Hancock Whitney
HWC
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Hancock Whitney - 10-K annual report


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<TITLE>1999 Annual Report Hancock Holding Company</TITLE>
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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>FORM 10-K</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549</FONT></H1>

(Mark One)<BR><BR>

[ X ]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1934 [FEE REQUIRED]<BR><BR>

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.<BR><BR>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;OR<BR><BR>

[ ]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]<BR><BR>

For the transition period from _________________________ to ___________________.<BR><BR>
Commission file number 0-13089

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>&nbsp; Hancock Holding Company &nbsp;</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></H1>
<PRE>
Mississippi 64-0693170
- ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization) Number)

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

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (228) 868-4727
------------------------
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. X
-----

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
----- --------
</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>Continued</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT SIZE=3>The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 1, 2000, was approximately
$313,910,000 (based on an average market price of $36.75). 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. </FONT></P>

On December 31, 1999, the registrant had outstanding 10,873,341 shares of common stock for financial
statement purposes.

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE</FONT></H1>

Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1999 are
incorporated by reference into Part II of this report.

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the
<P><FONT SIZE=3>Registrant&#146;s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on
February 24, 2000, filed by the Registrant on January 31, 2000, are incorporated
by reference into Part III of this report. </FONT></P>

<HR SIZE=5>
<PRE>
CONTENTS


PART I

Item 1. Business 4
Item 2. Properties 39
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 40
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders 41

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock
and Related Stockholder Matters 41
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 41
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 41
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk 41
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 42
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 42

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
Registrant 42
Item 11. Executive Compensation 44
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management 44
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 44

PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K 45

</PRE>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> PART I<BR><BR>

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS<BR><BR>

BACKGROUND AND CURRENT OPERATIONS<BR><BR>

</FONT></H1>

<B><U>Background</U></B><BR><BR>

<B>General:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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. At December 31, 1999 the
Company operated 94 banking offices and 134 automated teller machines (ATMs) 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".</P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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, 1999, the Company had total assets of $3.0 billion and employed on a full-time equivalent
basis 1,064 persons in Mississippi and 609 persons in Louisiana.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
Based on the most current available published data, Hancock Bank MS has the largest deposit market share in each
of the four counties in which it operates: Harrison, Hancock, Jackson
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<P>and Pearl River.  With assets of $1.8 billion at December 31, 1999, Hancock Bank MS currently ranks as the fifth
largest bank in Mississippi.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 $1.2 billion at December 31, 1999, Hancock Bank LA is one
of the largest banks headquartered in East Baton Rouge Parish.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Beginning with the 1985 acquisition of the Pascagoula-Moss Point Bank in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the
Company has acquired approximately $1.2 billion in assets and approximately $1.1 billion in deposit liabilities
through selected acquisitions or purchase and assumption transactions.
</P>
<B>Recent Acquisition Activity:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 $4.0 million cash and 890,000 shares (adjusted for a 15% stock dividend in 1996) of
common stock of the Company. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. Bancshares had total
assets of approximately $111.0 million and stockholders' equity of approximately $11.3 million as of December 31,
1994 and net earnings of approximately $2.6 million for the year then ended. On August 15, 1996, Denham was
merged into Hancock Bank LA.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On February 1, 1995, the Company merged Hancock Bank LA with Washington Bank &amp; Trust Company,
Franklinton, Louisiana (Washington). The merger was consummated by the exchange of all outstanding common stock
of Washington in return for approximately 624,000 shares (adjusted for a 15% stock dividend in 1996) 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 $86.1 million
</P>
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<P>and stockholders' equity of approximately $12.4 million as of December 31, 1994, and net earnings of approximately
$1.3 million for the year then ended.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In November 1996, the Company acquired Community Bancshares, Inc., Independence, Louisiana, (Community)
which owned 100% of the stock of Community State Bank. The acquisition was in return for approximately $5.0
million cash and 513,000 shares (adjusted for a 15% stock dividend in 1996) of common stock of the Company. The
acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. Community had total assets of approximately $91.0
million and stockholders' equity of approximately $11.0 million as of December 31, 1995 and net earnings of
approximately $900,000 for the year then ended.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On January 17, 1997, the Company acquired Southeast National Bank, Hammond, Louisiana (Southeast). The
acquisition was in return for approximately $3.7 million cash and 121,000 shares of common stock of the
Company. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. Southeast had total assets of
approximately $40.0 million and stockholders' equity of approximately $4.0 million as of December 31, 1996 and
net earnings of approximately $500,000 for the year then ended.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On July 15, 1997, the Company acquired Commerce Corporation, Inc., St Francisville, Louisiana (Commerce),
which owned 100% of the stock of Bank of Commerce and Trust Company, for approximately $330,000 cash, 65,000
shares of common stock of the Company and the assumption of Commerce debt owed to certain individuals in the
aggregate principal amount of $1,250,000. The transaction was accounted for using the purchase method.
Commerce had total assets of approximately $29.0 million and stockholders' equity of approximately $800,000 as of
December 31, 1996 and net earnings of approximately $260,000 for the year then ended.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On January 15, 1999, Hancock Holding Company acquired American Security Bancshares of Ville Platte, Inc.
(ASB), Ville Platte, Louisiana, the holding company of American Security Bank. The acquisition, accounted for
using the purchase method, called for the exchange of ASB stock in return for approximately $15.2 million cash
and 644,000 shares of common stock of the Company. ASB had total assets of approximately $230.0 million and
stockholders' equity of approximately $21.0 million at December 31, 1998 and net earnings of approximately $2.0
million for the year then ended. The results of operations of ASB were included in the 1999 consolidated
statements
</P>
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<P>of earnings from the date of acquisition. The acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill
amounting to approximately $21.9 million, which is being amortized over 15 years.
<P>
<B><U>Current Operations</U></B><BR><BR>

<B>Loan Production and Credit Review:
</B><BR><BR>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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
significant 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 that can be approved 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All loans over an individual loan officer's Board approved lending authority must be approved by the
Bank's loan committee, the 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.
</P>
<B>Loan Review and Asset Quality:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In addition, all loans to a particular borrower are reviewed, regardless of classification, each time
such borrower requests a renewal or extension of
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<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 allowance 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 been in default for a
period of 90 days, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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, 1999, the book value
of real estate held for resale and other repossessed properties was approximately $3.3 million.
</P>
<B>Securities Portfolio:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>

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<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<B>Deposits:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 134 ATMs: ATMs at the Company's banking offices and 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 other financial institutions in the Banks' respective market areas.
</P>
<B>Trust Services:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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, 1999, the Trust Departments of the Banks had approximately $2.4 billion of
assets under management, of which $1.5 billion were corporate accounts and the remaining balances were personal,
employee benefit, estate and other trust accounts.
</P>
<B>Operating Efficiency Strategy:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The primary focus of the Company's operating strategy is to increase operating income and to reduce
operating expense. The Company's operating efficiency ratio, excluding intangible amortization and securities
</P>
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<P>gains, was 63.84% for the year ended December 31, 1999, compared to 61.62% for the prior year. In the latter
part of 1999, management took steps to improve operating efficiencies after concentrating on income-producing
strategies during the first half of the year. With management's efforts focused on cost containment, the number
of full-time equivalent employees was reduced from a high at March 31, 1999 of 1,804 to 1,673 at December 31,
1999. Other initiatives, including the reengineering of certain back-office processes, were put into place with
the intention of limiting non-interest expense growth in the year 2000.
</P>
<B>Other Activities:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hancock Bank MS has 7 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In 1994, the Company began offering alternative investments through a third party vendor. The investment
centers are now located in several branch locations in Mississippi and Louisiana to accommodate the investment
needs of customers whose financial portfolio requirements fall outside the traditional commercial bank product
line. During the current year, the investment sales force was internalized and the management structure
reorganized in order to align sales actively with Company objectives.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<B>Competition:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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
</P>

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<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 and insurance companies and other financial institutions. Many of these
institutions have greater available resources than the Company.
</P>

<CENTER><B><U>SUPERVISION AND REGULATION</U></B></CENTER>

<B><U>Bank Holding Company Regulation</U></B><BR><BR>

<B>General:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<B>Federal Regulation:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
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<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 for a period of not less than 15 nor more
than least 30 days following the date of approval. During such 15 to 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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


</P>
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<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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% 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, 1999 was 9.50%.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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

</P>
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<P>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, 1999, the
Company's off-balance sheet items aggregated $256.8 million; however, after the credit conversion these items
represented $38.4 million of balance sheet equivalents.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The primary component of risk-based capital is Tier 1 Capital, which for the Company is essentially equal to
common stockholders' equity, less goodwill and other intangibles. Tier 2 Capital, which consists primarily of
the excess of any perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and general
allowances 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, 1999, the Company's Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios were
13.85% and 14.47%, respectively.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 was restricted to banking organizations in specified
geographic regions that encompassed the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. However,
effective September 29, 1995, such regional limitation was expanded by the Reigle-Neal Interstate Banking and
Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 to a nationwide basis. In addition, Mississippi banking organizations were
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 14 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<P>granted similar powers to acquire certain out-of-state financial institutions pursuant to the Interstate Bank
Branching Act which was adopted in 1996. 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.
</P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 15 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<B>Bank Regulation:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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), to the extent state banks are granted parity with national banks. 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 16 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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. In 1997 an assessment for the Financing Corporation's debt
service was added to the FDIC quarterly premium payment. That assessment averaged 1.19 cents per hundred dollars
of insured deposits during 1999 and 2.12 for the first quarter of 2000. Total assessments paid to the FDIC
amounted to $314 thousand in 1999. For the year ended December 31, 1999, premiums on OAKAR deposits from the
1991 acquisition of Peoples Federal Savings Association totaled $23,000.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 re-capitalize the BIF, and the
future borrowings are to be repaid by increased assessments on FDIC member banks. Other significant provisions
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 17 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<P>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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
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<HR SIZE=5>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Although Hancock Bank MS and Hancock Bank LA are not members of the Federal Reserve System, they are
subject to Federal Reserve regulations that require the Banks to maintain reserves against transaction accounts
(primarily checking accounts). 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 $39.3 million, or, if the aggregate of such accounts exceeds $39.3
million, $1.179 million plus 10% of the total in excess of $39.3 million. This regulation is subject to an
exemption from reserve requirements on a limited amount of an institution's transaction accounts.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<B>Recent Legislation:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed into law the Gramm-Leach-Billey Act on 1999 (the
"Financial Services Modernization Act"). The Financial Services Modernization Act repeals the two affiliation
provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act: Section 20, which restricted the affiliation of Federal Reserve Member
Banks with firms "engaged principally" in specified securities activities; and Section 32, which restricts
officer, director or other employee interlocks between a member bank and any company or person "primarily
engaged" in specified securities activities. In addition, the Financial Services Modernization Act also contains
provisions that expressly preempt any state law restricting the establishment of financial affiliations,
primarily related to insurance. The general effect of the law is to establish a comprehensive framework to
permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms, and other financial service
providers by revising and expanding the Bank Holding Company Act framework to permit a holding company system to
engage in a full range of financial activities through a new entity known as a Financial Holding Company.
"Financial activities" is broadly defined to include not only banking, insurance, and securities, but also
merchant banking and additional activities that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Treasury, determines to be financial in nature, incidental to such financial activities, or complementary
activities that to not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions of the
financial system generally.
</P>

19 of 49

<PRE>
Generally, the Financial Services Modernization Act:

o Repeals historical restrictions on, and eliminates many federal and state law barriers to, affiliations
among bank, securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial service providers;

o Provides a uniform framework for the functional regulation of the activities of banks, savings
institutions, and their holding companies;

o Broadens the activities that may be conducted by national banks, banking subsidiaries of bank holding
companies, and their financial subsidiaries;

o Provides an enhanced framework for protecting the privacy of consumer information;

o Adopts a number of provisions related to the capitalization, membership, corporate governance, and other
measures designed to modernize the Federal Home Loan Bank system;

o Modifies the laws governing the implementation of the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"); and

o Addresses a variety of other legal and regulatory issues affecting both day-to-day operations and
long-term activities of financial institutions.
</PRE>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Financial Services Modernization Act also permits national banks to engage in expended activities
through the formation of financial subsidiaries. A national bank may have a subsidiary engaged in any activity
authorized for national banks directly or any financial activity, except for insurance underwriting, insurance
investments, real estate investment or development or merchant banking, which may only be conducted through a
subsidiary of a Financial Holding Company. Financial activities include all activities permitted under new
sections of the Bank Holding Company Act or permitted by regulation.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A national bank seeking to have a financial subsidiary, and each of its depository institution
affiliates, must be "well-capitalized" and "well-managed". The total assets of all financial subsidiaries may
not exceed the lesser of 45% of a bank's total assets, or $50 billion. A national bank must exclude from its
assets and equity all equity investments, including retained earnings, in a financial subsidiary. The assets of
</P>
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<HR SIZE=5>
<P>the subsidiary may not be consolidated with the bank&#146;s
assets. The bank must also have policies and procedures to assess financial
subsidiary risk and protect the bank from such risks and potential liabilities.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Financial Services Modernization Act also includes a new section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
governing subsidiaries of state banks that engage in "activities as principal that would only be permissible" for
a nationally bank to conduct in a financial subsidiary. It expressly preserves the ability of a state bank to
retain all existing subsidiaries. Because Mississippi permits commercial banks chartered by the state to engage
in any activity permissible for national banks, the Bank will be permitted to form subsidiaries to engage in the
activities authorized by the Financial Services Modernization Act. In order to form a financial subsidiary, a
state bank must be well-capitalized and the state bank would be subject to the same capital deduction, risk
management and affiliate transaction rules as applicable to national banks.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Bank's management has not determined at this time, but is examining its strategic business plan to
determine whether, based on market conditions, the relative financial conditions of the Bank, regulatory capital
requirements, general economic conditions and other factors, the Bank desires to utilize any of its expanded
powers provided in the Financial Services Modernization Act.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Bank does not believe that the Financial Services Modernization Act will have a material adverse
effect on the Bank's operations in the near-term. However, to the extent that it permits bank, securities firms,
and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. The
Financial Services Modernization Act is intended to grant community banks certain powers as a matter of right
that larger institutions have accumulated on an ad hoc basis. Nevertheless, this act may have the result of
increasing the amount of competition that the Company and the Banks face from larger institutions and other types
of companies offering financial products, some of which may have substantially more financial resources than the
Company and the Banks.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Finally, additional bills may be introduced in the future in the United States Congress and state
legislatures to alter the structure, regulation and competitive relationships of financial institutions. It
cannot be predicted whether and what form any of these proposals will be adopted or the extent to which the
business of the Company and the Banks may be affected thereby.
</P>

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<B>Effect of Governmental Policies:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The difference between the interest rate paid on deposits and other borrowings and the interest rate
received on loans and securities comprise most of a bank's earnings. In order to mitigate the interest rate risk
inherent in the industry, the banking business is becoming increasingly dependent on the generation of fee and
service charge revenue.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The earnings and growth of a bank may 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.
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>STATISTICAL INFORMATION</FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>

<B>DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY AND INTEREST RATES AND DIFFERENTIALS:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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).
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 deposits and borrowed funds, noninterest-bearing as well as interest-bearing. Since
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 22 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<P>a portion of the Bank&#146;s deposits do not bear interest, such
as demand accounts, the rate paid for all funds is lower than the rate on
interest-bearing liabilities alone. The rate differential for the years 1999 and
1998 was 4.69% and 4.54%, respectively.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 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.
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 23 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

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


Comparative Average Balances - Yields and Rates
-----------------------------------------------

Years Ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
Interest FTE Interest FTE Interest FTE
Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/
Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate
------- ------- ---- ------- ------- ---- ------- ------- ----
(amounts in thousands)
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury $ 180,578 $ 10,059 5.57% $ 243,224 $ 14,469 5.95% $ 240,539 $ 14,734 6.13%
U.S. government obligations 414,784 25,176 6.07% 340,906 21,175 6.21% 395,994 26,333 6.65%
Municipal obligations(1) 195,860 10,141 5.18% 137,584 10,562 7.68% 74,838 6,385 8.53%
CMOs 267,484 17,091 6.39% 212,043 13,631 6.43% 102,278 7,073 6.92%
Mortgage-backed securities 167,550 10,045 6.00% 151,669 9,800 6.46% 62,493 4,415 7.06%
Other securities 20,544 1,144 5.57% 99,272 6,093 6.14% 108,061 6,919 6.40%
Federal funds sold &amp; securities
purchased under agreements
to resell 25,268 1,290 5.11% 56,958 3,089 5.42% 50,256 2,733 5.44%
Interest-bearing time deposits
with other banks 12 1 5.00% 413 33 7.99% 996 64 6.43%
--------- ------- ---- --------- ------- ---- --------- ------- ----
Net loans (1)(2)(3) 1,452,305 138,389 9.53% 1,243,617 119,015 9.57% 1,201,381 115,468 9.61%
--------- ------- ---- --------- ------- ---- --------- ------- ----
Total interest-earning
assets/interest income (1) 2,724,385 213,336 7.83% 2,485,686 197,867 7.96% 2,236,836 184,124 8.23%

Noninterest-earning assets:
Less: Allowance for loan losses (23,939) --- --- (21,040) --- --- (20,410) --- ---

Cash and due from banks 141,652 --- --- 114,935 --- --- 119,271 --- ---
Property and equipment 54,179 --- 45,457 --- --- 40,149 --- ---
Other assets 101,216 --- 71,069 --- --- 67,107 --- ---
------- ------ ----- ------ ------- ----- ---------- ------- -----
Total assets $2,997,493 $ 213,336 7.12% $2,696,107 $ 197,867 7.34% $2,442,953 $ 184,124 7.54%
========== ========= ==== ========== ========= ==== ========== ========= ====
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money
market $1,022,261 $ 30,556 2.99% 849,297 $ 26,586 3.13% $ 746,665 $ 20,714 2.77%
Time 920,718 46,254 5.02% 891,322 47,879 5.37% 834,147 45,436 5.45%
Federal funds purchased 28,275 1,434 5.07% 3,773 179 4.74% 2,304 107 4.64%
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase 137,877 5,542 4.02% 152,426 7,037 4.62% 118,855 5,277 4.44%
Long-term bonds 2,795 175 6.26% 586 6110 .41% 1,369 164 11.98%
Capital notes 500 --- --- 500 --- --- --- --- ---
--- ------ ----- --------- ------ ----- --------- ------ -----
Total interest-bearing
liabilities/interest expense 2,112,426 83,961 3.97% 1,897,904 81,742 4.31% 1,703,340 71,698 4.21%

</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 24 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits 562,419 --- --- 493,218 --- --- 453,218 --- ---
Other liabilities 14,551 --- --- 15,107 --- --- 15,092 --- ---
Stockholders' equity 308,097 289,878 --- --- 271,303 --- ---
------- ------ ----- ---------- ------ ---- -------- ------- -----
Total liabilities &amp;
stockholders' equity $2,997,493 $ 83,961 2.80% $2,696,107 $ 81,742 3.03% $2,442,953 $ 71,698 2.93%
========== ========= ==== ========== ========= ==== ========== ========= ====

Interest-earning assets $2,724,385 2,485,686 $2,236,836
Interest-bearing liabilities 2,112,426 1,897,904 1,703,340
Interest income (1) 213,336 197,867 $ 184,124
Interest expense 83,961 81,742 71,698
------ ------ ------
Interest income/interest-
earning assets (1) 7.83% 7.96% 8.23%
Interest expense/interest-
bearing liabilities 3.97% 4.31% 4.21%
Interest spread 3.86% 3.65% 4.02%
Net interest income (1) $ 129,375 $ 116,125 $112,426
========= ========= ========

Net interest margin (1) 4.75% 4.67% 5.03%



(1 ) Includes tax equivalent adjustments to interest income of $5.7 million, $4.2 million and $2.7 million
in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, using an effective Federal income tax rate of 35% .

(2) Interest income includes fees on loans of $3.5 million, $3.4 million and $3.0 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

(3) Includes nonaccrual loans. See "Nonperforming Assets."
</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
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. Changes that are not solely due to volume or rate are allocated to volume.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income
------------------------------------------

Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Total Total Total
Changes Due to Increase Changes Due to Increase Changes Due to Increase
-------------- -------------- --------------
Volume Rate (Decrease) Volume Rate (Decrease) Volume Rate (Decrease)
------ ---- ---------- ------ ---- ---------- ------ ---- ----------
(in thousands)
INTEREST INCOME
Investment securities:
U.S. Treasury $( 3,724) $( 686) $( 4,410) $ 167 $( 432) $( 265) $ 1,192 $( 25)$ 1,167
U.S. government obligations ( 548) ( 456) ( 1,004) ( 3,663) ( 1,495) ( 5,158) 7,985 (8,172) ( 187)
Municipal obligations (1) 4,476 ( 4,897) ( 421) 4,811 ( 634) 4,177 1,270 ( 336) 934
CMOs 3,567 ( 107) 3,460 7,596 ( 1,038) 6,558 N/A N/A N/A
Mortgage-backed securities 1,016 ( 771) 245 6,296 ( 911) 5,385 N/A N/A N/A
Other securities 270 ( 214) 56 ( 568) ( 258) ( 826) (2,188) 5,449 3,261
Federal funds sold &amp; securities
purchased under agreements
to resell ( 1,721) ( 78) ( 1,799) 365 ( 9) 356 ( 2,943) 96 ( 2,847)
Interest-bearing time deposits
with other banks ( 32) --- ( 32) ( 37) 6 ( 31) ( 31) 8 ( 23)
Net loans (1) 19,955 ( 581) 19,374 4,028 ( 481) 3,547 11,692 (1,585) 10,107
------ ------- ------ ----- ------- ----- ------ ------ ------
Total (1) 23,259 ( 7,790) 15,469 18,995 ( 5,252) 13,743 16,977 (4,565) 12,412
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------

INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money
market 5,401 ( 1,431) 3,970 2,889 2,983 5,872 1,489 224 1,713
Time 1,598 ( 3,223) ( 1,625) 3,116 ( 673) 2,443 2,972 840 3,812
Federal funds purchased 1,162 93 1,255 69 3 72 ( 438) ( 4) ( 442)
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase ( 668) ( 827) ( 1,495) 1,490 270 1,760 1,720 92 1,812
Long-term bonds 230 ( 116) 114 ( 94) ( 9) ( 103) ( 39) 38 ( 1)
Capital notes and other
borrowings --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
----- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ ----- ----- -----

Total 7,723 ( 5,504) 2,219 7,470 2,574 10,044 5,704 1,190 6,894
----- ------- ----- ----- ----- ------ ----- ----- -----

Increase (decrease) in
net interest income (1) $ 15,536 $( 2,286)$ 13,250 $ 11,525 $( 7,826) $ 3,699 $ 11,273 $(5,755) $ 5,518
======== ======== ========== =========== ========== ========= ========= ======= ========



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

</PRE>
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<B>Interest Rate Sensitivity:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 reduce the exposure to changes in its net interest margin in periods of interest
rate fluctuations. Interest rate risk is monitored, quantified and managed to produce an acceptable impact on
short-term earnings.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The interest sensitivity gap is the difference between total interest sensitive assets and liabilities in
a given time period. At December 31, 1999, the Company's cumulative interest sensitivity gap in the one year
interval was (23.44%). 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.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The following tables set forth the scheduled repricing or maturity of the Company's assets and
liabilities at December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998. The assumed prepayment of investments and loans were
based on the Company's assessment of current market conditions on such dates. Estimates have been made for the
repricing of savings, NOW and money market accounts. Actual prepayments and deposit withdrawals will differ from
the following analysis due to variable economic circumstances and consumer behavior. Although assets and
liabilities may have similar maturities or repricing periods, reactions will vary as to timing and degree of
interest rate change.
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 27 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
Analysis of Interest Sensitivity at December 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------
After Three
Within Through One After Five
Three Twelve Through Years and
Months Months Five Years Insensitive Total
------ ------ ---------- ----------- -----
(amounts in thousands)

Net loans $ 440,737 $ 310,691 $ 741,659 $ 48,434 $1,541,521
Securities and time deposits 105,977 129,407 535,547 377,791 1,148,722
Federal funds 3,000 -- -- -- 3,000
----- -------- --------- ------- ---------
Total earning assets $ 549,714 $ 440,098 $1,277,206 $ 426,225 $2,693,243
========= ========= ========== ========= ==========

20.41% 16.34% 47.42% 15.83% 100.00%

Interest bearing deposits, excluding
time deposits $100,000 and greater $ 491,941 $ 682,530 $ 441,839 $ 178 $1,616,488
Time deposits $100,000 and greater 87,681 94,700 71,566 -- 253,947
Short-term borrowings 213,773 -- -- -- 213,773
Other borrowings 50,130 404 2,180 -- 52,714
------ --- ----- ------ ------
Total interest-bearing funds 843,525 777,634 515,585 178 2,136,922
Non-interest bearing funds -- -- -- 556,321 556,321
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Funds supporting earning assets $ 843,525 $ 777,634 $ 515,585 $ 556,499 $2,693,243
========= ========= ========== ========= ==========

31.32% 28.87% 19.14% 20.66% 100.00%

Interest sensitivity gap $(293,811) $(337,536) $ 761,621 $(130,274) --
Cumulative gap $(293,811) $(631,347) $ 130,274 -- --
Percent of total earning assets (10.91)% (23.44)% 4.84% -- --

Analysis of Interest Sensitivity at December 31, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------

After Three
Within Through One After Five
Three Twelve Through Years and
Months Months Five Years Insensitive Total
------ ------ ---------- ----------- -----
(amounts in thousands)

Net loans $ 398,047 $ 286,996 $ 603,758 $ 16,754 $1,305,555
Securities and time deposits 309,531 290,544 474,271 170,119 1,244,465
Federal funds -- -- -- -- --
------- ------- --------- ------- ---------
Total earning assets $ 707,578 $ 577,540 $1,078,029 $ 186,873 $2,550,020
========= ========= ========== ========= ==========

27.75% 22.65% 42.27% 7.33% 100.00%

Interest bearing deposits, excluding
time deposits $100,000 and greater $ 486,125 $ 580,990 $ 481,870 $ 563 $1,549,548
Time deposits $100,000 and greater 122,930 92,138 63,290 -- 278,358
Short-term borrowings 140,207 -- -- -- 140,207
Other borrowings -- -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
Total interest-bearing funds 749,262 673,128 545,160 563 1,968,113
Non-interest bearing funds -- -- -- 581,907 581,907
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Funds supporting earning assets $ 749,262 $ 673,128 $ 545,160 $ 582,470 $2,550,020
========= ========= ========== ========= ==========

29.38% 26.40% 21.38% 22.84% 100.00%

Interest sensitivity gap $( 41,684) $( 95,588) $ 532,869 $(395,597) --
Cumulative gap $( 41,684) $(137,272) $ 395,597 -- --
Percent of total earning assets ( 1.63)% ( 5.38)% 15.51% -- --
</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 28 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<B>Income Taxes:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Company had income tax expense on earnings before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
of $14.6 million and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. This represents
effective income tax rates of 31.5% and 32.6% for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
</P>
<B>Performance and Equity Ratios:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of net earnings to average assets
and average stockholders' equity, the percentage of common stock dividends declared per share to net earnings per
share and the percentage of average stockholders' equity to average assets.
</P>
<PRE>
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
%
-----------------------
Return on average assets, excluding cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle 1.06 1.11 1.25
Return on average assets 1.06 1.11 1.25
Return on avg. stockholders' equity, excluding cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle 10.29 10.28 11.29
Return on average stockholders' equity 10.29 10.68 11.29
Dividend payout ratio, excluding cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle 34.36 35.84 35.46
Dividend payout ratio 34.36 34.48 35.46
Average stockholders' equity to average assets 10.28 10.75 11.11


</PRE>
<B>Securities Portfolio:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 1999. Generally, securities with a market risk have been placed in this category. The
December 31, 1999 amortized cost of the held-to-maturity portfolio was $509.3 million and the fair value was
$498.5 million. The available-for-sale portfolio balance was $639.4 million at December 31, 1999.
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 29 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<PRE>
The amortized cost of securities classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, were
as follows (in thousands):

December 31,
------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
U.S. Treasury $ 84,341 $101,493 $ 54,637
U.S. government agencies 302,450 272,564 46,039
Municipal obligations 33,382 5,851 1,496
Mortgage-backed securities 70,465 31,652 27,538
CMOs 151,693 45,347 21,427
Other debt securities 10,601 --- 6,305
Equity securities 7,659 5,969 6,089
----- ----- -----
$660,591 $462,876 $163,531
======== ======== ========

The amortized cost and yield of debt securities classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 1999, by
contractual maturity, were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Over One Over Five
One Year Year Years Over
or Through Through Ten
Less Five Years Ten Years Years Total
---- ---------- --------- ----- -----

U.S. Treasury $ 41,689 $ 42,652 $ --- $ --- $ 84,341
U.S. government agencies 98,345 155,230 43,115 5,760 302,450
Municipal obligations 1,717 7,077 11,973 12,615 33,382
Mortgage-backed securities 1 63 15,036 55,365 70,465
CMOs --- --- 32,386 119,307 151,693
Other debt securities --- --- 278 10,323 10,601
-------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
$141,752 $205,022 $102,788 $203,370 $652,932
======== ======== ======== ======== ========

Weighted Average Yield 5.53% 5.61% 5.97% 6.33% 5.87%


The amortized cost of securities classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 were
as follows (in thousands):

December 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
U.S. Treasury $ 24,277 $114,506 $210,525
U.S. government agencies 95,409 200,149 267,437
Municipal obligations 165,891 167,997 88,062
Mortgage-backed securities 81,340 114,747 133,925
CMOs 136,286 177,796 190,539
Other debt securities 6,103 6,054 25,874
----- ----- ------
$509,306 $781,249 $916,362
======== ======== ========

</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
The amortized cost and yield of securities classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 1999, by
contractual maturity, were as follows (amounts in thousands):


Over One Over Five
One Year Year Years Over
or Through Through Ten
Less Five Years Ten Years Years Total
------ ---------- --------- ----- -----
U.S. Treasury $ 16,002 $ 7,985 $ 290 $ --- $ 24,277
U.S. government agencies 22,726 58,809 13,874 --- 95,409
Municipal obligations 8,455 35,037 57,561 64,838 165,891
Mortgage-backed securities --- 4,619 39,624 37,097 81,340
CMOs --- 3,029 45,278 87,979 136,286
Other debt securities --- 6,071 --- 32 6,103
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 47,183 $115,550 $156,627 $189,946 $509,306
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted Average Yield 6.48% 5.95% 5.97% 5.91% 5.99%


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 significant concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or
loans to any foreign entities.

Loan underwriting standards and loan loss allowance 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 allowance adequacy is tested quarterly based on historical
losses through different economic cycles and projected future losses specifically identified.
</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 31 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

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

Loan Portfolio
--------------

December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)

Real estate:
Residential mortgages 1-4 family $ 342,443 $ 244,150 $ 260,132 $ 260,945 $ 224,646
Residential mortgages multifamily 18,939 12,220 10,881 7,642 9,674
Home equity lines/loans 29,549 8,815 10,814 10,169 11,825
Construction and development 136,179 73,789 55,454 55,585 41,602
Nonresidential 309,488 143,445 139,332 131,578 127,027
Commercial, industrial and other 214,041 224,686 177,379 169,061 176,942
Consumer 417,594 544,137 513,362 494,456 409,608
Lease financing and depository
Institutions 24,727 17,324 16,327 15,881 13,811
Political subdivisions 24,687 21,069 16,889 12,142 14,394
Credit cards and other revolving credit 40,789 40,649 44,785 41,311 32,104
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
1,558,436 1,330,284 1,245,355 1,198,770 1,061,633
Less, unearned income 16,915 24,729 24,726 24,803 26,656
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net loans $1,541,521 $1,305,555 $1,220,629 $1,173,967 $1,034,977
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========




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

Loan Maturity Schedule
----------------------

December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
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
-------- ---------- ----- ----- -------- ---------- ----- -----
(in thousands)

Commercial, industrial and
other 93,968 $ 92,985 $ 27,088 $ 214,041 $111,743 $ 97,029 $ 15,914 $ 224,686
Real estate - construction 96,918 30,979 8,282 136,179 52,515 16,786 4,488 73,789
All other loans 366,084 619,399 222,763 1,208,228 351,366 457,742 222,701 1,031,809
------- ------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ------- ---------

Total loans $556,970 $743,363 $258,103 $1,558,436 $515,624 $571,557 $243,103 $1,330,284
======== ======== ======== ========== ======== ======== ======== ==========


</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>

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

Loan Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates
---------------------------------------------

December 31,
------------
1999 1998
---- ----
(in thousands)
Commercial, industrial, and real estate construction
maturing after one year:
Fixed rate $ 146,724 $ 113,023
Floating rate 12,610 21,194
Other loans maturing after one year:
Fixed rate 795,859 648,566
Floating rate 46,273 31,877
------ ------

Total $1,001,466 $ 814,660
========== ==========


Nonperforming Assets:

The following table sets forth non-performing assets by type for the periods indicated, consisting of
non-accrual loans, restructured loans and real estate owned. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
are also disclosed.

December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Amounts in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
Real estate $ 5,129 $ 2,459 $ 2,869 $ 753 $ 2,406
Commercial, industrial and other 1,236 1,023 650 169 1,144
Consumer, credit card and other
revolving credit 536 1,120 378 1,298 1,176
Lease financing --- --- 1 --- ---
Depository institutions --- --- --- --- ---
Political subdivisions --- --- --- --- ---
Restructured loans 152 1,380 1,134 685 611
--- ----- ----- --- ---
Total non-performing loans 7,053 5,982 5,032 2,905 5,337
Acquired real estate owned --- 435 147 140
Real estate owned and repossessions 1,616 2,246 1,923 1,728 946
----- ----- ----- ----- ---
Total non-performing assets $ 8,669 $ 8,228 $ 7,390 $ 4,780 $ 6,423
======= ======= ======= ======= =======

Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing $ 4,442 $ 2,907 $ 5,423 $ 8,361 $ 4,089
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios (%):
Non-performing loans to net loans 0.46 0.46 0.41 0.25 0.52
Non-performing assets to net loans and
real estate owned 0.56 0.63 0.61 0.41 0.62
Non-performing loans to average net loans 0.49 0.48 0.42 0.27 0.53
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing
Loans 364.56 364.43 417.33 681.58 325.86

</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 33 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The amount of interest that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans had the loans not been
classified as "non-accrual" was $462,000, $424,000, $220,000, $463,000 and $340,000 for the years ended December
31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interest actually received on non-accrual loans was not material. The amount of interest recorded on
restructured loans did not differ significantly from the interest that would have been recorded under the
original terms of those loans.
</P>
<B>Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The allowance for loan losses is a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans. All losses are
charged to the allowance for loan losses when the loss actually occurs or when a determination is made that a
loss is likely to occur; recoveries are credited to the allowance for loan losses at the time of receipt.
Periodically during the year management estimates the probable level of future losses to determine whether the
allowance is adequate to absorb reasonably foreseeable anticipated losses in the existing portfolio based on the
Company's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may
affect the borrowers' ability to repay and the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic
conditions. All commercial loans in lending relationships with an aggregate balance of $250,000 or more are risk
rated and evaluated on an individual basis, as well as, all consumer and mortgage real estate loans with a
balance of $100,000 or more. All consumer and mortgage real estate loans under $100,000 are risk rated as pools
of homogeneous loans and classified according to past due status. Commercial loans are reviewed for impairment
at the time a loans is no longer current or at the time management is made aware of a degradation in a borrower's
financial status or a deficiency in collateral. Loss factors recommended by the Banks' regulators are applied to
loans graded by standard loan classifications in determining a general allowance. Unclassified loans are
categorized and reserved for at the greater of a five-year average net charge-off ratio or a minimum threshold
stated as a percentage of loans outstanding. The allowance for loan loss stated as a percentage of period end
loans, used in conjunction with the evaluation of current and anticipated economic conditions, composition of the
Company's present loans portfolio, and trends in both delinquencies and non-accruals, is a measurement standard
utilized by management in determining the adequacy of the allowance. The unallocated portion of the allowance
for loan losses is available to compensate for the uncertainties in estimating the potential losses.

</P>
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<HR SIZE=5>
<PRE>
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, average net loans outstanding, allowance for loan losses,
amounts charged-off and recoveries of loans previously charged-off:

At and For The Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands)

Net loans outstanding at end of period $1,541,521 $1,305,555 $1,220,629 $1,173,967 $1,034,977
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========

Average net loans outstanding $1,452,305 $1,243,617 $1,201,381 $1,083,165 $1,000,907
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========

Balance of allowance for loan losses
at beginning of period $ 21,800 $ 21,000 $ 19,800 $ 17,391 $ 15,372
Loans charged-off:
Real estate 85 26 22 73 210
Commercial 3,112 1,076 997 975 636
Consumer, credit cards and other
revolving credit 6,769 6,008 7,145 5,417 4,524
Lease financing 5 20 49 1 13
Depository institutions --- --- --- --- ---
Political subdivisions --- --- --- --- ---
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total charge-offs 9,971 7,130 8,213 6,466 5,383
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Recoveries of loans previously
charged-off:
Real estate 5 5 5 186 15
Commercial 809 540 646 937 971
Consumer, credit cards and other
revolving credit 1,669 1,156 1,529 945 839
Lease financing 1 --- 1 --- 5
Depository institutions --- --- --- --- ---
Political subdivisions --- --- --- --- ---
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total recoveries 2,484 1,701 2,181 2,068 1,830
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net charge-offs 7,487 5,429 6,032 4,398 3,553
Provision for loan losses 7,585 6,229 6,399 6,153 4,425
Balance acquired through acquisition 3,815 --- 833 654 1,147
----- ----- --- --- -----
Balance of allowance for loan losses
at end of period $ 25,713 $ 21,800 $ 21,000 $ 19,800 $ 17,391
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain ratios related to the Company's
charge-offs, allowance for loan losses and outstanding loans:
At and For The Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Ratios (%):
Net charge-offs to average net loans 0.52 0.44 0.50 0.41 0.35
Net charge-offs to period-end net loans 0.49 0.42 0.49 0.37 0.34
Allowance for loan losses to average net loans 1.77 1.75 1.75 1.83 1.74
Allowance for loan losses to period-end net loans 1.67 1.67 1.72 1.69 1.68
Net charge-offs to loan loss allowance 29.12 24.90 28.72 22.21 20.43
Net charge-offs to loan loss provision 98.71 87.16 94.26 71.47 80.29
</PRE>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An allocation of the loan loss allowance by major loan category is set forth in the following table.
Except for an increase in the outstanding loan portfolio balance, there were no relevant variations in loan
concentrations, quality or terms. The allocation is not necessarily indicative of the category of future losses,
and the full allowance at December 31, 1999 is available to absorb losses occurring in any category of loans.
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 35 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -------------- -------------------
Allowance % of Allowance % of Allowance % of Allowance % of Allowance % 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)

Real estate $ 4,300 53.68 $ 2,500 36.26 $ 2,500 38.30 $ 3,000 38.87 $ 2,000 39.08
Commercial, industrial
`and other 7,900 16.71 7,000 19.78 5,900 16.91 5,750 16.44 5,250 19.32
Consumer 10,200 26.99 9,200 40.90 9,300 41.22 8,250 41.25 7,500 38.58
Credit card 1,000 2.62 1,000 3.06 1,200 3.57 800 3.44 500 3.02
Unallocated 2,353 --- 2,100 --- 2,100 --- 2,000 --- 2,141 ---
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

$25,753 100.00 $21,800 100.00 $21,000 100.00 $19,800 100.00 17,391 100.00
======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ====== ======= ====== ====== ======


Depposits 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 rate paid on each category of deposits:

1999 1998 1997
------------------------------ ------------------------------ -----------------------------
Percent Percent Percent
Average of Average of Average of
Balance Deposits Rate (%) Balance Deposits Rate (%) Balance Deposits Rate (%)
------- -------- -------- ------- -------- -------- ------- -------- --------
(amounts in thousands)


Non-interest bearing accounts $ 562,419 22.45 --- $ 493,218 22.08 --- $ 453,218 22.28 ---
NOW accounts 402,185 16.05 2.91 323,017 14.46 3.09 306,120 15.05 2.52
Money market and other
savings accounts 620,076 24.75 3.04 526,280 23.56 3.16 440,545 21.66 2.95
Time deposits 920,718 36.75 5.02 891,322 39.90 5.37 834,147 41.01 5.45
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----

$2,505,398 100.00 $2,233,837 100.00 $2,034,030 100.00
========== ====== ========== ====== ========== ======

The Banks traditionally price their deposits to position themselves competitively with the local
market. The Banks' policy is not to accept brokered deposits.

</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 36 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<PRE>
Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 and greater at December 31, 1999 had maturities as follows:
December 31, 1999
(in thousands)

Three months or less $ 87,681
Over three through six months 35,713
Over six months through one year 58,987
Over one year 71,566
------
Total $253,947
========

Short-Term Borrowings:

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Company's short-term borrowings, which
consist of federal funds purchased and Federal Home Loan Bank (&#147;FHLB&#148;) advances as well as securities sold under
agreements to repurchase.

Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
(amounts in thousands)
Federal funds purchased and FHLB advances:
Amount outstanding at period-end $ 50,000 $ --- $ ---
Weighted average interest at period-end 5.85% ---% ---%
Maximum amount at any month-end during period 98,000 $ 53,850 $ 5,875
Average amount outstanding during period 28,275 $ 3,773 $ 2,304
Weighted average interest rate during period 5.07% 4.74% 4.64%

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Amount outstanding at period-end $ 213,773 $140,207 $170,534
Weighted average interest at period-end 5.89% 3.80% 4.61%
Maximum amount at any month end during-period 213,773 $182,062 $172,827
Average amount outstanding during period 136,255 $152,426 $118,855
Weighted average interest rate during period 4.02% 4.62% 4.44%
</PRE>

<B>Liquidity:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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, 1999, cash and due from banks and securities available-for-sale were in excess of 26.3% of total
deposits.
</P>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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. At December 31, 1999, the Banks had approximately $110 million available
for dividends to the Company.
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>37 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<B>Capital Resources:</B><BR><BR>
<PRE>
Risk-based and leverage capital ratios for the Company and the Banks for the periods indicated are shown
in the following table:

December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk-Based Capital Ratios Tier 1 Leverage
--------------------------------------------------------
Total Tier 1 Ratio
---------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Hancock Bank MS 17.62% 17.44% 16.37% 16.19% 9.71% 8.83%
Hancock Bank LA 15.77 19.46 14.52 18.21 9.34 10.46
Company 14.47 17.41 13.85 16.88 9.50 9.69
</PRE>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.
</P>
<B>Impact of Inflation:</B><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Company's non-interest income and expenses can be affected by increasing rates of inflation; however,
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 impact on the Banks'
performance than the effect of general levels of inflation on the price of goods and services.
</P>
<CENTER><B><U>Forward Looking Statements</U></B></CENTER><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Congress passed the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 in an effort to encourage corporations to
provide information about a company's anticipated future financial performance. This act provides a safe harbor
for such disclosure which protects the companies from unwarranted litigation if actual results are different from
management expectations. In addition to historical information, this report contains forward-looking statements
and information which are based on management's beliefs, plans, expectations and assumptions and on information
currently available to management. Forward-looking statements and information presented reflects management's
views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 38 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<P><FONT SIZE=3>results. The words &#147;may&#148;, &#147;should&#148;,
&#147;expect&#148;, &#147;anticipate&#148;, &#147;intend&#148;,
&#147;plan&#148;, &#147;continue&#148;, &#147;believe&#148;, &#147;seek&#148;,
&#147;estimate&#148; and similar expressions used in this report that do not
relate to historical facts and intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These statements appear in a number of places in this report, including, but not
limited to, statements found in Item 1 &#147;Business&#148; and in Item 7
&#147;Management&#146;s Discussion and Analysis&#148;. All phases of the
Company&#146;s operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that
actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are the risks and uncertainties discussed in the report, including,
without limitation, the portions referenced above, and the uncertainties set
forth from time to time in the Company&#146;s other public reports and filings
and public statements, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, and
any of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect the results of
the Company&#146;s operations and whether forward-looking statements made by the
Company ultimately prove accurate. </FONT></P>

<CENTER><U><B>ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES</B></U></CENTER>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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 had been leased from the City of Gulfport in connection with an urban
development revenue bond issue. The bonds matured and were paid in full during 1997. Hancock Bank MS, however,
effectively has had ownership of the building since, under the terms of the bond documents, title to the
facility reverts to Hancock Bank MS when all outstanding bonds have been paid. For this reason, the Company has
historically carried the building as an asset and the bonds as a long term payable on its balance sheet. Upon
the filing of certain documents, ownership will legally transfer to Hancock Bank MS.</P>


<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 39 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
Title to the following banking offices in Mississippi and Louisiana is owned in fee (number of locations shown in parenthesis):

Albany, LA (1) Independence, LA (1)
Alexandria, LA (2) Long Beach, MS (2)
Angie, LA (1) Loranger, LA (1)
Baker, LA (1) Lyman, MS (1)
Baton Rouge, LA (13) Mamou, LA (1)
Bay St. Louis, MS (2) Mandeville, LA (1)
Biloxi, MS (3) Moss Point, MS (1)
Bogalusa, LA (1) Mt. Hermon, LA (1)
Boyce, LA (1) Oakdale, LA (1)
Bunkie, LA (1) Ocean Springs, MS (2)
Denham Springs, LA (3) Pascagoula, MS (4)
D'Iberville, MS (1) Pass Christian, MS (1)
Escatawpa, MS (1) Picayune, MS (2)
Eunice, LA (2) Pineville, LA (1)
Franklinton, LA (1) Poplarville, MS (1)
Gautier, MS (1) St. Francisville, LA (1)
Glenmora, LA (1) Ville Platte, LA (1)
Gulfport, MS (5) Vancleave, MS (1)
Hineston, LA (1) Walker, LA (1)
Hammond, LA (2) Waveland, MS (1)


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

Baton Rouge, LA (4) Opelousas, LA (1)
Bay St. Louis, MS (3) Pascagoula, MS (1)
Biloxi, MS (1) Picayune, MS (2)
Diamondhead, MS (1) Ponchatoula, LA (1)
Gulfport, MS (4) Saucier, MS (1)
Hammond, LA (1) Slidell, LA (1)
Mandeville, LA (1) Springfield, LA (1)
Ville Platte, LA (1)

</PRE>
In addition to the above, Hancock Bank MS owns land and other properties acquired through foreclosures of
loan collateral. 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.

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the
opinion of management, after consultation with 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 statements
of the Company.
</P>
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<HR SIZE=5>


<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> <U>ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS</U></FONT></H1>

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 1999.

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>PART II</U></FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT&#146;S COMMON
STOCK</U></FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTER</U>S</FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information under the caption "Market Information" on page 9 of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to
Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DAT</U>A</FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The information under the caption "Consolidated Summary of Selected Financial Information" on Page 7 of
the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> <U>ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF</U></FONT></H1>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" on Pages 33 and 34 of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated
herein by reference.
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> <U> ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information under the caption "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" on Pages
34 through 36 of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 41 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries, and the independent
auditors' report, appearing on Pages 14 through 32 of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders is
incorporated herein by reference:
</P>
<PRE>
Consolidated Statements of Earnings on Page 15
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity on Page 16
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings on Page 16
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on Page 17
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 18 through 31
Independent Auditors' Report on Page 32
</PRE>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH
ACCOUNTANTS</U></FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There has been no change in the two most recent fiscal years nor has there been any disagreements with
the Company's independent accountants and auditors on any matter of accounting principles or practices or
financial statement disclosure.

</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>PART III</U></FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> <U>ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For information concerning directors who are not also executive officers of the registrant, see "Election
of Directors" (Pages 3-7) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 24, 2000,
which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 31, 2000 and is incorporated
herein by reference.</P>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Information concerning executive officers of the registrant is listed below.</P>

<U>Leo W. Seal, Jr.</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Director of the Company since 1984. President, Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi since 1963;
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hancock Holding Company, since 1984; Advisory Director, Hancock Bank of
Louisiana since 1993. Mr. Seal was employed by Hancock Bank in 1947. He was elected to the Board of Directors
of Hancock Bank in 1961 and named President in 1963. In 1977, he was named President and Chief Executive Officer
of Hancock Bank.
</P>
<U>George A. Schloegel</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Director of Company since 1984. President, Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississipi, since 1990, Vice
Chairman of the Board of Hancock Holding Company since 1984; Director of Hancock Bank of Louisiana, since 1990.
Director of Mississippi Power Company, Gulfport, Mississippi . Mr. Schloegel was employed part-time with Hancock
Bank from 1956-1959 and began full-time employment in 1962. He served in various capacities until being named
President in 1990.
</P>
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<HR SIZE=5>
<U>A. Hartie Spence</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; President, Hancock Bank of Louisiana since 1997, Chairman of the Board, Hancock Bank of Louisiana 1996.
Prior to that Mr. Spence served as President, Calcasieu Marine National Bank, Calcasieu, Louisiana from 1987 to
1996.
</P>
<U>Charles A. Webb, Jr.</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Executive Vice President and Secretary, Hancock Holding Company since 1992; Director Hancock Bank since
1995; Executive Vice President, Hancock Bank since 1977; Director, Hancock Bank of Louisiana since 1990. Mr.
Webb was employed by Hancock Bank in 1948. He served as Vice President and Secretary of the Company from 1984
until 1992.
</P>
<U>James R. Ginn</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Executive Vice President and Mississippi Region Head, Hancock Bank since 1996. Mr. Ginn joined Hancock
Bank in 1962, and has served in the capacities of Assistant Cashier, Branch Officer and Division Coordinator.
</P>
<U>Robert E. Easterly</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Hancock Bank of Louisiana since 1995; President
and Chief Executive Officer, First National Bakn of Denham Springs from 1981-1996; Chairman of the Board, First
National Bank of Denham Springs from 1993-1996; Director, Hancock Bank since 1995.
</P>
<U>William T. Williams</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Hancock Holding Company since 1996. Prior to Hancock,
Mr. Williams was Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Loan Officer of National Bank of Commerce,
Memphis, TN April, 1993 - August 1996.
</P>
<U>Carl J. Chaney</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hancock Holding Company since 1998. Prior to Mr.
Chaney joining Hancock, he was Director and Shareholder of the Law Firm, Watkins Ludlam Winter &amp; Stennis, P.A.,
Jackson Mississippi from 1995 to 1998, where he specialized in Investment Banking and Merger and Acquisitions in
the Banking Industry.
</P>
<U>John M. Hairston</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, since 1997; Senior Operations Officer, 1994-1996,
Hancock Holding Company; Manager, Financial Services Consulting, a Division of Anderson Consulting,
headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
</P>
<U>Richard T. Hill</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Senior Vice President and Louisiana Retail Banking Executive, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, since June 1998;
Executive Vice President and Retail Banking Executive, City National Bank (a subsidiary of First Commerce
Corporation), November 1993 -June 1998.
</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 43 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>

<U>Clifton J. Saik</U><BR><BR>
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Senior Vice President and Director, Trust and Financial Services Group, Hancock Bank since July 1998.
Prior to coming to Hancock Bank, Mr. Saik served in the following capacities at First Commerce Corporation, New
Orleans, Louisiana: Executive Vice President and Director, Card Services; CEO, Marquis Insurance Agency, L.L.C.;
and Member, Marquis Investments, L.L.C. Management Committee, June 1997 - June 1998; Executive Vice President
and Director, Trust and Retail Brokerage Services Group, Senior Vice President and Director, Trust Group; October
1994 to June 1997; Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer, October 1992 to October 1994.
</P>
<U>Barbara P. Atchley</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Vice President and Corporate Director Human Resources, since June 1997. Prior to Mrs. Atchley's
employment with Hancock, she served as Director of Human Resources for Provident Life and Accident, Chattanooga,
Tenneessee, 1994 - 1997.
</P>
<U>Robert G. Chatham</U><BR><BR>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Vice President and Auditor, Hancock Holding Company since 1995. Mr. Chatham was employed by Hancock Bank
in 1979 as staff auditor, and served in various auditing capacities for the Company before being named as Bank
Auditor in 1988.
</P>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U>ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For information concerning this item see "Executive Compensation" (Pages 8-15) in the Proxy Statement for
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 24, 2000, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form
with the Commission on January 31, 2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.

</P>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U> ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For information concerning this item see "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" (Pages 6 and
7) and "Security Ownership of Management" (Page 7) in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
held February 24, 2000, which was filed by the Registrant in definitive form with the Commission on January 31,
2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.</P>


<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U> ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS</U></FONT></H1>

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For information concerning this item see "Certain Transactions and Relationships" (Page-15) in the Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held February 24, 2000, which was filed by the Registrant in
definitive form with the Commission on January 31, 2000 and is incorporated herein by reference.
</P>



<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3> 44 of 49</FONT></H1>
<HR SIZE=5>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3>PART IV</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=3><U> ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K</U></FONT></H1>

<PRE>
Hancock Holding Company and Consolidated Subsidiaries
(a) 1. and 2. Consolidated Financial Statements:

The following have been incorporated herein from the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders and are
incorporated herein by reference:

- Independent Auditors' Report
- Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1999 and 1998
- Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 1999
- Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three years ended December 31, 1999
- Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 1999
- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 1999
- Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the three years ended December 31, 1999

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).

</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
(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 June 19, 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 July 31, 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).

(2.10) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated February 28, 1997 among Hancock Holding Company,
Hancock Bank of Louisiana and Commerce Corporation, St. Francisville, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit
2 to the Registrant's Form S-4, Registration Number 323-26577, dated May 6, 1997).

(2.11) Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated October 15, 1998 among Hancock
Holding Company, Hancock Bank of Louisiana and American Security Bancsharesof Ville Platte, Inc.,
Ville Platte, Louisiana (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registrant's Form S-4, Registration Number
333-67181, dated November 12, 1998).

(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 as Exhibit
3.7 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by
reference).

(4.1) Specimen stock certificate (reflecting change in par value from $10.00 to $3.33, effective March
6, 1989) (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1989
and incorporated herein by reference).
</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
(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 (filed as
Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, and incorporated
herein by reference).

(10.3) Description of Hancock Bank Automobile Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10.4) Description of Deferred Compensation Arrangement for Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the
Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference).

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

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

(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 &amp; 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, 1999 furnished for the information of
the Commission only and not deemed "filed" except for those portions which are specifically
incorporated herein by reference).

</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>

<PRE>
(21) Proxy Statement for the Registrant's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 24, 2000 (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.

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
Corporation Mississippi Hancock Bank
Hancock Insurance Agency Mississippi Hancock Bank
Hancock Investment Services,
Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank
Town Properties, Inc. Mississippi Hancock Bank
The Gulfport Building, Inc.
of Mississippi Mississippi Hancock Bank
Harrison Finance Company Mississippi Hancock Bank
Hancock Mortgage Corporation Mississippi Hancock Bank and
Hancock Bank Securities
Corporation
Harrison Life Insurance Mississippi 79% owned by Hancock
Company Bank

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

(23) Independent Auditors' Consent

(27) Financial Data Schedule.

(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.

</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>
<PRE>
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 28, 2000 /s/ Leo W. Seal, Jr.
-------------- --------------------
By Leo W. Seal, Jr., President and
Chief Executive Officer

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, Chief Executive March 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive
Leo W. Seal, Jr. Officer) and Director


/s/ Joseph F. Boardman, Jr. Director, March 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Chairman of the Board
Joseph F. Boardman, Jr.


/s/ George A. Schloegel Director, March 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Vice Chairman of the Board
George A. Schloegel


/s/ Dr. Homer C. Moody, Jr. Director, March 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Vice Chairman of the Board
George A. Schloegel


/s/ Charles H. Johnson Director March 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
Charles H. Johnson


/s/ Victor Mavar Director March 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
Victor Mavar


/s/ Carl J. Chaney Sr. Vice President and March 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
Carl J. Chaney (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

</PRE>
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<HR SIZE=5>
<PRE>
Exhibit (23)


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Hancock Holding Company on Form
S-8 (No. 2-99863) and on Form S-3 (No. 33-31782) of our report dated January 18, 2000 incorporated by reference
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.



DELOITTE &amp; TOUCHE LLP
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 27, 2000
</PRE>

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