 229) 9,599 12,939 12,490 25,429 6,594 (4,194) 2,400 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTEREST EXPENSE Deposits: Savings, NOW and money market (1,253) ( 261) (1,514) ( 490) 302 ( 188) 978 359 1,337 Time 3,181 1,346 4,527 3,097 6,510 9,607 ( 212) 133 ( 79) Federal funds purchased ( 218) ( 96) ( 314) ( 189) 298 109 24 193 217 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 1,050 196 1,246 1,202 299 1,501 63 171 234 Long-term bonds ( 73) 28 ( 45) ( 62) 9 ( 53) ( 69)( 25) ( 94) Capital notes ( 258) --- ( 258) 265 ( 76) 189 12 ( 26) ( 14) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 2,429 1,213 3,642 3,823 7,342 11,165 796 805 1,601 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (decrease) in net interest income $ 7,399 $(1,442) $ 5,957 $ 9,116 $ 5,148 $ 14,264 $ 5,798 $(4,999) $ 799 ============================================================================================= - ---------- </TABLE> (1) Yields on tax-exempt investments have been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 35% effective tax rate. (2) Interest earned includes fees on loans of $4.5 million in 1996, $4.1 million in 1995 and $3.2 million in 1994. 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 designed to produce 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, 1996, the Company's cumulative interest sensitivity gap in the one year interval was (21.75%) as compared to a cumulative interest sensitivity gap in the one year interval of (18.44%) at December 31, 1995. 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, 1996 and December 31, 1995: <TABLE> <CAPTION> ANALYSIS OF INTEREST SENSITIVITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 ----------------------------------------------------- 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 $ 302,553 $ 107,128 $ 531,015 $ 233,271 $1,173,967 Securities and time deposits 119,629 94,242 225,752 464,914 904,537 Federal funds 12,000 -- -- -- 12,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total earning assets $ 434,182 $ 201,370 $ 756,767 $ 698,185 $2,090,504 =========================================================================== 20.77% 9.64% 36.20% 33.39% 100.00% Interest bearing deposits, excluding CDs greater than $100,000 $ 542,277 $ 285,565 $ 440,733 $ 3,339 $1,271,914 CDs greater than $100,000 97,686 75,521 48,491 -- 221,698 Short-term borrowings 87,609 -- -- -- 87,609 Other borrowings 500 1,050 -- -- 1,550 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest-bearing funds 728,072 362,136 489,224 3,339 1,582,771 Interest-free funds -- -- -- 507,733 507,733 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Funds supporting earning assets $ 728,072 $ 362,136 $ 489,224 $ 511,072 $2,090,504 ========================================================================== 34.82% 17.33% 23.40% 24.45% 100.00% Interest sensitivity gap $(293,890) $(160,766) $ 267,543 $ 187,113 -- Cumulative gap $(293,890) $(454,656) $(187,113) -- -- Percent of total earning assets (14.06%) (21.75%) (8.95%) -- -- </TABLE> <TABLE> <CAPTION> ANALYSIS OF INTEREST SENSITIVITY AT DECEMBER 31, 1995 ----------------------------------------------------- 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> INCOME TAXES: The Company had income tax expense of $15.2 million and $13.1 million for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. This represents effective tax rates of 32.4% and 32.6% for December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 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. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------- Return on average assets (%) 1.38 1.22 1.13 Return on average stockholders' equity (%) 13.74 12.50 13.22 Dividend payout ratio (%) 28.90 31.45 32.21 Average stockholders' equity to average assets (%) 10.06 9.74 8.56 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. Generally, securities with a market risk have been placed in this category. The December 31, 1996 book value of the held-to-maturity portfolio was $804 million and the market value was $807 million. The available-for-sale portfolio balance was $98 million at December 31, 1996. The book values of securities classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, were as follows (in thousands): DECEMBER 31 ------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------------- U.S. Treasury securities $ 499 $ 1,493 $ 2 Other U.S. gov. obligations 53,802 61,470 659 Municipal obligations 923 962 997 Other securities --- 544 --- Mortgage-backed securities 5,373 5,140 --- CMOs 33,038 34,695 19,385 Equity securities 4,932 4,993 --- -------------------------------- $ 98,567 $109,297 $ 20,382 ================================ The book value, book yield and market value of the debt securities classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, by estimated maturity, were as follows (in thousands): BOOK VALUE YIELD (%) MARKET VALUE ------------------------------------- Due in one year or less $ 4,029 6.40 $ 3,939 Due after one year through five years 17,403 6.56 17,149 Due after five years through ten years 15,908 6.60 15,753 Due after ten years 56,295 6.57 55,822 ------------------------------------- $ 93,635 6.57 $92,663 ===================================== The book value and market values of securities classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were as follows (in thousands): DECEMBER 31 -------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 -------------------------------- U.S. Treasury securities $175,171 $239,892 $280,578 Other U.S. gov. obligations 338,796 317,140 275,209 Municipal obligations 66,367 56,961 58,224 Other securities --- 11,027 15,747 Mortgage-backed securities 87,991 50,427 129,028 CMOs 135,673 63,082 88,807 -------------------------------- $809,998 $738,529 $847,593 ================================ The book value, book yield and market value of the securities classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, were as follows (in thousands): BOOK VALUE YIELD (%) MARKET VALUE ----------------------------------- Due in one year or less $ 99,189 6.60 $ 99,328 Due after one year through five years 227,023 6.64 227,834 Due after five years through ten years 249,010 6.70 248,796 Due after ten years 228,776 6.64 230,752 ---------------------------------- $803,998 6.65 $806,710 ================================== 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, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Real estate: Residential mortgages 1-4 family $ 333,581 $ 224,646 $ 214,247 $ 213,216 $ 211,931 Residential mortgages multifamily 12,769 9,674 7,302 7,124 7,804 Home equity lines 13,000 11,825 11,740 13,147 12,873 Construction and development 71,057 41,602 35,719 24,234 18,454 Nonresidential 168,203 127,027 112,957 119,094 111,504 Commercial, industrial and other 169,814 176,942 119,997 160,385 157,797 Consumer 372,951 409,608 397,879 366,401 297,401 Lease financing and depository institutions 16,095 13,811 10,074 6,673 6,079 Political subdivisions 12,142 14,394 12,806 11,668 12,791 Credit card 29,158 32,104 30,794 27,466 26,482 --------------------------------------------------------------- 1,198,770 1,061,633 953,515 949,408 863,116 Less, unearned income 24,806 26,656 27,850 26,396 22,393 --------------------------------------------------------------- Net loans $1,173,967 $1,034,977 $ 925,665 $ 923,012 $ 840,723 =============================================================== </TABLE> 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, 1996, the portfolio balance had increased to approximately $20.8 million with approximately 37,000 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, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1995 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ 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> <C> Commercial, industrial and other $ 68,436 $ 77,960 $ 23,418 $ 169,814 $ 70,958 $ 77,897 $ 28,087 $ 176,942 Real estate - construction 44,714 18,994 7,349 71,057 20,227 14,685 6,690 41,602 All other loans 148,232 557,936 251,731 957,899 154,587 454,385 234,117 843,089 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total loans $261,382 $654,891 $282,498 $1,198,770 $245,772 $546,967 $268,894 $1,061,633 ======================================================================================= </TABLE> The sensitivity to interest rate changes of that portion of the Company's loan portfolio that matures after one year is shown below: <TABLE> <CAPTION> LOAN SENSITIVITY TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 ------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> Commercial, industrial, and real estate construction maturing after one year: Fixed rate $188,476 $150,111 Floating rate 80,793 80,298 Other loans maturing after one year: Fixed rate 594,593 559,592 Floating rate 18,781 25,860 ---------------------- Total $882,643 $815,861 ===================== </TABLE> 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> DECEMBER 31, - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Nonaccrual loans: Real estate $ 753 $ 2,406 $ 1,914 $ 1,888 $ 4,050 Commercial, industrial and other 169 1,144 525 1,424 399 Consumer 1,298 1,176 1,287 1,322 1,735 Lease financing --- --- --- --- 22 Depository institutions --- --- --- --- --- Political subdivisions --- --- --- --- --- Restructured loans 685 611 614 482 194 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total nonperforming loans 2,905 5,337 4,340 5,116 6,400 Acquired real estate owned 147 140 --- --- --- Real estate owned 1,728 946 1,001 1,029 1,673 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total nonperforming assets $ 4,780 $ 6,423 $ 5,341 $ 6,145 $ 8,073 =========================================================================================== Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing $8,361 $ 4,089 $ 2,692 $ 4,338 $ 7,356 =========================================================================================== Ratios (%): Nonperforming loans to net loans 0.71 0.52 0.47 0.55 0.76 Nonperforming assets to net loans and real estate owned 0.41 0.62 0.58 0.67 0.96 Nonperforming loans to average net loans 0.77 0.53 0.48 0.60 0.80 Reserve for loan losses to nonperforming loans 681.58 325.86 354.19 299.18 229.41 </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> DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Nonaccrual $ 220 $ 463 $ 340 $ 441 $ 603 Restructured 68 60 56 45 17 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total $ 288 $ 523 $ 396 $ 486 $ 620 =========================================================================================== </TABLE> Interest actually received on nonaccrual and restructured loans was insignificant. 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, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Net loans outstanding at end of period $1,173,967 $1,034,978 $ 925,665 $ 923,012 $ 840,723 ================================================================================ Average net loans outstanding $1,083,165 $1,000,907 $ 904,342 $ 847,526 $ 796,018 ================================================================================ Balance of reserve for loan losses at beginning of period $ 17,391 $ 15,372 $ 15,306 $ 14,682 $ 12,805 Loans charged-off: Real estate 73 210 106 318 766 Commercial 975 636 637 2,218 2,516 Consumer 5,417 4,524 2,706 3,087 3,981 Lease financing 1 13 --- 53 2 Depository institutions --- --- --- --- --- Political subdivisions --- --- --- --- --- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total charge-offs 6,466 5,383 3,449 5,676 7,265 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recoveries of loans previously charged-off: Real estate 186 15 53 102 85 Commercial 937 971 570 695 430 Consumer 945 839 886 869 648 Lease financing 0 5 8 2 1 Depository institutions --- --- --- --- --- Political subdivisions --- --- --- --- --- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total recoveries 2,068 1,830 1,517 1,668 1,164 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net charge-offs 4,398 3,553 1,932 4,008 6,101 Provision for loan losses 6,153 4,425 1,998 4,632 7,978 Balance acquired through acquisition 654 1,147 --- --- --- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance of reserve for loan losses at end of period $ 19,800 $ 17,391 $ 15,372 $ 15,306 $ 14,682 ======================================================================== </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> YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------ 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> ------------------------------------------------- Ratios (%): Net charge-offs to average net loans 0.41 0.35 0.21 0.47 0.77 Net charge-offs to period-end net loans 0.37 0.34 0.21 0.43 0.73 Reserve for loan losses to average net loans 1.83 1.74 1.70 1.81 1.84 Reserve for loan losses to period-end net loans 1.69 1.68 1.66 1.66 1.75 Net charge-offs to loan loss reserve 22.21 20.43 12.57 26.19 41.55 Net charge-offs to loan loss provision 71.47 80.29 96.70 86.53 76.47 </TABLE> 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, 1996, is available to absorb losses occurring in any category of loans. <TABLE> DECEMBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 $3,000 49.94 $ 2,000 39.08 $1,250 46.06 $1,250 36.69 1,250 42.00 Commercial, industrial and other 5,750 16.52 5,250 19.32 5,000 14.98 5,000 18.82 4,750 20.47 Consumer 8,250 31.11 7,500 38.58 6,500 41.73 6,500 38.60 6,250 34.46 Credit card 800 2.43 500 3.02 500 3.23 500 2.89 500 3.07 Unallocated 2,000 --- 2,141 --- 2,122 --- 2,056 --- 1,932 --- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $19,800 100.00 17,391 100.00 $15,372 100.00 $15,306 100.00 $14,682 100.00 ====================================================================================================== </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> 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------- PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT OF OF OF RATE AMOUNT DEPOSITS RATE (%) AMOUNT DEPOSITS RATE (%) AMOUNT DEPOSITS (%) ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Non-interest bearing accounts $ 472,909 24.30 --- $ 439,495 23.18 --- $393,120 21.76 --- NOW accounts 268,391 13.8 2.68 288,947 15.24 2.64 293,347 16.24 2.58 Money market and other savings accounts 425,626 21.88 2.78 450,144 23.75 2.86 462,541 25.60 2.84 Time deposits 778,602 40.02 5.34 717,064 37.83 5.17 657,587 36.40 4.18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,945,528 100.00 $1,895,650 100.00 $1,806,595 100.00 =================================================================================================== </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. Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over at December 31, 1996 had maturities as follows: DECEMBER 31, 1996 ------------------- (Amounts in thousands) Three months or less $ 97,686 Over three through six months 29,453 Over six through twelve months 46,068 Over twelve months 48,491 --------- Total $221,698 ========= 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. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 -------------------------- (Amounts in thousands) Federal funds purchased: Amount outstanding at period-end $ 0 $11,300 $29,150 Weighted average interest at period-end 0.00% 3.12% 2.75% Maximum amount at any month-end during period $ 19,725 $16,325 $37,000 Average amount outstanding during period $ 11,425 $15,284 $18,622 Weighted average interest rate during period 5.33% 5.65% 4.05% Securities sold under agreements to repurchase: Amount outstanding at period-end $ 87,609 $55,285 $25,146 Weighted average interest at period-end 4.25% 2.50% 2.50% Maximum amount at any month end during-period $156,595 $88,070 $43,096 Average amount outstanding during period $ 79,411 $53,924 $24,710 Weighted average interest rate during period 4.26% 4.12% 2.91% 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, 1996, 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, 1996. The Company depends upon the dividends paid to it from the Banks as a principal source of funds for its debt service and dividend requirements. As of December 31, 1996, there was approximately $85 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> RISK-BASED CAPITAL RATIOS TIER 1 LEVERAGE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL TIER 1 RATIO --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1996 1995 1996 1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Hancock Bank MS 18.62% 17.98% 17.79% 17.18% 10.10% 9.26% Hancock Bank LA 19.63 22.35 18.38 21.10 10.54 9.61 Company 19.02 18.64 18.03 17.69 10.37 9.28 </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. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS: The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 125 "Accounting for Transfers and servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities" which provides revised accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this statement in 1997 will have a significant effect of its financial condition or results of operations. IMPACT OF INFLATION: Unlike most industrial companies, the assets and liabilities of financial institutions such as the Banks are primarily monetary in nature. Interest rates, therefore, 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. 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 a urban development revenue bond issue with a present balance of $1,050,000. 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) Hammond, LA (1) Angie, LA (1) Independence, LA (1) Baker, LA (1) Long Beach, MS (2) Baton Rouge, LA (13) Loranger, LA (1) Bay St. Louis, MS (2) Lyman, MS (1) Biloxi, MS (3) Moss Point, MS (3) Bogalusa, LA (1) Mt. Hermon, LA (1) Denham Springs, LA (4) Ocean Springs, MS (2) D'Iberville, MS (1) Pascagoula, MS (4) Escatawpa, MS (1) Pass Christian, MS (1) Franklinton, LA (1) Picayune, MS (2) French Settlement, LA (1) Poplarville, MS (1) Gautier, MS (1) Walker, LA (1) Gulfport, MS (7) Waveland, MS (1) The following banking offices in Mississippi and Louisiana are leased under agreements with unexpired terms of from one to thirty-four years including renewal options (number of locations shown in parenthesis): Baton Rouge, LA (5) Hammond, LA (1) Bay St. Louis, MS (2) Pascagoula, MS (1) Biloxi, MS (1) Picayune, MS (2) Diamondhead, MS (1) Springfield, LA (1) Gulfport, MS (5) Vancleave, MS (1) 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 There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 1996. 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 1996 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 1996 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 34 and 35 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference. 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 33 of the Company's 1996 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 Flows on Page 21 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 22 through 32 Independent Auditors' Report on Page 33 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 3-7) and "Executive Compensation" (Pages 12-18) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 20, 1997, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 21, 1997 and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION For information concerning this item see "Executive Compensation" (Pages 12-18) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 20, 1997, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 21, 1997 and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT For information concerning this item see "Principal Shareholders" (Page 10) and "Election of Directors" (Pages 3-7) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 20, 1997, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 21, 1997 and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS For information concerning this item see "Certain Transactions and Relationships" (Page 18) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 20, 1997, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 21, 1997 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 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference: - Independent Auditors' Report - Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 - Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 1996 - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three years ended December 31, 1996 - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 1996 - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the three years ended December 31, 1996 All other financial statements and schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the required information is presented in the 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 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). (2.8) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated November 15, 1996 among Hancock Holding Company, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Community Bancshares, Inc. and Community State Bank, Hammond Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form S-4, Registration Number 333-11873, dated September 12, 1996). (2.9) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated January 17, 1997 among Hancock Holding Company, Hancock Bank of Louisiana and Southeast National Bank, Hammond, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form S-4, Registration Number 333-14223, dated October 16, 1996). (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). (3.7) Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation adopted February 20, 1997 (filed herewith). (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. (10.1) 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference). (10.2) Description of Hancock Bank Executive Supplemental Reimbursement Plan, as amended (provided on page 17 of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for its annual shareholders' meeting on February 20, 1997 filed with the Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 21, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference). (10.3) Description of Hancock Bank Automobile Plan (provided on page 17 of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for its annual shareholders' meeting on February 20, 1997 filed with the Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 21, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference). (10.4) Description of Deferred Compensation Arrangement for Directors (provided on pages 12-18 of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for its annual shareholders' meeting on February 20, 1997 filed with the Registrant's definitive proxy materials on January 21, 1997 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). (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 & 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 year ending December 31, 1996 (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 20, 1997 (deemed "filed" for the purposes of this Form 10-K only for those portions which are specifically incorporated herein by reference). (22) Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (27) Selected Financial Data JURISDICTION HOLDER OF NAME OF INCORPORATION OUTSTANDING STOCK (1) - ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hancock Bank Mississippi Hancock Holding Company Hancock Bank of Louisiana Louisiana Hancock Holding Company Hancock Bank Securities Mississippi Hancock Bank Corporation Hancock Insurance Agency Mississippi Hancock Bank Hancock Investment Services, Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank Town Properties, Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank The Gulfport Building, Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank of Mississippi Harrison Financial Services, Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank Hancock Mortgage Corporation Mississippi Hancock Bank and Hancock Securities Corp. Harrison Life Insurance Company Mississippi 79% owned by Hancock Bank (1) All are 100% owned except as indicated. (23) Consent of Independent Accountants. (b) Reports on Form 8-K: No reports on Form 8-k were filed during the last quarter of the period covered by this report. (c) The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (d) Not applicable. (27) Selected Financial Data
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 25, 1997 /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 25, 1997 Leo W. Seal, Jr. (Chief Executive Officer) /S/ JOSEPH F. BOARDMAN, JR. Director, March 25, 1997 Joseph F. Boardman, Jr. Chairman of the Board /S/ THOMAS W. MILNER, JR. Director March 25, 1997 Thomas W. Milner, Jr. /S/ GEORGE A. SCHLOEGEL Director, March 25, 1997 George A. Schloegel Vice-Chairman of the Board /S/ DR. HOMER C. MOODY, JR. Director March 25, 1997 Dr. Homer C. Moody, Jr. /S/ JAMES B. ESTABROOK, JR. Director March 25, 1997 James B. Estabrook, Jr. /S/ CHARLES H. JOHNSON Director March 25, 1997 Charles H. Johnson /S/ L. A. KOENENN, JR. Director March 25, 1997 L. A. Koenenn, Jr. /S/ VICTOR MAVAR Director March 25, 1997 Victor Mavar /S/ C. STANLEY BAILEY Chief Financial March 25, 1997 C. Stanley Bailey Officer