UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K


x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

OR

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	Commission file number 0-13089

Hancock Holding Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Mississippi		64-0693170
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

One Hancock Plaza, Gulfport, Mississippi	39501	(228) 868-4727
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)	Registrant’s telephone number, including area code


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

COMMON STOCK, $3.33 PAR VALUE	The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
(Title of Class)	(Name of Exchange on Which Registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No 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 o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):


Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2008 was $1,016,381,401 based upon the closing market price on NASDAQ as of such date. For purposes of this calculation only, shares held by nonaffiliates are deemed to consist of (a) shares held by all shareholders other than directors and executive officers of the registrant plus (b) shares held by directors and officers as to which beneficial ownership has been disclaimed.

On February 2, 2009, the registrant had outstanding 31,802,848 shares of common stock for financial statement purposes.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 are incorporated by reference into Part I and Part II of this report.

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 26, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

Hancock Holding Company
Form 10-K
Index


PART I

ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	1
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	12
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	16
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES	16
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	16
ITEM 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS	16

PART II

ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	17
ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	20
ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	23
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	47
ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	48
ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	93
ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	93
ITEM 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	94

PART III

ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	94
ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	94
ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	95
ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	95
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	95

PART IV

ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	95

PART I


ITEM 1:	BUSINESS

ORGANIZATION AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

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. In 2002, the Company qualified as a financial holding company giving it broader powers. At December 31, 2008, the Company operated more than 157 banking and financial services offices and more than 137 automated teller machines (ATMs) in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama through four wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi (Hancock Bank MS), Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Hancock Bank LA), Hancock Bank of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida (Hancock Bank FL) and Hancock Bank of Alabama, Mobile, Alabama (Hancock Bank AL). Hancock Bank MS, Hancock Bank LA, Hancock Bank FL and Hancock Bank AL are referred to collectively as the “Banks”.

The Banks are community oriented and focus primarily on offering commercial, consumer and mortgage loans and deposit services to individuals and small to middle market businesses in their respective market areas. The Company’s operating strategy is to provide its customers with the financial sophistication and breadth of products of a regional bank, while successfully retaining the local appeal and level of service of a community bank. At December 31, 2008, the Company had total assets of $7.2 billion and 1,952 employees on a full-time equivalent basis.

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 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 following five counties: Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Lamar and Pearl River. In addition, Hancock Bank MS has a presence in the following counties: Forrest and Jefferson Davis. At December 31, 2008, Hancock Bank MS had total assets of $3.8 billion and 1,279 employees on a full-time equivalent basis.

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 the purchase of two Dryades Savings Bank, F.S.B. branches in 2003 and the 2007 opening of a new financial center in New Orleans’ Central Business District, Hancock Bank LA established a long-awaited presence in the Greater New Orleans area. At December 31, 2008, Hancock Bank LA had total assets of $3.0 billion and 573 employees on a full-time equivalent basis.

Hancock Bank FL was formed in March 2004 with the acquisition of Tallahassee’s Guaranty National Bank. In addition to the five branches acquired in the Tallahassee area in 2004, Hancock Bank FL has since opened two more branches in the Pensacola market. Hancock Bank FL had total assets of $367.1 million and 58 employees on a full-time equivalent basis at December 31, 2008.

In February 2007, Hancock Bank AL was incorporated in Mobile, AL. During 2007 and 2008, five branches have been opened to serve the Mobile area and Alabama’s Eastern Shore. At December 31, 2008, Hancock Bank AL had total assets of $155.9 million and 43 employees on a full-time equivalent basis.

CURRENT OPERATIONS

Loan Production and Credit Review

The Banks’ primary lending focus is to provide commercial, consumer, commercial 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 industries 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 one or more Regional Credit Officers. All loans, however, must meet the credit underwriting standards and loan policies of the Banks.

All loans over an individual loan officer’s Board approved lending authority must be approved by one of the Bank’s centralized loan underwriting units, by a senior lender or one or more Regional Credit Officers. Each loan file is reviewed by the Bank’s loan operations quality assurance function, a component of its loan review system, to ensure proper documentation and asset quality.

Loan Review and Asset Quality

Each Bank’s portfolio of loan relationships aggregating $500,000 or more is reviewed every 12 to 18 months by the Bank’s Loan Review staff to identify any deficiencies and report them to management to take corrective actions as necessary. Periodically, selected loan relationships aggregating less than $500,000 are also reviewed. As a result of such reviews, each Bank places on its Watch list loans requiring close or frequent review. All loans over $100,000 classified by a regulatory auditor are also placed on the Watch list. All Watch list and past due loans are reviewed monthly by the Banks’ senior lending officers. All Watch list loans are reviewed monthly by the Bank’s Asset Quality Committee and quarterly by the Banks’ Board of Directors’ Loan Oversight Committee.

In addition, in the approval process, all loans to a particular borrower are considered, regardless of classification, each time such borrower requests a renewal or extension of any loan or requests a new loan. All lines of credit are reviewed before renewal. The Banks currently have mechanisms in place that require borrowers to submit annual financial statements, except borrowers with secured installment and residential mortgage loans.

Consumer loans which become 30 days delinquent are reviewed regularly by management. As a matter of policy, loans are placed on a non-accrual status when (1) payment in full, of principal or interest is not expected or (2) 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.

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 Bank’s loan portfolio and each commercial loan officer’s loan portfolio) and (2) information on specific loans that may need individual attention.

The Bank’s nonperforming assets, consisting of real property, vehicles and other items held for resale, were acquired generally through the process of foreclosure. At December 31, 2008, the book value of those assets held for resale was approximately $5.2 million.

Securities Portfolio

The Banks maintain portfolios of securities consisting primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency issues, agency mortgage-backed securities, agency CMOs and tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions. The portfolios are designed to provide liquidity to fund loan growth and deposit outflows while maximizing interest income within pre-defined risk parameters. Therefore, the Banks invest only in high quality securities of investment grade quality and with a target effective duration, for the overall portfolio, generally between two to five years.

The Banks’ policies limit investments to securities having a rating of no less than “Baa”, or its equivalent by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agency, except for certain obligations of Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida or Alabama counties, parishes and municipalities.

Deposits

The Banks have several programs designed to attract depository accounts offered to consumers and to small and middle market businesses at interest rates generally consistent with market conditions. Additionally, the Banks operate more than 130 ATMs at the Company’s banking offices as well as free-standing ATMs at other locations. As members of regional and international ATM networks such as “STAR”, “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.

Trust Services

The Banks, through their respective Trust Departments, offer a full range of trust services on a fee basis. The Banks act as executor, administrator or guardian in administering estates. Also provided are investment custodial services for individuals, businesses and charitable and religious organizations. In their trust capacities, the Banks provide investment management services on an agency basis and act as trustee for pension plans, profit sharing plans, corporate and municipal bond issues, living trusts, life insurance trusts and various other types of trusts created by or for individuals, businesses and charitable and religious organizations. As of December 31, 2008, the Trust Departments of the Banks had approximately $7.7 billion of assets under administration compared to $8.3 billion as of December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2008, $4.2 billion of administered assets were corporate trust accounts and the remaining balances were personal, employee benefit, estate and other trust accounts.

Operating Efficiency Strategy

The primary focus of the Company’s operating strategy is to increase operating income and to reduce operating expense. A Company’s operating efficiency ratio indicates the percentage of each dollar of net revenue that is used to fund operating expenses. Net revenue for a financial institution is the total of net interest income plus non-interest income, excluding securities transactions gains or losses. Operating expenses exclude the amortization of intangibles.

Other Activities

Hancock Bank MS has 6 subsidiaries through which it engages in the following activities: providing consumer financing services; 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 net earnings.

During 2001, the Company began servicing mortgage loans for the Federal National Mortgage Association. At that time the loans serviced were originated and closed by the Company’s mortgage subsidiary. The servicing activity was also performed by this same subsidiary. In the middle of 2003, however, the Company modified its strategy and reverted to selling the majority of its conforming loans with servicing released. In December 2004, the Company’s mortgage subsidiary merged with Hancock Bank MS, its parent. Currently all mortgage activity is being reported by Hancock Bank MS, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida and Hancock Bank of Alabama.

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 net income.

Competition

The deregulation of the financial services industry, the elimination of many previous distinctions between commercial banks and other financial institutions as well as legislation enacted in Mississippi, Louisiana and other states allowing state-wide branching, multi-bank holding companies and regional interstate banking have all served to foster a highly competitive environment for commercial banking in our market area. The principal competitive factors in the markets for deposits and loans are interest rates and fee structures associated with the various products offered. We also compete through the efficiency, quality, range of services and products it provides, as well as the convenience provided by an extensive network of customer access channels including local branch offices, ATM’s, online banking, and telebanking centers. Access to the bank’s extensive network of customer access points is further enhanced by convenient hours including Saturday banking at selected branch locations and through the bank’s telebanking service center.

In attracting deposits and in our lending activities, we generally compete 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.

Available Information

We maintain an internet website at www.hancockbank.com. We make available free of charge on the website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Annual Report to Stockholders is also available on our website. These reports are made available on our website as soon as reasonably practical after the reports are filed with the Commission. Information on our website is not incorporated into this Form 10-K or our other securities filings and is not part of them.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

Bank Holding Company Regulation

General

The Company is subject to extensive regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve) pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the Bank Holding Company Act). On January 26, 2002 the Company qualified as a financial holding company, giving it broader powers as discussed below. To date, the Company has exercised its powers as a financial holding company to acquire a non-controlling interest in a third party service provider for insurance companies and, in December 2003, acquired Magna Insurance Company. The Company also is required to file certain reports with, and otherwise complies with the rules and regulations of, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under federal securities laws.

Federal Regulation

The Bank Holding Company Act generally prohibits a corporation owning a bank from engaging in activities other than banking, managing or controlling banks or other permissible subsidiaries. Acquiring or obtaining control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in activities other than those activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking, managing or controlling banks as to be proper incident thereto is also prohibited. In determining whether a particular activity is permissible, the Federal Reserve considers whether the performance of the activity can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public that outweigh possible adverse effects. For example: making, acquiring or servicing loans; leasing personal property; providing certain investment or financial advice; performing certain data processing services; acting as agent or broker in selling credit life insurance, and performing certain insurance underwriting activities have all been determined by regulations of the Federal Reserve to be permissible activities. The Bank Holding Company Act does not place territorial limitations on permissible bank-related activities of bank holding companies. Despite prior approval, however, the Federal Reserve has the power to order a holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or its control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable cause to believe that continuation of such activity or control of such subsidiary constitutes a serious risk to

the financial safety, soundness or stability of any bank subsidiary of that holding company.

The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve: (1) before it may acquire ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if, after such acquisition, such bank holding company will own or control more than 5% of the voting shares of such bank, (2) before it or any of its subsidiaries other than a bank may acquire all of the assets of a bank, (3) before it may merge with any other bank holding company, or (4) before it may engage in permissible non-banking activities. 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 bank holding company or bank acquisitions or mergers must be delayed for a period of not less than 15 or more than 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.

On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed into law the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 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 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 qualified bank holding companies, 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 activities, 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 do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally.

Generally, the Financial Services Modernization Act:

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

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

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

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

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

• Modifies the laws governing the implementation of the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”); and

• Addresses a variety of other legal and regulatory issues affecting both day-to-day operations and long-term activities of financial institutions.

The Financial Services Modernization Act requires that each bank subsidiary of a financial holding company be well capitalized and well managed as determined by the subsidiary bank’s principal regulator.

To be considered well managed, the bank must have received at least a satisfactory composite rating and a satisfactory management rating at its last examination. To be well capitalized, the bank must have a leverage capital ratio of 5%, a Tier 1 Risk-based capital ratio of 6% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 10%. These ratios are discussed further below. In the event a financial holding company becomes aware that a subsidiary bank ceases to be well capitalized or well managed, it must notify the Federal Reserve and enter into an agreement to cure such condition. The consequences of a failure to cure such condition are that the Federal Reserve Board may order divestiture of the bank. Alternatively, a financial holding company may comply with such order by ceasing to engage in the financial holding company activities that are unrelated to banking or otherwise impermissible for a bank holding company.

The Federal Reserve has adopted capital adequacy guidelines for use in its examination and regulation of bank holding companies and financial holding companies. The regulatory capital of a bank holding company or financial holding company under applicable federal capital adequacy guidelines is particularly important in the Federal Reserve’s evaluation of a holding company and any applications by the bank holding company to the Federal Reserve. If regulatory capital falls below minimum guideline levels, a financial holding company may lose its status as a financial holding company and a bank holding company or bank may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses or to open additional facilities. In addition, a financial institution’s failure to meet minimum regulatory capital standards can lead to other penalties, including termination of deposit insurance or appointment of a conservator or receiver for the financial institution. There are two measures of regulatory capital presently applicable to bank holding companies: (1) risk-based capital and (2) leverage capital ratios.

The Federal Reserve rates bank holding companies by a component and composite 1-5 rating system. This system is designed to help identify institutions, which require special attention. Financial institutions are assigned ratings based on evaluation and rating of their financial condition and operations. Components reviewed include capital adequacy, asset quality, management capability, the quality and level of earnings, the adequacy of liquidity and sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations.

The leverage ratios adopted by the Federal Reserve require all but the most highly rated bank holding companies to maintain Tier 1 Capital at 4% 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, 2008 was 8.06% and 8.51% at December 31, 2007.

The risk-based capital guidelines are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposure and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Under the risk-based capital guidelines, assets are assigned to one of four risk categories: 0%, 20% 50% and 100%. As an example, U.S. Treasury securities are assigned to the 0% risk category while most categories of loans are assigned to the 100% risk category. A two-step process determines the risk weight of off-balance sheet items such as standby letters of credit. First, the amount of the off-balance sheet item is multiplied by a credit conversion factor of either 0%, 20%, 50% or 100%. The result is then assigned to one of the four risk categories. At December 31, 2008, the Company’s off-balance sheet items aggregated $998.4 million; however, after the credit conversion these items represented $292.3 million of balance sheet equivalents.

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, 2008, the Company’s Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios were 10.09% and 11.22%, respectively. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios were 11.03% and 12.07%, respectively.

The prior approval of the Federal Reserve must be obtained before the Company may acquire substantially all the assets of any bank, or ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank, if, after such acquisition, it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of such bank. In no case, however, may the Federal Reserve approve an acquisition of any bank located outside Mississippi unless such acquisition is specifically authorized by the laws of the state in which the bank to be acquired is located. The banking laws of Mississippi presently permit out-of-state banking organizations to acquire Mississippi banking organizations, provided the Mississippi banking organization has been operating for at least five years. In addition, Mississippi banking organizations were granted similar powers to acquire certain out-of-state financial institutions pursuant to the Interstate Bank Branching Act, which was adopted in 1994.

With the passage of The Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies are permitted to acquire control of banks in any state, subject to federal regulatory approval, without regard to whether such a transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state. Beginning June 1, 1997, federal banking regulators may approve merger transactions involving banks located in different states, without regard to laws of any state prohibiting such transactions; except that, mergers may not be approved with respect to banks located in states that, before June 1, 1997, enacted legislation prohibiting mergers by banks located in such state with out-of-state institutions. Federal banking regulators may permit an out-of-state bank to open new branches in another state if such state has enacted legislation permitting interstate branching. The legislation further provides that a bank holding company may not, following an interstate acquisition, control more than 10% of nationwide insured deposits or 30% of deposits in the relevant state. States have the right to adopt legislation to lower the 30% limit. Additional provisions require that interstate activities conform to the Community Reinvestment Act.

The Company is required to give the Federal Reserve prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve may disapprove such a transaction if it determines that the proposal constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice, would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve order or directive or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve.

In November 1985, the Federal Reserve adopted its Policy Statement on Cash Dividends Not Fully Covered by Earnings (the Policy Statement). The Policy Statement sets forth various guidelines that the Federal Reserve believes that a bank holding company should follow in establishing its dividend policy. In general, the Federal Reserve stated that bank holding companies should pay dividends only out of current earnings. It also stated that dividends should not be paid unless the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding company appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Banks. There are various restrictions that limit the ability of the Banks to finance, pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to the Company or other affiliates. In addition, subsidiary banks of holding companies are subject to certain restrictions on any extension of credit to the bank holding company or any of its subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or other securities thereof and on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower. Further, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with extensions of credit, or leases or sales of property or furnishing of services.

Bank Regulation

The operations of the Banks are subject to state and federal statutes applicable to state banks and the regulations of the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. The operation of the Banks may also be subject to applicable OCC regulation, to the extent states 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.

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. Hancock Bank FL is subject to regulation and periodic examinations by the FDIC and the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Hancock Bank AL is subject to regulation and periodic examinations by the FDIC and the Alabama State Banking Department. These regulatory authorities examine such areas as reserves, loan and investment quality, management policies, procedures and practices and other aspects of operations. These examinations are designed for the protection of the Banks’ depositors, rather than their stockholders. In addition to these regular examinations, the Company and the Banks must furnish periodic reports to their respective regulatory authorities containing a full and accurate statement of their affairs.

As a result of the enactment of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), a financial institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any losses incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with (1) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured financial institution or (2) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled financial institution in danger of default.

The Banks are members of the FDIC, and their deposits are insured as provided by law by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). 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. The Federal Deposit Insurance Reform act of 2005 created a new risk differentiation system and established a new base assessment rate schedule, effective January 1, 2007. The final rule consolidates the existing nine risk categories into four and names them Risk Categories I, II, III, and IV. Risk Category I replaces the 1A risk category. The annual rates (in basis points) are now from 5 cents to 43 cents per hundred dollars of insured deposits, with category I rates having a range of 5 cents to 7 cents per hundred dollars of insured deposits. In 2007, the Banks received a risk classification of I for assessment purposes. Total FICO assessments paid to the FDIC amounted to $0.6 million in 2008 and $0.6 million in 2007.

Under the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005, Hancock Bank MS and Hancock Bank LA received a one-time FDIC assessment credit of $1.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively, to be used against deposit insurance assessments beginning January 1, 2007. $1.8 million of this credit offset the entire FDIC assessment for 2007 and the remaining $1.4 million offset the 2008 assessment. FDIC insurance expense totaled $1.2 million in 2008.

In October 2008, in an effort to restore capitalization levels and to ensure the DIF will adequately cover projected losses from future bank failures, the FDIC proposed a rule to alter the way in which it differentiates for risk in the risk-based assessment system and to revise deposit insurance assessment rates, including base assessment rates. For Risk Category 1 institutions that have long-term debt issuer ratings, the FDIC proposes (i) to determine the initial base assessment rate using a combination of weighted-average CAMELS component ratings, long-term debt issuer ratings (converted to numbers and averaged) and the financial ratios method assessment rate (as defined), each equally weighted and (ii) to revise the uniform amount and the pricing multipliers. The FDIC also proposes to introduce three adjustments that could be made to an institution’s initial base assessment rate, including (i) a potential decrease of up to 2 basis points for long-term unsecured debt, including senior and subordinated debt, (ii) a potential increase for secured liabilities in excess of 15% of domestic deposits and (iii) for non-Risk Category 1 institutions, a potential increase for brokered deposits in excess of 10% of domestic deposits. In addition, the FDIC proposed raising the current rates uniformly by 7 basis points for the assessment for the first quarter of 2009 resulting in annualized assessment rates for Risk Category 1 institutions ranging from 12 to 14 basis points. The proposal for first quarter 2009 assessment rates was adopted as a final rule in December 2008. The FDIC also proposed, effective April 1, 2009, initial base assessment rates for Risk Category 1 institutions of 10 to 14 basis points. After the effect of potential baserate adjustments, the annualized assessment rate for Risk Category 1 institutions would range from 8 to 21 basis points. A final rule related to this proposal is expected to be issued during the first quarter of 2009. The Company cannot provide any assurance as to the amount of any proposed increase in its deposit insurance premium rate, should such an increase occur, as such changes are dependent upon a variety of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control.

In general, FDICIA subjects banks and bank holding companies to significantly increased regulation and supervision. FDICIA increased the borrowing authority of the FDIC in order to recapitalize the DIF, and the future borrowings are to be repaid by increased assessments on FDIC member banks. Other significant provisions of FDICIA require a new regulatory emphasis linking supervision to bank capital levels.

Also, federal banking regulators are required to take prompt regulatory action with respect to depository institutions that fall below specified capital levels and to draft non-capital regulatory measures to assure bank safety.

FDICIA contains a “prompt corrective action” section intended to resolve problem institutions at the least possible long-term cost to the deposit insurance funds. Pursuant to this section, the federal banking agencies are required to prescribe a leverage limit and a risk-based capital requirement indicating levels at which institutions will be deemed to be “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” In the case of a depository institution that is “critically undercapitalized” (a term defined to include institutions which still have positive net worth); the federal banking regulators are generally required to appoint a conservator or receiver.

FDICIA further requires regulators to perform annual on-site bank examinations, places limits on real estate lending and tightens audit requirements. The new legislation eliminated the “too big to fail” doctrine, which protects uninsured deposits of large banks, and restricts the ability of undercapitalized banks to obtain extended loans from the Federal Reserve Board discount window. FDICIA also imposes new disclosure requirements relating to fees charged and interest paid on checking and deposit accounts. Most of the significant changes brought about by FDICIA required new regulations.

In addition to regulating capital, the FDIC has broad authority to prevent the development or continuance of unsafe or unsound banking practices. Pursuant to this authority, the FDIC has 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,) Hancock Bank of LA, Hancock Bank of FL and Hancock Bank of AL.

Although Hancock Bank (MS,) Hancock Bank of LA, Hancock Bank of FL and Hancock Bank of AL 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 $34.1 million, or, if the aggregate of such accounts exceeds $34.1 million, $1.023 million plus 10% of the total in excess of $34.1 million. This regulation is subject to an exemption from reserve requirements on a limited amount of an institution’s transaction accounts.

The Financial Services Modernization Act also permits national banks, and through state parity statutes, state banks, to engage in expanded activities through the formation of financial subsidiaries. A state bank may have a subsidiary engaged in any activity authorized for state 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.

A state 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 state bank must exclude from its assets and equity all equity investments, including retained earnings, in a financial subsidiary. The assets of the subsidiary may not be consolidated with the bank’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.

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 national 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.

In 2001, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA Patriot Act) was signed into law. The USA Patriot Act broadened the application of anti-money laundering regulations to apply to additional types of financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, and strengthened the ability of the U.S. Government to detect and prosecute international money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The principal provisions of Title III of the USA Patriot Act require that regulated financial institutions, including state member banks: (i) establish an anti-money laundering program that includes training and audit components; (ii) comply with regulations regarding the verification of the identity of any person seeking to open an account; (iii) take additional required precautions with non-U.S. owned accounts; and (iv) perform certain verification and certification of money laundering risk for their foreign correspondent banking relationships. The USA Patriot Act also expanded the conditions under which funds in a U.S. interbank account may be subject to forfeiture and increased the penalties for violation of anti-money laundering regulations. Failure of a financial institution to comply with the USA Patriot Act’s requirements could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution. The Bank has adopted policies, procedures and controls to address compliance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act under the existing regulations and will continue to revise and update its policies, procedures and controls to reflect changes required by the USA Patriot Act and implementing regulations.

In July 2002, Congress enacted the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires the Company to include in its Annual Report, a report stating management’s responsibility to establish and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting and management’s conclusion on the effectiveness of the internal controls at year end. Additionally, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to and report on management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting.

In October 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”) was enacted. For more information on EESA, see below under Recent Developments.

Summary

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.

We do not believe that the Financial Services Modernization Act will have a material adverse effect on our operations in the near-term. However, to the extent that it permits holding companies, banks, securities firms, and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. The Financial Services Modernization Act is intended to grant to 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 us.

It is not known whether EESA will have any effect on the Company’s operations.

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.

Recent Developments

The Congress, Treasury Department and the federal banking regulators, including the FDIC, have taken broad action since early September, 2008 to address volatility in the U.S. banking system.

In October 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”) was enacted. The EESA authorizes the Treasury Department to purchase from financial institutions and their holding companies up to $700 billion in mortgage loans, mortgage-related securities and certain other financial instruments, including debt and equity securities issued by financial institutions and their holding companies in a troubled asset relief program (“TARP”). The purpose of TARP is to restore confidence and stability to the U.S. banking system and to encourage financial institutions to increase their lending to customers and to each other. The Treasury Department has allocated $250 billion towards the TARP Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”). Under the CPP, Treasury will purchase debt or equity securities from participating institutions. The TARP also will include direct purchases or guarantees of troubled assets of financial institutions. Participants in the CPP are subject to executive compensation limits and are encouraged to expand their lending and mortgage loan modifications. On November 13, 2008, following a thorough evaluation and analysis, the Company announced it would decline the Treasury’s invitation to participate in the CPP.

EESA also increased FDIC deposit insurance on most accounts from $100,000 to $250,000. This increase is in place until the end of 2009 and is not covered by deposit insurance premiums paid by the banking industry.

Following a systemic risk determination, the FDIC established a Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”) on October 14, 2008. The TLGP includes the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (“TAGP”), which provides unlimited deposit insurance coverage through December 31, 2009 for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts (typically checking accounts) and certain funds swept into noninterest-bearing savings accounts. Institutions participating in the TAGP pay a 10 basis points fee (annualized) on the balance of each covered account in excess of $250,000, while the extra deposit insurance is in place. The TLGP also includes the Debt Guarantee Program (“DGP”), under which the FDIC guarantees certain senior unsecured debt of FDIC-insured institutions and their holding companies. The unsecured debt must be issued on or after October 14, 2008 and not later than June 30, 2009, and the guarantee is effective through the earlier of the maturity date or June 30, 2012. The DGP coverage limit is generally 125% of the eligible entity’s eligible debt outstanding on September 30, 2008 and scheduled to mature on or before June 30, 2009 or, for certain insured institutions, 2% of their liabilities as of September 30, 2008. Depending on the term of the debt maturity, the nonrefundable DGP fee ranges from 50 to 100 basis points (annualized) for covered debt outstanding until the earlier of maturity or June 30, 2012. The TAGP and DGP are in effect for all eligible entities, unless the entity opted out on or before December 5, 2008. The Company will participate in the TAGP but has opted out of the DGP.

It is not clear at this time what impact the EESA, the TARP Capital Purchase Program, the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, other liquidity and funding initiatives of the Federal Reserve and other agencies that have been previously announced, and any additional programs that may be initiated in the future, will have on the Company or the U.S. and global financial markets.

Effect of Governmental Policies

The difference between the interest rate paid on deposits and other borrowings and the interest rate received on loans and securities 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.

The earnings and growth of a bank will be affected by both general economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policy of the United States Government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve sets national monetary policy such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession. This is accomplished by its open-market operations in United States government securities, adjustments in the amount of reserves that financial institutions are required to maintain and adjustments to the discount rates on borrowings and target rates for federal funds transactions. The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates on loans and deposits. The nature and timing of any future changes in monetary policies and their potential impact on the Company cannot be predicted.

Impact of Inflation

Our noninterest 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.


ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS

Making or continuing an investment in securities issued by us, including our common stock, involves certain risks that you should carefully consider. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks that may have a material adverse effect on us. Additional risks and uncertainties also could adversely affect our business and results of operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be negatively affected, the market price for your securities could decline, and you could lose all or a part of your investment. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

We may be vulnerable to certain sectors of the economy.

A portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate. If the economy deteriorated and depressed real estate values beyond a certain point, that collateral value of the portfolio and the revenue stream from those loans could come under stress and possibly require additional provision to the allowance for loan losses. Our ability to dispose of foreclosed real estate at prices above the respective carrying values could also be impinged, causing additional losses.

Difficult market conditions have adversely affected the industry in which we operate.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than twelve months. In recent months, the volatility and disruption has reached unprecedented levels. Dramatic declines in the housing market over the past year, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment, have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage loans and resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities as well as major commercial and investment banks. These write-downs have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally. We do not expect that the difficult conditions in the financial markets are likely to improve in the near future. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us and others in the financial institution industry. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:


	•	We may expect to face increased regulation of our industry, including as a result of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA). Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.

	•	Market developments and the resulting economic pressure on consumers may affect consumer confidence levels and may cause increases in delinquencies and default rates, which, among other effects, could affect our charge-offs and provision for loan losses.


	•	Competition in the industry could intensify as a result of the increasing consolidation of financial services companies in connection with current market conditions.

	•	The current market disruptions make valuation even more difficult and subjective, and our ability to measure the fair value of our assets could be adversely affected. If we determine that a significant portion of our assets have values that are significantly below their recorded carrying value, we could recognize a material charge to earnings in the quarter during which such determination was made, our capital ratios would be adversely affected and a rating agency might downgrade our credit rating or put us on credit watch.

There can be no assurance that the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will help stabilize the U.S. Financial System.

On Oct. 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) in response to the current crisis in the financial sector. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and banking regulators are implementing a number of programs under this legislation to address capital and liquidity issues in the banking system. There can be no assurance, however, as to the actual impact that the EESA will have on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced. The failure of the EESA to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of our common stock.

We are subject to a risk of rapid and significant changes in market interest rates.

Our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature, and as a result, we are subject to significant risks tied to changes in interest rates. Our ability to operate profitably is largely dependent upon net interest income. In 2008, net interest income made up 64% of our revenue. Unexpected movement in interest rates markedly changing the slope of the current yield curve could cause our net interest margins to decrease, subsequently decreasing net interest income. In addition, such changes could adversely affect the valuation of our assets and liabilities.

At present our one-year interest rate sensitivity position is asset sensitive, such that a gradual increase in interest rates during the next twelve months should not have a significant impact on net interest income during that period. However, as with most financial institutions, our results of operations are affected by changes in interest rates and our ability to manage this risk. The difference between interest rates charged on interest-earning assets and interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities may be affected by changes in market interest rates, changes in relationships between interest rate indices, and/or changes in the relationships between long-term and short-term market interest rates. A change in this difference might result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest income, or a decrease in our interest rate spread.

Certain changes in interest rates, inflation, deflation, or the financial markets could affect demand for our products and our ability to deliver products efficiently.

Loan originations, and potentially loan revenues, could be adversely impacted by sharply rising interest rates. Conversely, sharply falling rates could increase prepayments within our securities portfolio lowering interest earnings from those investments. An underperforming stock market could reduce brokerage transactions, therefore reducing investment brokerage revenues; in addition, wealth management fees associated with managed securities portfolios could also be adversely affected. An unanticipated increase in inflation could cause our operating costs related to salaries & benefits, technology, and supplies to increase at a faster pace than revenues.

The fair market value of our securities portfolio and the investment income from these securities also fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. In addition, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations.

Changes in the policies of monetary authorities and other government action could adversely affect our profitability.

The results of operations are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve Board. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve Board include open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate or the federal funds rate on bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, particularly in light of the continuing threat of terrorist attacks and the current military operations in the Middle East, we cannot predict possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or our business and earnings. Furthermore, the actions of the United States government and other governments in responding to such terrorist attacks or the military operations in the Middle East may result in currency fluctuations, exchange controls, market disruption and other adverse effects.

Natural disasters could affect our ability to operate.

Our market areas are susceptible to hurricanes. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can disrupt our operations, result in damage to properties and negatively affect the local economies in which we operate.

We cannot predict whether or to what extent damage caused by future hurricanes will affect our operations or the economies in our market areas, but such weather events could cause a decline in loan originations, a decline in the value or destruction of properties securing the loans and an increase in the risk of delinquencies, foreclosures or loan losses.

Insurance.

With the less severe hurricane seasons in 2007 and 2008, Hancock Bank has been able to place its property insurance at limits sufficient to protect it from its maximum probable loss and secure more favorable terms and conditions. Due to Hancock Bank’s favorable financial performance, the cost of the Financial Institution Insurance program has continued to be written with favorable terms and conditions. The long term relationship Hancock Bank has with Chubb Insurance Company provides stability and security and should serve the bank well over the coming years.

Greater loan losses than expected may adversely affect our earnings.

We, as lenders, are exposed to the risk that our customers will be unable to repay their loans in accordance with their terms and that any collateral securing the payment of their loans may not be sufficient to assure repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the business of making loans and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Our credit risk with respect to our real estate and construction loan portfolio will relate principally to the creditworthiness of corporations and the value of the real estate serving as security for the repayment of loans. Our credit risk with respect to our commercial and consumer loan portfolio will relate principally to the general creditworthiness of businesses and individuals within our local markets.

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of our loan portfolio and provide an allowance for estimated loan losses based on a number of factors. We believe that our current allowance for loan losses is adequate. However, if our assumptions or judgments prove to be incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses. We may have to increase our allowance in the future in response to the request of one of our primary banking regulators, to adjust for changing conditions and assumptions, or as a result of any deterioration in the quality of our loan portfolio. The actual amount of future provisions for loan losses cannot be determined at this time and may vary from the amounts of past provisions.

The projected benefit obligations of our pension plan exceed the fair value of the Plan’s assets.

Investments in the portfolio of our pension plan may not provide adequate returns to fully fund benefits as they come due, thus causing higher annual plan expenses and requiring additional contributions by us.

We may need to rely on the financial markets to provide needed capital.

Our stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select. Although we anticipate that our capital resources will be adequate for the foreseeable future to meet our capital requirements, at times we may depend on the liquidity of the NASDAQ market to raise equity capital. If the market should fail to operate, or if conditions in the capital markets are adverse, we may be constrained in raising capital. We maintain a consistent analyst following; therefore, downgrades in our prospects by an analyst(s) may cause our stock price to fall and significantly limit our ability to access the markets for additional capital requirements. Should these risks materialize, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth may be limited.

We are subject to regulation by various Federal and State entities.

We are subject to the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, the Alabama Banking Department and the Mississippi Department of Insurance. New regulations issued by these agencies may adversely affect our ability to carry on our business activities. We are subject to various Federal and State laws and certain changes in these laws and regulations may adversely affect our operations. Noncompliance with certain of these regulations may impact our business plans, including ability to branch, offer certain products, or execute existing or planned business strategies.

We are also subject to the accounting rules and regulations of the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Changes in accounting rules could adversely affect the reported financial statements or our results of operations and may also require extraordinary efforts or additional costs to implement. Any of these laws or regulations may be modified or changed from time to time, and we cannot be assured that such modifications or changes will not adversely affect us.

We engage in acquisitions of other businesses from time to time.

On occasion, we will engage in acquisitions of other businesses. Inability to successfully integrate acquired businesses can pose varied risks to us, including customer and employee turnover, thus increasing the cost of operating the new businesses. The acquired companies may also have legal contingencies, beyond those that we are aware of, that could result in unexpected costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that acquired businesses will achieve prior or planned results of operations.

We are subject to industry competition which may have an impact upon our success.

Our profitability depends on our ability to compete successfully. We operate in a highly competitive financial services environment. Certain competitors are larger and may have more resources than we do. We face competition in our regional market areas from other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, internet banks, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking firms, and other financial intermediaries that offer similar services. Some of our nonbank competitors are not subject to the same extensive regulations that govern us or the Bank and may have greater flexibility in competing for business.

Another competitive factor is that the financial services market, including banking services, is undergoing rapid changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. Our future success may depend, in part, on our ability to use technology competitively to provide products and services that provide convenience to customers and create additional efficiencies in our operations.

Future issuances of additional securities could result in dilution of shareholders’ ownership.

We may determine from time to time to issue additional securities to raise additional capital, support growth, or to make acquisitions. Further, we may issue stock options or other stock grants to retain and motivate our employees. Such issuances of our securities will dilute the ownership interests of our shareholders.

Anti-takeover laws and certain agreements and charter provisions may adversely affect share value.

Certain provisions of state and federal law and our articles of incorporation may make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of us. Under federal law, subject to certain exemptions, a person, entity, or group must notify the federal banking agencies before acquiring 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a bank holding company, including our shares. Banking agencies review the acquisition to determine if it will result in a change of control. The banking agencies have 60 days to act on the notice, and take into account several factors, including the resources of the acquirer and the antitrust effects of the acquisition. There also are Mississippi statutory provisions and provisions in our articles of incorporation that may be used to delay or block a takeover attempt. As a result, these statutory provisions and provisions in our articles of incorporation could result in our being less attractive to a potential acquirer.

Securities issued by us, including our common stock, are not FDIC insured.

Securities issued by us, including our common stock, are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank and are not insured by the FDIC, the Bank Insurance Fund, or any other governmental agency or instrumentality, or any private insurer, and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.


ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES

Our main office is located at One Hancock Plaza, in Gulfport, Mississippi.

We operate 157 banking and financial services offices and 137 automated teller machines across south Mississippi, Louisiana, south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. We lease 68 of the 157 locations with the remainder being owned. In addition, 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.


ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, each matter is adequately covered by insurance or, if not so covered, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.


ITEM 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “HBHC” and is quoted in publications under “HancHd.” The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market. These prices do not reflect retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions.


		High Sale		Low Sale		Cash Dividends Paid

2008
	4th quarter	$	56.45	$	34.20	$	0.240
	3rd quarter		68.42		33.34		0.240
	2nd quarter		45.68		38.38		0.240
	1st quarter		44.29		33.45		0.240

2007
	4th quarter	$	43.47	$	33.35	$	0.240
	3rd quarter		43.90		32.78		0.240
	2nd quarter		44.37		37.50		0.240
	1st quarter		54.09		41.88		0.240

There were 5,855 registered holders and approximately 10,277 unregistered holders of common stock of the Company at February 2, 2008 and 31,802,848 shares issued. On February 2, 2008, the high and low sale prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market were $27.88 and $27.00, respectively. The principal source of funds to the Company to pay cash dividends is the dividends received from Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, and Hancock Bank of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida. Consequently, dividends are dependent upon earnings, capital needs, regulatory policies and statutory limitations affecting the banks. Federal and state banking laws and regulations restrict the amount of dividends and loans a bank may make to its parent company. Dividends paid to the Company by Hancock Bank are subject to approval by the Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance of the State of Mississippi and those paid by Hancock Bank of Louisiana are subject to approval by the Commissioner for Financial Institutions of the State of Louisiana. Dividends paid by Hancock Bank of Florida are subject to approval by the Florida Department of Financial Services. The Company’s management does not expect regulatory restrictions to affect its policy of paying cash dividends. Although no assurance can be given that Hancock Holding Company will continue to declare and pay regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, the Company has paid regular cash dividends since 1937.

Stock Performance Graph

The following is a line graph presentation comparing cumulative, five-year shareholder returns on an indexed basis with a performance indicator of the overall stock market and an index of peer companies selected by us. The broad market index used in the graph is the NASDAQ Market Index. The peer group index is a group of financial institutions in the southeast that are similar in asset size and business strategy; a list of the Companies included in the index follows the graph.

COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG HANCOCK HOLDING CO.,
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX

(LINE GRAPH)

ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DEC. 31, 2003
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2008


BANK OF THE OZARKS INC	IBERIABANK CORP	STERLING BANCSHARES
BANKATLANTIC BANCORP	PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS	SUPERIOR BANCORP
FNB CORPORATION FL	RENASANT CORP	TRUSTMARK CORP
GREEN BANKSHARES INC	REPUBLIC BANCORP INC CLA	UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by the issuer or any affiliated purchaser of the issuer’s equity securities.


	(a) Total number of shares or units purchased		(b) Average price paid per share		(c) Total number of shares purchased as a part of publicly announced plans or programs (1)		(d) Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under plans or programs

Oct. 1, 2008 - Oct. 31, 2008		—	$	—		—		2,989,158
Nov. 1, 2008 - Nov. 30, 2008		—		—		—		2,989,158
Dec.1, 2008 - Dec. 31, 2008		6,458		40.26		6,458		2,982,700

Total		6,458	$	40.26		6,458


	(1) The Company publicly announced its stock buy-back program on November 13, 2007.

Equity Compensation Plan Information


Plan Category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders	$	1,268,150	$	26.98	$	4,572,802
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		—		—		—

Total	$	1,268,150	$	26.98	$	4,572,802


ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth certain selected historical consolidated financial data and should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere herein. The following information may not be deemed indicative of our future operating results.


	At and For the Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004

	(Unaudited, in thousands)
Period-End Balance Sheet Data:
Securities	$	1,681,957	$	1,670,208	$	1,895,157	$	1,953,245	$	1,294,697
Short-term investments		549,416		126,281		222,439		410,226		150,261
Loans held for sale		22,115		18,957		16,946		24,219		30,129
Loans, net of unearned income		4,249,465		3,596,557		3,249,638		2,964,967		2,718,431
Total earning assets		6,502,953		5,412,003		5,384,180		5,352,657		4,193,519
Allowance for loan losses		61,725		47,123		46,772		74,558		40,682
Total assets		7,167,254		6,055,979		5,964,565		5,950,187		4,664,726
Total deposits		5,930,937		5,009,534		5,030,991		4,989,820		3,797,945
Total common stockholders’ equity		609,499		554,187		558,410		477,415		464,582

Average Balance Sheet Data:
Securities	$	1,743,998	$	1,726,714	$	2,222,114	$	1,426,461	$	1,337,324
Short-term investments		175,891		117,158		211,511		137,821		34,911
Loans, net of unearned income		3,873,908		3,428,009		3,062,222		2,883,020		2,599,561
Total earning assets		5,793,797		5,271,881		5,495,847		4,447,302		3,971,796
Allowance for loan losses		53,354		46,443		64,285		50,107		38,117
Total assets		6,426,389		5,851,889		6,031,800		4,931,030		4,424,334
Total deposits		5,182,407		4,929,176		5,069,427		4,001,426		3,602,734
Total common stockholders’ equity		584,805		562,383		513,656		475,701		447,384


	At and For the Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004

	(Unaudited, in thousands)
Key Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.02	%		1.26	%		1.69	%		1.10	%		1.39	%
Return on average common equity		11.18	%		13.14	%		19.82	%		11.36	%		13.79	%
Net interest margin (te)*		3.80	%		4.08	%		4.23	%		4.40	%		4.44	%
Average loans to average deposits		74.75	%		69.55	%		60.41	%		72.05	%		72.16	%
Noninterest income excluding storm-related insurance gain, gain on sale of branches and credit card merchant, and securities transactions, as a percent of total revenue (te)		35.86	%		35.89	%		31.44	%		32.38	%		33.78	%
Noninterest expense as a percent of total revenue (te) before amortization of purchased intangibles, storm-related insurance gain, gains on sale of branches and credit card merchant, and securities transactions		61.84	%		64.13	%		59.28	%		59.08	%		59.27	%
Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans		1.45	%		1.31	%		1.44	%		2.51	%		1.50	%
Non-performing assets to loans plus other real estate		0.83	%		0.43	%		0.13	%		0.42	%		0.40	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans and accruing loans 90 days past due		133.16	%		241.43	%		694.67	%		195.50	%		251.85	%
Net charge-offs to average loans		0.57	%		0.21	%		0.23	%		0.30	%		0.48	%
FTE employees (period-end)		1,952			1,888			1,848			1,735			1,767
Common stockholders’ equity to total assets		8.50	%		9.15	%		9.36	%		8.02	%		9.96	%
Tangible common equity to total assets		7.62	%		8.08	%		8.24	%		6.89	%		8.58	%
Tier 1 leverage		8.06	%		8.51	%		8.63	%		7.85	%		8.97	%
Tier 1 risk-based		10.09	%		11.03	%		12.46	%		11.47	%		12.39	%
Total risk-based		11.22	%		12.07	%		13.60	%		12.73	%		13.58	%

Income Data:
Interest income	$	335,437		$	345,697		$	344,063		$	263,378		$	226,622
Interest expense		126,002			140,236			119,863			74,819			57,270
Net interest income		209,435			205,461			224,200			188,559			169,352
Net interest income (te)		219,889			215,000			232,463			195,936			176,626
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		36,785			7,593			(20,762	)		42,635			16,537
Noninterest income excluding storm-related insurance gain, gains on sale of branches and credit card merchant and securities transactions		122,953			120,378			106,585			93,840			90,116
Net storm-related items		—			—			5,084			6,584			—
Gains/(losses) on sales of securities, net		4,825			308			(5,169	)		(53	)		163
Gains on sales of branches		—			—			—			—			2,258
Gain on sale of credit card merchant services business		—			—			—			—			3,000
Noninterest expense excluding amortization of intangibles		212,011			215,092			200,991			171,197			158,109
Amortization of intangibles		1,432			1,651			2,125			2,194			1,945
Net income before income taxes		86,985			101,811			148,346			72,903			88,297
Net income		65,366			73,892			101,802			54,032			61,704
Net income available to common stockholders		65,366			73,892			101,802			54,032			61,704

* Tax Equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.


	At and For the Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004

Per Common Share Data:
Basic earnings per share	$	2.08		$	2.31		$	3.13		$	1.67		$	1.91
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.05		$	2.27		$	3.06		$	1.64		$	1.87
Cash dividends paid	$	0.960		$	0.960		$	0.895		$	0.72		$	0.58
Book value	$	19.18		$	17.71		$	17.09		$	14.78		$	14.32
Dividend payout ratio		46.15	%		41.56	%		28.59	%		43.11	%		30.37	%
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic		31,491			32,000			32,534			32,365			32,390
Diluted		31,883			32,545			33,304			32,966			33,052
Number of shares outstanding (period end)		31,770			31,295			32,666			32,301			32,440
Market data:
High closing price	$	68.42		$	54.09		$	57.19		$	39.90		$	34.83
Low closing price	$	33.34		$	32.78		$	37.75		$	28.25		$	25.00
Period-end closing price	$	45.46		$	38.20		$	52.84		$	37.81		$	33.46
Trading volume		73,843			48,169			27,275			22,404			11,572


ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to focus on significant changes and events in the financial condition and results of operations of Hancock Holding Company and our subsidiaries (Hancock) during 2008 and selected prior periods. This discussion and analysis is intended to highlight and supplement data and information presented elsewhere in this report, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes. Certain information relating to prior years has been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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 us from unwarranted litigation, if actual results are different from management expectations. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and reflects management’s current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words “may,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated results and expectations, expressed in such forward-looking statements.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $65.4 million, a decrease of $8.5 million, or 11.5%, from 2007’s net income of $73.9 million. Diluted earnings per share were $2.05, a decrease of $0.22 from 2007’s diluted earnings per share of $2.27. Our return on average assets for 2008 was 1.02% compared to 1.26% for 2007.

Our year-end results were heavily impacted by the continuing financial crisis and on-going national economic recession. Weaknesses in residential development and rising unemployment levels in our market areas also impacted earnings which had a significant impact on our net charge-off levels and resulted in a higher allowance for loan losses in 2008. As a result of these difficult national and regional issues, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $36.8 million, which represents an increase of $29.2 million compared to 2007. Of the $36.8 million provision, $17.1 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008 as a result of the ongoing recession, the continued rise in unemployment levels, and an increase in non-performing loans and higher past dues. Net charge-offs for 2008 were $22.2 million, or 0.57% of average loans and were up $14.9 million compared to 2007. Of the $22.2 million in net charge-offs in 2008, $12.6 million of that was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008 and was primarily related to the construction and land development segments as the housing market continued to struggle. The construction and land development loan segment represents approximately 13.7% of Hancock’s total loan portfolio, or about $585.4 million at year end 2008. These weakening economic conditions also impacted our allowance for loan losses, which increased to 1.45% of period-end loans at December 31, 2008 from the 1.31% recorded at December 31, 2007.

Our balance sheet showed strong growth during 2008. At year end, our total asset level reached $7.2 billion, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 18.4%, from December 31, 2007. We experienced strong growth in loans in 2008. Period-end loans were up $652.9 million, or 18.2%, from December 31, 2007. Loan growth increased across our loan categories of commercial/ real estate, direct consumer, indirect consumer, and finance company loans. All of the growth in assets was organic growth as we did not record any acquisitions in the past year. We also experienced strong growth in deposits over the past year. Period-end deposits at December 31, 2008 were $5.9 billion, up $921.4 million, or 18.4%, from December 31, 2007. Our growth was related to deposit rate campaigns in growing markets in addition to customers seeking a safe and secure bank for their money as some other banks experienced capital concerns in 2008. We continue to remain well capitalized with total equity of $609.5 million at December 31, 2008, up $55.3 million, or 10.0%, from December 31, 2007.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income (te) is the primary component of our earnings and represents the difference, or spread, between revenue generated from interest-earning assets and the interest expense related to funding those assets. 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). Fluctuations in interest rates, as well as volume and mix changes in earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities can materially impact net interest income (te).

Another significant statistic in the analysis of net interest income is the effective interest differential (also referred to as the net interest margin), which is the ratio of net interest income (te) to our average earning assets. The difference between the average yield on earning assets and the effective rate paid for all deposits and borrowed funds, non-interest-bearing as well as interest-bearing is the net interest spread. Since a portion of the Bank’s deposits does not bear interest, such as demand accounts, the rate paid for all funds is lower than the rate on interest-bearing liabilities alone. The net interest margin (te) for the years 2008, 2007, and 2006 was 3.80%, 4.08%, and 4.23%, respectively.

Net interest income (te) of $219.9 million was recorded for the year 2008, an increase of $4.9 million, or 2.3%, from 2007. We experienced a decrease of $17.5 million, or 8%, from 2007 to 2006. The factors contributing to the changes in net interest income (te) for 2008, 2007 and 2006 are presented in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 is an analysis of the components of average balance sheets, levels of interest income and expense and the resulting earning asset yields and liability rates. Table 2 details the overall changes in the level of net interest income into rate and volume.

The increase of $4.9 million in net interest income (te) in 2008 from 2007 was caused by an increase in average earnings assets of $521.9 million, or 9.9%. In 2008, our average loan growth increased $445.9 million, or 13%, from 2007 along with a slight increase in average securities of $17.3 million. With short-term interest rates down significantly from last year, our loan yield fell 107 basis points, pushing the yield on average earnings assets down 77 basis points. There was also an unfavorable change in 2008 in our average funding mix with most new deposits more heavily weighted to mostly time deposits of $304.2 million and lower levels of non-interest bearing transaction deposits of $51 million.

When comparing 2007 to 2006, the primary driver of the $17.5 million, or 8% decrease, in net interest income (te) was a $223.9 million, or 4%, decrease in average earning assets. In 2008, our average loan growth increased $366 million offset by a decrease in average securities of $495 million. There was an unfavorable change in 2007 in our average funding mix with higher levels of more costly time deposits of $233 million and lower levels of transaction deposits of $205 million. The impact of this change on net interest margin was managed by reducing rates paid on the interest bearing deposits.

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 economics our loan and investment policies are designed to maximize interest differential while maintain sufficient liquidity and availability of funds for purposes of meeting existing commitments and for investment in loans and other investment opportunities that may arise.

The following table is a summary of average balance sheets that reflects average interest earned, average interest paid, average yield and average rate:

*Loan interest income includes loan fees of $483,000, $1.3 million and $9.0 million for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Non-accrual loans in average balances and income on such loans, if recognized, is recorded on a cash basis. Tax equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

The following table presents the change in interest income and the change in interest expense:


TABLE 2. Summary of Changes in Net Interest Income (te)


	2008 Compared to 2007									2007 Compared to 2006

	Due to Change in						Total Increase (Decrease)			Due to Change in						Total Increase (Decrease)

	Volume			Rate						Volume			Rate

	(In thousands)
Interest Income (te)
Loans	$	31,558		($	39,155	)	($	7,597	)	$	30,204		($	3,327	)	$	26,877

U.S. Treasury securities		(622	)		(461	)		(1,083	)		(1,639	)		—			(1,639	)
U.S. agency securities		(21,386	)		(3,725	)		(25,111	)		(17,270	)		(2,320	)		(19,590	)
CMOs		2,678			790			3,468			(1,902	)		(243	)		(2,145	)
Mortgage-backed securities		24,777			597			25,374			2,157			1,720			3,877
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Taxable		25			447			472			684			155			839
Nontaxable (te)		(1,365	)		(566	)		(1,931	)		(528	)		(298	)		(826	)
FHLB stock and other corporate securities		(634	)		(528	)		(1,162	)		(336	)		—			(336	)
Total investment in securities		3,473			(3,446	)		27			(18,834	)		(986	)		(19,820	)

Federal funds and short-term investments		2,080			(3,855	)		(1,775	)		(4,507	)		360			(4,147	)

Total interest income (te)	$	37,111		($	46,456	)	($	9,345	)	$	6,863		($	3,953	)	$	2,910


Interest-bearing transaction deposits	$	48		$	4,336		$	4,384		$	2,060		($	5,264	)	($	3,204	)
Time deposits		(2,884	)		13,448			10,564			(10,112	)		(8,304	)		(18,416	)
Public funds		(8,416	)		15,335			6,919			(1,356	)		149			(1,207	)

Total interest-bearing deposits		(11,252	)		33,119			21,867			(9,408	)		(13,419	)		(22,827	)


Securities sold under repurchase agreements		(8,945	)		2,477			(6,468	)		1,250			(213	)		1,037
Other interest-bearing liabilities		(22	)		(1,143	)		(1,165	)		1,095			322			1,417

Total interest expense		(20,219	)		34,453			14,234			(7,063	)		(13,310	)		(20,373	)


Change in net interest income (te)	$	16,892		($	12,003	)	$	4,889		($	200	)	($	17,263	)	($	17,463	)

Provision for Loan Losses

Weaknesses in residential development and rising unemployment levels in our market areas had a significant impact on our net charge-off levels and resulted in a higher allowance for loan losses in 2008 than 2007. Net charge-offs were $22.2 million, an increase of $14.9 million, or 206.3%, from 2007 to 2008. The increase was primarily reflected in our construction and land development loan segment. The construction and land development loan segment represents approximately 13.7% of Hancock’s total loan portfolio, or about $585.4 million at year end 2008. The provision for loan losses was $36.8 million in 2008, an increase of $29.2 million, or 384.5% from 2007. Major drivers of the overall higher level of the provision for loan losses were an increase in period-end loans of $652.9 million, or 18.2%, from December 31, 2007, continued weakness in the local and national economies, and increases in nonperforming loans and higher past dues. The provision for loan losses reflects management’s assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The amount of provision for each period is dependent on many factors, including loan growth, net charge-offs, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies, identified loan impairment, management’s assessment of the loan portfolio quality, the value of collateral, as well as, overall economic factors. Our allowance for loan losses as a percent of period-end loans was 1.45% at December 31, 2008, an increase of 14 basis points from 1.31% at December 31, 2007.

Net charge-offs were $7.2 million for 2007, an increase of $0.2 million, or 3.1%, from 2006 to 2007. The provision for loan losses in 2007 was $7.6 million. In 2006, we reversed $20.8 million of the allowance for loan losses through the provision primarily due to better than expected loss experience with Hurricane Katrina storm impacted credits. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of period-end loans was 1.31% in 2007, a decrease of 12 basis points from 1.44% in 2006.

Noninterest Income

Table 3 presents a three-year analysis of the components of noninterest income. Overall, noninterest income of $127.8 million was reported in 2008, as compared to $120.7 million for 2007 and $106.5 million for 2006. This represents an increase of $7.1 million, or 6%, from 2007 to 2008 and an increase of $14.2 million, or 13%, from 2006 to 2007.


TABLE 3. Noninterest Income


	2008		% Change			2007		% Change			2006

	(In thousands)
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	44,243		6	%	$	41,929		16	%	$	36,228
Trust fees		16,858		6	%		15,902		20	%		13,286
Insurance commissions and fees		16,554		-14	%		19,229		0	%		19,248
Investment and annuity fees		10,807		24	%		8,746		46	%		5,970
Debit card and merchant fees		11,082		9	%		10,126		8	%		9,365
ATM fees		6,856		15	%		5,983		12	%		5,338
Secondary mortgage market operations		2,977		-20	%		3,723		6	%		3,528
Other fees and income		13,576		-8	%		14,740		8	%		13,622
Net storm-related gains		—		N/M	*		—		N/M	*		5,084
Securities gains/(losses)		4,825		N/M	*		308		N/M	*		(5,169	)

Total non-interest income	$	127,778		6	%	$	120,686		13	%	$	106,500

*Not meaningful

Noninterest income increased $7.1 million, or 6%, when comparing 2008 to 2007. Increases were experienced in service charges on deposit accounts, trust fees, investment and annuity fees, debit card and merchant fees, ATM fees, and securities gains/(losses). Service charges on deposit accounts increased $2.3 million, or 6%, when compared to 2007, due to a $1.3 million increase in overdraft fees as a result of an increase in rate per item, effective January 1, 2008, in addition to the increase in period-end deposits of $921 million in 2008. Trust fee income increased $1.0 million, or 6%, when compared to the previous year. Investment and annuity fees increased $2.1 million, or 24%, from 2007 to 2008 due to an increase in annuity sales to customers from our subsidiary, Hancock Investment Services. Debit card and merchant fees increased $1.0 million or 9% and ATM fees increased $0.9 million or 15% due to an increase in customers. Securities gains increased $4.5 million in 2008. For additional information on securities activity, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Insurance commissions and fees decreased $2.7 million or 14%, mainly due to our subsidiary Magna Insurance Company’s reduction of the annuity business which was accelerated with the 1035 exchange program promoted in the fourth quarter of 2007. Other fees and income decreased $1.2 million, or 8%, and secondary mortgage market operations decreased $0.7 million, or 20%.

Increases in noninterest income, when comparing 2007 to 2006, were experienced in service charges on deposit accounts, trust fees, investment and annuity fees, insurance commissions and fees, debit card and merchant fees, ATM fees, secondary mortgage market operations, and other fees and income. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $5.7 million, or 16%, when compared to 2006. This was caused by service charge fee increases in 2007 on consumer and business accounts and an increase in accounts from the expanding Alabama market. Trust fee income increased $2.6 million, or 20%, when compared to the previous year as a result of increases in assets under care (either managed or in custody). Investment and annuity fees increased $2.8 million, or 46%, from 2006 to 2007 and there were higher levels of other fees and income (up $1.1 million or 8%).

Noninterest Expense

Table 4 presents an analysis of the components of noninterest expense for the years 2008, 2007 and 2006. The level of operating expenses decreased $3.3 million, or 2%, from 2007 to 2008 and increased $13.6 million, or 7%, from 2006 to 2007.


TABLE 4. Noninterest Expense


	2008		% Change			2007			% Change			2006

	(In thousands)
Employee compensation	$	88,670		5	%	$	84,654			0	%	$	84,569
Employee benefits		21,103		-5	%		22,305			16	%		19,184

Total personnel expense		109,773		3	%		106,959			3	%		103,753
Equipment and data processing expense		29,424		5	%		28,050			13	%		24,729
Net occupancy expense		19,538		1	%		19,435			46	%		13,350
Postage and communications		9,454		-10	%		10,453			8	%		9,649
Ad valorem and franchise taxes		3,532		1	%		3,514			5	%		3,346
Legal and professional services		12,718		-17	%		15,234			9	%		13,968
Printing and supplies		1,833		-19	%		2,252			13	%		1,997
Amortization of intangible assets		1,432		-13	%		1,651			-22	%		2,125
Advertising		6,917		-2	%		7,032			6	%		6,642
Deposit insurance and regulatory fees		2,851		174	%		1,039			10	%		946
Training expenses		655		0	%		656			16	%		564
Other real estate owned expense/(income)		917		285	%		(497	)		27	%		(390	)
Other expense		14,399		-31	%		20,965			-7	%		22,437

Total noninterest expense	$	213,443		-2	%	$	216,743			7	%	$	203,116

In 2008, operating expenses decreased $3.3 million, or 2%, over 2007. The significant factors driving the decrease in operating expenses from 2007 to 2008 include a decrease in legal and professional services ($2.5 million, or 17%) caused primarily by the decrease in commissions for Magna with the reduction of the annuity business, postage and communications ($1.0 million, or 10%), printing and supplies expense ($0.4 million, or 19%), amortization of intangible assets ($0.2 million, or 13%). Other expense also decreased $6.6 million, or 31% over 2007, mainly due to our VISA litigation entries, accruing $2.5 million in 2007 and reversing $1.5 million in 2008, and our subsidiary Magna Insurance Company’s reduction of the annuity business which was accelerated with the 1035 exchange program. These decreases were offset primarily by increases in equipment and data processing expense ($1.4 million, or 5%) due to increases in personnel support to grow deposits and loans; total personnel expense ($2.8 million, or 3%) increased to grow deposits and loans; deposit and regulatory fees ($1.8 million, or 174%) due to changes in FDIC insurance assessment rates that became effective in 2007, where the 2007 assessment was offset by a one-time credit from the FDIC; and other real estate owned expense ($1.4 million, or 285%) due to an increase in maintenance for the growth in foreclosed assets in 2008 caused by the ongoing recession.

In 2007, operating expenses increased $13.6 million, or 7%, over 2006. Increases were reflected in net occupancy expense ($6.1 million, or 46%) due to reoccupying One Hancock Plaza, our corporate headquarters, in 2007, the opening of our data center and the opening of new branches, legal and professional services ($1.3 million, or 9%), personnel expense ($3.2 million, or 3%) and equipment and data processing expense ($3.3 million, or 13%).

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $21.6 million in 2008, $27.9 million in 2007 and $46.5 million in 2006. Income tax expense decreased due to a lower level of pretax income in 2008. Our effective income tax rate continues to be less than the statutory rate of 35%, due primarily to tax-exempt interest income and tax credits. The effective tax rates for 2008, 2007 and 2006 were 25%, 27% and 31%, respectively. The 2% decrease in our effective tax rate was due primarily to the increase in the percentage of tax-exempt income as it relates to pre-tax book income.

SEGMENT REPORTING

See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Securities Available for Sale

Our investment in securities was $1.68 billion at December 31, 2008, compared to $1.67 billion at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2008, 99.87% of the portfolio was comprised of securities classified as available for sale, 0.13% of the securities were classified as trading while none were classified as held to maturity. At December 31, 2007, 88.18% of the portfolio was comprised of securities classified as available for sale, 11.82% of the securities were classified as trading while none were classified as held to maturity. Average investment securities were $1.74 billion for 2008 as compared to $1.73 billion for 2007.

The vast majority of securities in our portfolio are fixed rate and there were no investments in securities of a single issuer, other than U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities and mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies that exceeded 10% of stockholders’ equity. At December 31, 2008, the average maturity of the portfolio was 1.56 years with an effective duration of 5.03 and an average yield of 2.74%.

Our securities portfolio is an important source of liquidity and earnings for us. A stated objective in managing the securities portfolio is to provide consistent liquidity to support balance sheet growth but also to provide a safe and consistent stream of earnings. To that end, management is open to opportunities that present themselves which enables us to improve the structure and earnings potential of the securities portfolio.

The amortized costs of securities classified as available for sale and trading at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, were as follows (in thousands):


TABLE 5. Securities by Type


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006

Available for sale securities
U.S. Treasury	$	11,250	$	11,353	$	60,231
U.S. government agencies		224,803		431,772		1,016,811
Municipal obligations		151,706		197,596		200,891
Mortgage-backed securities		1,041,805		637,578		443,410
CMOs		195,771		143,639		116,161
Other debt securities		25,117		49,653		44,664
Equity securities		1,047		959		26,176

	$	1,651,499	$	1,472,550	$	1,908,344


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006

Trading securities
U.S. government agencies		—		69,793		—
Mortgage-backed securities		—		125,387		—
Equity securities		2,201		2,245		—

	$	2,201	$	197,425	$	—

The amortized cost, yield and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity, were as follows (amounts in thousands):


TABLE 6. Securities Maturities by Type


	One Year or Less			Over One Year Through Five Years			Over Five Years Through Ten Years			Over Ten Years			Total			Fair Value		Weighted Average Yield

Available for sale
U.S. Treasury	$	10,328		$	613		$	309		$	—		$	11,250		$	11,442		1.82	%
U.S. government agencies		20,192			54,300			150,260			51			224,803			226,610		4.45	%
Municipal obligations		16,805			62,265			46,059			26,577			151,706			152,470		4.67	%
Other debt securities		1,410			12,480			8,810			2,417			25,117			22,272		4.97	%

	$	48,735		$	129,658		$	205,438		$	29,045		$	412,876		$	412,794		4.50	%


Fair Value	$	49,190		$	132,290		$	204,412		$	26,902		$	412,794


Weighted Average Yield		2.94	%		4.15	%		5.04	%		4.82	%		4.50	%

Other Equity Securities													$	1,047		$	1,379		N/A
Mortgage-backed securities & CMOs														1,237,576			1,265,583		5.21	%

Total available for sale securities													$	1,651,499		$	1,679,756		5.03	%

Trading securities													$	2,201		$	2,201		N/A

Federal Funds Sold and Short-term Investments

The Company held $175.2 million in federal funds sold in 2008, an increase of $57.4 million from 2007. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company purchased a total of $365 million in agency discount notes that all mature in 2009. The Company did this primarily for liquidity and to use these investments as collateral for public fund deposit and customer repos.

Loan Portfolio

We experienced an increase in loan growth during 2008 as our efforts to generate loan volume continue. Average loans were $3.9 billion in 2008, an increase of $445.9 million, or 13.0%, over 2007. As indicated by Table 7, commercial and real estate loans increased $317.4 million, or 15.3%, from 2007. Included in this category are commercial real estate loans, which are secured by properties, used in commercial or industrial operations. We originate commercial and real estate loans to a wide variety of customers in many different industries and, as such, no single industry concentrations existed at December 31, 2008.

Mortgage loans of $418.1 million were $32.6 million, or 8.5%, lower than in 2007. We originate both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Certain types of mortgage loans are sold in the secondary mortgage market, while Hancock retains other types. We also originate home equity loans. This product offers customers the opportunity to leverage rising home values and equity, when the market allows, to obtain tax-advantaged consumer financing.

Direct consumer loans, which include loans and revolving lines of credit made directly to consumers, were up $48.6 million, or 9.9%, from 2007. We also originate indirect consumer loans, which consist primarily of consumer loans originated through third parties such as automobile dealers or other point-of-sale channels.

Indirect consumer loans of $406.0 million for 2008 were up $36.8 million, or 10.0%, from 2007. We own a finance company subsidiary, which originates both direct and indirect consumer loans. Finance company loans increased approximately $10.5 million, or 10.0%, at December 31, 2008, compared to the subsidiary’s outstanding loans on December 31, 2007. The loan growth in the finance company was mainly due to continued growth in direct consumer loans.

The following table shows average loan growth for the three-year period ended December 31, 2008:


TABLE 7. Average Loans


	2008								2007								2006

	Balance		TE Yield			Mix			Balance		TE Yield			Mix			Balance		TE Yield			Mix
	(In thousands)
Commercial & R.E. Loans	$	2,393,856		6.00	%		61.8	%	$	2,076,429		7.37	%		60.6	%	$	1,747,816		7.21	%		57.0	%
Mortgage loans		418,133		5.93	%		10.8	%		385,568		5.90	%		11.2	%		418,273		5.93	%		13.7	%
Direct consumer loans		540,885		6.73	%		13.9	%		492,298		8.03	%		14.4	%		470,942		8.17	%		15.4	%
Indirect consumer loans		405,964		6.81	%		10.5	%		369,147		6.68	%		10.8	%		349,518		6.21	%		11.4	%
Finance company loans		115,070		18.53	%		3.0	%		104,567		19.89	%		3.0	%		75,673		19.98	%		2.5	%

Total average loans (net of unearned)	$	3,873,908		6.57	%		100.0	%	$	3,428,009		7.64	%		100.0	%	$	3,062,222		7.68	%		100.0	%

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the composition of our loan portfolio:


TABLE 8. Loans Outstanding by Type


	Loan Portfolio
	Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004

	(In thousands)
Real estate:
Residential mortgages 1-4 family	$	772,170	$	705,566	$	702,772	$	685,681	$	701,913
Residential mortgages multifamily		65,979		53,442		69,296		40,678		25,544
Home equity lines/loans		312,598		214,528		133,540		133,823		134,405
Construction and development		586,830		628,037		534,460		391,194		296,114
Nonresidential		943,105		731,318		666,593		609,647		595,013
Commercial, industrial and other		884,102		627,015		551,484		546,635		437,670
Consumer		611,036		564,869		525,164		506,418		478,150
Lease financing and depository institutions		72,571		72,717		69,487		48,007		44,357
Credit cards and other revolving credit		15,933		15,391		14,262		14,316		16,970

		4,264,324		3,612,883		3,267,058		2,976,399		2,730,136
Less, unearned income		14,859		16,326		17,420		11,432		11,705

Net loans	$	4,249,465	$	3,596,557	$	3,249,638	$	2,964,967	$	2,718,431

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


TABLE 9. Loans Maturities by Type


	December 31, 2008 Maturity Range
	Within One Year		After One Through Five Years		After Five Years		Total

	(In thousands)
Commercial, industrial and other	$	352,770	$	271,343	$	257,037	$	881,150
Real estate - construction		324,705		222,952		44,077		591,734
All other loans		333,536		1,290,795		1,167,109		2,791,440


Total loans	$	1,011,011	$	1,785,090	$	1,468,223	$	4,264,324

The sensitivity to interest rate changes of that portion of our loan portfolio that matures after one year is shown below:


TABLE 10. Loans Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates


	December 31, 2008

	(In thousands)
Commercial, industrial, and real estate construction maturing after one year:
Fixed rate	$	669,196
Floating rate		126,213
Other loans maturing after one year:
Fixed rate		1,837,284
Floating rate		620,620


Total	$	3,253,313

Non-performing 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:


TABLE 11. Non-performing Assets


	December 31,

	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004

	(In thousands)
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis	$	29,976		$	13,067		$	3,500		$	10,617		$	7,480
Restructured loans		—			—			—			—			—

Total non-performing loans		29,976			13,067			3,500			10,617			7,480
Foreclosed assets		5,360			2,297			681			1,898			3,513

Total non-performing assets	$	35,336		$	15,364		$	4,181		$	12,515		$	10,993

Loans 90 days past due still accruing	$	11,005		$	4,154		$	2,552		$	25,622		$	5,160

Ratios
Non-performing assets to loans plus other real estate		0.83	%		0.43	%		0.13	%		0.42	%		0.40	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans and accruing loans 90 days past due		133.16	%		241.43	%		694.67	%		195.50	%		251.85	%
Loans 90 days past due still accruing to loans		0.26	%		0.11	%		0.08	%		0.86	%		0.19	%

The amount of interest that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans had the loans not been classified as “non-accrual” was $1.1 million, $.05 million, $0.8 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Interest actually received on non-accrual loans was not material.

Non-performing assets consist of loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis, restructured loans and foreclosed assets. Table 11 presents information related to non-performing assets for the five years ended December 31, 2008. Total non-performing assets at December 31, 2008 were $35.3 million, an increase of $20.0 million, or 130%, from December 31, 2007. Loans that are over 90 days past due but still accruing were $11.0 million at December 31, 2008. This compares to $4.2 million at December 31, 2007. The increase in non-performing loans, foreclosed assets, and loans past due are due to the effects of the on-going national recession, weakness in residential development, and higher unemployment levels across all of our markets. The loans contributing to the increase have been identified, and appropriate write-downs or allowances have been made based on underlying collateral values and those relationships have been placed in the hands of special asset personnel for handling. Management believes that the loans included in the non-performing assets total are being handled appropriately.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

Management and the Audit Committee are responsible for maintaining an effective loan review system, and internal controls, which include an effective risk rating system that identifies, monitors, and addresses asset quality problems in an accurate and timely manner. The allowance is evaluated for adequacy on at least a quarterly basis.

The Company’s loan loss reserve methodology is established and maintained at an amount sufficient to cover the estimated credit loss associated with the loan and lease portfolios of the Bank as of the date of determination. Credit losses arise not only from credit risk, but also from other risks inherent in the lending process including, but not limited to, collateral risk, operational risk, concentration risk, and economic risk. As such, all related risks of lending are considered when assessing the adequacy of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL).

The methodology for determining the allowance for loan and lease losses involves significant judgment. Therefore, the Company has established a methodology for measuring the adequacy of the ALLL, which is systematic and consistently applied each quarter. The analysis and methodology include three primary segments: (1) a specific reserve analysis for those loans considered impaired under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 114; (2) a pool analysis of groups of loans within the portfolio that have similar characteristics; and (3) qualitative risk factors and general economic conditions.

A SFAS No. 114 reserve analysis is completed on all loans that have been determined to be impaired by Management. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the amount of that impairment must be measured by either the loan’s observable market price, the fair value of the collateral of the loan, less liquidation costs, if it is collateral dependent, or by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. If the value of the impaired loan is less than the current balance of the loan, the Company must recognize the impairment by creating a specific reserve allowance for the shortfall.

The second reserve segment, the pool analysis methodology is governed by SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. A historical loss rate is calculated for each loan type over the 12 prior quarters to determine the 3 year average loss rate. As circumstances dictate, Management will make adjustments to the loss history to reflect significant changes in the Company’s loss history.

The third segment relates to risks not captured elsewhere. Adjustments are made to historical loss rates to cover risks associated with trends in delinquencies, non-accruals, current economic conditions, credit administration/ underwriting practices, and borrower concentrations.

At December 31, 2008, the allowance for loan losses was $61.7 million, or 1.45%, of year-end loans, compared to $47.1 million, or 1.31%, of year-end loans for 2007. Net charge-offs increased significantly to $22.2 million in 2008, as compared to $7.2 million in 2007. Overall, the allowance for loan losses was 133.2% of non-performing loans and accruing loans 90 days past due at year-end 2008 compared to 241.4% at year-end 2007. We utilize quantitative methodologies and modeling to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses and are of the opinion that the allowance at December 31, 2008 is adequate.

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:


TABLE 12. Summary of Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses


	At and For The Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004

	(In thousands)

Net loans outstanding at end of period	$	4,249,465		$	3,596,557		$	3,249,638		$	2,964,967		$	2,718,431


Average net loans outstanding	$	3,873,908		$	3,428,009		$	3,062,222		$	2,883,020		$	2,599,561


Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	47,123		$	46,772		$	74,558		$	40,682		$	36,750

Loans charged-off:
Real estate		1,360			530			758			226			403
Commercial		12,974			2,597			3,676			4,001			5,381
Consumer, credit cards and other revolving credit		13,051			11,159			14,712			11,537			14,383
Lease financing		22			166			369			47			261

Total charge-offs		27,407			14,452			19,515			15,811			20,428

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
Real estate		162			188			263			33			179
Commercial		1,036			2,774			4,729			2,757			1,957
Consumer, credit cards and other revolving credit		4,026			4,205			7,489			4,258			5,687
Lease financing		—			43			10			4			—

Total recoveries		5,224			7,210			12,491			7,052			7,823

Net charge-offs		22,183			7,242			7,024			8,759			12,605
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		36,785			7,593			(20,762	)		42,635			16,537

Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	61,725		$	47,123		$	46,772		$	74,558		$	40,682

Ratios
Gross charge-offs to average loans		0.71	%		0.42	%		0.64	%		0.55	%		0.79	%
Recoveries to average loans		0.13	%		0.21	%		0.41	%		0.24	%		0.30	%
Net charge-offs to average loans		0.57	%		0.21	%		0.23	%		0.30	%		0.48	%
Allowance for loan losses to year end loans		1.45	%		1.31	%		1.44	%		2.51	%		1.50	%
Net charge-offs to period-end net loans		0.52	%		0.20	%		0.22	%		0.30	%		0.46	%
Allowance for loan losses to average net loans		1.59	%		1.37	%		1.53	%		2.59	%		1.56	%
Net charge-offs to loan loss allowance		35.94	%		15.37	%		15.02	%		11.75	%		30.98	%

An allocation of the loan loss allowance by major loan category is set forth in the following table. There were no relevant variations in loan concentrations, quality or terms, except for an increase in the outstanding loan portfolio balance. The unallocated portion of the allowance represents supportable estimates of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio but not specifically related to one category of the portfolio. The allocation is not necessarily indicative of the category of incurred losses, and the full allowance at December 31, 2008 is available to absorb losses occurring in category of loans.


TABLE 13. Allocation of Loan Loss by Category


	For Years Ended December 31,
	2008				2007				2006				2005				2004

	Allowance for Loan Losses (1)		% of Loans to Total Loans (2)		Allowance for Loan Losses (1)		% of Loans to Total Loans (2)		Allowance for Loan Losses (1)		% of Loans to Total Loans (2)		Allowance for Loan Losses (1)		% of Loans to Total Loans (2)		Allowance for Loan Losses (1)		% of Loans to Total Loans (2)

	(In thousands)

Real estate	$	5,315		63.08	$	1,998		64.85	$	1,697		64.84	$	23,042		62.86	$	11,253		64.19
Commercial, industrial and other		36,448		22.35		27,546		19.15		27,838		18.77		34,128		19.74		14,974		17.37
Consumer and other revolving credit		19,063		14.57		16,111		16.00		15,363		16.39		15,812		17.40		11,453		18.44
Unallocated		899		—		1,468		—		1,874		—		1,576		—		3,002		—


	$	61,725		100.00	$	47,123		100.00	$	46,772		100.00	$	74,558		100.00	$	40,682		100.00


(1)	Loans used in the calculation of “allowance for loan losses” are grouped according to loan purpose.

(2)	Loans used in the calculation of “% of loans to total loans” are grouped by collateral type.

Deposits

Total average deposits increased by $253.2 million, or 5.1%, from $4.9 billion at December 31, 2007 to $5.2 billion at December 31, 2008. The increase occurred primarily in time deposits which grew $151.5 million, or 7.7%, to $2.1 billion in 2008. We experienced a slight decrease in non-interest bearing demand deposits of $51.0 million.

Over the course of 2008, we continued our focus on multiple accounts, core deposit relationships and strategic placement of time deposit campaigns to stimulate overall deposit growth. In addition, we keep as our highest priority, continued customer demand for safety and liquidity of deposit products. The composition of our deposit mix continued to change during 2008, and ended with a slightly less favorable funding mix than in 2007. As a percent of our average deposit mix, time deposits increased to 41% from 40% while low cost interest bearing transaction accounts and demand deposits decreased from 19% to 17%. The Banks traditionally price their deposits to position themselves competitively with the local market.

Table 14 shows average deposits for a three-year period.


TABLE 14. Average Deposits


	2008								2007								2006

	Balance		Rate			Mix			Balance		Rate			Mix			Balance		Rate			Mix
	(In thousands)

Non-interest bearing demand deposits	$	876,669		0.00	%		17	%	$	927,655		0.00	%		19	%	$	1,128,850		0.00	%		22	%
NOW account deposits		1,195,900		1.65	%		23	%		1,067,775		2.52	%		22	%		1,167,047		2.45	%		23	%
Money market deposits		612,510		1.91	%		12	%		529,976		2.50	%		11	%		517,542		1.74	%		10	%
Savings deposits		370,705		0.26	%		7	%		428,599		0.61	%		8	%		564,177		0.63	%		11	%
Time deposits (including Public Funds CDs)		2,126,623		3.70	%		41	%		1,975,171		4.56	%		40	%		1,691,811		4.08	%		34	%

Total average deposits	$	5,182,407					100	%	$	4,929,176					100	%	$	5,069,427					100	%

Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 and greater at December 31, 2008 had maturities as follows:


TABLE 15. Maturity of Time Deposits greater than or equal to $100,000


	December 31, 2008

	(In thousands)

Three months	$	382,551
Over three through six months		166,597
Over six months through one year		94,554
Over one year		413,648

Total	$	1,057,350

Short-Term Borrowings

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our short-term borrowings, which consist of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.


TABLE 16. Short-Term Borrowings


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

	(In thousands)

Federal funds purchased:
Amount outstanding at period-end	$	—		$	4,100		$	3,800
Weighted average interest at period-end		—			4.02	%		4.95	%
Maximum amount at any month-end during period	$	33,775		$	4,100		$	49,160
Average amount outstanding during period	$	16,003		$	4,174		$	11,557
Weighted average interest rate during period		2.20	%		4.99	%		5.38	%

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Amount outstanding at period-end	$	505,932		$	371,604		$	218,591
Weighted average interest at period-end		2.10	%		3.63	%		3.72	%
Maximum amount at any month end during-period	$	621,424		$	371,604		$	425,753
Average amount outstanding during period	$	524,712		$	216,730		$	250,603
Weighted average interest rate during period		2.76	%		3.70	%		3.62	%

Return on Equity and Assets

Information regarding performance and equity ratios is as follows:


TABLE 17. Return on Equity and Assets


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

Return on average assets		1.02	%		1.26	%		1.69	%
Return on average common equity		11.18	%		13.14	%		19.82	%
Dividend payout ratio		46.15	%		41.56	%		28.59	%

Average common equity to average assets ratio		9.10	%		9.61	%		8.52	%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit

In the normal course of business, we enter into financial instruments, such as commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, to meet the financing needs of our customers. Such instruments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements until they are funded and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect our exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party on whose behalf the instrument has been issued. We undertake the same credit evaluation in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance-sheet instruments and may require collateral or other credit support for off-balance-sheet financial instruments.

At December 31, 2008, we had $885.2 million in unused loan commitments outstanding, of which approximately $610.4 million were at variable rates and the remainder was at fixed rates. A commitment to extend credit is an agreement to lend to a customer as long as the conditions established in the agreement have been satisfied. A commitment to extend credit generally has a fixed expiration date or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the borrower. Since commitments often expire without being fully drawn, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent our future cash requirements. We continually evaluate each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. Occasionally, a credit evaluation of a customer requesting a commitment to extend credit results in our obtaining collateral to support the obligation.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing a letter of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending a loan. At December 31, 2008, we had $113.3 million in letters of credit issued and outstanding.

The following table shows the commitments to extend credit and letters of credit at December 31, 2008 and 2007 according to expiration date.


TABLE 18. Commitments and Letters of Credit


			Expiration Date

	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years

	(In thousands)
December 31, 2008
Commitments to extend credit	$	885,156	$	527,118	$	43,454	$	66,348	$	248,236
Letters of credit		113,274		51,366		11,003		50,905		—

Total	$	998,430	$	578,484	$	54,457	$	117,253	$	248,236


			Expiration Date

	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years

	(In thousands)
December 31, 2007
Commitments to extend credit	$	1,110,935	$	744,412	$	46,759	$	69,008	$	250,756
Letters of credit		86,969		25,225		48,983		12,761		—

Total	$	1,197,904	$	769,637	$	95,742	$	81,769	$	250,756

Visa IPO and Litigation

These shares are recorded at historical cost. The realized securities gain is included in the securities gain line of the noninterest income section of the Consolidated Statements of Income and the cash received is recorded in cash and due from banks in the assets section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, VISA lowered its estimate of pending litigation settlements. Consequently, $1.3 million of the $2.5 million FIN No. 45 liability that was recorded in the fourth quarter was reversed in the first quarter of 2008. The reduction in the litigation liability is recorded in the other liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the reduction in litigation expense is recorded in the other expense line of the noninterest expense section of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, VISA, Discover Financial Services Inc., and MasterCard Inc. announced that they have settled the antitrust lawsuit and that they are working on the specific terms on the settlement. On December 22, 2008, VISA, Inc. announced that it had deposited $1.1 billion into the litigation escrow account as settlement for the Discover case. Under terms of the plan, Hancock Bank as a member bank bore its portion of the expense via a reduction in share count of Class B shares. There was no cash outlay required of us. Based on the funding and settlement with Discover, we reversed as of December 31, 2008, the portion of the VISA contingency reserve related to Discover of $0.3 million. The reduction in the litigation liability is recorded in the other liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the reduction in litigation expense is recorded in the other expense line of the noninterest expense section of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The settlement did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. As of December 31, 2008, $0.9 million of the initial $2.5 million FIN No. 45 liability remained in the other liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Credit Risk

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. There have been increases in some categories of loans – home equity, real estate construction/term and C&I loans are examples. These are principally within and in support of the markets that are continuing to rebuild and repair since Hurricane Katrina. Loan demand continues to be strong within those markets. Loan underwriting standards reduce the impact of credit risk to us. Loans are underwritten on the basis of repayment ability and collateral value. Generally, real estate mortgage loans are made when the borrower produces evidence of repayment ability along with equity in the property to offset historical market devaluations.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The allowance for loan and lease losses “ALLL” is a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans. The ALLL is established and maintained at an amount sufficient to cover the estimated credit loss associated with the loan and lease portfolios as of the date of the determination. Credit losses arise not only from credit risk, but also from other risks inherent in the lending process including, but not limited to, collateral risk, operational risk, concentration risk, and economic risk. As such, all related risks of lending are considered when assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. Quarterly, we estimate the probable level of losses to determine whether the allowance is adequate to absorb reasonably foreseeable, anticipated losses in the existing portfolio based on our past loan loss and delinquency 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. The analysis and methodology include three primary segments. These segments include a pool analysis of various retail loans based upon loss history, a pool analysis of commercial and commercial real estate loans based upon loss history by loan type, and a specific reserve analysis for those loans considered impaired under SFAS No. 114. All commercial and commercial real estate loans with an outstanding balance of $100,000 or greater are individually reviewed for impairment; substandard mortgage loans with balances of $100,000 or greater are also included in the analysis. All losses are charged to the allowance for loan and lease 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.

Commercial loans are considered impaired when it is probable (the future event or events are likely to occur) that the bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (including principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. In order to ensure consideration of all possible impairments, for purposes of the model the Banks consider all loans that are risk rated substandard as impaired. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the amount of that impairment must be measured by either the loan’s observable market price, the fair value of the collateral of the loan (less liquidation costs) if it is collateral dependent, or by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. If the value of the impaired loan is less than the current balance of the loan, the impairment is recognized by creating a specific reserve allowance for the shortfall. If the value is greater or equal to the loan balance, then no reserve allocation may be made for the loan. In addition, any loans included in the impairment review are not incorporated into the pool analysis to avoid double counting.

Pool analysis is applied for all retail loans. The retail loans are subdivided into three groups, which currently include: mortgage real estate, indirect loans and direct consumer loans. A historical loss rate is calculated for each group over the twelve prior quarters to determine the three year average loss rate. As circumstances dictate, management will make adjustments to the loss history to reflect significant changes in our loss history. Adjustments will also be made to historical loss rates to cover risks associated with trends in delinquencies, non-accruals, current economic conditions and credit administration/ underwriting practices and policies.

A historical loss ratio is applied to all commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and leases grouped by product type for which SFAS No. 5 exposure can best be evaluated collectively due to similar attributes. A historical loss rate is calculated for each group over the twelve prior quarters to determine the three year average loss rate. As circumstances dictate, we will make adjustments to the loss history to reflect significant changes in our loss history. Adjustments will also be made to historical loss rates to cover risks associated with trends in delinquencies, non-accruals, current economic conditions and credit administration/ underwriting practices and policies and borrower concentrations.

Asset/Liability Management

Our asset liability management (ALM) process consists of quantifying, analyzing and controlling interest rate risk (IRR) to maintain stability in net interest income (NII) under varying interest rate environments. The principal objective of ALM is to maximize net interest income while operating within acceptable limits established for interest rate risk and maintaining adequate levels of liquidity. Our net earnings are dependent on our net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to IRR to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis and timing than interest-earning assets. This timing difference represents a potential risk to our future earnings. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest and the subsequent impact on customer behavior could adversely affect NII. Similarly, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates and changes in customer behavior could result in a decrease in NII.

Management and the Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) direct our IRR management through a Risk Management policy that is designed to produce a stable net interest margin (NIM) in periods of interest rate fluctuation. In adjusting our asset/liability position, the board of directors and management attempt to direct our IRR while enhancing the NIM. At times, depending on the general level of interest rates, the relationship between long-term and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, we may determine strategies that could add to the level of IRR in order to increase its NIM. Not withstanding our IRR management activities, the potential for changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net earnings.

To control interest rate risk, we regularly monitor the volume of interest sensitive assets compared with interest sensitive liabilities over specific time intervals. Interest-sensitive assets and liabilities are those that are subject to maturity or repricing within a given time period. We also administer this sensitivity through the development and implementation of investment, lending, funding and pricing strategies designed to achieve NII performance goals while minimizing the potential negative variations in NII under different interest rate scenarios. Investment strategies, including portfolio durations and cash flows, are formulated and continually adjusted during the implementation to assure attainment of objectives in the most effective manner. Loan and deposit pricing are adjusted weekly to reflect current interest rate and competitive market environments, with duration targets on both reviewed monthly.

The static gap report shown in Table 19 measures the net amounts of assets and liabilities that reprice within a given time period over the remaining lives of those instruments. At December 31, 2008, our cumulative repricing gap in the one year interval was 9.0%. The asset sensitive position represents a significant security portfolio cash flow within one year. The earning asset position is strategically managed with a balance in our loan growth (fixed versus floating and duration targets) and securities portfolio cash flows. We believe we are well positioned for the current rate environment.

To further control IRR, we structure our loan portfolio to provide appropriate investment opportunities while minimizing potential volatility in earnings from extension risk. Deposit strategies continue to emphasize a mix of non-certificate of deposit core accounts and consumer time deposits. However, the 2008 yield curve environment has created more demand on consumer time deposits with maturities less than one year.

The following table sets forth the scheduled re-pricing or maturity of our assets and liabilities at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The assumed prepayment of investments and loans was based on our assessment of current market conditions on such dates. Estimates have been made for the re-pricing 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.


TABLE 19. Analysis of Interest Sensitivity


	December 31, 2008

	Overnight			Within 6 months			6 months to 1 year			1 to 3 years			> 3 years			Non-Sensitive Balance		Total

	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities	$	1,666		$	743,616		$	283,566		$	300,332		$	349,755		$	3,022	$	1,681,957
Federal funds sold & short-term investments		—			376,499			172,917			—			—			—		549,416
Loans		—			1,912,989			324,287			947,141			1,025,438			—		4,209,855
Other assets		—			—			—			—			—			726,026		726,026

Total Assets	$	1,666		$	3,033,104		$	780,770		$	1,247,473		$	1,375,193		$	729,048	$	7,167,254

Liabilities
Interest bearing transaction deposits	$	—		$	1,289,545		$	353,995		$	856,040		$	196,735		$	—	$	2,696,315
Time deposits		—			1,064,269			256,781			737,807			212,879			—		2,271,736
Non-interest bearing deposits		—			—			—			48,144			914,742			—		962,886
Federal funds purchased		—			—			—			—			—			—		—
Borrowings		255,932			9,427			—			131,978			119,920			—		517,257
Other liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			109,561		109,561
Stockholders’ equity		—			—			—			—			—			609,499		609,499

Total Liabilities & Equity	$	255,932		$	2,363,241		$	610,776		$	1,773,969		$	1,444,276		$	719,060	$	7,167,254

Interest sensitivity gap	$	(254,266	)	$	669,863		$	169,994		$	(526,496	)	$	(69,083	)	$	9,988
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap	$	(254,266	)	$	415,597		$	585,591		$	59,095		$	(9,988	)		—
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap as a percentage of total earning assets		(3.9	)%		6.4	%		9.0	%		0.9	%		(0.2	)%


TABLE 19. Analysis of Interest Sensitivity (continued)


	December 31, 2007

	Overnight			Within 6 months			6 months to 1 year			1 to 3 years			> 3 years			Non-Sensitive Balance		Total

	(In thousands)
Assets
Securities	$	2,003		$	513,981		$	188,854		$	412,428		$	530,680		$	29,675	$	1,677,621
Federal funds sold & short-term investments		126,281			—			—			—			—			—		126,281
Loans		—			1,811,351			289,337			745,239			722,464			—		3,568,391
Other assets		—			—			—			—			—			683,686		683,686

Total Assets	$	128,284		$	2,325,332		$	478,191		$	1,157,667		$	1,253,144		$	713,361	$	6,055,979

Liabilities
Interest bearing transaction deposits	$	—		$	652,915		$	299,590		$	875,616		$	139,795		$	—	$	1,967,916
Time deposits		—			1,414,005			511,260			144,284			64,195			—		2,133,744
Non-interest bearing deposits		—			—			—			45,402			862,472			—		907,874
Federal funds purchased		4,100			—			—			—			—			—		4,100
Borrowings		371,604			11			—			30			10,518			—		382,163
Other liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			105,995		105,995
Stockholders’ equity		—			—			—			—			—			554,187		554,187

Total Liabilities & Equity	$	375,704		$	2,066,931		$	810,850		$	1,065,332		$	1,076,980		$	660,182	$	6,055,979

Interest sensitivity gap	$	(247,420	)	$	258,401		$	(332,659	)	$	92,335		$	176,164		$	53,179
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap	$	(247,420	)	$	10,981		$	(321,678	)	$	(229,343	)	$	(53,179	)		—
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap as a percentage of total earning assets		(4.6	)%		0.2	%		(5.9	)%		(4.2	)%		(1.0	)%

Net Interest Income at Risk

NII at risk measures the risk of a decline in earnings due to changes in interest rates. Table 20 presents an analysis of our IRR as measured by the estimated changes in NII resulting from an instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve at December 31, 2008. Shifts are measured in 100 basis point increments (+ 300 through - 100 basis points) from base case. Base case encompasses key assumptions for asset/liability mix, loan and deposit growth, pricing, prepayment speeds, deposit decay rates, securities portfolio cash flows and reinvestment strategy, and the market value of certain assets under the various interest rate scenarios. The base case scenario assumes that the current interest rate environment is held constant throughout the forecast period; the instantaneous shocks are performed against that yield curve.


TABLE 20. Net Interest Income (te) at Risk


Change in Interest Rates	Estimated Increase (Decrease) in NII December 31, 2008

(basis points)

-100	-8.5	%
Stable	0.0	%
+ 100	7.2	%
+ 200	11.4	%
+ 300	12.3	%

Most Likely	2.0	%

Additionally, we have forecasted a Most Likely NII scenario based on its conservative projection of yield curve changes for the coming 12 month period. This scenario utilizes all base case assumptions, applying those assumptions against a yield curve forecast that incorporates the current interest rate environment and projects certain strategic pricing changes over the forecast period. Table 20 indicates that our level of NII significantly increases under rising rates and declines under falling rates. It should be noted that -100 is only presented as interest rates are at historic lows with Fed Funds target at 0.25% at December 31, 2008. The most likely scenario for interest rates projects a modest 2.0% increase in net interest income to base case indicating that the

balance sheet is appropriately structured for the current rate environment.

The increasing rate scenarios show significant increase to levels of net interest income while the down 100 scenario shows lower levels of NII. These scenarios are instantaneous shocks that assume balance sheet management will mirror base case. Should the yield curve begin to rise or fall, management has several strategies available to maximize earnings opportunities or offset the negative impact to earnings. For example, in a rising rate environment, deposit pricing strategies could be adjusted to offer more competitive rates on long and medium-term CDs and less competitive rates on short-term CDs. Another opportunity at the start of such a cycle would be reinvesting the securities portfolio cash flows into short-term or floating-rate securities. On the loan side the company can make more floating-rate loans that tie to index that re-price more frequently, such as LIBOR (London interbank offered rate) and make fewer fixed-rate loans. Finally, there are a number of hedge strategies by which management could use derivatives, including swaps and purchased ceilings, to lock in net interest margin protection; to date, we have not entered into any hedge transactions for the purpose of earnings protection.

Even if interest rates change in the designated amounts, there can be no assurance that our assets and liabilities would perform as anticipated. Additionally, a change in the U.S. Treasury rates in the designated amounts accompanied by a change in the shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve would cause significantly different changes to NII than indicated above. Strategic management of our balance sheet and earnings is fluid and would be adjusted to accommodate these movements. As with any method of measuring IRR, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methods of analysis presented above. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Certain assets such as adjustable-rate loans have features which restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Also, the ability of many borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase. We consider all of these factors in monitoring its exposure to interest rate risk.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity Management

Liquidity management encompasses our ability to ensure that funds are available to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers, while also ensuring that we have adequate cash flow to meet our various needs, including operating, strategic and capital. Without proper liquidity management, we would not be able to perform the primary function of a financial intermediary and would not be able to meet the needs of the communities in which we have a presence and serve. In addition, the parent holding company’s principal source of liquidity is dividends from its subsidiary banks. Liquidity is required at the parent holding company level for the purpose of paying dividends to stockholders, servicing of any debt we may have, business combinations as well as general corporate expenses.

The asset portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity primarily through loan principal repayments, maturities of investment securities and occasional sales of various assets. Short-term investments such as federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and maturing interest-bearing deposits with other banks are additional sources of liquidity funding. As shown in Table 21 below, our liquidity ratios as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 for free securities stood at 22.5% or $378.4 million and 17.1% or $286.9 million, respectively.


TABLE 21. Liquidity Ratios


	2008			2007

	(In thousands)
Free securities		22.50	%		17.10	%
Free securities-net wholesale funds/core deposits		-5.25	%		-7.40	%

Wholesale funding diversification
Certificate of deposits > $100,000 (excluding public funds)		11.57	%		11.10	%
Brokered certificate of deposits		0.00	%		0.00	%
Public fund certificate of deposits	$	168,388		$	220,942

Net wholesale funding maturity concentrations
Overnight		0.00	%		0.10	%
Up to 3 months		6.92	%		6.00	%
Up to 6 months		1.64	%		3.80	%
Over 6 months		9.94	%		7.30	%

Net wholesale funds	$	1,325,274		$	1,037,475
Core deposits	$	4,474,625		$	4,158,189

The liability portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity through various customers’ interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing deposit accounts. Purchases of federal funds, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings are additional sources of liquidity and represent our incremental borrowing capacity. These sources of liquidity are short-term in nature and are used as necessary to fund asset growth and meet short-term liquidity needs. Our short-term borrowing capacity includes an approved line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of $359.8 million and borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve’s Discount Window in excess of $100 million. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, our core deposits were $4.5 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively, and Net Wholesale Funding stood at $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively.

The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows provide an analysis of cash from operating, investing, and financing activities for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Cash flows from operations are a significant part of liquidity management, contributing significant levels of funds in 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Cash flows from operations increased to $94.4 million in 2008 from $56.1 million in 2007. Net cash used by investing activities increased to $1.11 billion in 2008 from $107.3 million in 2007. Federal funds sold increased $57.4 million during 2008 and decreased $94.5 million during 2007. Cash flows provided by financing activities were $1.03 billion in 2008, primarily from the increase in deposits compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $43.7 million in 2007.

Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations to make future payments on certain debt and lease agreements. Table 22 summarizes all significant contractual obligations at December 31, 2008, according to payments due by period.


TABLE 22. Contractual Obligations


	Payment due by period

	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years

	(In thousands)
Certificates of deposit	$	2,271,736	$	1,321,050	$	737,807	$	212,879	$	—
Short-term debt obligations		516,619		265,359		131,978		119,282		—
Long-term debt obligations		236		14		35		49		138
Capital lease obligations		402		152		107		60		83
Operating lease obligations		32,583		4,563		6,677		4,152		17,191

Total	$	2,821,576	$	1,591,138	$	876,604	$	336,422	$	17,412

CAPITAL RESOURCES

A strong capital position, which is vital to continued profitability, also promotes depositor and investor confidence and provides a solid foundation for future growth. Composite ratings by the respective regulatory authorities of the Company and the Banks establish minimum capital levels. Currently, we are required to maintain minimum Tier 1 leverage ratios of at least 3%, subject to an increase up to 5%, depending on the composite rating. At December 31, 2008, our capital balances were in excess of current regulatory minimum requirements. As indicated in Table 23 below, our regulatory capital ratios far exceed the minimum required ratios, and we have been categorized as “well capitalized” in the most recent notice received from their regulators.

We remain very well capitalized. As of December 31, 2008, our Leverage (tier one) Ratio stands at 8.06%, while the Tangible Equity Ratio is 7.62% (see below in Table 23). While we remain very well capitalized, so that we maintain flexibility for future capital needs, including acquisitions, we may consider raising additional capital at some point in the future.


TABLE 23. Risk-Based Capital and Capital Ratios


	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004

	(In thousands)
Tier 1 regulatory capital	$	550,216		$	498,731		$	510,639		$	420,283		$	399,320
Tier 2 regulatory capital		61,874			47,447			46,583			46,218			38,161

Total regulatory capital	$	612,090		$	546,178		$	557,222		$	466,501		$	437,481

Risk-weighted assets	$	5,452,992		$	4,523,479		$	4,097,400		$	3,665,722		$	3,222,554

Ratios
Leverage (Tier 1 capital to average assets)		8.06	%		8.51	%		8.63	%		7.85	%		8.97	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		10.09	%		11.03	%		12.46	%		11.47	%		12.39	%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets		11.22	%		12.07	%		13.60	%		12.73	%		13.58	%
Common stockholders’ equity to total assets		8.50	%		9.15	%		9.36	%		8.02	%		9.96	%
Tangible common equity to total assets		7.62	%		8.08	%		8.24	%		6.89	%		8.58	%

During 2008, we purchased a total of 6,458 shares of common stock at an aggregate price of $260,000, or $40.26 per share. During 2007, we purchased a total of 1,556,220 shares of common stock at an aggregate price of $60.4 million, or approximately $38.84 per share.

In November 2007, the board of directors approved the 2007 Stock Repurchase Plan, authorizing the repurchase of 3,000,000 shares, or approximately 10% of our outstanding common stock. Subject to market conditions, repurchases will be conducted solely through a Rule 10b-1 repurchase plan. Shares repurchased under this plan will be held in treasury and used for general corporate purposes as determined by our board of directors. In 2007, we purchased 10,842 shares of common stock under this plan at an aggregate price of $421,000, or approximately $38.84 per share.

During 2007, we completed the July 2000 common stock buyback program, which provided for the repurchase of 3,320,000 shares or 10% of the outstanding common stock at that time. In 2007, we purchased the remaining 1,545,378 shares of common stock available to be repurchased under this plan at an aggregate price of $60.0 million, or approximately $38.84 per share.

Table 24 summarizes our unaudited quarterly financial results for 2008 and 2007.


TABLE 24. Summary of Quarterly Results


	2008

	First			Second			Third			Fourth

	(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income (te)	$	87,227		$	84,164		$	86,774		$	87,726
Interest expense		(34,345	)		(29,573	)		(29,357	)		(32,727	)

Net interest income (te)		52,882			54,591			57,417			54,999
Provision for loan losses		(8,818	)		(2,787	)		(8,064	)		(17,116	)
Noninterest income		36,421			31,838			30,115			29,404
Noninterest expense		(50,134	)		(52,189	)		(55,483	)		(55,637	)
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(2,455	)		(2,432	)		(2,642	)		(2,925	)

Income before income taxes		27,896			29,021			21,343			8,725
Income tax expense		(7,839	)		(8,037	)		(5,338	)		(405	)

Net income	$	20,057		$	20,984		$	16,005		$	8,320


Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.64		$	0.67		$	0.51		$	0.26
Diluted	$	0.63		$	0.66		$	0.50		$	0.26


	2007

	First			Second			Third			Fourth

	(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income (te)	$	88,077		$	87,162		$	89,982		$	90,015
Interest expense		(34,308	)		(33,394	)		(36,467	)		(36,067	)

Net interest income (te)		53,769			53,768			53,515			53,948
Provision for loan losses		(1,211	)		(1,238	)		(1,554	)		(3,590	)
Noninterest income		26,510			30,786			31,232			32,158
Noninterest expense		(49,708	)		(52,374	)		(55,857	)		(58,804	)
Taxable equivalent adjustment		(2,416	)		(2,267	)		(2,373	)		(2,483	)

Income before income taxes		26,944			28,675			24,963			21,229
Income tax expense		(7,715	)		(8,352	)		(7,224	)		(4,628	)

Net income	$	19,229		$	20,323		$	17,739		$	16,601


Earnings per share
Basic	$	0.59		$	0.63		$	0.55		$	0.53
Diluted	$	0.58		$	0.62		$	0.55		$	0.53

Net interest income (te) is the primary component of earnings and represents the difference, or spread, between revenue generated from interest-earning assets and the interest expense related to funding those assets.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The accounting principles we follow and the methods for applying these principles conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with general practices followed by the banking industry which requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions are based on our best estimates and judgments. We evaluate estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, rising unemployment levels and declines in consumer spending have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. Certain critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Our most critical accounting policy relates to our allowance for loan losses, which reflects the estimated losses resulting from the inability of our borrowers to make loan payments. If the financial condition of its borrowers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, the estimates of the allowance would be updated, and additional provisions for loan losses may be required.

The allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) is a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans. The ALLL is established and maintained at an amount sufficient to cover the estimated credit loss associated with the loan and lease portfolios of the Banks as of the date of the determination. Credit losses arise not only from credit risk, but also from other risks inherent in the lending process including, but not limited to, collateral risk, operational risk, concentration risk, and economic risk. As such, all related risks of lending are considered when assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. Quarterly, management estimates the probable level of losses to determine whether the allowance is adequate to absorb reasonably foreseeable, anticipated losses in the existing portfolio based on our past loan loss and delinquency 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. The analysis and methodology include three primary segments. These segments include a pool analysis of various retail loans based upon loss history, a pool analysis of commercial and commercial real estate loans based upon loss history by loan type, and a specific reserve analysis for those loans considered impaired under SFAS No. 114. All commercial and commercial real estate loans with an outstanding balance of $100,000 or greater are individually reviewed for impairment; substandard mortgage loans with balances of $100,000 or greater are also included in the analysis. All losses are charged to the allowance for loan and lease 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.

Retirement Employee Benefit Plans

Retirement and employee benefit plan assets, liabilities and pension costs are determined utilizing actuarially determined present value calculations. The valuation of the benefit obligation and net periodic expense is considered critical, as it requires management and its actuaries to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected cash outflows including assumptions about mortality, expected service periods, rate of compensation increases and the long-term return on plan assets. Note 9 – Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans, included in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, provides further discussion on the accounting for Hancock’s retirement and employee benefit plans and the estimates used in determining the actuarial present value of the benefit obligations and the net periodic benefit expense.

Fair Value Accounting Estimates

Generally accepted accounting principles require the use of fair values in determining the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities, as well as for specific disclosures. The most significant include securities, loans held for sale, mortgage servicing rights and net assets acquired in business combinations. Certain of these assets do not have a readily available market to determine fair value and require an estimate based on specific parameters. When market prices are unavailable, we determine fair values utilizing parameters, which are constantly changing, including interest rates, duration, prepayment speeds and other specific conditions.

In most cases, these specific parameters require a significant amount of judgment by management.

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), on January 1, 2008.SFAS No. 157establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework, and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to these valuation techniques used to measure fair value giving preference to quoted prices in active markets (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs such as a reporting entity’s own data (level 3). Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, observable inputs other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and yield curves, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Available for sale securities classified as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy include U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored agencies, and other debt and equity securities. Level 2 classified available for sale securities include mortgage-backed debt securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and state and municipal bonds.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That is Not Active, which clarifies the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, in an inactive market. Application issues clarified include: how management’s internal assumptions should be considered when measuring fair value when relevant observable data do not exist; how observable market information in a market that is not active should be considered when measuring fair value; and how the use of market quotes should be considered when assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data available to measure fair value. FSP 157-3 was effective immediately and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment SFAS No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”), on January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect to fair value any additional items under SFAS No. 159. The Company, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position No. 157-2 “The Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, will defer application of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until January 1, 2009.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Determination of the deferred and current provision requires analysis by management of certain transactions and the related tax laws and regulations. Management exercises significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets. Those judgments and estimates are re-evaluated on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.


ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required for this item is included in the section entitled “Asset/Liability Management” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” that appears in Item 7 of this Form 10-K and is incorporated here by reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule


	Page

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	49
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	50
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	51
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007	52
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008	53
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008	54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008	55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	57

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

In meeting its responsibility, management relies on internal accounting and related control systems. The internal control systems are designed to ensure that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in the Company’s financial records and to safeguard the Company’s assets from material loss or misuse. Such assurance cannot be absolute because of inherent limitations in any internal control system.

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13(a) – 15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s principal executive officers and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management also conducted an assessment of requirements pertaining to Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). This section relates to management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, including controls over the preparation of the schedules equivalent to the basic financial statements and compliance with laws and regulations. Our evaluation included a review of the documentation of controls, evaluations of the design of the internal control system and tests of the effectiveness of internal controls.

Based on the Company’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.


Carl J. Chaney	John M. Hairston	Michael M. Achary

President &	Chief Executive Officer &	Chief Financial Officer
Chief Executive Officer	Chief Operating Officer
February 27, 2009	February 27, 2009	February 27, 2009

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hancock Holding Company:

We have audited Hancock Holding Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Hancock Holding Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Hancock Holding Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because management’s assessment and our audit were conducted to also meet the reporting requirements of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA), management’s assessment and our audit of Hancock Holding Company’s internal control over financial reporting included controls over the preparation of the schedules equivalent to the basic financial statements in accordance with the instructions to the Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies (Form FR Y-9 C). A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Hancock Holding Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management’s statement referring to compliance with laws and regulations.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Hancock Holding Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, and our report dated February 27, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
February 27, 2009

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Hancock Holding Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hancock Holding Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hancock Holding Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Hancock Holding Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 27, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension postretirement benefit plans effective December 31, 2006.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
February 27, 2009

Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets


	December 31,

	2008			2007

	(In thousands, except share data)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks (non-interest bearing)	$	199,775		$	182,615
Interest-bearing time deposits with other banks		11,355			8,560
Federal funds sold		175,166			117,721
Other short-term investments		362,895			—
Trading securities		2,201			197,425
Securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $1,651,499 and $1,472,550)		1,679,756			1,472,783
Loans held for sale		22,115			18,957
Loans		4,264,324			3,612,883
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(61,725	)		(47,123	)
Unearned income		(14,859	)		(16,326	)

Loans, net		4,187,740			3,549,434
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $101,050 and $87,160		205,912			200,566
Other real estate, net		5,195			2,172
Accrued interest receivable		33,067			35,117
Goodwill		62,277			62,277
Other intangible assets, net		6,363			8,298
Life insurance contracts		144,959			139,421
Deferred tax asset, net		5,819			3,976
Other assets		62,659			56,657

Total assets	$	7,167,254		$	6,055,979


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing demand	$	962,886		$	907,874
Interest-bearing savings, NOW, money market and time		4,968,051			4,101,660

Total deposits		5,930,937			5,009,534
Federal funds purchased		—			4,100
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		505,932			371,604
Long-term notes		638			793
Other liabilities		120,248			115,761

Total liabilities		6,557,755			5,501,792

Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock-$3.33 par value per share; 350,000,000 shares authorized, 31,769,679 and 31,294,607 issued and outstanding, respectively		105,793			104,211
Capital surplus		101,210			87,122
Retained earnings		411,579			377,481
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(9,083	)		(14,627	)

Total stockholders’ equity		609,499			554,187


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,167,254		$	6,055,979

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

	(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	246,573		$	255,761		$	230,450
Securities-taxable		80,048			78,089			97,084
Securities-tax exempt		4,978			6,234			6,770
Federal funds sold		1,858			5,458			9,657
Other investments		1,980			155			102

Total interest income		335,437			345,697			344,063

Interest expense:
Deposits		111,052			132,920			110,092
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		14,843			8,231			9,682
Long-term notes and other interest expense		184			80			895
Capitalized interest		(77	)		(995	)		(806	)

Total interest expense		126,002			140,236			119,863

Net interest income		209,435			205,461			224,200
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		36,785			7,593			(20,762	)

Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) loan losses		172,650			197,868			244,962

Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts		44,243			41,929			36,228
Trust fees		16,858			15,902			13,286
Insurance commissions and fees		16,554			19,229			19,248
Investment and annuity fees		10,807			8,746			5,970
Debit card and merchant fees		11,082			10,126			9,365
ATM fees		6,856			5,983			5,338
Secondary mortgage market operations		2,977			3,723			3,528
Securities gains (losses), net		4,825			308			(5,169	)
Net storm-related gain		—			—			5,084
Other income		13,576			14,740			13,622

Total noninterest income		127,778			120,686			106,500

Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits		109,773			106,959			103,753
Net occupancy expense		19,538			19,435			13,350
Equipment rentals, depreciation and maintenance		10,992			10,465			10,796
Amortization of intangibles		1,432			1,651			2,125
Other expense		71,708			78,233			73,092

Total noninterest expense		213,443			216,743			203,116

Income before income taxes		86,985			101,811			148,346
Income taxes		21,619			27,919			46,544

Net income	$	65,366		$	73,892		$	101,802

Basic earnings per common share	$	2.08		$	2.31		$	3.13

Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.05		$	2.27		$	3.06

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity


	Common Stock					Capital			Retained			Accumulated Other Comprehensive			Unearned
	Shares		Amount			Surplus			Earnings			Loss, net			Compensation			Total

	(In thousands, except share and per share data)

Balance, January 1, 2006	32,301,123		$	107,563		$	129,222		$	262,055		$	(22,066	)	$	(2,343	)	$	474,431
Comprehensive income:
Net income per consolidated statements of income	—			—			—			101,802			—			—			101,802
Net change in fair value of securities available for sale, net of tax	—			—			—			—			4,940			—			4,940
Net change in unfunded accumulated benefit obligation, net of tax	—			—			—			—			1,057			—			1,057

Comprehensive income																			107,799
Adoption of SFAS No. 158, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(7,944	)		—			(7,944	)
Cash dividends paid ($0.895 per share)	—			—			—			(29,311	)		—			—			(29,311	)
Common stock issued, long - term incentive plan, including excess income tax benefit of $3,493	398,338			1,326			10,169			—			—			—			11,495
Compensation expense, long - term incentive plan	—			—			3,690			—			—			—			3,690
SFAS No. 123(R) reclass of unearned compensation	—			—			(2,343	)		—			—			2,343			—
Purchase of common stock	(33,409	)		(111	)		(1,639	)		—			—			—			(1,750	)

Balance, December 31, 2006	32,666,052			108,778			139,099			334,546			(24,013	)		—			558,410
Comprehensive income:
Net income per consolidated statements of income	—			—			—			73,892			—			—			73,892
Net change in fair value of securities available for sale, net of tax	—			—			—			—			8,846			—			8,846
Net change in unfunded accumulated benefit obligation, net of tax	—			—			—			—			540			—			540

Comprehensive income																			83,278
Cash dividends paid ($0.96 per share)	—			—			—			(30,957	)		—			—			(30,957	)
Common stock issued, long - term incentive plan, including excess income tax benefit of $345	184,775			615			2,134			—			—						2,749
Compensation expense, long - term incentive plan	—			—			1,155			—			—			—			1,155
Purchase of common stock	(1,556,220	)		(5,182	)		(55,266	)		—			—			—			(60,448	)

Balance, December 31, 2007	31,294,607		$	104,211		$	87,122		$	377,481		$	(14,627	)	$	—		$	554,187
Comprehensive income
Net income per consolidated statements of income	—			—			—			65,366			—			—			65,366
Net change in unfunded accumulated benefit obligation, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(12,095	)		—			(12,095	)
Net change in fair value of securities available for sale, net of tax	—			—			—			—			17,639			—			17,639

Comprehensive income																			70,910
SFAS No. 158, change in measurement date	—			—			—			(815	)		—			—			(815	)
Cash dividends declared ($0.96 per common share)	—			—			—			(30,453	)		—			—			(30,453	)
Common stock issued, long-term incentive plan, including excess income tax benefit of $4,512	481,530			1,604			11,520			—			—			—			13,124
Compensation expense, long-term incentive plan	—			—			2,806			—			—			—			2,806
Purchase of common stock	(6,458	)		(22	)		(238	)		—			—			—			(260	)

Balance, December 31, 2008	31,769,679		$	105,793		$	101,210		$	411,579		$	(9,083	)	$	—		$	609,499

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

	(In thousands)
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	65,366		$	73,892		$	101,802
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		15,761			14,041			10,443
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses, net		36,785			7,593			(20,762	)
(Gains) losses on other real estate owned		230			(732	)		79
Deferred tax expense (benefit)		(5,012	)		7,560			24,599
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance contracts		(5,538	)		(5,397	)		(4,090	)
(Gain) loss on sales/paydowns of securities available for sale, net		(1,950	)		(273	)		5,169
(Gain) loss on disposal of other assets		(602	)		193			—
Gain on involuntary conversion of assets, net		—			—			(5,084	)
Gain on sale of loans held for sale		(427	)		(583	)		(564	)
(Gain) loss on trading securities		(2,875	)		114			—
Purchase of trading securities, net		—			(10	)		—
Proceeds from paydowns of securities held for trading		7,635			—			—
Amortization (accretion) of securities premium/discount, net		2,012			(1,773	)		(11,300	)
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights		210			345			549
Amortization of intangible assets		1,432			1,651			2,125
Stock-based compensation expense		2,806			1,155			3,690
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable		2,050			(1,417	)		1,346
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses		2,624			(12,197	)		(30,133	)
Increase in other liabilities		2,309			4,430			2,636
Increase (decrease) in interest payable		(2,785	)		883			2,341
Decrease in policy reserves and liabilities		(12,051	)		(35,180	)		(11,699	)
Decrease in reinsurance receivables		8,060			3,215			11,410
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(14,062	)		274			308
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale		192,838			251,684			238,045
Originations of loans held for sale		(195,569	)		(253,112	)		(230,208	)
Excess tax benefit from share based payments		(4,512	)		(345	)		(3,493	)
Other, net		(367	)		60			(2,790	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		94,368			56,071			84,419

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

	(In thousands)
Investing Activities:
Net (increase) decrease in interest-bearing time deposits	$	(2,795	)	$	1,637		$	(2,939	)
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale		213,814			9,222			157,300
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale		938,939			1,270,294			1,083,845
Purchases of securities available for sale		(1,140,901	)		(1,038,175	)		(1,169,592	)
Purchase of short-term investments		(362,895	)		—			—
Net (increase) decrease in federal funds sold		(57,445	)		94,521			190,726
Net increase in loans		(684,528	)		(356,787	)		(293,117	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(23,618	)		(70,267	)		(76,943	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		2,150			497			4,097
Premiums paid on life insurance contracts		—			(20,000	)		(20,000	)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate		6,184			1,753			1,749
Proceeds from insurance settlements		—			—			22,469
Purchase of interest in unconsolidated joint venture		—			—			(4,710	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(1,111,095	)		(107,305	)		(107,115	)


Financing Activities:
Net increase (decrease) in deposits		921,403			(21,457	)		41,171
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		130,228			153,313			(29,891	)
(Proceeds) repayments of long-term notes		(155	)		535			(50,008	)
Dividends paid		(30,453	)		(30,957	)		(29,311	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		8,612			2,404			8,002
Repurchase/retirement of common stock		(260	)		(60,448	)		(1,750	)
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises		4,512			345			3,493

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,033,887			43,735			(58,294	)

Increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks		17,160			(7,499	)		(80,990	)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year		182,615			190,114			271,104

Cash and due from banks at end of year	$	199,775		$	182,615		$	190,114


Supplemental Information

Income taxes paid	$	19,413		$	29,209		$	55,503
Interest paid, including capitalized interest of $77, $995,and $806, respectively		128,787			139,353			112,447
Restricted stock issued to employees of Hancock		3,045			2,495			2,518

Supplemental Information for Non-Cash
Investing and Financing Activities
Transfers from loans to other real estate	$	10,671		$	2,694		$	1,304
Financed sales of foreclosed property		1,234			339			741
Transfers from trading securities to available for sale securities		190,802			—			—

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Hancock Holding Company “the Company” or “Hancock” is a financial holding company headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi operating in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. Hancock Holding Company, the Parent Company operates through four wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida and Hancock Bank of Alabama, Mobile, Alabama (“the Banks.”) The Banks are community oriented and focus primarily on offering commercial, consumer and mortgage loans and deposit services to individuals and small to middle market businesses in their respective market areas. The Company’s operating strategy is to provide its customers with the financial sophistication and breadth of products of a regional bank, while successfully retaining the local appeal and level of service of a community bank.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling interest. Significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The accounting principles we follow and the methods for applying these principles conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with general practices followed by the banking industry which requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the allowance for loan losses, intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes, pension and postretirement benefit plans and contingent liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on our best estimates and judgments. We evaluate estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, rising unemployment levels and declines in consumer spending have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities not readily apparent from other sources. Allowance for loan losses, deferred income taxes, and goodwill are potentially subject to material changes in the near term. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements. For the periods presented, these reclassifications include the Company’s investment in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), that has been reclassified from investment securities to other assets since these equity securities are restricted and do not have a readily determinable fair value. The balance of FHLB stock as of December 31, 2007, was $2.3 million. The Company also reclassified its investment in an equity method investment from investment securities into other assets. The balance of the equity method investment as of December 31, 2007, was $5.0 million. The dividend income on the FHLB stock has also been reclassified from other investments to other income. The dividend on FHLB stock for the years ended 2007 and 2006 was $16,621 and $7,958, respectively. In addition, the Company reclassified debit card, merchant, and ATM charges from non-interest income to non-interest expense. Debit card, merchant, and ATM charges were $2.4 million in 2007 and $2.4 million in 2006.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Securities

Securities have been classified into one of two categories: available for sale or trading. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates this classification periodically.

Available for sale securities are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. Trading securities are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in results of operations.

The amortized cost of debt securities classified as available for sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity or, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security using the constant-yield method. The prepayment speed chosen to determine the estimated life of a mortgage-backed security is the security’s historical 3-month prepayment speed. When prepayment speeds are faster than expected, the average life of the mortgage-backed security is shorter than the original estimate. Amortization, accretion and accrued interest are included in interest income on securities. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are included in net securities gains and losses. Gains and losses on the sales of securities available for sale are determined using the specific-identification method. Using this basis results in the most accurate reporting of gains and losses realized on these sales, as well as the appropriate adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income. A decline in the fair value of securities below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Gains and losses on the sales of trading securities are also determined using the specific-identification method with the gain or loss reported in the results of operations.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments represent U.S. government agency discount notes that all mature in less than one year, but with maturities greater than 90 days. These investments were purchased for liquidity purposes..

Loans

Loans are reported at the principal balance outstanding. Non-refundable loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are recognized as an adjustment to the yield on the related loan. Interest on loans is recorded to income as earned.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. When accrual of interest is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed and payments subsequently received are applied first to principal. Interest income is recorded after principal has been satisfied and as payments are received. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest contractually due are brought current and future amounts are reasonably assured.

Generally, loans of all types which become 90 days delinquent are reviewed relative to collectability. Unless such loans are in the process of terms revision to bring to a current status, collection through repossession or foreclosure, those loans deemed uncollectible are charged off against the allowance account.

Loans held for sale are stated at lower of cost or market on the consolidated balance sheets. These loans are originated on a best-efforts basis, whereby a commitment by a third party to purchase the loan has been received concurrent with the Banks’ commitment to the borrower to originate the loan.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan and lease losses “ALLL” is a valuation account available to absorb losses on loans. The ALLL is established and maintained at an amount sufficient to cover the estimated credit loss associated with the loan and lease portfolios of the Company as of the date of the determination. Credit losses arise not only from credit risk, , but also from other risks inherent in the lending process including, but not limited to, collateral risk, operational risk, concentration risk, and economic risk. As such, all related risks of lending are considered when assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. Quarterly, management estimates the probable level of 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 and delinquency 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. The analysis and methodology include three primary segments. These segments include a pool analysis of various retail loans based upon loss history, a pool analysis of commercial and commercial real estate loans based upon loss history by loan type, and a specific reserve analysis for those loans considered impaired under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan. All commercial and commercial real estate loans with an outstanding balance of $100,000 or greater are individually reviewed for impairment; substandard mortgage loans with balances of $100,000 or greater are also included in the analysis. All losses are charged to the allowance for loan and lease 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.

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company’s impaired loans include troubled debt restructurings, and performing and non-performing major loans for which full payment of principal or interest is not expected. Categories of non-major homogeneous loans, which are evaluated on an overall basis, generally include all loans under $500,000. The Company determines an allowance required for impaired loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of its collateral. If the recorded investment in the impaired loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance is required as a component of the allowance for loan losses.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is charged to expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are up to 39 years for buildings and three to seven years for furniture and equipment. Amortization expense for software is charged over 3 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. In cases where Hancock has the right to renew the lease for additional periods, the lease term for the purpose of calculating amortization of the capitalized cost of the leasehold improvements is extended when Hancock is “reasonably assured” that it will renew the lease. Depreciation and amortization expenses are computed using a straight-line basis for assets acquired after January 1, 2006 and the double declining balance basis for assets acquired prior to January 1, 2006. Hancock continually evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate that such long-lived assets have been impaired. Measurement of any impairment of such long-lived assets is based on those assets’ fair values. There were no impairment losses on property and equipment recorded during 2008, 2007, or 2006.

Other Real Estate

Other real estate owned includes assets that have been acquired in satisfaction of debt through foreclosure. Other real estate owned is reported in other assets and is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less the estimated cost of disposition. Valuation adjustments required at foreclosure are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to foreclosure, losses on the periodic revaluation of the property are

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

charged to net income as other expense. Costs of operating and maintaining the properties are included in other noninterest expenses, while gains (losses) on their disposition are charged to other income as incurred. Improvements made to properties are capitalized if the expenditures are expected to be recovered upon the sale of the properties.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill, which represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets of an acquired business, is not amortized but tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.

Identifiable intangible assets are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or legal rights or because the assets are capable of being sold or exchanged either on their own on in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability. Hancock’s identifiable intangible assets primarily relate to core deposits, insurance customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade name. These intangibles, which have definite useful lives, are amortized based on the sum-of-the-years-digits method over their estimated useful lives for assets acquired prior to January 1, 2006 and on a straight-line basis for assets acquired subsequent to January 1, 2006. In addition, these intangibles are evaluated annually for impairment or whenever events and changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount should be reevaluated.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Company adopted SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets on January 1, 2007 without material impact. SFAS No. 156 requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and permits an entity to subsequently measure those servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value. Under SFAS. No. 156, the Company decided to continue to use the amortization method instead of adopting the fair value method. Management has determined that it has one class of servicing rights which is based on the type of loan. The risk characteristics of the underlying financial assets used to stratify servicing assets for purposes of measuring impairment are interest rate, type of product (fixed versus variable), duration and asset quality. The book value of mortgage servicing rights at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $1.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Reinsurance Receivables

Certain premiums and losses are assumed from and ceded to other insurance companies under various reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance premiums, loss reimbursement, and reserves related to reinsurance business are accounted for on a basis consistent with that used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contract. The Company may receive a ceding commission in connection with ceded reinsurance. If so, the ceding commission is earned on a monthly pro rata basis in the same manner as the premium and is recorded as a reduction of other operating expenses.

Derivative Instruments

The Company has certain Interest Rate Lock Commitments “IRLC’s” that are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value with changes in fair value reported in statements of income. The Company also has interest rate swaps which are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as other assets at fair value as required by SFAS No. 133. These interest rate swaps do not qualify for hedge accounting under the guidelines of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging. Gains and losses related to the change in fair value are recognized in earnings during the period of change in fair value as other non-interest income.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Income Taxes

Hancock accounts for deferred income taxes using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of Hancock’s assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled.

Pension Accounting

The Company has accounted for its defined benefit pension plan using the actuarial model required by SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions. The compensation cost of an employee’s pension benefit is recognized on the projected unit credit method over the employee’s approximate service period. The aggregate cost method is utilized for funding purposes. The Company also sponsors two defined benefit postretirement plans, which provide medical benefits and life insurance benefits. The Company has accounted for these plans using the actuarial computations required by SFAS No. 106, Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions as amended by SFAS No. 132. The cost of the defined benefit postretirement plan has been recognized on the projected unit credit method over the employee’s approximate service period. Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R); which required the recognition of the over funded or under funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability on the balance sheet. In 2008, the Company changed the measurement date of the funded status of the plan from September 30 to December 31.

Policy Reserves and Liabilities

Unearned premium reserves are based on the assumption that the portion of the original premium applicable to the remaining term and amount of insurance will be adequate to pay future benefits. The reserve is calculated by multiplying the original gross premium times an unearned premium factor. Factors are developed which represent the proportion of the remaining coverage compared to the total coverage provided over the entire term of insurance.

Policy reserves for future life and health claims not yet incurred are based on assumed mortality and interest rates. For disability, the reserves are based upon unearned premium, which is the portion of the original premium applicable to the remaining term and amount of insurance that will be adequate to pay future benefits. Present value of amounts not yet due is an amount for disability claims already reported and incurred and represents the present value of all the future benefits using actuarial disability tables. IBNR “Incurred But Not Reported” is an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported, and is based upon historical analysis of claims payments.

Stock-Based Compensation

In recognizing stock-based compensation, Hancock follows the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. This statement establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for stock awards and requires the application of a fair value based measurement method in accounting for compensation cost, which is recognized over the requisite service period.

Revenue Recognition

The largest source of revenue for Hancock is interest revenue. Interest revenue is recognized on an accrual basis driven by written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts. Credit-related fees, including letter of credit fees, are recognized in non-interest income when earned. Hancock recognizes commission revenue and brokerage, exchange and clearance fess on a trade-date basis. Other types of non-interest revenue such as service charges on deposits and trust revenues, are accrued and recognized into income as services are provided and the amount of fees earned are reasonably determinable.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share “EPS” excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income, adjusted for the effect of potentially dilutive stock options outstanding during the period by the weighted-average stock outstanding.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Standards

In December 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets, which provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The objectives of the disclosures are to provide users of financial statements with an understanding of how investment allocation decisions are made; the major categories of plan assets; the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of plan assets; the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets for the period; and significant concentrations on risk within plan assets. FSP No. 132(R)-1 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The Company is assessing the impact of adopting FSP No. 132(R)-1, but does not expect the impact to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That is Not Active, which clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, in an inactive market. Application issues clarified include: how management’s internal assumptions should be considered when measuring fair value when relevant observable data do not exist; how observable market information in a market that is not active should be considered when measuring fair value; and how the use of market quotes should be considered when assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data available to measure fair value. FSP No. 157-3 was effective immediately and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In November 2008, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No 08-10, Selected Statement 160 Implementation Questions, which clarifies how an entity should account for the transfer of an interest in a subsidiary that is in-substance real estate; how an entity should account for the transfer of an interest in a subsidiary to an equity method investee that results in deconsolidation of the subsidiary; and how an entity should account for the transfer of an interest in a subsidiary in exchange for a joint venture interest that results in deconsolidation of the subsidiary. The Company will adopt the provisions of EITF No. 08-10 in the first quarter of 2009, as required, and the impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations is dependent on the extent of future business combinations.

In September 2008, the FASB issued EITF No 08-6, Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations, which clarifies how the initial carrying value of an equity method investment should be determined; how the difference between the investor’s carrying value and the investor’s share of the underlying equity of the investee should be allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of the investee; how an impairment assessment of an underlying indefinite-lived intangible asset of an equity method investment should be performed; how an equity method investee’s issuance of shares should be accounted for; and how to account for a change in an investment from the equity method to the cost method. The Company will adopt the provisions of EITF No. 08-6 in the first quarter of 2009, as required, and the impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations is dependent on the extent of future business combinations.

In June 2008, the FASB issued EITF No. 03-6-1, which provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and should be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. EITF No. 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those years. Upon adoption, a company is required to

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

retrospectively adjust its earnings per share data including any amounts related to interim periods, summaries of earnings and selected financial data. The Company is assessing the impact of adopting EITF No. 03-6-1, but does not expect the impact to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Principles which is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for nongovernmental entities. SFAS No. 162 will be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 162, when required, but does not expect the impact to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Asset, which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The intent of the FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is assessing the impact of FSP No. 142-3, but does not expect the impact to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB 133, which enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounting for under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities; and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is assessing the impact of SFAS No. 161, but does not expect the impact to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51, was issued in December 2007. This standard that is effective for 2009 governs the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. The Company currently has no such partially owned consolidated subsidiaries.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations which applies to all business combinations. The statement requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value.” All business combinations will be accounted for by applying the acquisition method (previously referred to as the purchase method.) Companies will have to identify the acquirer; determine the acquisition date and purchase price; recognize at their acquisition-date fair values the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, and recognize goodwill or, in the case of a bargain purchase, a gain. SFAS No. 141R is effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and early adoption is prohibited. It will be applied to business combinations occurring after the effective date. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 141R in the first quarter of 2009, as required, and the impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations is dependent on the extent of future business combinations.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2008

In November 2007, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 109, Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings, SAB No. 109 rescinds SAB No. 105’s prohibition on inclusion of expected net future cash flows related to loan servicing activities in the fair value measurement of a written loan commitment. SAB No. 109 applies to any loan commitments for which fair value accounting is elected under SFAS No. 159. SAB No. 109 is effective prospectively for derivative loan commitments issued or modified in fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2007. The adoption of SAB No. 109 during the first quarter of 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In June 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Award. The objective of this issue is to determine the accounting for the income tax benefits of dividend or dividend equivalents when the dividends or dividend equivalents are: (a) linked to equity-classified nonvested shares or share units or equity-classified outstanding share options and (b) charged to retained earnings under SFAS Statement No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. The Task Force reached a consensus that EITF No. 06-11 should be applied prospectively to the income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified employee share-based payment awards that are declared in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2007. The adoption of EITF No. 06-11 during the first quarter of 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In March 2007, the FASB ratified EITF No. 06-10, Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. One objective of EITF No. 06-10 is to determine whether a liability for future benefits under a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement that provides a benefit to an employee that extends into postretirement periods should be recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 106 or APB Opinion 12, as appropriate, based on the substantive agreement with the employee. Another objective of EITF No. 06-10 is to determine how the asset arising from a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement should be recognized and measured. EITF No. 06-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The adoption of EITF No. 06-10 during the first quarter of 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment SFAS No. 115 which permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions in SFAS No. 159 are elective; however, the amendment to FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. The fair value option established by SFAS No. 159 permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option: (a) may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and (c) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 during the first quarter of 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R); which required the recognition of the over funded or under funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability on the balance sheet. In 2008, the Company changed the measurement date of the funded status of the plan from September 30 to December 31.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This pronouncement applies to other accounting standards that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new fair value measurement. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. At the November 14, 2007 Board meeting, the Board decided to defer the effective date for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS No. 157 during the first quarter of 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Note 2. Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of securities classified as available for sale follow (in thousands):


	December 31, 2008								December 31, 2007

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value

U.S. Treasury	$	11,250	$	192	$	—	$	11,442	$	11,353	$	41	$	—	$	11,394
U.S. government agencies		224,803		1,836		29		226,610		431,772		1,999		107		433,664
Municipal obligations		151,706		3,182		2,418		152,470		197,596		2,347		1,361		198,582
Mortgage-backed securities		1,041,805		25,703		387		1,067,121		637,578		3,519		4,717		636,380
CMOs		195,771		2,692		1		198,462		143,639		392		1,219		142,812
Other debt securities		25,117		5		2,850		22,272		49,653		342		1,597		48,398
Other equity securities		1,047		462		130		1,379		959		613		19		1,553

	$	1,651,499	$	34,072	$	5,815	$	1,679,756	$	1,472,550	$	9,253	$	9,020	$	1,472,783

The amortized cost and fair value of securities classified as available for sale at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity, (expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because of rights to call or repay obligations with or without penalties), and the amortized cost and fair value of trading securities were as follows (in thousands):


	Amortized Cost		Fair Value

Due in one year or less	$	48,735	$	49,190
Due after one year through five years		129,658		132,290
Due after five years through ten years		205,438		204,412
Due after ten years		29,045		26,902

		412,876		412,794

Mortgage-backed securities & CMOs		1,237,576		1,265,583
Equity securities		1,047		1,379

Total available for sale securities	$	1,651,499	$	1,679,756

The Company held no securities classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2008 or 2007.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2. Securities (continued)

The details concerning securities classified as available for sale with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2008 follow (in thousands):


	Losses < 12 months				Losses 12 months or >				Total

	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses

U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	—	$	20,077	$	29	$	20,077	$	29
Municipal obligations		—		—		38,610		2,418		38,610		2,418
Mortgage-backed securities		—		—		20,385		387		20,385		387
CMOs		—		—		4,442		1		4,442		1
Other debt securities		1,029		25		22,077		2,825		23,106		2,850
Equity securities		—		—		135		130		135		130

	$	1,029	$	25	$	105,726	$	5,790	$	106,755	$	5,815

The details concerning securities classified as available for sale with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2007 were as follows (in thousands):


	Losses < 12 months				Losses 12 months or >				Total

	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses

U.S. government agencies	$	29,893	$	107	$	—	$	—	$	29,893	$	107
Municipal obligations		4,946		17		37,327		1,344		42,273		1,361
Mortgage-backed securities		—		—		206,894		4,717		206,894		4,717
CMOs		—		—		117,489		1,219		117,489		1,219
Other debt securities		4,177		147		23,230		1,450		27,407		1,597
Equity securities		—		—		17		19		17		19

	$	39,016	$	271	$	384,957	$	8,749	$	423,973	$	9,020

The unrealized losses relate to fixed-rate debt securities that have incurred fair value reductions due to higher market interest rates since the respective purchase date. The unrealized losses are not likely to reverse unless and until market interest rates decline to the levels that existed when the securities were purchased. Since none of the unrealized losses relate to the marketability of the securities or the issuer’s ability to honor redemption obligations, none of the securities are deemed to be other than temporarily impaired.

As of December 31, 2008, the securities portfolio totaled $1.68 billion. Of the total portfolio, $106.8 million of securities were in an unrealized loss position of $5.8 million. Management and the Asset/Liability Committee continually monitor the securities portfolio and management is able to effectively measure and monitor the unrealized loss position on these securities. The Company has adequate liquidity and therefore has the ability and additionally the intent to hold these securities to recovery. Accordingly, the unrealized loss of these securities has been determined to be temporary.

The Company’s securities portfolio is an important source of liquidity and earnings for the Company. A stated objective in managing the securities portfolio is to provide consistent liquidity to support balance sheet growth but also to provide a safe and consistent stream of earnings. To that end, management is open to opportunities that present themselves which enables the Company to improve the structure and earnings potential of the securities portfolio.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2. Securities (continued)

Available for Sale Securities

Proceeds from sales and pay downs of available for sale securities were approximately $213.8 million in 2008, $9.2 million in 2007 and $157.3 million in 2006. Gross gains of $6.0 million in 2008, $0.4 million in 2007 and $0.3 million in 2006 and gross losses of $4.1 million in 2008, $0.1 million in 2007 and $5.5 million in 2006 were realized on such sales and pay downs.

Securities with an amortized cost of approximately $1.49 billion at December 31, 2008 and $1.15 billion at December 31, 2007, were pledged primarily to secure public deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The Company has approximately $4.8 million and $6.4 million of securities pledged with various state regulatory authorities to secure reinsurance receivables as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Trading Securities

The Company recognized $2.9 million in net gains, including a net gain of $3.2 million on a portfolio of trading securities which were subsequently transferred to available for sale. There were no trading gains or losses in 2007.

Note 3. Loans

Loans, net of unearned income, consisted of the following (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008		2007

Real estate loans	$	2,680,682	$	2,332,891
Commercial and industrial loans		420,981		359,519
Loans to individuals for household, family and other consumer expenditures		619,115		571,349
Leases and other loans		528,687		332,798

	$	4,249,465	$	3,596,557

The Company generally makes loans in its market areas of South Mississippi, South Alabama, South and Central Louisiana and Northwest Florida. Loans are made in the normal course of business to its directors, executive officers and their associates on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. Such loans did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility. Balances of loans to the Company’s directors, executive officers and their affiliates at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were approximately $31.6 million and $13.1 million, respectively. New loans, repayments and changes of directors and executive officers and their affiliates on these loans for 2008 were $20.7 million, $4.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively. New loans, repayments and changes of directors and executive officers and their affiliates on these loans for 2007 were $3.7 million, $1.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3. Loans (continued)

Changes in the allowance for loan losses follow (in thousands):


	2008			2007			2006

Balance at January 1	$	47,123		$	46,772		$	74,558
Recoveries		5,224			7,210			12,491
Loans charged off		(27,407	)		(14,452	)		(19,515	)
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		36,785			7,593			(20,762	)

Balance at December 31	$	61,725		$	47,123		$	46,772

In 2005, the Company established a $35.2 million specific allowance for estimated credit losses related to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on its loan portfolio. In 2005, the Company reduced the allowance by $2.4 million for storm-related net charge-offs. Of this remaining amount, the Company reversed $20.0 million of the allowance to income in 2006 based on its review of the asset quality of significant credits included in the original $35.2 million storm-related allowance.

In some instances, loans are placed on non-accrual status. All accrued but uncollected interest related to the loan is deducted from income in the period the loan is assigned a non-accrual status. For such period as a loan is in non-accrual status, any cash receipts are applied first to principal, second to expenses incurred to cause payment to be made and lastly to the recovery of any reversed interest income and interest that would be due and owing subsequent to the loan being placed on non-accrual status.

The Company’s investments in impaired loans at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $22.1 million and $10.4 million, respectively. Non-accrual and renegotiated loans amounted to approximately 0.71% and 0.36% of total loans at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accruing loans 90 days past due as a percent of loans was 0.26% and 0.12% at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The average amounts of impaired loans carried on the Company’s books for 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $19.3 million, $7.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The amount of interest that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans had the loans not been classified as non-accrual in 2008, 2007 or 2006, was $1.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The amount of interest actually collected was immaterial in 2008, 2007, and 2006.

The following table presents the makeup of allowance for loan losses by:


	December 31,

	2008		2007

	(In thousands)
Balance of allowance for loan losses
Non-impaired	$	54,408	$	43,070
Impaired		7,317		4,053

Total allowance for loan losses	$	61,725	$	47,123

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $24.1 million and $18.8 million, respectively, in loans carried at fair value. The Company held $22.1 million and $19.0 million in loans held for sale at December 31, 2008 and 2007 carried at lower of cost or market. These loans are originated on a best-efforts basis, whereby a commitment by a third party to purchase the loan has been received concurrent with the Banks’ commitment to the borrower to originate the loan.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, consisted of the following (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008			2007

Land and land improvements	$	38,090		$	32,679
Buildings and leasehold improvements		178,374			156,666
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		61,525			59,837
Construction in progress		4,111			14,836
Software		24,862			23,708

		306,962			287,726
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(101,050	)		(87,160	)

Property and equipment, net	$	205,912		$	200,566

Depreciation and amortization expense was $15.8 million, $14.0 million and $10.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Capitalized interest was $77,000, $1.0 million, and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents costs in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with purchase business combinations. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles, the Company tests its goodwill for impairment annually. No impairment charges were recognized during 2008, 2007, or 2006. The carrying amount of goodwill was $62.3 million at both December 31, 2008 and 2007.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued)

The following tables present information regarding the components of the Company’s other intangible assets, and related amortization for the dates indicated (in thousands):


	December 31, 2008

		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount

Core deposit intangibles	$	14,137	$	9,613	$	4,524
Value of insurance business acquired		2,752		1,289		1,463
Non-compete agreements		322		280		42
Trade name		100		70		30

	$	17,311	$	11,252	$	6,059


	December 31, 2007

		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount

Core deposit intangibles	$	14,137	$	8,500	$	5,637
Value of insurance business acquired		3,757		1,807		1,950
Non-compete agreements		368		252		116
Trade name		100		50		50

	$	18,362	$	10,609	$	7,753


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006

Aggregate amortization expense for:
Core deposit intangibles	$	1,113	$	1,210	$	1,366
Value of insurance business acquired		271		348		626
Non-compete agreements		28		73		103
Trade name		20		20		30

	$	1,432	$	1,651	$	2,125

The amortization period used for core deposit intangibles and value of insurance business acquired is 10 years. The amortization period used for non-compete agreements and trade name intangibles is 5 years. The following table shows estimated amortization expense of other intangible assets for the five succeeding years and thereafter, calculated based on current amortization schedules (in thousands):


2009	$	1,417
2010		1,382
2011		1,143
2012		928
2013		757
Thereafter		432

	$	6,059

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 6. Deposits

The maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2008 follow (in thousands):


2009	$	1,321,052
2010		632,621
2011		105,184
2012		126,621
2013		24,716
thereafter		61,542

	$	2,271,736

Time deposits of $100,000 or more totaled approximately $1.1 billion and $935.3 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Note 7. Borrowings

Short-Term Borrowings

The following table presents information concerning federal funds purchased and sold and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008			2007

Federal funds sold
Amount outstanding at period-end	$	175,166		$	117,721
Weighted average interest rate at period-end		0.11	%		4.32	%

Federal funds purchased
Amount outstanding at period-end	$	—		$	4,100
Weighted average interest rate at period-end		—			4.02	%
Weighted average interest rate during the year		2.20	%		4.99	%
Average daily balance during the year	$	16,003		$	4,174
Maximum month end balance during the year	$	33,775		$	4,100

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Amount outstanding at period-end	$	505,932		$	371,604
Weighted average interest rate at period-end		2.10	%		3.63	%
Weighted average interest rate during the year		2.76	%		3.70	%
Average daily balance during the year	$	524,712		$	216,730
Maximum month end balance during the year	$	621,424		$	371,604

The contractual maturity of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase is demand or due overnight.

Specific U. S. Treasury and U. S. Government agencies with carrying values of $504.8 million at December 31, 2008 and $371.6 million at December 31, 2007 collateralized the retail and wholesale repurchase agreements. The fair value of this collateral approximated $513.3 million at December 31, 2008 and $375.6 million at December 31, 2007. In addition, there was cash collateral in the amount of $12.1 million for the wholesale repurchase agreements at December 31, 2008 and $750,000 in cash collateral at December 31, 2007.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 7. Borrowings (continued)

Long-Term Borrowings

As of December 31, 2008, the Company had $250.0 million in long-term borrowings classified as securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Combined with short-term borrowings of $255.9 million, the Company’s total position in securities sold under agreements to repurchase was $505.9 million. The Company has an approved line of credit with the FHLB of approximately $308.5 million, which is secured by a blanket pledge of certain residential mortgage loans. This line of credit had no outstanding balances at December 31, 2008 and 2007, however, four letters of credit totaling $200 million have been issued to use as collateral for public deposits.

Note 8. Stockholders’ Equity

Regulatory Capital

Common stockholders’ equity of the Company includes the undistributed earnings of the bank subsidiaries. Dividends are payable only out of undivided profits or current earnings. Moreover, dividends to the Company’s stockholders can generally be paid only from dividends paid to the Company by the Banks. Consequently, dividends are dependent upon earnings, capital needs, regulatory policies and statutory limitations affecting the Banks. Federal and state banking laws and regulations restrict the amount of dividends and loans a bank may make to its parent company. Dividends paid by Hancock Bank are subject to approval by the Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance of the State of Mississippi and those paid by Hancock Bank of Louisiana are subject to approval by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the State of Louisiana. Dividends paid by Hancock Bank of Florida are subject to approval by the Florida Department of Financial Services and those paid by Hancock Bank of Alabama are subject to approval by Alabama State Banking Department. The amount of capital of the subsidiary banks available for dividends at December 31, 2008 was approximately $43.6 million.

Risk-based capital requirements are intended to make regulatory capital more sensitive to risk elements of the Company. Currently, the Company and its bank subsidiaries are required to maintain minimum risk-based capital ratios of 8.0%, with not less than 4.0% in Tier 1 capital. In addition, the Company and its bank subsidiaries must maintain minimum Tier 1 leverage ratios (Tier 1 capital to total average assets) of at least 3.0% based upon the regulators latest composite rating of the institution.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) required each federal banking agency to implement prompt corrective actions for institutions that it regulates. The rules provide that an institution is “well capitalized” if its total risk-based capital ratio is 10.0% or greater, its Tier 1 risked-based capital ratio is 6.0% or greater, its leverage ratio is 5.0% or greater and the institution is not subject to a capital directive. Under this regulation, all of the subsidiary banks were deemed to be “well capitalized” as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 based upon the most recent notifications from their regulators. There are no conditions or events since those notifications that management believes would change these classifications.

The Company and its bank subsidiaries are required to maintain certain minimum capital levels. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company and the Banks were in compliance with their respective statutory minimum capital requirements.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8. Stockholders’ Equity (continued)

Following is a summary of the actual capital levels at December 31, 2008 and 2007 (amounts in thousands):


	Actual				Required for Minimum Capital Adequacy				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

	Amount		Ratio %		Amount		Ratio %		Amount		Ratio %

At December 31, 2008
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
Company	$	612,090		11.22	$	436,239		8.00	$	N/A		N/A
Hancock Bank		293,110		10.91		214,846		8.00		268,558		10.00
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		243,117		10.48		185,635		8.00		232,043		10.00
Hancock Bank of Florida		40,173		12.23		26,278		8.00		32,848		10.00
Hancock Bank of Alabama		15,673		10.45		12,000		8.00		15,000		10.00

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
Company	$	550,216		10.09	$	218,120		4.00	$	N/A		N/A
Hancock Bank		261,726		9.75		107,423		4.00		161,135		6.00
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		217,186		9.36		92,817		4.00		139,226		6.00
Hancock Bank of Florida		37,144		11.31		13,139		4.00		19,709		6.00
Hancock Bank of Alabama		14,250		9.50		6,000		4.00		9,000		6.00

Tier 1 leverage capital
Company	$	550,216		8.06	$	204,680		3.00	$	N/A		N/A
Hancock Bank		261,726		7.08		110,878		3.00		184,797		5.00
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		217,186		7.48		87,099		3.00		145,165		5.00
Hancock Bank of Florida		37,144		12.78		8,717		3.00		14,528		5.00
Hancock Bank of Alabama		14,250		10.11		4,230		3.00		7,050		5.00

At December 31, 2007
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
Company	$	546,178		12.07	$	361,878		8.00	$	N/A		N/A
Hancock Bank		286,646		12.26		187,098		8.00		233,873		10.00
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		208,285		10.46		159,317		8.00		199,147		10.00
Hancock Bank of Florida		26,928		18.08		11,912		8.00		14,890		10.00
Hancock Bank of Alabama		9,571		19.90		3,848		8.00		4,810		10.00

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
Company	$	498,731		11.03	$	180,939		4.00	$	N/A		N/A
Hancock Bank		260,240		11.13		93,549		4.00		140,324		6.00
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		189,324		9.51		79,659		4.00		119,488		6.00
Hancock Bank of Florida		25,384		17.05		5,956		4.00		8,934		6.00
Hancock Bank of Alabama		9,209		19.15		1,924		4.00		2,886		6.00

Tier 1 leverage capital
Company	$	498,731		8.51	$	175,801		3.00	$	N/A		N/A
Hancock Bank		260,240		7.97		97,968		3.00		163,281		5.00
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		189,324		7.55		75,225		3.00		125,374		5.00
Hancock Bank of Florida		25,384		16.79		4,536		3.00		7,560		5.00
Hancock Bank of Alabama		9,209		25.33		1,091		3.00		1,818		5.00

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 9. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans

At December 31, 2008, the Company had a pension plan and two postretirement plans for employees, which are described more fully below. The Company has accounted for its defined benefit pension plan using the actuarial model required by SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions. The compensation cost of an employee’s pension benefit has been recognized on the projected unit credit method over the employee’s approximate service period. The aggregate cost method has been utilized for funding purposes. The Company also sponsors two defined benefit postretirement plans, which provide medical benefits and life insurance benefits. The Company has accounted for these plans using the actuarial computations required by SFAS No. 106, Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions as amended by SFAS No. 132. The cost of the defined benefit postretirement plan has been recognized on the projected unit credit method over the employee’s approximate service period.

Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted certain requirements of SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R). Under SFAS No. 158, the Company is required to recognize the over funded or under funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability on its balance sheet. This pronouncement also requires the Company to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income effective for years ending after December 15, 2006. In addition, this statement requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. With the adoption of the change in measurement date of SFAS No. 158, the Company recorded an $815,107 adjustment to beginning 2008 retained earnings. Results for prior periods have not been restated.

Defined Benefit Plan - Pension

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering employees who have been employed by the Company one year and who have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours during the calendar year. The Company’s current policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. The benefits are based upon years of service and the employee’s compensation during the last five years of employment.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 9. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

The measurement date for the pension plan is December 31, 2008. Data relative to the pension plan is as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008*			2007

Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	73,203		$	68,293
Service cost		3,283			2,656
Interest cost		5,646			3,834
Actuarial loss		4,999			1,331
Benefits paid		(4,269	)		(2,911	)

Benefit obligation, end of year		82,862			73,203

Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year		59,741			51,935
Actual return on plan assets		(11,757	)		6,275
Employer contributions		7,467			4,695
Benefit payments		(4,269	)		(2,911	)
Expenses		(181	)		(253	)

Fair value of plan assets, end of year		51,001			59,741


Funded status at end of year - net liability	$	(31,861	)	$	(13,462	)


Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Unrecognized loss at beginning of year	$	18,699		$	20,307
Amount of (loss)/gain recognized during the year		(1,184	)		(1,122	)
Net actuarial loss/(gain)		22,975			(486	)

Unrecognized loss at end of year	$	40,490		$	18,699


* 2008 amounts are for the 15 month period October 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008.

Net periodic expense is as follows (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	2,626		$	2,656		$	2,304
Interest cost		4,517			3,834			3,499
Expected return on plan assets		(4,830	)		(4,206	)		(3,867	)
Recognized net amortization and deferral		947			1,122			1,062

Net pension benefit cost		3,260			3,406			2,998


Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
Net (loss)/gain recognized during the year		(1,184	)		(1,122	)		1,062
Net actuarial loss/(gain)		22,975			(486	)		(623	)

Total recognized in other comprehensive income		21,791			(1,608	)		439


Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	25,051		$	1,798		$	3,437

Weighted average assumptions as of measurement date
Discount rate for benefit obligations		5.96	%		6.31	%		5.75	%
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost		6.31	%		5.75	%		5.50	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.50	%		8.00	%		8.00	%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00	%		4.00	%		4.00	%

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 9. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

The long term rate of return is determined by using the weighted-average of historical real returns for major asset classes based on target asset allocations. The result is then adjusted for inflation. The Company changed to the Citigroup Discount Pension Curve in 2007 from the Aa Seasoned Moody Twenty Year Bond Rate which was used in 2006. The Company used the Citigroup Discount Pension Curve discount rate at December 31, 2008. This curve had a duration of 15.53 years.

The Company has been making the contributions required by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s contributions to this plan were $4.8 million in 2008, $4.6 million in 2007 and $4.7 million in 2006. The Company expects to contribute approximately $6.6 million to the pension plan in 2009. The following pension plan benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be made (in thousands):


2009	$	3,265
2010		3,386
2011		3,534
2012		4,039
2013		4,175
2014 - 2018		23,720

	$	42,119

The expected benefits to be paid are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company’s benefit obligation at December 31, 2008.

The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations and target allocations at December 31, 2008 and 2007, by asset category, are as follows:


	Plan Assets at December 31,				Target Allocation at December 31,

	2008		2007		2008		2007

Asset category
Equity securities		49%		51%		40-70%		30-60%
Fixed income securities		47%		44%		30-60%		40-70%
Cash equivalents		4%		5%		0-10%		0-10%

		100%		100%

The investment strategy of the pension plan is to emphasize a balanced return of current income and growth of principal while accepting a moderate level of risk. The investment goal of the plan is to meet or exceed the return of balanced market index comprised of 50% of the S&P 500 Index and 50% Barclays Intermediate Aggregate Index. The pension plan investment committee meets periodically to review the policy, strategy and performance of the plan. The pension plan’s assets do not include any of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2008 or 2007.

Defined Benefit Plan - Postretirement

The Company sponsors two defined benefit postretirement plans, other than the pension plan, that cover full-time employees who have reached 55 years of age with fifteen years of service, age 62 with twelve years of service or age 65 with ten years of service. One plan provides medical benefits and the other provides life insurance benefits. The postretirement health care plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually and subject to certain employer contribution maximums; the life insurance plan is noncontributory.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 9. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

The measurement date for the plans is December 31, 2008. The Company used a 6.00% and 6.40% discount rate for the determination of the projected postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The discount rate is based on the Citigroup Discount Pension Curve.

Data relative to these postretirement benefits is as follows (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007

Change in postretirement benefit obligation
Projected postretirement benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	8,481		$	7,438
Service cost		174			168
Interest cost		505			485
Plan participants’ contributions		304			286
Actuarial loss		269			1,012
Benefit payments		(1,006	)		(908	)

Projected postretirement benefit obligation, end of year		8,727			8,481


Change in plan assets
Plan assets, beginning of year		—			—
Employer contributions		702			622
Plan participants’ contributions		304			286
Benefit payments		(1,006	)		(908	)

Plan assets, end of year		—			—


Funded status at end of year - net liability	$	(8,727	)	$	(8,481	)


Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net loss	$	2,568		$	2,476
Prior service cost		(208	)		(261	)
Net obligation		15			21

	$	2,375		$	2,236

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 9. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

The following table shows the composition of net period postretirement benefit cost (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
Service cost	$	174		$	168		$	315
Interest costs		505			485			393
Amortization of net loss		177			249			116
Amortization of transition obligation		(5	)		(5	)		(5	)
Amortization of prior service cost		53			53			53

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost		904			950			872


Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
Amount of loss recognized during the year		(177	)		(249	)		(115	)
Net actuarial (gain)/loss		269			1,012			(426	)
Amortization of transition obligation		5			5			5
Amortization of prior service cost		(53	)		(53	)		(53	)

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss		44			715			(589	)



Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	948		$	1,665		$	283

For measurement purposes in 2008, a 7.0% annual rate of increase in the over age 65 per capita costs of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2009. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% over 2 years and remain at that level thereafter. In 2007, an 8.0% annual rate of increase in the over age 65 per capita costs of covered health care benefits was assumed. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% over 3 years and remain at that level thereafter. The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts reported. The following table illustrates the effect on the postretirement benefit obligation of a 1% increase or 1% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates:


	1% Decrease in Rates		Assumed Rates		1% Increase in Rates

Aggregated service and interest cost	$	609	$	679	$	764
Postretirement benefit obligation		7,935		8,727		9,684

The Company expects to contribute $0.7 million to the plans in 2009. Expected benefits to be paid over the next ten years and are reflected the following table (in thousands):


2009	$	728
2010		754
2011		764
2012		645
2013		603
2014 - 2018		2,424

	$	5,918

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 9. Retirement and Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

The following table shows the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that the Company expects to be recognized as net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2009 (in thousands):


Prior service cost	$	(53	)
Net transition obligation		5
Net loss		170

Total	$	122

Defined Contribution Plan – 401(k)

The Company has a 401(k) retirement plan covering substantially all employees who have been employed 90 days excluding on call, temporary, and seasonal employees and meet certain other requirements. Under this plan, employees can contribute a portion of their salary within limits provided by the Internal Revenue Code into the plan. The Company’s contributions to this plan were $1.7 million in 2008, $1.5 million in 2007 and $1.4 million in 2006.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company has one nonqualified deferred compensation plan covering key employees who have met certain requirements. The Company’s contributions to this plan were $1.0 million in 2008. Contributions to this plan were $0.5 million in 2007 and $0.4 million in 2006.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan that is designed to provide the employees of the Company a convenient means of purchasing common stock of the Company. Substantially all salaried, full time employees, who have been employed by the Company 90 days excluding on call, temporary, and seasonal employees, are eligible to participate. The Company makes no contribution to each participant’s contribution. The numbers of shares purchased under this plan were 9,864 in 2008, 11,623 in 2007 and 7,213 in 2006.

The postretirement plans relating to health care payments and life insurance are not guaranteed and are subject to immediate cancellation and/or amendment. These plans are predicated on future Company profit levels that will justify their continuance. Overall health care costs are also a factor in the level of benefits provided and continuance of these post-retirement plans. There are no vested rights under the postretirement health or life insurance plans.


Note 10. Stock-Based Payment Arrangements

At December 31, 2008, the Company had two share-based payment plans for employees, which are described below. The Company follows the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 total compensation cost for share-based compensation recognized in income was $2.8 million, $1.2 million, and $3.7 million, respectively. The total recognized tax benefit related to the share-based compensation was $0.7 million, $0.3 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, for years 2008, 2007 and 2006.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. SFAS 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows. The excess tax benefit classified as a financing cash inflow and classified as an operating cash outflow for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $4.5 million, $0.3 million, and $3.5 million, respectively.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 10. Stock-Based Payment Arrangements (continued)

Stock Option Plans

The 1996 Hancock Holding Company Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”) that was approved by the Company’s shareholders in 1996 was designed to provide annual incentive stock awards. Awards as defined in the 1996 Plan include, with limitations, stock options (including restricted stock options), restricted and performance shares, and performance stock awards, all on a stand-alone, combination or tandem basis. A total of fifteen million (15,000,000) common shares can be granted under the 1996 Plan with an annual grant maximum of two percent (2%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock as reported for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to such plan year. Grants of restricted stock awards are limited to one-third of the grant totals.

The exercise price is equal to the closing market price on the date immediately preceding the date of grant, except for certain of those granted to major stockholders where the option price is 110 percent of the market price. Option awards generally vest based on five years of continuous service and have ten-year contractual terms. The Company’s policy is to issue new shares upon share option exercise and issue treasury shares upon restricted stock award vesting. The 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan expired in 2006.

In March of 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved Hancock Holding Company’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) as the successor plan to the 1996 LTIP. The 2005 Plan is designed to enable employees and directors to obtain a proprietary interest in the Company and to attract and retain outstanding personnel.

The 2005 Plan provides that awards for up to an aggregate of five million (5,000,000) shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted during the term of the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan limits the number of shares for which awards may be granted during any calendar year to two percent (2%) of the outstanding Company’s common stock as reported for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to such plan year.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock, historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008	2007	2006

Expected volatility	29.02% - 35.33%	29.02% - 30.89%	29.87%
Expected dividends	2.31% - 2.60%	2.47% - 2.52%	1.61% - 1.96%
Expected term (in years)	5.6 - 8.7	5.6 - 9	5 - 8
Risk-free rates	2.07% - 3.71%	3.87% - 5.10%	4.30% - 4.54%

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 10. Stock-Based Payment Arrangements (continued)

A summary of option activity and changes under the plans for 2008 is presented below:


Options	Number of Shares			Average Exercise Price ($)		Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)


Outstanding at January 1, 2008		1,345,333		$	29.04
Granted		154,261		$	41.43
Exercised		(469,985	)	$	22.67			$	12,591
Forfeited or expired		(15,932	)	$	37.08

Outstanding at December 31, 2008		1,013,677		$	33.75		6.4	$	11,865

Exercisable at December 31, 2008		622,244		$	29.18		5.0	$	10,131

Share options expected to vest		391,433		$	41.03		8.6	$	1,734

The weighted-average grant-date fair values of options granted during 2008, 2007, and 2006 were $13.19, $12.14, and $14.21, respectively, per optioned share. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $12.6 million, $5.2 million, and $8.2 million, respectively.

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested shares as of December 31, 2008, and changes during 2008, is presented below:


	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value ($)


Nonvested at January 1, 2008	589,290		$	21.82
Granted	230,184		$	22.24
Vested	(161,022	)	$	18.41
Forfeited	(12,189	)	$	23.33

Nonvested at December 31, 2008	646,263		$	22.79

As of December 31, 2008, there was $10.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.9 years. The total fair value of shares which vested during 2008 and 2007 was $3.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 11. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted Statement of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, on January 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework, and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to these valuation techniques used to measure fair value giving preference to quoted prices in active markets (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs such as a reporting entity’s own data (level 3). Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, observable inputs other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and yield curves, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Available for sale securities classified as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy include U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored agencies, and other debt and equity securities. Level 2 classified available for sale securities include mortgage-backed debt securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and state and municipal bonds.

Fair Value of Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents for each of the fair-value hierarchy levels the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value (in thousands) on a recurring basis at December 31, 2008.


	Level 1		Level 2			Net Balance

Assets
Available for sale securities	$	290,374	$	1,389,382		$	1,679,756
Trading securities		2,201		—			2,201
Short-term investments		362,895		—			362,895
Interest rate lock commitments		—		10			10
Swaps		—		(4,123	)		(4,123	)
Loans carried at fair value		—		24,125			24,125

Total assets	$	655,470	$	1,409,394		$	2,064,864

Fair Value of Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and therefore are not included in the table above. Impaired loans are level 2 assets measured using appraisals from external parties of the collateral less any prior liens. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of impaired loans was $14.8 million.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate:

Cash, Short-Term Investments and Federal Funds Sold - For those short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 11. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Securities - Estimated fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, estimated fair values are based on market prices of comparable instruments.

Loans, Net of Unearned Income - The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates for similar loans with the same remaining maturities.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable– The carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of their fair values.

Deposits – SFAS No. 107 requires that the fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking and savings accounts, be assigned fair values equal to amounts payable upon demand (carrying amounts). The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Federal Funds Purchased - For these short-term liabilities, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Federal Funds Purchased – For these short-term liabilities, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Long-Term Notes - Rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing debt. The fair value is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using current market rates at which similar Notes over the same remaining term could be obtained.

Commitments - The fair value of loan commitments and letters of credit approximate the fees currently charged for similar agreements or the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise settle similar obligations. The fees associated with these financial instruments, or the estimated cost to terminate, as applicable are immaterial.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008				2007

	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value

Financial assets:
Cash, interest-bearing deposits, federal funds sold, and short-term investments	$	749,191	$	749,191	$	308,896	$	308,896
Securities		1,681,957		1,681,957		1,670,208		1,670,208
Loans, net of unearned income		4,271,580		4,625,130		3,615,514		3,828,989
Accrued interest receivable		33,067		33,067		35,117		35,117

Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	5,930,937	$	5,990,883	$	5,009,534	$	5,026,639
Federal funds purchased		—		—		4,100		4,100
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		505,932		505,932		371,604		371,604
Long-term notes		638		638		793		793
Accrued interest payable		6,322		6,322		9,105		9,105

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

Lending Related

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into financial instruments, such as commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, to meet the financing needs of its customers. Such instruments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements until they are funded and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party on whose behalf the instrument has been issued. The Company undertakes the same credit evaluation in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments and may require collateral or other credit support for off-balance sheet financial instruments. These obligations are summarized below (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008		2007

Commitments to extend credit	$	885,156	$	1,110,935
Letters of credit		113,274		86,969

Approximately $610.4 million and $524.7 million of commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were at variable rates and the remainder was at fixed rates. A commitment to extend credit is an agreement to lend to a customer as long as the conditions established in the agreement have been satisfied. A commitment to extend credit generally has a fixed expiration date or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the borrower. Since commitments often expire without being fully drawn, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements of the Company. The Company continually evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. Occasionally, a credit evaluation of a customer requesting a commitment to extend credit results in the Company obtaining collateral to support the obligation.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing a letter of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending a loan. The Company accounts for these commitments under the provisions of the FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. The liability associated with letters of credit is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Letters of credit are supported by collateral or borrower guarantee sufficient to cover any draw on the letter that would result in an outstanding loan.

Visa Litigation

In the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a $2.5 million pretax charge pursuant to FASB Interpretation No. 45 “Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN No. 45”) for liabilities related to VISA USA’s antitrust settlement with American Express and other pending VISA litigation (reflecting our share as a VISA member.) In the first quarter of 2008 as part of VISA’s initial public offering, VISA redeemed 37.5% of shares held by us resulting in proceeds of $2.8 million in a realized security gain. The remaining 62.5% of the Class B shares are restricted and must be held for the longer period of 3 years or until all settlements are complete. At that time, we can keep the Class B shares or convert them to Class A publicly tradeable shares at a conversion rate to be determined. These shares are recorded at historical cost. The realized securities gain is included in the securities gain line of the noninterest income section of the Consolidated Statements of Income and the cash received is recorded in cash and due from banks in the assets section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, VISA lowered its estimate of pending litigation settlements. Consequently, $1.3 million of the $2.5 million FIN No. 45 liability that was recorded in the fourth quarter was reversed in the first quarter of 2008. The reduction in the litigation liability is recorded in the other liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the reduction in litigation expense is recorded in the other expense line of the noninterest expense section of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

In the fourth quarter of 2008, VISA, Discover Financial Services Inc., and MasterCard Inc. announced that they have settled the antitrust lawsuit and that they are working on the specific terms on the settlement. On December 22, 2008, VISA, Inc. announced that it had deposited $1.1 billion into the litigation escrow account as settlement for the Discover case. Under terms of the plan, Hancock Bank as a member bank bore its portion of the expense via a reduction in share count of Class B shares. There was no cash outlay required of Hancock Bank. Based on the funding and settlement with Discover, Hancock Bank reversed as of December 31, 2008, the portion of the VISA contingency reserve related to Discover of $0.3 million. The reduction in the litigation liability is recorded in the other liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the reduction in litigation expense is recorded in the other expense line of the noninterest expense section of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The settlement did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. As of December 31, 2008, $0.9 million of the initial $2.5 million FIN No. 45 liability remained in the other liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, each matter is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial statements of the Company.

Lease Commitments

Hancock currently has capital and operating leases for buildings and equipment that expire from 2009 to 2048. It is expected that certain leases will be renewed or equipment replaced as leases expire. Certain of these leases have escalation clauses that are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease as required by SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases. Future minimum lease payments for all non-cancelable capital and operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following at December 31, 2008 (in thousands):


	Captial Leases		Operating Leases

2009	$	152	$	4,563
2010		81		3,890
2011		26		2,787
2012		28		2,324
2013		31		1,828
Thereafter		83		17,191

Total minimum lease payments	$	401	$	32,583

Amounts representing interest		110

Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	291

Rental expense approximated $5.7 million, $6.4 million, and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Rental expense is included in net occupancy expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13. Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense

The components of other noninterest income and other noninterest expense are as follows (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006

Other noninterest income:
Income from bank owned life insurance	$	5,906	$	4,912	$	4,091
Outsourced check income		284		2,288		2,801
Income on real estate option		—		—		859
Safety deposit box income		821		794		842
Appraisal fee income		1,001		926		852
Other		5,564		5,820		4,177

Total other noninterest income	$	13,576	$	14,740	$	13,622


Other noninterest expense:
Postage	$	3,902	$	3,851	$	3,731
Communication		5,552		6,602		5,918
Data processing		18,432		17,585		13,933
Legal and professional services		12,718		15,234		13,968
Ad valorem and franchise taxes		3,532		3,514		3,346
Printing and supplies		1,833		2,252		1,997
Advertising		6,917		7,032		6,642
Regulatory and other fees		6,935		4,433		5,513
Miscellaneous expense		3,705		10,522		9,927
Other expense		8,182		7,208		8,117

Total other noninterest expense	$	71,708	$	78,233	$	73,092

Note 14. Income Taxes

Income taxes consisted of the following components (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007		2006

Current federal	$	24,603		$	19,150	$	19,879
Current state		2,028			1,209		2,066

Total current provision		26,631			20,359		21,945


Deferred federal		(4,675	)		6,264		22,641
Deferred state		(337	)		1,296		1,958

Total deferred provision		(5,012	)		7,560		24,599

Total tax expense	$	21,619		$	27,919	$	46,544

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax reporting purposes.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 14. Income Taxes (continued)

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008			2007

Deferred tax assets:
Minimum pension liability	$	16,004		$	8,787
Allowance for loan losses		22,792			17,420
Compensation		8,740			7,960
Capital loss		1,405			—
Net operating loss		182			182
Other		1,496			1,405

Gross deferred tax assets		50,619			35,754
Valuation allowance		(85	)		(85	)

Net deferred tax assets		50,534			35,669


Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets & intangibles		(26,432	)		(25,842	)
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale		(10,479	)		(94	)
Other		(7,804	)		(5,757	)

Gross deferred tax liabilities		(44,715	)		(31,693	)

Net deferred tax asset	$	5,819		$	3,976

At December 31, 2008, Magna Insurance Company had a deferred tax asset net of a valuation allowance, $1.5 million, related to a federal net operating loss carryforward and capital loss carryforward. This net operating loss carryforward will expire in 2011 and the capital loss carryforward will expire in 2013. Also, the deferred tax assets above are net of an immaterial valuation allowance due to miscellaneous state net operating losses. Other than these items, no valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets has been recorded on December 31, 2008 and 2007, as management believes it is more than not that the remaining deferred tax assets will be fully utilized.

The reason for differences in income taxes reported compared to amounts computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 35% to earnings before income taxes were as follows (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008					2007					2006

	Amount			%		Amount			%		Amount			%

Taxes computed at statutory rate	$	30,445			35%	$	35,634			35%	$	51,921			35%
Increases (decreases) in taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		1,099			1%		1,628			2%		2,616			2%
Tax-exempt interest		(5,827	)		-7%		(5,072	)		-5%		(4,311	)		-3%
Bank owned life insurance		(2,159	)		-2%		(1,807	)		-2%		(1,417	)		-1%
Tax credits		(3,514	)		-4%		(3,510	)		-3%		(2,357	)		-2%
Other, net		1,575			2%		1,046			1%		92			—

Income tax expense	$	21,619			25%	$	27,919			28%	$	46,544			31%

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 14. Income Taxes (continued)

Due to recent tax legislation following Hurricane Katrina, tax credits available to the Company for the 2008 and 2007 tax years include the Worker’s Opportunity Tax Credit and the Gulf Tax Credit.

FIN 48

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007 and determined that no adjustment was required to retained earnings due to the adoption of this Interpretation. There were no material uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2008. The Company does not expect that unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months.

It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued relative to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2008, the interest accrued is considered immaterial to the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, as well as filing various returns in the states where its banking offices are located. Its filed income tax returns are no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2005.

Note 15. Earnings Per Share

Following is a summary of the information used in the computation of earnings per common share (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008		2007		2006

Net income available to common stockholders - used in computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share	$	65,366	$	73,892	$	101,802


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - used in computation of basic earnings per common share		31,491		32,000		32,534
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options and restricted stock awards		392		545		770


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus effect of dilutive securities - used in computation of diluted earnings per common share		31,883		32,545		33,304

The Company had no shares of anti-dilutive options in 2008 and no shares of anti-dilutive options in 2007. There were 55,398 anti-dilutive options in 2006.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 16. Segment Reporting

The Company’s primary segments are geographically divided into the Mississippi (MS), Louisiana (LA), Florida (FL) and Alabama (AL) markets. Each segment offers the same products and services but is managed separately due to different pricing, product demand and consumer markets. The four segments offer commercial, consumer and mortgage loans and deposit services. In all tables, the column “Other” includes additional consolidated subsidiaries of the Company: Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc., Harrison Finance Company, Magna Insurance Company and three real estate corporations owning land and buildings that house bank branches and other facilities. Following is selected information for the Company’s segments (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31, 2008

	MS		LA		FL			AL			Other		Eliminations			Consolidated

	(In thousands)
Interest income	$	158,288	$	145,546	$	9,717		$	5,088		$	26,574	$	(9,776	)	$	335,437
Interest expense		73,477		48,813		5,355			2,508			5,164		(9,315	)		126,002

Net interest income		84,811		96,733		4,362			2,580			21,410		(461	)		209,435
Provision for loan losses		11,922		15,715		2,419			1,393			5,336		—			36,785
Noninterest income		55,640		46,231		1,633			702			23,606		(34	)		127,778
Depreciation and amortization		10,778		3,555		484			377			567		—			15,761
Other noninterest expense		87,318		68,340		6,894			4,634			30,613		(117	)		197,682

Income before income taxes		30,433		55,354		(3,802	)		(3,122	)		8,500		(378	)		86,985
Income tax expense (benefit)		6,627		14,854		(1,953	)		(1,163	)		3,254		—			21,619

Net income (loss)	$	23,806	$	40,500	$	(1,849	)	$	(1,959	)	$	5,246	$	(378	)	$	65,366


Total assets	$	3,795,890	$	3,008,320	$	367,134		$	155,862		$	871,758	$	(1,031,710	)	$	7,167,254

Total interest income from affiliates	$	9,754	$	8	$	14		$	—		$	—	$	(9,776	)	$	—

Total interest income from external customers	$	148,534	$	145,538	$	9,703		$	5,088		$	26,574	$	—		$	335,437


	Year Ended December 31, 2007

	MS			LA		FL			AL			Other		Eliminations			Consolidated

	(In thousands)
Interest income	$	179,775		$	148,708	$	9,583		$	1,238		$	25,769	$	(19,376	)	$	345,697
Interest expense		79,189			66,699		5,023			462			7,779		(18,916	)		140,236

Net interest income		100,586			82,009		4,560			776			17,990		(460	)		205,461
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		(22	)		3,744		427			400			3,044		—			7,593
Noninterest income		53,787			37,035		883			56			28,967		(42	)		120,686
Depreciation and amortization		9,665			3,323		452			54			545		—			14,039
Other noninterest expense		89,626			70,984		5,610			1,567			36,511		(1,594	)		202,704

Income before income taxes		55,104			40,993		(1,046	)		(1,189	)		6,857		1,092			101,811
Income tax expense (benefit)		15,788			10,458		(603	)		(399	)		2,675		—			27,919

Net income (loss)	$	39,316		$	30,535	$	(443	)	$	(790	)	$	4,182	$	1,092		$	73,892


Total assets	$	3,351,986		$	2,512,200	$	168,790		$	48,619		$	815,011	$	(840,627	)	$	6,055,979

Total interest income from affiliates	$	19,327		$	—	$	—		$	49		$	—	$	(19,376	)	$	—

Total interest income from external customers	$	160,448		$	148,708	$	9,583		$	1,189		$	25,769	$	—		$	345,697

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 16. Segment Reporting (continued)


	Year Ended December 31, 2006

	MS			LA			FL			Other			Eliminations			Consolidated

	(In thousands)
Interest income	$	193,461		$	136,814		$	8,108		$	20,270		$	(14,590	)	$	344,063
Interest expense		72,154			52,833			2,934			6,103			(14,161	)		119,863

Net interest income		121,307			83,981			5,174			14,167			(429	)		224,200
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses		(19,811	)		(4,446	)		834			2,661			—			(20,762	)
Noninterest income		50,260			29,995			384			25,966			(105	)		106,500
Depreciation and amortization		6,986			2,611			319			527			—			10,443
Other noninterest expense		92,156			61,872			5,210			33,479			(44	)		192,673

Income before income taxes		92,236			53,939			(805	)		3,466			(490	)		148,346
Income tax expense (benefit)		23,074			24,035			(603	)		(796	)		834			46,544

Net income (loss)	$	69,162		$	29,904		$	(202	)	$	4,262		$	(1,324	)	$	101,802


Total assets	$	3,454,274		$	2,365,422		$	158,836		$	807,912		$	(821,879	)	$	5,964,565

Total interest income from affiliates	$	13,895		$	6		$	260		$	—		$	(14,161	)	$	—

Total interest income from external customers	$	179,566		$	136,808		$	7,848		$	20,270		$	(429	)	$	344,063

The Company allocated administrative charges among its Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Other segments and its Mississippi segment and the Parent Company. This allocation was based on an analysis of costs for 2008. The administrative charges allocated to the Louisiana segment were $18.9 million in 2008, $18.0 million in 2007, and $11.8 million in 2006. The Florida segment received $0.3 million in allocated administrative charges in 2008, $0.2 million in 2007, and $0.2 million in 2006. The administrative charges allocated to the Alabama segment were $0.05 million in 2008 and $0 in 2007. The Other segment’s allocated charges were $1.2 million in 2008, $1.0 million in 2007 and $0.7 million in 2006. The aforementioned administrative charges were allocated from the Mississippi segment ($20.3 million in 2008, $19.2 million in 2007, and $12.7 million in 2006). Subsidiaries of the Mississippi segment were included in the cost allocation process beginning in 2004. Administrative charges allocated from the Parent Company were $0.1 million in 2008, $0.1 million in 2007 and $0.3 million in 2006.

Goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the Mississippi segment totaled approximately $13.1 million, of which $12.1 million represented goodwill and $1.0 million represented core deposit intangibles at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2007, goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the Mississippi segment totaled approximately $13.5 million, of which $12.1 million represented goodwill and $1.4 million represented core deposit intangibles. The related core deposit amortization was approximately $0.4 million in 2008, $0.4 million in 2007, and $0.4 million in 2006.

Goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the Louisiana segment totaled approximately $36.7 million, of which $33.8 million represented goodwill and $2.9 million represented core deposit intangibles at December 31, 2008. Goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the Louisiana segment totaled approximately $37.3 million, of which $33.8 million represented goodwill and $3.5 million represented core deposit intangibles at December 31, 2007. The related core deposit amortization was approximately $0.6 million in 2008, $0.7 million in 2007, and $0.8 million in 2006.

Goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the Florida segment totaled approximately $11.9 million, of which $11.3 million represented goodwill and $0.6 million represented core deposit intangibles, at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2007, goodwill and other intangible assets assigned to the Florida segment totaled approximately $12.0 million, of which $11.3 million represented goodwill and $0.7 million represented core deposit intangibles. The related core deposit amortization was approximately $0.1 million in 2008, $0.1 million in 2007 and $0.1 million in 2006.

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 16. Segment Reporting (continued)

Other intangible assets are also assigned to subsidiaries that are included in the “Other” category in the table above and totaled $6.7 million at December 31, 2008 and $7.2 million at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2008, those intangibles consist of goodwill, $5.1 million; value of insurance expirations, approximately $1.5 million; non-compete agreements, approximately $0.04 million and trade name of $0.03 million.

The Company performed a fair value based impairment test of goodwill and determined that the fair values of these reporting units exceeded their carrying values at December 2008, 2007 and 2006. No impairment loss, therefore, was recorded.

Note 17. Condensed Parent Company Information

The following condensed financial information reflects the accounts and transactions of Hancock Holding Company (parent company only) for the dates indicated (in thousands):


	December 31,

	2008		2007

Assets:
Cash	$	4,053	$	3,843
Investment in bank subsidiaries		592,275		540,071
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries		12,807		10,552
Due from subsidiaries and other assets		1,115		1,616

	$	610,250	$	556,082


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Due to subsidiaries	$	198	$	1,281
Other liabilities		553		614
Stockholders’ equity		609,499		554,187

	$	610,250	$	556,082

HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 17. Condensed Parent Company Information (continued)

Condensed Statements of Income


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

Operating Income
From subsidiaries
Dividends received from bank subsidiaries	$	43,700		$	90,400		$	19,416
Dividends received from non-bank subsidiaries		—			—			537
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries greater than (less than) dividends received		21,646			(18,214	)		80,523

Total operating income		65,346			72,186			100,476
Other (expense) income		(19	)		1,473			(407	)
Income tax provision (benefit)		(39	)		(233	)		(1,733	)

Net income	$	65,366		$	73,892		$	101,802

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows


	Years Ended December 31,

	2008			2007			2006

Cash flows from operating activities - principally dividends received from subsidiaries	$	35,493		$	93,886		$	26,567

Cash flows from investing activities - principally contribution of capital to subsidiary		(20,500	)		(10,000	)		—

Net cash used by investing activities		(20,500	)		(10,000	)		—

Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to stockholders		(30,453	)		(30,957	)		(29,311	)
Stock transactions, net		15,670			(55,755	)		6,252

Net cash used by financing activities		(14,783	)		(86,712	)		(23,059	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash		210			(2,826	)		3,508
Cash, beginning of year		3,843			6,669			3,161

Cash, end of year	$	4,053		$	3,843		$	6,669

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Effective as of January 1, 2009, the Board of Directors of Hancock Holding Company (“the Company”) has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers, a firm of independent certified public accountants, as auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and until their successors are selected. The decision to change auditors was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors during its December, 2008 meeting.

The Company has been advised that neither the firm nor any of its partners has any direct or any material indirect financial interest in the securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as auditors and consultants on accounting procedures and tax matters.

Additionally, during the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no consultations between the Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers regarding: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements and either a written report was provided to the Company or oral advice was provided that the new accountant concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement under Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K; or (iii) any other matter.

Although not required to do so, the Company’s Board of Directors has chosen to submit its appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers for ratification by the Company’s shareholders. This matter is being submitted to the Company’s shareholders for ratification during the Company’s annual meeting to be held on March 26, 2009 as more fully described in the Company’s proxy statement to be filed with the Commission.

No Adverse Opinion or Disagreement

The audit reports of KPMG LLP on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainity, audit scope or accounting principles, except as follows: KPMG LLP’s report on the consolidated financial statements of Hancock Holding Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, contained a separate paragraph stating that “As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension postretirement benefit plans effective December 31, 2006”, and additionally as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007, contained a separate paragrph stating that “As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for share based payments and evaluating prior year misstatements effective January 1, 2006”. The audit reports of KPMG LLP on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

In connection with the audits of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the subsequent period and through the current period, there were no: (1) disagreements with KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c), a company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

As of December 31, 2008, (the “Evaluation Date”), our Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Exchange Act Rules. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer have concluded Hancock’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficiently effective to ensure that material information relating to us and required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of Hancock Holding Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements and other information in our Annual Report in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and is responsible for its accuracy. The financial statements necessarily include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. In meeting its responsibility, management relies on internal accounting and related control systems. The internal control systems are designed to ensure that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in our financial records and to safeguard our assets from material loss or misuse. Such assurance cannot be absolute because of inherent limitations in any internal control system.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining the adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13 – 15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management also conducted an assessment of requirements pertaining to Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). This section relates to management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting including controls over the preparation of the schedules equivalent to the basic financial statements and compliance with laws and regulations. Our evaluation included a review of the documentation of controls, evaluations of the design of the internal control system and tests of the effectiveness of internal controls.

Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008. KPMG, under Auditing Standard No. 5, does not express an opinion on management’s assessment as occurred under Auditing Standard No. 2. Under Auditing Standard No. 5 management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. KPMG’s responsibility is to express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on their audit.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), information on directors and executive officers of the Registrant will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting to be held on March 26, 2009.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to General Instructions G (3), information on executive compensation will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting to be held on March 26, 2009.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Pursuant to General Instructions G (3), information on security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting to be held on March 26, 2009.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Pursuant to General Instructions G (3), information on certain relationships and related transactions will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting to be held on March 26, 2009.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Pursuant to General Instructions G (3), information on principal accountant fees and services will be incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting to be held on March 26, 2009.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


(a)	The following documents are filed as part of this report:

	1.	The following consolidated financial statements of Hancock Holding Company and subsidiaries are filed as part of this report under Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:

			Consolidated balance sheets – December 31, 2008 and 2007

			Consolidated statements of income – Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006

			Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity – Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006

			Consolidated statements of cash flows –Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006

			Notes to consolidated financial statements – December 31, 2008 (pages 57 to 92)

	2.	Financial schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this form, and by Item 15(d) below:

	The schedules to the consolidated financial statements set forth by Article 9 of Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

	3.	Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K, and by Item 15(b) below.

(b)	Exhibits:

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:


Exhibit Number		Description

	2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger between Hancock Holding Company and Lamar Capital Corporation dated February 21, 2001 (Appendix C to the Prospectus contained in the S-4 Registration Statement 333-60280 filed on May 4, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein).

	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).

	3.8		Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation adopted March 29, 2007.

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

	4.2		By executing this Form 10-K, the Registrant hereby agrees to deliver to the Commission upon request copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant or its consolidated subsidiaries or its unconsolidated subsidiaries for which financial statements are required to be filed, where the total amount of such securities authorized there under 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		Hancock Holding Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, filed as Appendix “A” to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Commission on February 28, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

	*10.6		Hancock Holding Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 21, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

	10.7		Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of February 21, 1997, between Hancock Holding Company and Hancock Bank, as Rights Agent as extended by the Company.


	21	Subsidiaries of Hancock Holding Company.

	22	Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders on March 26, 2009 (deemed “filed” for the purposes of this Form 10-K only for those portions which are specifically incorporated herein by reference).

	23	Consent of KPMG LLP.

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officers pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

	32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officers Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


* Compensatory plan or arrangement.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


	HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY

	Registrant


February 27, 2009	By:	/s/ Carl J. Chaney

Date	Carl J. Chaney
	President & Chief Executive Officer
	Director


February 27, 2009	By:	/s/ John M. Hairston

Date	John M. Hairston
	Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer
	Director

February 27, 2009	By:	/s/ Michael M. Achary

Date	Michael M. Achary
	Chief Financial 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/ George A. Schloegel	Chairman of the Board,	February 27, 2009
	Director
George A Schloegel

/s/ Alton G. Bankston	Director	February 27, 2009

Alton G. Bankston

/s/ Frank E. Bertucci	Director	February 27, 2009

Frank E. Bertucci

/s/ Don P. Descant	Director	February 27, 2009

Don P. Descant

/s/ James B. Estabrook, Jr.	Director	February 27, 2009

James B. Estabrook, Jr.

/s/ James H. Horne	Director	February 27, 2009

James H. Horne

/s/ John H. Pace	Director	February 27, 2009

John H. Pace

(signatures continued)


/s/ Christine L. Pickering	Director	February 27, 2009

Christine L. Pickering

/s/ Robert W. Roseberry	Director	February 27, 2009

Robert W. Roseberry

/s/ Anthony J. Topazi	Director	February 27, 2009

Anthony J. Topazi

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number		Description

	2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger between Hancock Holding Company and Lamar Capital Corporation dated February 21, 2001 (Appendix C to the Prospectus contained in the S-4 Registration Statement 333-60280 filed on May 4, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein).

	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).

	3.8	Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation adopted March 29, 2007.

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

	4.2	By executing this Form 10-K, the Registrant hereby agrees to deliver to the Commission upon request copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant or its consolidated subsidiaries or its unconsolidated subsidiaries for which financial statements are required to be filed, where the total amount of such securities authorized there under 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	Hancock Holding Company 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, filed as Appendix “A” to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Commission on February 28, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

	*10.6	Hancock Holding Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 21, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

	10.7	Shareholder Rights Agreement dated as of February 21, 1997, between Hancock Holding Company and Hancock Bank, as Rights Agent as extended by the Company.

	21	Subsidiaries of Hancock Holding Company.

	22	Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders on March 26, 2009 (deemed “filed” for the purposes of this Form 10-K only for those portions which are specifically incorporated herein by reference).

	23	Consent of KPMG LLP.

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officers pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

	32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officers Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

	32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


* Compensatory plan or arrangement.


TABLE 1. Summary of Average Balance Sheets (w/Net Interest Income (te) & Interest Rates)


	Years Ended December 31,
	2008									2007									2006

	Average Balance			Interest			Rate			Average Balance			Interest			Rate			Average Balance			Interest			Rate

	(In thousands)
Assets
Interest-Earnings Assets:
Loans* (te)	$	3,873,908		$	254,347			6.57	%	$	3,428,009		$	261,944			7.64	%	$	3,062,222		$	235,067			7.68	%
U.S. Treasury securities		11,366			296			2.60	%		29,095			1,379			4.74	%		63,668			3,018			4.74	%
U.S. agency securities		349,931			16,000			4.57	%		810,299			41,111			5.07	%		1,270,128			60,701			4.78	%
CMOs		150,692			7,465			4.95	%		94,731			3,997			4.22	%		154,673			6,142			3.97	%
Mortgage-backed securities		1,012,274			52,564			5.19	%		534,893			27,190			5.08	%		491,130			23,313			4.75	%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
taxable		52,070			1,661			3.19	%		50,944			1,189			2.33	%		20,205			350			1.73	%
nontaxable (te)		120,237			7,659			6.37	%		146,060			9,590			6.57	%		151,681			10,416			6.87	%
Other corporate securities		47,428			2,061			4.34	%		60,692			3,223			5.31	%		70,629			3,559			5.04	%
Total investment in securities		1,743,998			87,706			5.03	%		1,726,714			87,679			5.08	%		2,222,114			107,499			4.84	%
Federal funds sold and short-term investments		175,891			3,838			2.18	%		117,158			5,613			4.79	%		211,511			9,760			4.61	%

Total interest-earning assets (te)		5,793,797			345,891			5.97	%		5,271,881			355,236			6.74	%		5,495,847			352,326			6.41	%

Non-earning assets:
Other assets		685,946									626,451									600,238
Allowance for loan losses		(53,354	)								(46,443	)								(64,285	)

Total assets	$	6,426,389								$	5,851,889								$	6,031,800


Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity
Interest-bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits	$	1,415,288			13,751			0.97	%	$	1,419,077			18,135			1.28	%	$	1,623,597			14,931			0.92	%
Time deposits		1,843,966			70,659			3.83	%		1,778,854			81,223			4.57	%		1,545,834			62,807			4.06	%
Public funds		1,046,484			26,642			2.55	%		803,589			33,561			4.18	%		771,146			32,354			4.20	%

Total interest-bearing deposits		4,305,738			111,052			2.58	%		4,001,520			132,919			3.32	%		3,940,577			110,092			2.79	%

Customer repurchase agreements		524,712			14,491			2.76	%		216,730			8,023			3.70	%		250,603			9,060			3.62	%
Other interest-bearing liabilities		30,186			536			1.78	%		11,280			289			2.56	%		30,580			1,517			4.96	%
Capitalized Interest		—			(77	)		0.00	%		—			(995	)		0.00	%		—			(806	)		0.00	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,860,636			126,002			2.59	%		4,229,530			140,236			3.32	%		4,221,760			119,863			2.84	%

Non-interest bearing:
Demand deposits		876,669									927,656									1,128,850
Other liabilities		104,279									132,320									167,534
Stockholders’ equity		584,805									562,383									513,656

Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity	$	6,426,389						2.17	%	$	5,851,889						2.66	%	$	6,031,800						2.18	%

Net interest income and margin (te)				$	219,889			3.80	%				$	215,000			4.08	%				$	232,463			4.23	%

Net earning assets and spread	$	933,161						3.38	%	$	1,042,349						3.42	%	$	1,280,795						3.57	%


Number of Shares	Class	Par Value, if any

350,000,000	Common		$	3.33
50,000,000	Preferred		$	20.00


	(a)	the rate of dividend;

	(b)	whether shares may be redeemed and, if so, the redemption price and terms and conditions of redemption;

	(c)	the amount payable upon shares in the event of voluntary and involuntary liquidation;

	(d)	sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or purchase of shares;

	(e)	the terms and conditions, if any, on which shares may be converted; and

	(f)	the voting rights of the shares.


Name		Jurisdiction

Hancock Bank		Mississippi
Hancock Bank of Louisiana		Louisiana
Hancock Bank of Florida		Florida
Hancock Bank of Alabama		Alabama
Magna Insurance Company		Mississippi
The Gulfport Building, Inc.		Mississippi
Harrison Finance Company		Mississippi
Harrison Finance Company of Louisiana, Inc.		Louisiana
Town Properties, Inc.		Mississippi
Hancock Insurance Agency		Mississippi
Hancock Insurance Agency of Alabama, Inc.		Alabama
J Everett Eaves, Inc.		Louisiana
Hancock Bank Securities Corporation II		Mississippi
Gulf South Technology Center, LLC		Mississippi
Hancock Investment Services, Inc.		Mississippi
Hancock Investment Services of MS, Inc.		Mississippi
Hancock Investment Services of LA, Inc.		Louisiana
Hancock Investment Services of FL, Inc.		Florida
HBSC LLC		Mississippi
HMC LLC		Mississippi
HBLA Properties, LLC		Louisiana
Hancock Investment Services of AL, Inc.		Alabama
Hancock Community Investment Corporation		Mississippi


I, Carl J. Chaney, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Hancock Holding Company;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

		(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

		(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

		(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

		(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

		(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

		(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


I, John M. Hairston, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Hancock Holding Company;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

		(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

		(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

		(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

		(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

		(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

		(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


I, Michael M. Achary, certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Hancock Holding Company;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

		(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

		(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

		(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

		(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

		(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

		(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


1.	The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the annual period ended December 31, 2008 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

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