Mississippi 0-13089 64-0169065
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(State or other (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification Number)
incorporation)
One Hancock Plaza, 2510 14th Street,
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(228) 868-4000
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Item 5. Other Events.
On February 26, 2004 Hancock Holding Company issued a press release
reporting that it has declared a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% common
stock dividend. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 and is
incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release issued by Hancock Holding Company
dated February 26, 2004, headed "Hancock Holding
Company announces stock split"
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: February 26, 2004
HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Paul D. Guichet
--------------------------------
Paul D. Guichet
Vice President
Investor Relations
Exhibit 99.1 to Hancock Holding Company Form 8-K
For Immediate Release For More Information
February 26, 2004 George A. Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer
Carl J. Chaney, Chief Financial Officer
Paul D. Guichet, Vice President, Investor Relations
800.522.6542 or 228.214.5242
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Hancock Holding Company announces stock split
GULFPORT, MS (February 26, 2004) - The Board of Directors of Hancock Holding Company has declared a
two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% common stock dividend. The additional shares will be payable March
18, 2004, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2004.
As a result of the stock split, shareholders of record will receive one additional share for every share
held; and cash instead of any fractional shares.
"In order for investors to have easier access to obtaining an interest in Hancock Holding Company, a stock
split of this type achieves that goal. An added benefit is that we believe this stock split will help make
Hancock Holding Company stock more marketable as our company continues to grow," said Hancock Holding Company
Chief Executive Officer George A. Schloegel.
Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC) has assets of $4.2 billion. Century-old Hancock Bank ranks among
the top 4.6% of America's financial institutions for financial strength and stability, according to Veribanc,
Inc., and has consistently received a BauerFinancial, Inc., five-star superior rating (the highest rating
possible). Hancock Bank operates 102 full-service offices and more than 140 automated teller machines throughout
South Mississippi and Louisiana as well as subsidiaries Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance
Agency, Hancock Mortgage Corporation, Harrison Finance Company and Magna Insurance Company.
Additional corporate information and on-line banking and bill pay services are available at
www.hancockbank.com.
"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: Congress passed the
Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 in an effort to encourage corporations to provide information
about companies' anticipated future financial performance. This act provides a safe harbor for such
disclosure, which protects the companies from unwarranted litigation if actual results are different from
management expectations. This release contains forward-looking statements and reflects management's
current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance,
and financial results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and
uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ from the anticipated
results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.