Exhibit 32-a

TRUSTMARK CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Trustmark Corporation (Trustmark) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Richard G. Hickson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trustmark, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Trustmark.

BY: /s/ Richard G. Hickson

Richard G. Hickson

Chairman of the Board, President

& Chief Executive Officer

DATE: February 26, 2009