Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS Hancock Holding Company (Hancock or the Company) is a financial services company that provides a comprehensive network of full-service financial choices to the Gulf South region through its bank subsidiary, Whitney Bank, a Mississippi state bank. Whitney Bank operates under brands: “Hancock Bank” in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and “Whitney Bank” in Louisiana and Texas. Whitney Bank operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee under both the Hancock and Whitney Bank brands. Hancock was organized in 1984 as a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In 2002, the Company qualified as a financial holding company giving it broader powers. The corporate headquarters of the Company is in Gulfport, Mississippi. Prior to March 31, 2014, Hancock was the parent company of two wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank. On March 31, 2014, Hancock consolidated the legal charters of its two subsidiary banks and renamed the consolidated entity Whitney Bank. Hancock Bank, Whitney Bank, and the consolidated Whitney Bank are referred to collectively as the “Bank” throughout this document. The Bank offers a broad range of traditional and online community banking services to commercial, small business and retail customers, providing a variety of transaction and savings deposit products, treasury management services, investment brokerage services, secured and unsecured loan products, (including revolving credit facilities), and letters of credit and similar financial guarantees. The Bank also provides trust and investment management services to retirement plans, corporations and individuals. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) and those generally practiced within the banking industry. The following is a summary of the more significant accounting policies. Basis of Presentation 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. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Use of Estimates The accounting principles the Company follows and the methods for applying these principles conform with U.S. GAAP and with general practices followed by the banking industry. These accounting principles and practices require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fair Value Accounting U.S. GAAP requires the use of fair values in determining the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities in the financial statements, as well as for specific disclosures about certain assets and liabilities. Accounting guidance established 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 or information or assumptions developed from this 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. Acquisition Accounting Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Purchased assets, including identifiable intangibles, and assumed liabilities are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. If the fair value of net assets purchased exceeds the consideration given, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. See the Acquired Loans section below for accounting policy regarding loans acquired in a business combination. All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity). Securities Securities are classified as trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates this classification periodically as conditions change that could require reclassification. Available for sale securities are stated at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and unrealized holding losses, other than those determined to be other than temporary, are reported net of tax in other comprehensive income and in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) until realized. Securities that the Company both positively intends and has the ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. The intent and ability to hold are not considered satisfied when a security is available to be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment rates, liquidity needs or other reasons as part of an overall asset/liability management strategy. Premiums and discounts on securities, both those held to maturity and those available for sale, are amortized and accreted to income as an adjustment to the securities’ yields using the effective interest method. Realized gains and losses on securities, including declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are reported net as a component of noninterest income. The cost of securities sold is specifically identified for use in calculating realized gains and losses. Loans Originated loans Loans reported as “originated” include both loans originated for investment and acquired-performing loans where the discount (premium) has been fully accreted (amortized). Originated loans are reported at the principal balance outstanding net of unearned income. Interest on loans and accretion of unearned income, including net deferred loan fees, are computed in a manner that approximates a level yield on recorded principal. Interest on loans is recognized in income as earned. The accrual of interest on an originated loan is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, it is probable that the borrower will be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. When accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed and payments subsequently received are applied first to recover principal. Interest income is recognized for payments received after contractual principal has been satisfied. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest contractually due are brought current and future payment performance is reasonably assured. Acquired loans Loans reported as “acquired” are those loans that were purchased in the 2011 Whitney Holding Corporation acquisition. These loans were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. The Whitney acquired loans were segregated between those considered to be performing (“acquired-performing”) and those with evidence of credit deterioration (“acquired-impaired”) based on such factors as past due status, nonaccrual status and credit risk ratings (rated substandard or worse). The acquired loans were further segregated into loan pools designed to facilitate the development of expected cash flows to be used in estimating fair value to facilitate purchase accounting. Acquired-performing loans are accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 310-20 and acquired-impaired loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30. Acquired-performing loans were segregated into pools based on common risk characteristics such as loan type, credit risk ratings, contractual interest rate and repayment terms. The major loan types included commercial and industrial loans not secured by real estate, real estate construction and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, residential mortgage loans, and consumer loans, with further segregation within certain loan types as needed. Expected cash flows, both principal and interest, from each pool were estimated based on key assumptions covering such factors as prepayments, default rates, and severity of loss given a default. These assumptions were developed using both historical experience and the portfolio characteristics at acquisition as well as available market research. The fair value estimate for each acquired-performing pool was based on the estimate of expected cash flows from the pool discounted at prevailing market rates. The difference at the acquisition date between the fair value and the contractual amounts due of an acquired-performing loan pool (the “fair value discount”) is accreted into income over the estimated life of the pool. Acquired-performing loans are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming or past due using the same criteria applied to the originated portfolio. The acquired-impaired loans were segregated into pools by identifying loans with common credit risk profiles and were based primarily on characteristics such as loan type and market area in which originated. The major loan types included commercial and industrial loans not secured by real estate, real estate construction and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, and residential mortgage loans, with further segregation within certain loan types as needed. The acquired-impaired loans were further disaggregated by geographic region in recognition of the differences in general economic conditions affecting borrowers in certain states. The fair value estimate for each pool of acquired-impaired loans was based on the estimate of expected cash flows from the pool discounted at prevailing market rates. The excess of estimated cash flows expected to be collected from an acquired-impaired loan pool over the pool’s carrying value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income using an effective yield method over the expected life of the loan pool. Each pool of acquired-impaired loans is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows. Acquired-impaired loans in pools with an accretable yield and expected cash flows that are reasonably estimable are considered to be accruing and performing even though collection of contractual payments on loans within the pool may be in doubt, because the pool is the unit of accounting. Acquired-impaired loans are generally not subject to individual evaluation for impairment and are not reported with impaired loans or troubled debt restructurings even if they would otherwise qualify for such treatment. FDIC acquired loans and the related loss share receivable Loans reported as “FDIC acquired” are loans purchased in the 2009 acquisition of Peoples First Community Bank (Peoples First) that were covered by two loss share agreements between the FDIC and the Company. These loans are accounted for as acquired-impaired loans as described above in the section on acquired loans. The Company treated all loans for the Peoples First acquisition as impaired based on the significant amount of deteriorating and nonperforming loans comprised mainly of adjustable rate mortgages and home equity loans located in Florida. The loss share receivable is measured separately from the related covered loans as it is not contractually embedded in the loans and is not transferrable should the loans be sold. The fair value of the loss share receivable at acquisition was estimated by discounting expected reimbursements for losses from the loans covered by the loss share agreements, including appropriate consideration of possible true-up payments to the FDIC at the expiration of the agreements. The loss share receivable is reviewed and updated prospectively as loss estimates related to covered loan pools change. Increases in expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement will lead to an increase in the loss share receivable. A decrease in expected reimbursements is reflected first as a reversal of any previously recorded increase in the loss share receivable on the covered loan pool with the remainder reflected as a reduction in the loss share receivable’s accretion rate. Increases and decreases in the loss share receivable related to changes in loss estimates result in reductions in or additions to the provision for loan losses, which serves to offset the impact on the provision from impairments or impairment reversals recognized on the underlying covered loan pool. The excess (or shortfall) of expected claims as compared to the carrying value of the loss share receivable is accreted (amortized) into noninterest income over the shorter of the remaining life of the covered loan pool or the life of the loss share agreement. The impact on operations of a reduction in the loss share receivable’s accretion rate is associated with an increase in the accretable yield on the underlying loan pool. The loss share receivable is reduced as cash is received from the FDIC related to losses incurred on covered assets. Loans Held for Sale Residential mortgage loans originated for sale are classified as loans held for sale and carried at the lower of cost or market. Forward sales commitments on a best-efforts basis are entered into with third parties concurrently with rate lock commitments made to prospective borrowers. At times, management may decide to sell loans that were not originated for that purpose. Those loans are reclassified as held for sale when that decision is made and also carried at the lower of cost or market. Troubled Debt Restructurings Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) occur when a borrower is experiencing, or is expected to experience, financial difficulties in the near-term and a modification in loan terms is granted that would otherwise not have been considered. Troubled debt restructurings can result in loans remaining on nonaccrual, moving to nonaccrual, or continuing to accrue, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. All loans whose terms have been modified in a TDR, including both commercial and retail loans, are initially considered “impaired.” When measuring impairment on a TDR, the loan’s value is determined by either the present value of expected cash flows calculated using the loan’s effective interest rate before the restructuring, or the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the value as determined is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the difference is charged off through the allowance for loan and lease losses. Modified acquired-impaired loans are not removed from their accounting pool and accounted for as a TDR even if those loans would otherwise be deemed TDRs. Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Originated loans 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 estimated credit losses inherent in 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 inherent losses in the portfolio based on a number of factors, including 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, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions. The analysis and methodology for estimating the ALLL include two primary elements. A loss rate analysis which incorporates a historical loss rate as updated for current conditions is used for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, and a specific reserve analysis is used for loans individually evaluated for impairment. For the loss rate analysis, the Company segments loans into commercial non-real estate, construction and land development, commercial real estate, residential mortgage and consumer, with further segmentation as deemed appropriate. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are applied at the detailed portfolio segments. Commercial loans (commercial non-real estate, construction and land development, and commercial real estate) are further subdivided by risk rating, while retail loans (residential mortgage and consumer) are further subdivided by delinquency. The Company uses loss emergence periods developed based on historical experience, which is currently eighteen-months for commercial loans and twelve-months for retail loans. Historical loss rates are calculated using a weighted average of the most recent three loss emergence periods. As circumstances dictate, management will make adjustments to the overall loss rate to reflect differences in current conditions as compared to those during the historical loss period. Conditions to be considered include problem loan trends, current business and economic conditions, credit concentrations, lending policies and procedures, lending staff, collateral values, loan profiles and volumes, loan review quality, and changes in competition and regulations. The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes it is probable all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. A loan is not considered impaired due to a delay in payment if all amounts due, including interest accrued at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay, is expected to be collected. Impaired loans include troubled debt restructurings, and performing and nonperforming loans. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment is recognized by creating a specific allowance for any shortfall between the loan’s value and its recorded investment. The loan’s value is 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 the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Any loans individually analyzed for impairment are not incorporated into the pool analysis to avoid double counting. The Company limits the specific reserve analysis to include all impaired commercial, commercial real estate and mortgage loans with balances of $1 million or greater and all loans classified as troubled debt restructurings. The monitoring of credit risk also extends to unfunded credit commitments, such as unused commercial credit lines and letters of credit, and management establishes reserves as needed for its estimate of probable losses on such commitments. It is the policy of the Company to promptly charge off all commercial and residential mortgage loans, or portions of loans, when available information reasonably confirms that they are wholly or partially uncollectible. Prior to recognizing a loss, asset value is established based on an assessment of the value of the collateral securing the loan, the borrower’s and the guarantor’s ability and willingness to pay and the status of the account in bankruptcy court, if applicable. Consumer loans are generally charged down when the loan is 90 days past due for unsecured loans or 120 days past due for secured loans, unless the loan is clearly both well secured and in the process of collection. Loans are charged down to the fair value of the collateral, if any, less estimated selling costs. Loans are charged off against the allowance for loan losses with subsequent recoveries added back to the allowance. Acquired and FDIC acquired loans Allowance for acquired-performing loans is evaluated at each reporting date subsequent to acquisition. An allowance is determined for each loan pool using a methodology similar to that described above for originated loans and then compared to the remaining fair value discount for that pool. If the allowance is greater than the discount, the excess is recognized as an addition to the allowance through a provision for loan losses. If the allowance is less than the discount, no additional allowance is recognized. For acquired-impaired loans, including those acquired in the FDIC-assisted transaction, estimated cash flows expected to be collected are recast at each reporting date for each loan pool. These evaluations require the continued use and updating of key assumptions and estimates such as default rates, loss severity given default and prepayment speed assumptions, similar to those used for the initial fair value estimate. Management judgment must be applied in developing these assumptions. If the present value of expected cash flows for a pool is less than its carrying value, impairment is recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses and a charge to the provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows for a pool is greater than its carrying value, any previously established allowance for loan losses is reversed and any remaining difference increases the accretable yield which will be taken into interest income over the remaining life of the loan pool. Acquired-impaired loans are generally not subject to individual evaluation for impairment and are not reported with impaired loans or troubled debt restructurings, even if they would otherwise qualify for such treatment. 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 ten years for furniture and equipment. Amortization expense for software is generally charged over three years, or seven years for core systems. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Gains and losses related to retirement or disposition of property and equipment are recorded in other income under noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income. The Company 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. Other Real Estate Other real estate owned includes real property that has been acquired in satisfaction of loans and property no longer used in the Bank’s business. These assets are recorded at the estimated fair value less the estimated cost of disposition and carried at the lower of either cost or market. Fair value is based on independent appraisals and other relevant factors. Any initial reduction in the carrying amount of a loan to the fair value of the collateral received less selling costs is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Other real estate is revalued on an annual basis or more often if market conditions necessitate. Subsequent losses on the periodic revaluation of the property are charged to current earnings, as are revenues from and costs of operating and maintaining the properties and gains or losses recognized on their disposition. 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. Impairment is defined as the amount by which the implied fair value of the goodwill contained in any reporting unit is less than the goodwill’s carrying value. Impairment losses would be charged to operating expense. Management reviews goodwill for impairment by first comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an estimate of the implied fair value of the unit’s goodwill is compared to its carrying value. The Company uses a number of techniques to estimate fair value, including an income approach using the present value of future cash flows and a market approach using prices and other information from similar market transactions. Each technique incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. These include assumptions about the economic environment, expected net interest margins, growth rates, interest at which cash flows are discounted, price-to-book multiples and price-to-earnings multiples. Other identifiable intangible assets with finite lives, such as core deposit intangibles and trade name, are initially recorded at fair value and are generally amortized over the periods benefited. These assets are evaluated for impairment similar to long-lived assets. Bank-Owned Life Insurance Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) is long-term life insurance on the lives of certain current and past employees where the insurance policy benefits and ownership are retained by the employer. Its cash surrender value is an asset that the Company uses to partially offset the future cost of employee benefits. The cash value accumulation on BOLI is permanently tax deferred if the policy is held to the insured person’s death and certain other conditions are met. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of derivatives to which hedge accounting does not apply are recognized immediately in earnings, otherwise it is included in other comprehensive income. Note 9 describes the derivative instruments currently used by the Company and discloses how these derivatives impact Hancock’s financial position and results of operations. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Current tax liabilities or assets are recognized for the estimated income taxes payable or refundable on tax returns to be filed with respect to the current year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of the Company’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. Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets if, based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the assets will not be realized. The benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on its technical merits. The Company invests in projects that yield tax credits issued under the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB), Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB), Federal and State New Market Tax Credit (NMTC), and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. Returns on these investments are generated through the receipt of federal and state tax credits. The tax credits are recorded as a reduction to the income tax provision in the year that they are earned. Tax credits from QZAB and QSCB bonds are generally earned over the life of the bonds in lieu of interest income. Credits on Federal NMTC investments are earned over the 7 year compliance period beginning with the year of investment. Credits on State NMTC investments are generally earned over a 3 to 5 year period depending upon the specific state program. Tax credits are earned over a 10 year period for Low-Income Housing investments beginning with the year in which rental activity begins. These tax credits, if not used in the tax return for the year when the credits are first available for use, can be carried forward for 20 years. For those investments where the return of the principal is not expected, the equity investment is amortized over the life of the tax compliance period as a component of noninterest expense. Retirement Benefits The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans and certain other defined benefit postretirement plans for eligible employees. The amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements with respect to these plans are based on actuarial valuations that incorporate various assumptions regarding future experience under the plans. Note 15 discusses the actuarial assumptions and provides information about the liabilities or assets recognized for the funded status of the Company’s obligations under these plans, the net benefit expense charged to current operations, and the amounts recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and AOCI. Share-Based Payment Arrangements The grant date fair value of equity instruments awarded to employees and directors establishes the cost of the services received in exchange, and the cost associated with awards that are expected to vest is recognized over the requisite service period. Revenue Recognition The largest source of revenue for the Company is interest revenue. Interest revenue is recognized on an accrual basis driven by written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts. Loan origination fees are recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Other credit-related fees, including letter of credit fees, are recognized in noninterest income when earned. The Company recognizes commission revenue and brokerage, exchange and clearance fees on a trade-date basis. Other types of noninterest 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 can be reasonably determined. Earnings Per Share Hancock calculates earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method allocates net income to each class of common stock and participating security according to the common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities currently consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Shares outstanding are adjusted for restricted shares issued to employees under the long-term incentive compensation plan and for certain shares that will be issued under the directors’ compensation plan. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding increased by the number of shares in which employees would vest under performance-based stock awards and stock unit awards based on expected performance factors and by the number of additional shares that would have been issued if potentially dilutive stock options were exercised, each as determined using the treasury stock method. Statements of Cash Flows The Company considers only cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and balances due from financial institutions as cash and cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows. Reportable Segment Disclosures Accounting standards require that information be reported about a company’s operating segments using a “management approach.” Reportable segments are identified in these standards as those revenue-producing components for which discrete financial information is produced internally and which are subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources to segments. Due to the fact that the Company has one state bank charter and its stated strategy is focused on providing a consistent package of community banking products and services throughout a coherent market area, the Company has identified its overall banking operations as its only reportable segment. Because the overall banking operations comprise substantially all of the consolidated operations, no separate segment disclosures are presented. Other Assets held by the Bank in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Bank and are not included in the consolidated balance sheets. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) that improves the recognition and measurement of financial instruments through targeted changes to existing GAAP. It requires equity investments (except those that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It also requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing this pronouncement and adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In September 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments. The new guidance requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The new standard should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In May 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to provide guidance to customers about how to account for a cloud computing arrangement depending on whether or not it includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. For public business entities, the amendments will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance in this ASU did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. Therefore, the FASB issued an ASU in August 2015 to clarify the SEC staff position that they would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In February 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The amendments in this ASU (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (4) provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In January 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to address the elimination of the concept of extraordinary items. The standard is the first in the FASB’s simplification initiative that is aimed at reducing the cost and complexity of financial reporting while improving or maintaining the usefulness of information reported to investors. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted but adoption must occur at the beginning of the year. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In August 2014, the FASB issued an ASU to address the diversity in practice regarding the classification and measurement of foreclosed loans which were part of a government-sponsored loan guarantee program. The ASU outlines certain criteria that, if met, the loan (residential or commercial) should be derecognized and a separate other receivable should be recorded upon foreclosure at the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. This ASU was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In June 2014, the FASB issued an ASU regarding repurchase-to-maturity transactions, repurchase financings, and disclosures. Under the new standard, repurchase-to-maturity transactions will be reported as secured borrowings, and transferors will no longer apply the current “linked” accounting model to repurchase agreements executed contemporaneously with the initial transfer of the underlying financial asset with the same counterparty. Public business entities are generally required to apply the accounting changes and comply with the enhanced disclosure requirements for periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. A public business entity may not early adopt the standard’s provisions. The Company adopted the accounting guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The new disclosure requirements are included in Note 7 – Short-term Borrowings. In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU regarding revenue from contracts with customers affecting any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The core principle of this standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing this pronouncement and adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In January 2014, the FASB issued an ASU on reclassification of residential real estate collateralized consumer mortgage loans upon foreclosure. The new ASU clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs – that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. The new ASU requires a creditor to reclassify a collateralized consumer mortgage loan to real estate property upon obtaining legal title to the real estate collateral, or the borrower voluntarily conveying all interest in the real estate property to the lender to satisfy the loan through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The new disclosure requirements are included at the end of Note 3 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses. In January 2014, the FASB issued an ASU in order to provide guidance on accounting for investments in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”). Through the Company’s investments in these entities, the Company receives tax credits and/or tax deductions from operating losses, which are allowable on the Company’s filed income tax returns over the life of the project beginning with the first year the tax credits are earned. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Hancock Holding Company (Hancock or the Company) is a financial services company that provides a comprehensive network of full-service financial choices to the Gulf South region through its bank subsidiary, Whitney Bank, a Mississippi state bank. Whitney Bank operates under brands: “Hancock Bank” in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and “Whitney Bank” in Louisiana and Texas. Whitney Bank operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee under both the Hancock and Whitney Bank brands. Hancock was organized in 1984 as a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In 2002, the Company qualified as a financial holding company giving it broader powers. The corporate headquarters of the Company is in Gulfport, Mississippi. Prior to March 31, 2014, Hancock was the parent company of two wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank. On March 31, 2014, Hancock consolidated the legal charters of its two subsidiary banks and renamed the consolidated entity Whitney Bank. Hancock Bank, Whitney Bank, and the consolidated Whitney Bank are referred to collectively as the “Bank” throughout this document.

The Bank offers a broad range of traditional and online community banking services to commercial, small business and retail customers, providing a variety of transaction and savings deposit products, treasury management services, investment brokerage services, secured and unsecured loan products, (including revolving credit facilities), and letters of credit and similar financial guarantees. The Bank also provides trust and investment management services to retirement plans, corporations and individuals.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) and those generally practiced within the banking industry. The following is a summary of the more significant accounting policies.

Basis of Presentation

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. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The accounting principles the Company follows and the methods for applying these principles conform with U.S. GAAP and with general practices followed by the banking industry. These accounting principles and practices require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Accounting

U.S. GAAP requires the use of fair values in determining the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities in the financial statements, as well as for specific disclosures about certain assets and liabilities.

Accounting guidance established 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 or information or assumptions developed from this 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.

Acquisition Accounting

Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Purchased assets, including identifiable intangibles, and assumed liabilities are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. If the fair value of net assets purchased exceeds the consideration given, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. See the Acquired Loans section below for accounting policy regarding loans acquired in a business combination.

All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity).

Securities

Securities are classified as trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates this classification periodically as conditions change that could require reclassification.

Available for sale securities are stated at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and unrealized holding losses, other than those determined to be other than temporary, are reported net of tax in other comprehensive income and in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) until realized.

Securities that the Company both positively intends and has the ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. The intent and ability to hold are not considered satisfied when a security is available to be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment rates, liquidity needs or other reasons as part of an overall asset/liability management strategy.

Premiums and discounts on securities, both those held to maturity and those available for sale, are amortized and accreted to income as an adjustment to the securities’ yields using the effective interest method. Realized gains and losses on securities, including declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are reported net as a component of noninterest income. The cost of securities sold is specifically identified for use in calculating realized gains and losses.

Loans

Originated loans

Loans reported as “originated” include both loans originated for investment and acquired-performing loans where the discount (premium) has been fully accreted (amortized). Originated loans are reported at the principal balance outstanding net of unearned income. Interest on loans and accretion of unearned income, including net deferred loan fees, are computed in a manner that approximates a level yield on recorded principal. Interest on loans is recognized in income as earned.

The accrual of interest on an originated loan is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, it is probable that the borrower will be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. When accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed and payments subsequently received are applied first to recover principal. Interest income is recognized for payments received after contractual principal has been satisfied. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest contractually due are brought current and future payment performance is reasonably assured.

Acquired loans

Loans reported as “acquired” are those loans that were purchased in the 2011 Whitney Holding Corporation acquisition. These loans were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. The Whitney acquired loans were segregated between those considered to be performing (“acquired-performing”) and those with evidence of credit deterioration (“acquired-impaired”) based on such factors as past due status, nonaccrual status and credit risk ratings (rated substandard or worse). The acquired loans were further segregated into loan pools designed to facilitate the development of expected cash flows to be used in estimating fair value to facilitate purchase accounting. Acquired-performing loans are accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 310-20 and acquired-impaired loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30.

Acquired-performing loans were segregated into pools based on common risk characteristics such as loan type, credit risk ratings, contractual interest rate and repayment terms. The major loan types included commercial and industrial loans not secured by real estate, real estate construction and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, residential mortgage loans, and consumer loans, with further segregation within certain loan types as needed. Expected cash flows, both principal and interest, from each pool were estimated based on key assumptions covering such factors as prepayments, default rates, and severity of loss given a default. These assumptions were developed using both historical experience and the portfolio characteristics at acquisition as well as available market research. The fair value estimate for each acquired-performing pool was based on the estimate of expected cash flows from the pool discounted at prevailing market rates.

The difference at the acquisition date between the fair value and the contractual amounts due of an acquired-performing loan pool (the “fair value discount”) is accreted into income over the estimated life of the pool. Acquired-performing loans are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming or past due using the same criteria applied to the originated portfolio.

The acquired-impaired loans were segregated into pools by identifying loans with common credit risk profiles and were based primarily on characteristics such as loan type and market area in which originated. The major loan types included commercial and industrial loans not secured by real estate, real estate construction and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, and residential mortgage loans, with further segregation within certain loan types as needed. The acquired-impaired loans were further disaggregated by geographic region in recognition of the differences in general economic conditions affecting borrowers in certain states. The fair value estimate for each pool of acquired-impaired loans was based on the estimate of expected cash flows from the pool discounted at prevailing market rates.

The excess of estimated cash flows expected to be collected from an acquired-impaired loan pool over the pool’s carrying value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income using an effective yield method over the expected life of the loan pool. Each pool of acquired-impaired loans is accounted for as a single asset with a single composite interest rate and an aggregate expectation of cash flows. Acquired-impaired loans in pools with an accretable yield and expected cash flows that are reasonably estimable are considered to be accruing and performing even though collection of contractual payments on loans within the pool may be in doubt, because the pool is the unit of accounting. Acquired-impaired loans are generally not subject to individual evaluation for impairment and are not reported with impaired loans or troubled debt restructurings even if they would otherwise qualify for such treatment.

FDIC acquired loans and the related loss share receivable

Loans reported as “FDIC acquired” are loans purchased in the 2009 acquisition of Peoples First Community Bank (Peoples First) that were covered by two loss share agreements between the FDIC and the Company. These loans are accounted for as acquired-impaired loans as described above in the section on acquired loans. The Company treated all loans for the Peoples First acquisition as impaired based on the significant amount of deteriorating and nonperforming loans comprised mainly of adjustable rate mortgages and home equity loans located in Florida. The loss share receivable is measured separately from the related covered loans as it is not contractually embedded in the loans and is not transferrable should the loans be sold. The fair value of the loss share receivable at acquisition was estimated by discounting expected reimbursements for losses from the loans covered by the loss share agreements, including appropriate consideration of possible true-up payments to the FDIC at the expiration of the agreements.

The loss share receivable is reviewed and updated prospectively as loss estimates related to covered loan pools change. Increases in expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement will lead to an increase in the loss share receivable. A decrease in expected reimbursements is reflected first as a reversal of any previously recorded increase in the loss share receivable on the covered loan pool with the remainder reflected as a reduction in the loss share receivable’s accretion rate. Increases and decreases in the loss share receivable related to changes in loss estimates result in reductions in or additions to the provision for loan losses, which serves to offset the impact on the provision from impairments or impairment reversals recognized on the underlying covered loan pool. The excess (or shortfall) of expected claims as compared to the carrying value of the loss share receivable is accreted (amortized) into noninterest income over the shorter of the remaining life of the covered loan pool or the life of the loss share agreement. The impact on operations of a reduction in the loss share receivable’s accretion rate is associated with an increase in the accretable yield on the underlying loan pool. The loss share receivable is reduced as cash is received from the FDIC related to losses incurred on covered assets.

Loans Held for Sale

Residential mortgage loans originated for sale are classified as loans held for sale and carried at the lower of cost or market. Forward sales commitments on a best-efforts basis are entered into with third parties concurrently with rate lock commitments made to prospective borrowers. At times, management may decide to sell loans that were not originated for that purpose. Those loans are reclassified as held for sale when that decision is made and also carried at the lower of cost or market.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) occur when a borrower is experiencing, or is expected to experience, financial difficulties in the near-term and a modification in loan terms is granted that would otherwise not have been considered.

Troubled debt restructurings can result in loans remaining on nonaccrual, moving to nonaccrual, or continuing to accrue, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. All loans whose terms have been modified in a TDR, including both commercial and retail loans, are initially considered “impaired.” When measuring impairment on a TDR, the loan’s value is determined by either the present value of expected cash flows calculated using the loan’s effective interest rate before the restructuring, or the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the value as determined is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the difference is charged off through the allowance for loan and lease losses. Modified acquired-impaired loans are not removed from their accounting pool and accounted for as a TDR even if those loans would otherwise be deemed TDRs.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

Originated loans

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 estimated credit losses inherent in 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 inherent losses in the portfolio based on a number of factors, including 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, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions.

The analysis and methodology for estimating the ALLL include two primary elements. A loss rate analysis which incorporates a historical loss rate as updated for current conditions is used for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, and a specific reserve analysis is used for loans individually evaluated for impairment. For the loss rate analysis, the Company segments loans into commercial non-real estate, construction and land development, commercial real estate, residential mortgage and consumer, with further segmentation as deemed appropriate. Both quantitative and qualitative factors are applied at the detailed portfolio segments. Commercial loans (commercial non-real estate, construction and land development, and commercial real estate) are further subdivided by risk rating, while retail loans (residential mortgage and consumer) are further subdivided by delinquency. The Company uses loss emergence periods developed based on historical experience, which is currently eighteen-months for commercial loans and twelve-months for retail loans. Historical loss rates are calculated using a weighted average of the most recent three loss emergence periods. As circumstances dictate, management will make adjustments to the overall loss rate to reflect differences in current conditions as compared to those during the historical loss period. Conditions to be considered include problem loan trends, current business and economic conditions, credit concentrations, lending policies and procedures, lending staff, collateral values, loan profiles and volumes, loan review quality, and changes in competition and regulations.

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes it is probable all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. A loan is not considered impaired due to a delay in payment if all amounts due, including interest accrued at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay, is expected to be collected. Impaired loans include troubled debt restructurings, and performing and nonperforming loans. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment is recognized by creating a specific allowance for any shortfall between the loan’s value and its recorded investment. The loan’s value is 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 the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Any loans individually analyzed for impairment are not incorporated into the pool analysis to avoid double counting. The Company limits the specific reserve analysis to include all impaired commercial, commercial real estate and mortgage loans with balances of $1 million or greater and all loans classified as troubled debt restructurings.

The monitoring of credit risk also extends to unfunded credit commitments, such as unused commercial credit lines and letters of credit, and management establishes reserves as needed for its estimate of probable losses on such commitments.

It is the policy of the Company to promptly charge off all commercial and residential mortgage loans, or portions of loans, when available information reasonably confirms that they are wholly or partially uncollectible. Prior to recognizing a loss, asset value is established based on an assessment of the value of the collateral securing the loan, the borrower’s and the guarantor’s ability and willingness to pay and the status of the account in bankruptcy court, if applicable. Consumer loans are generally charged down when the loan is 90 days past due for unsecured loans or 120 days past due for secured loans, unless the loan is clearly both well secured and in the process of collection. Loans are charged down to the fair value of the collateral, if any, less estimated selling costs. Loans are charged off against the allowance for loan losses with subsequent recoveries added back to the allowance.

Acquired and FDIC acquired loans

Allowance for acquired-performing loans is evaluated at each reporting date subsequent to acquisition. An allowance is determined for each loan pool using a methodology similar to that described above for originated loans and then compared to the remaining fair value discount for that pool. If the allowance is greater than the discount, the excess is recognized as an addition to the allowance through a provision for loan losses. If the allowance is less than the discount, no additional allowance is recognized.

For acquired-impaired loans, including those acquired in the FDIC-assisted transaction, estimated cash flows expected to be collected are recast at each reporting date for each loan pool. These evaluations require the continued use and updating of key assumptions and estimates such as default rates, loss severity given default and prepayment speed assumptions, similar to those used for the initial fair value estimate. Management judgment must be applied in developing these assumptions. If the present value of expected cash flows for a pool is less than its carrying value, impairment is recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses and a charge to the provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows for a pool is greater than its carrying value, any previously established allowance for loan losses is reversed and any remaining difference increases the accretable yield which will be taken into interest income over the remaining life of the loan pool. Acquired-impaired loans are generally not subject to individual evaluation for impairment and are not reported with impaired loans or troubled debt restructurings, even if they would otherwise qualify for such treatment.

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 ten years for furniture and equipment. Amortization expense for software is generally charged over three years, or seven years for core systems. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

Gains and losses related to retirement or disposition of property and equipment are recorded in other income under noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income. The Company 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.

Other Real Estate

Other real estate owned includes real property that has been acquired in satisfaction of loans and property no longer used in the Bank’s business. These assets are recorded at the estimated fair value less the estimated cost of disposition and carried at the lower of either cost or market. Fair value is based on independent appraisals and other relevant factors. Any initial reduction in the carrying amount of a loan to the fair value of the collateral received less selling costs is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Other real estate is revalued on an annual basis or more often if market conditions necessitate. Subsequent losses on the periodic revaluation of the property are charged to current earnings, as are revenues from and costs of operating and maintaining the properties and gains or losses recognized on their disposition. 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. Impairment is defined as the amount by which the implied fair value of the goodwill contained in any reporting unit is less than the goodwill’s carrying value. Impairment losses would be charged to operating expense. Management reviews goodwill for impairment by first comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an estimate of the implied fair value of the unit’s goodwill is compared to its carrying value. The Company uses a number of techniques to estimate fair value, including an income approach using the present value of future cash flows and a market approach using prices and other information from similar market transactions. Each technique incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. These include assumptions about the economic environment, expected net interest margins, growth rates, interest at which cash flows are discounted, price-to-book multiples and price-to-earnings multiples.

Other identifiable intangible assets with finite lives, such as core deposit intangibles and trade name, are initially recorded at fair value and are generally amortized over the periods benefited. These assets are evaluated for impairment similar to long-lived assets.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) is long-term life insurance on the lives of certain current and past employees where the insurance policy benefits and ownership are retained by the employer. Its cash surrender value is an asset that the Company uses to partially offset the future cost of employee benefits. The cash value accumulation on BOLI is permanently tax deferred if the policy is held to the insured person’s death and certain other conditions are met.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of derivatives to which hedge accounting does not apply are recognized immediately in earnings, otherwise it is included in other comprehensive income. Note 9 describes the derivative instruments currently used by the Company and discloses how these derivatives impact Hancock’s financial position and results of operations.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Current tax liabilities or assets are recognized for the estimated income taxes payable or refundable on tax returns to be filed with respect to the current year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of the Company’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. Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets if, based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the assets will not be realized. The benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on its technical merits.

The Company invests in projects that yield tax credits issued under the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB), Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB), Federal and State New Market Tax Credit (NMTC), and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. Returns on these investments are generated through the receipt of federal and state tax credits. The tax credits are recorded as a reduction to the income tax provision in the year that they are earned. Tax credits from QZAB and QSCB bonds are generally earned over the life of the bonds in lieu of interest income. Credits on Federal NMTC investments are earned over the 7 year compliance period beginning with the year of investment. Credits on State NMTC investments are generally earned over a 3 to 5 year period depending upon the specific state program. Tax credits are earned over a 10 year period for Low-Income Housing investments beginning with the year in which rental activity begins. These tax credits, if not used in the tax return for the year when the credits are first available for use, can be carried forward for 20 years. For those investments where the return of the principal is not expected, the equity investment is amortized over the life of the tax compliance period as a component of noninterest expense.

Retirement Benefits

The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans and certain other defined benefit postretirement plans for eligible employees. The amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements with respect to these plans are based on actuarial valuations that incorporate various assumptions regarding future experience under the plans. Note 15 discusses the actuarial assumptions and provides information about the liabilities or assets recognized for the funded status of the Company’s obligations under these plans, the net benefit expense charged to current operations, and the amounts recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and AOCI.

Share-Based Payment Arrangements

The grant date fair value of equity instruments awarded to employees and directors establishes the cost of the services received in exchange, and the cost associated with awards that are expected to vest is recognized over the requisite service period.

Revenue Recognition

The largest source of revenue for the Company is interest revenue. Interest revenue is recognized on an accrual basis driven by written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts. Loan origination fees are recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Other credit-related fees, including letter of credit fees, are recognized in noninterest income when earned. The Company recognizes commission revenue and brokerage, exchange and clearance fees on a trade-date basis. Other types of noninterest 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 can be reasonably determined.

Earnings Per Share

Hancock calculates earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method allocates net income to each class of common stock and participating security according to the common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities currently consist of unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents.

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Shares outstanding are adjusted for restricted shares issued to employees under the long-term incentive compensation plan and for certain shares that will be issued under the directors’ compensation plan. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding increased by the number of shares in which employees would vest under performance-based stock awards and stock unit awards based on expected performance factors and by the number of additional shares that would have been issued if potentially dilutive stock options were exercised, each as determined using the treasury stock method.

Statements of Cash Flows

The Company considers only cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and balances due from financial institutions as cash and cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Reportable Segment Disclosures

Accounting standards require that information be reported about a company’s operating segments using a “management approach.” Reportable segments are identified in these standards as those revenue-producing components for which discrete financial information is produced internally and which are subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources to segments. Due to the fact that the Company has one state bank charter and its stated strategy is focused on providing a consistent package of community banking products and services throughout a coherent market area, the Company has identified its overall banking operations as its only reportable segment. Because the overall banking operations comprise substantially all of the consolidated operations, no separate segment disclosures are presented.

Other

Assets held by the Bank in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Bank and are not included in the consolidated balance sheets.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) that improves the recognition and measurement of financial instruments through targeted changes to existing GAAP. It requires equity investments (except those that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It also requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing this pronouncement and adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In September 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments. The new guidance requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The new standard should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to provide guidance to customers about how to account for a cloud computing arrangement depending on whether or not it includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. For public business entities, the amendments will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance in this ASU did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. Therefore, the FASB issued an ASU in August 2015 to clarify the SEC staff position that they would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The amendments in this ASU (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (4) provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to address the elimination of the concept of extraordinary items. The standard is the first in the FASB’s simplification initiative that is aimed at reducing the cost and complexity of financial reporting while improving or maintaining the usefulness of information reported to investors. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted but adoption must occur at the beginning of the year. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In August 2014, the FASB issued an ASU to address the diversity in practice regarding the classification and measurement of foreclosed loans which were part of a government-sponsored loan guarantee program. The ASU outlines certain criteria that, if met, the loan (residential or commercial) should be derecognized and a separate other receivable should be recorded upon foreclosure at the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. This ASU was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an ASU regarding repurchase-to-maturity transactions, repurchase financings, and disclosures. Under the new standard, repurchase-to-maturity transactions will be reported as secured borrowings, and transferors will no longer apply the current “linked” accounting model to repurchase agreements executed contemporaneously with the initial transfer of the underlying financial asset with the same counterparty. Public business entities are generally required to apply the accounting changes and comply with the enhanced disclosure requirements for periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. A public business entity may not early adopt the standard’s provisions. The Company adopted the accounting guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The new disclosure requirements are included in Note 7 – Short-term Borrowings.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU regarding revenue from contracts with customers affecting any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The core principle of this standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing this pronouncement and adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2014, the FASB issued an ASU on reclassification of residential real estate collateralized consumer mortgage loans upon foreclosure. The new ASU clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs – that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. The new ASU requires a creditor to reclassify a collateralized consumer mortgage loan to real estate property upon obtaining legal title to the real estate collateral, or the borrower voluntarily conveying all interest in the real estate property to the lender to satisfy the loan through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The new disclosure requirements are included at the end of Note 3 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses.

In January 2014, the FASB issued an ASU in order to provide guidance on accounting for investments in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”). Through the Company’s investments in these entities, the Company receives tax credits and/or tax deductions from operating losses, which are allowable on the Company’s filed income tax returns over the life of the project beginning with the first year the tax credits are earned. The Company adopted this guidance in January 2015 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.