Exhibit 99 to Hancock Holding Company Form 8-K
HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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July 18, 2000 George A. Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer
(228) 868-4706
Carl J. Chaney, Chief Financial Officer
(228) 868-4727 or 1-800-522-6542 (Ext. 4727)
HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY ANNOUNCES STOCK BUY-BACK PROGRAM
GULFPORT, MS (July 18, 2000) - Hancock Holding Company President Leo W. Seal,
Jr., today announced Board of Directors' approval of a stock buy-back program
allowing the company to repurchase up to 10% of Hancock&'s outstanding common
stock. The actual number of shares to be repurchased and the timing of such
purchases will be determined by the market conditions and management decision.
The shares purchased can be purchased in open market or privately negotiated
transactions. Shares purchased under this program will be held in treasury and
used for general corporate purposes as determined by Hancock's Board of
Directors.
In making this decision, Seal said, "The Board of Directors and executive
management believe it is appropriate, at this time, to use surplus capital to
repurchase shares of its common stock."
Hancock Holding Company, the parent company of Hancock Bank (Mississippi) and
Hancock Bank of Louisiana, has assets of $3 billion. Founded in 1899, Hancock
Bank stands as one of the strongest, safest financial institutions in the United
States according to Veribanc, Inc. Bauer Financial Reports, Inc., also awarded
Hancock Bank five stars - the highest rating possible - for 19 consecutive
quarters. Hancock Bank operates 92 full-service offices and 130 automated
teller machines throughout South Mississippi and Louisiana. Bank subsidiaries
include Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, Hancock
Mortgage Corporation and Harrison Finance Company.
Readers can learn more about Hancock Bank at www.hancockbank.com.
