<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-17-334299.txt : 20171106
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-17-334299.hdr.sgml : 20171106
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20171106161703
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-17-334299
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171106
ITEM INFORMATION:		Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant's Employee Benefit Plans
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20171106
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20171106

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HANCOCK HOLDING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000750577
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				640693170
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MS
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-36872
		FILM NUMBER:		171179673

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE HANCOCK PLZ
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4019
		CITY:			GULFPORT
		STATE:			MS
		ZIP:			39501
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6018684605

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE HANCOCK PLZ
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4019
		CITY:			GULFPORT
		STATE:			MS
		ZIP:			39501
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d490631d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> </B></P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
November&nbsp;6, 2017 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
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<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Mississippi</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">001-36872</FONT></B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">64-0693170</FONT></B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of incorporation)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>One Hancock Plaza</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>2510 14th Street</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Gulfport, Mississippi</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>39501</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(228) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">868-4000</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of
the registrant under any of the following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Rule&nbsp;14a-12</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14a-12)</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14d-2(b))</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.13e-4(c))</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(&#167;240.12b-2</FONT> of this chapter).
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Emerging Growth Company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) of the Exchange
Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:8pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.04</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant&#146;s Employee Benefit Plans. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Hancock
Holding Company (the &#147;Company&#148;) is transferring recordkeeping and custodial services for the Hancock Holding Company 401(k) Savings Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) from Epic Advisors, Inc. to Great-West Life&nbsp;&amp; Annuity Insurance
Company (d/b/a &#147;Empower Retirement&#148;) effective December&nbsp;1, 2017. As a result of this transfer, participants in the Plan will be temporarily unable to make a withdrawal, obtain a distribution, obtain a loan or change investment options
under the Plan (the &#147;blackout period&#148;). The blackout period for the Plan will begin at 3:00 p.m. Central time on November&nbsp;24, 2017 and is expected to end on December&nbsp;22, 2017, unless extended by the Company. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On November&nbsp;6, 2017, the Company delivered a notice to its directors and executive officers informing them of a temporary suspension of
transactions by directors and executive officers involving Company equity and derivative securities in connection with the blackout period under the Plan. The notice, which was provided to the Company&#146;s directors and executive officers in
accordance with Section&nbsp;306(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and includes the information required by Rule 104(b) of Regulation BTR, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">During the blackout period and for a period of two years after the ending date of the blackout period, a security holder or other interested
person may obtain, without charge, information regarding the blackout period, including the actual beginning and ending dates of the blackout period, by contacting Tricia Loupe, One Hancock Plaza, 2510
14<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">th</SUP> Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501, Telephone: (504) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">586-3567.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><U>Exhibits</U>. </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="92%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Exhibit<BR>Number</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Description of Exhibit</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d490631dex991.htm">Notice delivered to directors and executive officers of Hancock Holding Company on November&nbsp;6, 2017. </A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURE </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">November&nbsp;6, 2017</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ Michael M. Achary</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Michael M. Achary</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
</BODY></HTML>
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</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>d490631dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-99.1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>IMPORTANT NOTICE </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">To:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Directors and Executive Officers of Hancock Holding Company </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">From:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Hancock Holding Company </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">Date:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">November&nbsp;6, 2017 </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">Re:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Notice of Blackout Period </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As required by Section&nbsp;306(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 104 of Regulation BTR, Hancock Holding Company (&#147;Hancock&#148;) is providing
this notice to inform you of an upcoming blackout period under the Hancock Holding Company 401(k) Savings Plan (&#147;Plan&#148;). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Hancock is
transferring recordkeeping and custodial services for the Plan from Epic Advisors, Inc. to Great-West Life&nbsp;&amp; Annuity Insurance Company (d/b/a &#147;Empower Retirement&#148;) effective December&nbsp;1, 2017.<B> </B>This transfer will require
that a &#147;blackout period&#148; be imposed on participants in the Plan, which we expect to begin on November&nbsp;24, 2017 and end on December&nbsp;22, 2017. During the participant blackout period, participants in the Plan will be unable to make
a withdrawal, obtain a distribution, obtain a loan or change investment options under the Plan<B>. </B> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
Regulation BTR, directors and executive officers of Hancock are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving Hancock equity securities (including options and other derivatives based on Hancock stock) while Plan participants are
subject to this blackout period.</B> Hancock has notified Plan participants of the blackout period. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>1.</B> <B>Duration of the Blackout Period for
Directors and Executive Officers.</B> The blackout period for directors and executive officers will begin at 3:00 p.m. Central time on November&nbsp;24, 2017, and will continue through your previously-scheduled blackout period, which will end
January&nbsp;23, 2018. Participants in the Plan are expected to come out of blackout on December&nbsp;22, 2017, but your blackout will continue according to our regular schedule. We have the right to extend the Plan participants&#146; blackout
period if we need additional time to complete the transfer of services for the Plan although we do not anticipate that will be necessary. We will notify you and the participants if that occurs. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>2.</B> <B>Prohibited Transactions.</B> During the blackout period, you are generally prohibited from, directly or indirectly, purchasing, selling or
otherwise acquiring or transferring any &#147;equity security&#148; of Hancock. Prohibited transactions include, but are not limited to, open market purchases and sales of equity and derivative securities, including stock option exercises and sales
of restricted stock. The trading restrictions also apply to members of your immediate family who share your household and any entities that you may be deemed to, directly or indirectly, share beneficial ownership with (such as a trust, family
partnership or similar entity). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain transactions are exempt from the blackout period trading prohibition. For example, purchases and sales under <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10b5-1(c)</FONT> trading plans are permitted (so long as you do not make or modify your election during the blackout period or when you are aware of the dates of the blackout period). Also, the blackout period trading
prohibition does not apply to any acquisition or disposition of equity or derivative securities involving bona fide gifts or transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution. If you have any questions about whether a particular transaction
may be exempt, please call Tricia Loupe at the number listed below. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>3.</B> <B>Securities Covered by the Blackout Period.</B> The blackout period
trading prohibition covers equity and derivative securities you acquired or may acquire &#147;in connection with service as a director or employment as an executive officer.&#148; This includes, among other things, securities you acquired under a
compensatory plan or contract (such as under a stock option or a restricted stock award) as a director or executive officer, securities acquired while serving as a director or executive officer to satisfy Hancock&#146;s minimum ownership
requirements for directors or executive officers, or securities you acquired as a direct or indirect inducement to service as a director or to employment as an executive officer. </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Equity and derivative securities acquired outside of your service as a director or executive officer are not
covered. If you hold both covered securities and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-covered</FONT> securities, however, any sale or other transfer of securities by you during the blackout period will be treated as a transaction involving covered
securities, unless you can identify the source of the sold securities and demonstrate that you use the same identification for all related purposes (such as tax reporting and disclosure requirements). Given the applicable rules and the short time
period involved, we recommend that you avoid any change in your beneficial ownership of Hancock equity and derivative securities during the blackout period. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>4.</B> <B>Penalties.</B> If you (or any related person covered by the blackout period) engage in a transaction that violates these rules, the profits from
the transaction will be recoverable in a lawsuit by Hancock or one of its shareholders. You may also be subject to civil and criminal penalties. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><div style="max-width:100%;margin-left:0%; margin-right:0%;border:solid 1px;background-color:;;padding-top:2pt;padding-bottom:3pt">
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; padding-top:0pt; margin-left:2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>THE RULES SUMMARIZED ABOVE ARE COMPLEX, AND THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES THAT COULD BE IMPOSED UPON DIRECTORS AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO VIOLATE THEM COULD BE SEVERE. TO AVOID ANY INADVERTENT VIOLATIONS OF THE BLACKOUT PERIOD RESTRICTIONS, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">PRE-CLEAR</FONT> WITH HANCOCK <U>ANY</U> TRANSACTIONS IN HANCOCK
SECURITIES DURING THE BLACKOUT PERIOD. TO OBTAIN <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">PRE-CLEARANCE</FONT> OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BLACKOUT PERIOD RESTRICTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT: </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Hancock Holding Company </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Attn.:
<B>Tricia Loupe</B> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">One Hancock Plaza </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2510 14th Street </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Gulfport,
Mississippi 39501 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; padding-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(504) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">586-3567</FONT> </B></P></div>
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