WHITNEY HOLDING CORP
S-3, 1994-11-01
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
 
                                                     Registration No. 33-_______
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                               -----------------

                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               -----------------

                          WHITNEY HOLDING CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          LOUISIANA                                         72-6017893
       (State or other                                   (I.R.S.Employer
 jurisdiction of incorporation                       Identification Number)
       or organization)

                             228 ST. CHARLES AVENUE
                          NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70130
                                 (504) 586-7272
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                               -----------------

                               EDWARD B. GRIMBALL
                            Executive Vice President
                          and Chief Financial Officer
                          Whitney Holding Corporation
                             228 St. Charles Avenue
                         New Orleans, Louisiana  70130
                                 (504) 586-7570
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
 
  JOSEPH S. SCHWERTZ, JR., ESQ.                    VIRGINIA BOULET, ESQ.
       Corporate Secretary                         Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P.
   Whitney Holding Corporation                   Texaco Center, 30th Floor
      228 St.Charles Avenue                          400 Poydras Street
  New Orleans, Louisiana  70130                New Orleans, Louisiana  70130
         (504) 586-3596                                 (504) 584-9286

                               -----------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
          By the Selling Shareholder, from time to time after the effective date
     of this Registration Statement.

                               -----------------

          If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
     pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
     following box.  [ ]

          If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
     offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
     Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection
     with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
     box.  [X]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                        PROPOSED    PROPOSED
                                         MAXIMUM    MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF EACH          AMOUNT       OFFERING   AGGREGATE
 CLASS OF SECURITIES        TO BE       PRICE PER   OFFERING      AMOUNT OF
  TO BE REGISTERED     REGISTERED/(1)/  UNIT/(2)/  PRICE/(2)/  REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>              <C>        <C>         <C>
Common Stock.........          200,000     $23.38  $4,676,000         $1,612.41
================================================================================
</TABLE>
/(1)/ In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction
      involving Common Stock of the Company, in order to prevent dilution, the
      number of shares registered shall be automatically increased to cover the
      additional shares in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act
      of 1933.
/(2)/ Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
      pursuant to Rule 457(c), based on the average of the high and low sale
      price of the Common Stock on October 31, 1994, as reported by NASDAQ.

                               -----------------

         The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date
     or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the
     registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that
     this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance
     with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration
     statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting
     pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>
 
                          WHITNEY HOLDING CORPORATION

                                   PROSPECTUS

                                  COMMON STOCK

                                 (NO PAR VALUE)

               This Prospectus relates to an aggregate of 200,000 shares (the
     "Shares") of Common Stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"), of Whitney
     Holding Corporation (the "Company") that may be sold, from time to time,
     by Whitney National Bank, as trustee of the Whitney National Bank
     Retirement Plan (the "Selling Shareholder").  The Common Stock is traded on
     the NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "WTNY."  Shares will be
     sold by the Selling Shareholder from time to time, in ordinary brokers'
     transactions through the NASDAQ at the price prevailing at the time of such
     sales.  The commission payable will be the regular commission a broker
     receives for effecting such sales.  Shares may also be offered in block
     trades, private transactions or otherwise.  The net proceeds to the Selling
     Shareholder will be the proceeds received by it upon such sales, less
     brokerage commissions.  The Company will receive no proceeds pursuant to
     the sale of Shares.  Information regarding the Selling Shareholder is set
     forth herein under the heading "Selling Shareholder and Shares that may be
     Offered."  All expenses of registration incurred in connection with this
     offering are being borne by the Company, but the brokerage and other
     expenses of sale incurred by the Selling Shareholder will be borne by the
     Selling Shareholder.

               No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
     representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in
     this Prospectus in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus
     and, if given or made, any such information or representation must not be
     relied upon as having been authorized by the Company.  This Prospectus does
     not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy
     securities in any state or other jurisdiction where, or to any person to
     whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.  Neither the
     delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any
     circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the
     affairs of the Company since the date hereof.

               On October 31, 1994, the average of the high and low sale price
     of the Common Stock through the NASDAQ was $23.38 per share.



             THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
             BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
               COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
                  THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



               The date of this Prospectus is November 1, 1994.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

               The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and, in accordance
     therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities and
     Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Reports and other information
     filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the informational
     requirements of the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the public
     reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth
     Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following regional offices
     of the Commission: 75 Park Place, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10007 and
     500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.  Copies of
     such material may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
     Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
     rates.  The Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market System and
     the Company's reports, proxy statements and other information may also be
     inspected at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
     1735 K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007.

               Certain reports filed with the Commission by the Company are
     incorporated herein by reference.  See "Documents Incorporated by
     Reference."  Except as specified herein, no other portions of such reports
     are incorporated herein by reference and such other portions are not part
     of this Prospectus.

               This Prospectus omits certain information contained in the
     Registration Statement on  Form S-3 filed with the Commission under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") in which this
     Prospectus is included (the "Registration Statement").  The Company hereby
     undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
     Prospectus has been delivered, upon his request, a copy of the information
     that has been incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement
     (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are
     specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that the
     Registration Statement incorporates).  Requests should be directed to
     Whitney Holding Corporation, Attention:  Edward B. Grimball, 228 St.
     Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 or by telephone, (504) 586-
     7570.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY

               The Company is a Louisiana bank holding company registered
     pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.  The Company became an
     operating entity in 1962 with Whitney National Bank ("WNB") as its only
     significant subsidiary.  WNB, which has its headquarters in Orleans Parish,
     has been engaged in general banking business in the City of New Orleans
     since 1883.  WNB has 44 branch offices located in the metropolitan areas of
     New Orleans and in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, as well as an international
     branch in Grand Cayman, British West Indies.

               WNB engages in commercial and retail banking and in the trust
     business, including the taking of deposits, the making of secured and
     unsecured loans, the financing of commercial transactions, the issuance of
     credit cards, the performance of corporate, pension and personal trust
     services, investment services, and safe deposit rentals.  WNB is also
     active as a correspondent for other banks.  WNB renders specialized
     services of different kinds in connection with all of the foregoing, and
     has 44 domestic offices and one foreign office.  All material funds of the
     Company are invested in WNB.

               The Company and WNB and their related operations are subject to
     federal, state and local laws applicable to banks and bank holding
     companies and to the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal
     Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit
     Insurance Corporation.

               SELLING SHAREHOLDER AND SHARES THAT MAY BE OFFERED

               Except for Shares acquired as a result of stock dividends or
     stock splits, the Shares offered hereby were contributed to the Seller
     Shareholder by the Company prior to 1965 as part of the Company's
     retirement benefits for employees of the Company and WNB.  At October 31,
     1994, the Selling Shareholder owned 309,555 shares of Common Stock,
     representing 2.118% of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock.  If
     the Selling Shareholder sells 200,000 Shares pursuant to this Prospectus,
     the Selling Shareholder will own 109,555 shares of Common Stock,
     representing less than one percent of the total outstanding shares of
     Common Stock.

               The Selling Shareholder may sell up to 200,000 Shares pursuant to
     this Prospectus in ordinary brokers' transactions through the NASDAQ Stock
     Market at the prices prevailing at the time of such sales.  The commissions
     payable will be the regular commissions of brokers for affecting such
     sales.  Sales may also be offered in block trades, private transactions or
     otherwise.  The Company will pay all expenses in preparing and reproducing
     this Prospectus, but will not receive any part of the proceeds of the sale
     of any Shares.  The Selling Shareholder will pay all brokerage commissions.
     In connection with any sales, the Selling Shareholder and any brokers
     participating in such sales may be deemed to be underwriters within the
     meaning of the Securities Act.

               The Company will supply the Selling Shareholder with reasonable
     quantities of prospectuses.  There can be no assurances that the Selling
     Shareholder will sell any or all of the Shares offered by it hereunder.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                      CAPITAL STOCK

               The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
     40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value, of which 14,616,364 were
     outstanding on October 31, 1994.  The following description of the
     Company's capital stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
     Company's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws and to the applicable
     provisions of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law (the "LBCL").

     COMMON STOCK

               Voting Rights - Non-cumulative Voting.  Holders of Common Stock
     are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by the
     shareholders.  Holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting
     rights.  As a result, the holders of more than 50% of the Common Stock may
     elect all of the directors.

               Dividend Rights.  Holders of outstanding Common Stock are
     entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board
     of Directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefor.

               Liquidation Rights.  In the event of the liquidation of the
     Company the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive pro rata any
     assets distributable to shareholders in respect of their shares.

               Preemptive Rights.  Holders of Common Stock do not have
     preemptive rights.

     DIRECTORS

               Staggered Board.  The Board of Directors of the Company is
     divided into five classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with
     members of each class to serve for five years, and with one class being
     elected each year.  Directors of the Company must also be shareholders of
     the Company.  Any director of the Company may be removed from office with
     or without cause only by the affirmative vote of at least 90% of the voting
     power of the Company present at a special meeting of the shareholders
     called for that purpose. The quorum requirement for such a meeting is 90%
     of the total voting power of the Company present in person or by proxy at a
     special meeting called for that purpose.

               Indemnification.  The Articles of Incorporation provide for
     indemnification and advancement of expenses of any officer, director,
     employee or agent of the Company for any action taken in good faith by that
     officer, director, employee or agent.  Indemnification in the case of
     actions by or in right of the Company shall be limited to expenses actually
     and reasonably incurred in defense or settlement of an action.  The Board
     of Directors, in its discretion, may choose to provide further
     indemnification to officers, directors, employees and agents of the
     Company.

               The Articles of Incorporation and By-laws authorize the Company
     to maintain insurance covering the actions of its officers, directors,
     employees and agents, and the By-laws provide for indemnification to the
     fullest extent allowed under the LBCL.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
               Limitation of Liability.  The Articles of Incorporation eliminate
     the personal liability of the Company's directors and officers to the
     Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of their duty
     of care.  Directors and officers are liable for monetary damages (i) for
     breach of their duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (ii)
     for acts or omissions that were not in good faith or which involved
     intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for knowingly,
     or without the exercise of reasonable care and inquiry, authorizing the
     payment of an unlawful dividend or distribution or the purchase or
     redemption of the Company's stock in violation of law, or (iv) for any
     transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal
     benefit.

               The limitation of liability provisions in the Articles of
     Incorporation do not affect the ability of shareholders to obtain
     injunctive or other equitable relief for any violation of the duty of care;
     they only eliminate monetary damages as a remedy for breach of the duty of
     care.  As a practical matter, however, shareholders may be unable to obtain
     injunctive or equitable relief unless they discover the improper action or
     transaction in time to obtain judicial relief before it is consummated.

     SUPERMAJORITY AND FAIR PRICE PROVISIONS

               Supermajority Provisions. The Articles of Incorporation contain
     certain provisions designed to provide safeguards for shareholders when a
     Related Person (as defined below) attempts to effect a Business Combination
     (as defined below) with the Company.  In general, a Business Combination
     between the Company and a Related Person must be approved by the
     affirmative vote of at least 90% of the voting power of the Company present
     at a shareholders' meeting, at which meeting at least 90% of the total
     voting power of the Company must be present in person or by proxy to
     constitute a quorum, unless certain minimum price and procedural
     requirements are satisfied and the Board of Directors of the Company has
     the opportunity to state its recommendations to the shareholders in a proxy
     statement.  If these requirements are satisfied, only the affirmative vote
     of two-thirds of the voting power present or represented at a shareholders
     meeting of the Company would be required.

               A "Related Person" is defined as any person who, together with
     certain persons related to him or it, is the beneficial owner of 10% or
     more of the total voting power of the Company.  The term "beneficial owner"
     includes persons directly or indirectly owning or having the right to
     acquire or vote the stock of the Company.

               A "Business Combination" includes the following transactions:
     (1) any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any subsidiary of
     the Company; (2) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
     other disposition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of all or a
     substantial part of the assets of the Company; or (3) any sale, lease,
     exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of all or a
     substantial part of the assets by an entity to the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries.

               A "Continuing Director" includes a person who was a member of the
     Board of Directors of the Company elected by the shareholders prior to the
     time that a Related Person acquired in excess of 10% of the stock of the
     Company, or a person recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a
     majority of Continuing Directors.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
               Fair Price Provisions.  There is no requirement that 90% of the
     voting power present of the Company approve a Business Combination between
     a Related Person and the Company if all of the requirements described below
     are satisfied.

               (1) Minimum Price Requirement.  The cash or fair market value of
     the property, securities or other consideration to be received per share by
     shareholders of the Company (other than the Related Person) in connection
     with the Business Combination must be no less than the "Highest Purchase
     Price" (as defined below) paid by such Related Person. This minimum price
     to be received per share by shareholders must also exceed the highest price
     per share paid by the Related Person in acquiring any of its holdings of
     the Common Stock and may not be less than the earnings per share of Common
     Stock of the Company for the four full consecutive fiscal quarters
     immediately preceding the record date for solicitation of votes on such
     Business Combination, multiplied by the then price/earnings multiple (if
     any) of such Related Person as customarily computed and reported in the
     financial community.

               The "Highest Purchase Price" is defined, in the case of Common
     Stock, as the highest amount of consideration theretofore paid or agreed to
     be paid by the Related Person for a share of Common Stock (including any
     brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees)
     immediately prior to the commencement of acquisition of the Common Stock.

               (2) Procedural Requirements.  The following procedural
     requirements must be satisfied at all times after the Related Person became
     a Related Person:  (i) the Related Person shall have taken steps to ensure
     that the Company's Board of Directors included at all times representation
     by Continuing Directors proportionate to the stockholdings of the Company's
     shareholders not affiliated with the Related Person; (ii) there shall have
     been no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the shares of
     Common Stock unless otherwise approved by a majority of the Continuing
     Directors; (iii) the Related Person shall not have acquired any newly
     issued shares of Common Stock, directly or indirectly except upon
     conversion of convertible securities acquired by it prior to becoming a
     Related Person or as a result of a pro-rata stock split; and (iv) the
     Related Person shall not have acquired any additional shares of Common
     Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock except as part of the
     transaction by which such Related Person became a Related Person.

               (3) Actions Prior to Becoming a Related Person.  The Related
     Person shall not have: (i) received the benefit, directly or indirectly
     (except proportionately as a shareholder), of any loans, advances,
     guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or tax credits provided
     by the Company; or (ii) made any major change in the Company's business or
     equity capital structure without the unanimous approval of the Board of
     Directors, in either case prior to the consummation of such Business
     Combination.

               (4) Proxy Statement.  A proxy statement pursuant to the
     requirements of the Exchange Act shall be mailed to all shareholders of the
     Company for the purpose of soliciting shareholder approval of the Business
     Combination and shall contain at the front thereof, in a prominent place,
     any recommendations as to the advisability (or inadvisability) of the
     Business Combination that the Continuing Directors, or any of them, may
     choose to state, and, if deemed advisable by the Continuing Directors, an
     opinion of a reputable investment banking firm as to the fairness of the
     terms of such Business Combination.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
               Vote Necessary to Amend Articles of Incorporation.  The Articles
     of Incorporation provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of 90% or
     more of the total voting power is required in order to amend the fair price
     provisions, provided that only a majority vote of shareholders present or
     represented at a meeting of shareholders called for such purpose is
     required if the action to amend was approved by a majority of the
     Continuing Directors at a time when there is a Related Person or a majority
     of the entire Board of Directors at a time when there is no Related Person.

               Purposes and Effect of Supermajority and Fair Price Provisions.
     The fair price provisions are designed to prevent a purchaser from
     utilizing two-tier pricing and similar inequitable tactics in the event of
     an attempted takeover of the Company.  In the absence of the supermajority
     and fair price provisions, a purchaser who acquired control of the Company
     would be in a position, by virtue of such control, to compel minority
     shareholders to accept a lower price or a less desirable form of
     consideration than that given to other shareholders.

               The effect of the provisions is to encourage any Related Person
     or potential Related Person interested in a Business Combination to
     negotiate the terms of such transaction with the Board of Directors of the
     Company prior to its acquisition of a substantial amount of the capital
     stock of the Company and in a context that would provide adequate time and
     information so that all relevant considerations would receive the requisite
     attention and, if necessary, publicity.  The Board of Directors of the
     Company believes that the Continuing Directors of the Company are likely to
     be more knowledgeable than individual shareholders in assessing the
     business and prospects of the Company and are accordingly better able to
     negotiate effectively with the Related Person.  Also, the provisions should
     help to protect those shareholders who by choice or for lack of adequate
     opportunity did not sell shares in the first step of a two-tiered offer, by
     ensuring that a fair price will be paid to the shareholders in the second
     step of the two-tiered transaction if, but only if, the Related Person
     elects to initiate a second step.

               It should be noted, however, that tender offers are usually made
     at premium prices above the prevailing market price of a company's stock.
     In addition, acquisitions of stock by persons attempting to acquire control
     through market purchases may cause the market price of the stock
     temporarily to reach levels which are higher than would otherwise be the
     case.  Because of the higher percentage requirements for shareholder
     approval of any subsequent Business Combination, and the possibility of
     having to pay a higher price to other shareholders in such a Business
     Combination, it may become more costly for a purchaser to acquire control
     of the Company.  The Articles of Incorporation may discourage such
     purchases, particularly those for less than all of the shares of the
     Company, and may therefore deprive holders of the Common Stock of an
     opportunity to sell their stock at a temporarily higher market price.  A
     potential purchaser of stock seeking to obtain control may also be
     discouraged from purchasing stock because a supermajority shareholder vote
     would be required in order to change or eliminate the fair price protection
     provisions in the Articles of Incorporation.

               Although the supermajority and fair price provisions are designed
     to assure fair treatment of all shareholders in the event of a takeover,
     the provisions may also adversely affect the ability of shareholders to
     benefit from certain transactions which are opposed by the Board of
     Directors of the Company.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
               In certain instances, the fair price provisions, while providing
     objective pricing criteria, could be arbitrary and not indicative of value.
     In addition, a Related Person may be unable, as a practical matter, to
     comply with all of the procedural requirements of the Articles of
     Incorporation.  In these circumstances, a potential purchaser would be
     forced either to negotiate with the Continuing Directors and offer terms
     acceptable to them or to abandon the proposed Business Combination.

               Under the fair price provisions, in certain circumstances, a
     Business Combination that might be attractive to some shareholders might
     never be proposed to the shareholders by a Related Person, or if proposed,
     might not be consummated.  Further, the provisions may, under certain
     circumstances, give holders of a minority of the voting power a veto power
     over a Business Combination that the majority of shareholders may believe
     desirable and beneficial.  On August 15, 1994, directors and executive
     officers of the Company beneficially owned 1,261,088 shares (8.6%) of the
     Common Stock.  Therefore, it may be difficult or impossible for a Related
     Person to secure the necessary supermajority vote without management's
     approval.

               Since only the Continuing Directors will have the authority to
     avoid the requirement of a supermajority shareholder vote to approve
     Business Combinations if otherwise applicable, the provisions also may tend
     to insulate management against the possibility of removal in the event of a
     takeover bid.  Further, if the Related Person were to replace all of the
     directors who were in office on the date it became a Related Person (which
     it could not be assured of accomplishing for at least four years because of
     the Board's classification), there would be no Continuing Directors and,
     consequently, the 90% shareholder vote requirement would apply to any
     Business Combination, unless the minimum price and procedural requirements
     were satisfied.

               Federal securities laws and regulations applicable to Business
     Combinations govern the disclosure required to be made to minority
     shareholders in order to consummate certain Business Combinations.
     However, the laws and regulations do not assure that the terms of a
     Business Combination will be fair from a financial standpoint.  The LBCL
     provides that, under certain circumstances, the affirmative vote of the
     holders of at least 80% of the voting power of a Louisiana corporation is
     necessary in order to approve certain types of business combinations with a
     related party unless the shareholders receive a price for their shares as
     set forth in the LBCL and certain other conditions are met.  While the fair
     price protection provisions of the LBCL would apply to any Business
     Combination involving the Company and a Related Party, the Board of
     Directors of the Company believes that the fair price provisions in the
     Articles of Incorporation provide additional assurance that the
     shareholders of the Company will receive an equitable price for their
     shares in the event that a Business Combination is consummated.

     CONSIDERATIONS IN CHANGE OF CONTROL

               The LBCL authorizes the Board of Directors of the Company, when
     considering any proposal to acquire control of the Company, to take into
     account, among other enumerated factors and any other factors the board
     deems relevant, the interests of the Company's employees, creditors and the
     communities in which the Company conducts its business, as well as purely
     financial interests of the Company's shareholders.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

               The affirmative vote of the holders of 90% of the voting power
     present is required to amend any provision of the Articles of Incorporation
     relating to the Board of Directors of the Company or the supermajority and
     fair price provisions contained therein. In other instances, the
     affirmative vote of at least a majority of the total voting power of the
     Company or two-thirds of the voting power present at a shareholders'
     meeting, whichever is greater, is required to amend the Articles of
     Incorporation.

     AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

               The By-laws may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of
     a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company or by the affirmative
     vote of at least a majority of the voting power present at a meeting of the
     shareholders of the Company.

     SHAREHOLDERS MEETINGS

               Shareholders holding not less than 20% of its outstanding Common
     Stock may require the Company to call a meeting of its shareholders.

     LOUISIANA CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION STATUTE

               The LBCL Control Share Acquisition Statute provides that any
     shares acquired by a person or group (an "Acquiror") in an acquisition that
     causes such person or group to have the power to direct the exercise of
     voting power in the election of directors in excess of 20%, 33 1/3% or 50%
     thresholds shall have only such voting power as shall be accorded by the
     holders of all shares other than Interested Shares (as defined below) at a
     meeting called for the purpose of considering the voting power to be
     accorded to shares held by the Acquiror.  "Interested Shares" include all
     shares as to which the Acquiror, any officer of the Company and any
     director of the Company who is also an employee of the Company may exercise
     or direct the exercise of voting power.  If a meeting of shareholders is
     held to consider the voting rights to be accorded to an Acquiror and the
     shareholders do not vote to accord voting rights to such shares, the
     Company may have the right to redeem the shares held by the Acquiror for
     their fair market value.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

               The following documents, which have been filed by the Company
     with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference:

               (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
     ended December 31, 1993 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

               (2) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods
     ended March 31, 1994 and June 30, 1994.

               All reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
     Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
     Prospectus and prior to the termination

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     of the offering of the Shares offered hereby shall be deemed to be
     incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be made a part hereof
     from their respective dates of filing.

          Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
     incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to
     the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other document
     subsequently filed or incorporated by reference herein modifies or
     supersedes such statement.  Any statement so modified or superseded shall
     not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
     this Prospectus.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    Estimated expenses payable in connection with the proposed sale of Common
Stock covered hereby are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                    <C>
Registration Fee.....................................  $ 1,612.41
NASD Filing Fee......................................        0.00
Printing and Engraving...............................        0.00
Legal Fees and Expenses..............................    5,000.00
Accounting Fees and Expenses.........................    3,000.00
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including counsel fees)..    1,700.00
Transfer Agent.......................................        0.00
Miscellaneous........................................        0.00
   Total Expenses....................................  $11,312.41
 
</TABLE>

   All expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering are
being borne by the Company, but the selling and other expenses incurred by the
Selling Shareholder will be borne by the Selling Shareholder.

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

   The Articles of Incorporation provide for indemnification and advancement of
expenses of any officer, director, employee or agent of the Company for any
action taken in good faith by that officer, director, employee or agent.
Indemnification in the case of actions by or in right of the Company shall be
limited to expenses actually and reasonably incurred in defense or settlement of
an action. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may choose to provide
further indemnification to officers, directors, employees and agents of the
Company.

   The Articles of Incorporation and By-laws authorize the Company to maintain
insurance covering the actions of its officers, directors, employees and agents,
and the By-laws provide for indemnification to the fullest extent allowed under
the LBCL.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
 
     ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

           4.1   Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated July 20, 1961,
                 as amended on May 23, 1962, as amended on February 9, 1971, as
                 amended on April 26, 1978, as amended on February 14, 1984, as
                 amended on February 11, 1987, and as amended on May 3, 1993,
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to the Company's
                 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30,
                 1993.

           4.2   By-laws of the Company as amended through March 23, 1994, 
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
                 Registration Statement on Form S-3, Reg. No. 33-55307.

           5.1   Opinion of Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P. as to the legality of the
                 securities being registered.

           23.1  Consent of Arthur Andersen, L.L.P.

           23.2  Consent of Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).

           24.1  Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page attached
                 hereto).



     ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

           The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

           (1) To file, during any period in which offers of shares are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

               (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
          Securities Act of 1933;

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
          after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
          aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
          in the registration statement;

               (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the
          plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
          statement or any material change to such information in the
          registration statement;

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

          (4) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
     determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
     the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
     employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
     registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
     securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
     offering thereof.

          (5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
     controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
     or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
     policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the
     event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
     the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
     officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense
     of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
     controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
     registrant will submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
     whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
     the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
     registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
     meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused
     this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
     thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana,
     on this 28th day of September, 1994.


                                    WHITNEY HOLDING CORPORATION


                                    By:  /s/ William L. Marks
                                         ------------------------------
                                         William L. Marks
                                         Chairman of the Board


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

               KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
     appears immediately below constitutes and appoints William L. Marks and
     Edward B. Grimball, or either one of them, as his true and lawful attorney-
     in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his
     name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
     amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
     Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other
     documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
     authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
     necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
     could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-
     in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause
     to be done by virtue hereof.

               Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following
     persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Signature                    Title                         Date
               ---------                    -----                         ----
<S>                                <C>                           <C> 
 
     /s/ William L. Marks             Chairman of the Board          September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------     and Chief Executive Officer 
       William L. Marks                                          

 
       /s/ R. King Milling         Director and President            September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
         R. King Milling
 
 
</TABLE>

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                           <C>
/s/ Edward B. Grimball
- ------------------------------      Executive Vice President and     September 28, 1994
Edward B. Grimball                    Chief Financial Officer
                                   (Principal Financial Officer
                                 and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
/s/ Harry J. Blumenthal, Jr.              Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
Harry J. Blumenthal, Jr.
 
/s/ James M. Cain                         Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
James M. Cain
 
/s/ Robert H. Crosby, Jr.                 Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
Robert H. Crosby, Jr.
 
- ------------------------------            Director                   __________________
Richard B. Crowell
 
- ------------------------------            Director                   __________________
William A. Hines
 
/s/ Robert E. Howson                      Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
Robert E. Howson
 
 /s/ John J. Kelly                        Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
John J. Kelly
 
 /s/ E. James Kock, Jr.                   Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
E. James Kock, Jr.
 
/s/ John G. Phillips                      Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
John G. Phillips
 
- ------------------------------            Director                   __________________
John K. Roberts, Jr.
 
 /s/ W. P. Snyder III                     Director                   September 28, 1994
- ------------------------------
W. P. Snyder III
______________________________            Director                   -------------------
Warren K. Watters
</TABLE>
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
NUMBER                     ITEM DESCRIPTION                    SEQUENTIALLY
                                                                 NUMBERED
                                                                   PAGE
<S>       <C>                                                  <C>
 
  5.1     Opinion of Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P. as to the
          legality of the securities being registered.
 
 23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen, L.L.P.

 23.2     Consent of Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P. (included in
          Exhibit 5).
 
 24.1     Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page
          attached hereto).
 
 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                         (LETTERHEAD OF PHELPS DUNBAR
                                 APPEARS HERE)

 VIRGINIA BOULET
     PARTNER
NEW ORLEANS OFFICE
 (504) 584-9286

                                                                         8916-29
                               October 31, 1994

     Whitney Holding Corporation
     228 St. Charles Avenue
     New Orleans, Louisiana 70130


     Re:  Whitney Holding Corporation
     Registration Statement on Form S-3
 

     Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Whitney Holding Corporation (the "Company")
     in connection with the preparation of its Registration Statement on Form S-
     3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") relating to an
     aggregate of 200,000 shares of the Company's common stock, no par value per
     share (the "Common Stock"), that may be sold, from time to time, by
     Whitney National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee") of the Whitney National
     Bank Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). In so acting, we have examined and
     relied upon the original, or a photostatic or certified copy, of such
     records of the Company, certificates of public officials, and such other
     documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary as the basis for the
     opinion set forth below.

         In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures
     appearing on all documents, the legal capacity of all persons signing such
     documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
     the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as
     certified, conformed or photostatic copies, the accuracy and completeness
     of all corporate records made available to us by the Company, and the truth
     and accuracy of all facts set forth in all certificates provided to or
     examined by us.

         Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations,
     qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the
     opinion that the Common Stock has been duly
<PAGE>
 
     authorized and legally issued, and is fully paid and non-assessable, and
     will remain as such when sold by the Trustee on behalf of the Plan.

     The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Louisiana
     and the federal laws of the United States of America.  We express no
     opinion as to matters governed by the laws of any other state.
     Furthermore, no opinion is expressed herein as to the effect of any future
     acts of the parties or changes in existing law.  We undertake no
     responsibility to advise you of any changes after the date hereof in the
     law or the facts presently in effect that would alter the scope or
     substance of the opinions herein expressed.

     This letter expresses our legal opinion as to the foregoing matters based
     on our professional judgment at this time; it is not, however, to be
     construed as a guaranty, nor is it a warranty that a court considering such
     matters would not rule in a manner contrary to the opinion set forth above.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
     Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the
     category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
     Securities Act or the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission.

                                         Very truly yours,



                                         PHELPS DUNBAR, L.L.P.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
     by reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 13,
     1994, included in Whitney Holding Corporation's Form 10-K for the year
     ended December 31, 1993, and to all references to our Firm included in this
     registration statement.


                                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN, L.L.P.



     New Orleans, Louisiana
     October 31, 1994


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