NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Amid this city's re-energized post-Katrina rebuilding and legendary Mardi Gras revelry, city representatives, community leaders, and area business owners will join local Hancock Bank executives at 10:00 a.m. this Friday, January 18, 2008, for ribbon cutting festivities officially opening a new Hancock Bank of Louisiana financial center in the heart of the New Orleans Central Business District.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4606
Bank officials consider this celebration more than the customary photo opportunity. Located at 203 Carondelet Street and Common Street on the first floor of the historic Maritime Building, the Hancock Bank CBD branch offers comprehensive financial solutions designed to help spark a renaissance of business opportunity in a restored local economy rooted in history, hope, and resilience. For Hancock Bank and its neighbors, another new downtown business means another bright step toward revitalizing one of America's most exciting destinations.
"We at Hancock Bank are honored to be part of the recovery effort and to join other CBD businesses in sustaining the determined spirit, diverse economy, and relaxed camaraderie that distinguish New Orleans. We have always helped our customers weather literal and figurative storms, and our 108-year-old heritage includes strong bonds with the city of New Orleans and its people," said veteran New Orleans banker and Hancock Bank market president Don Zornman.
Zornman added that Hancock's facilities administrators, Labarre Architects, and renovation contractor Woodward Design+Build -- a division of Carl E. Woodward, L.L.C. -- endeavored to preserve the architectural integrity of the Maritime Building during installation of the 6,800 square-foot Hancock branch. Hancock salvaged an original granite floor for the Carondelet Street foyer and a marble archway for the associates' break room. Designers also considered the building's impressive 14-foot-plus ceilings and unusually large windows in developing the branch layout and interior aesthetics.
Additionally, workers discovered a basement vault during restoration. While the basement was closed off, Hancock was able to salvage a vault gate thought to be part of the building's original 1894 construction. Once refurbished, the gate will become a permanent display inside the Hancock Bank CBD location.
Friday's event also includes a contribution to the Louisiana Children's Museum, a unique component of the city's value-added educational offerings.
The Ties that Bind
Established in 1899 just 60 miles east of New Orleans, Hancock Bank was founded by 19 visionaries committed to helping citizens manage the prosperity of a booming turn-of-the-twentieth-century regional economy based on tourism, timber, and seafood. As nearby communities such as Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian flourished as summer retreats for many New Orleanians, the company grew under the guidance of two presidents with New Orleans banking and business connections.
Peter Hellwege, one of Hancock's 19 founders and first president, headed a cotton, stock, and bond brokerage firm in New Orleans and lived in Bay St. Louis. In 1903 he organized and became president of an early 1900s bank named Bank of New Orleans, holding both presidencies until his death in 1907. Eugene H. Roberts, another Hancock founder, was Hancock's first cashier. He succeeded Hellwege in 1908; and for ten years, he also served simultaneously as president of Hancock Bank and that original Bank of New Orleans.
Today, Hancock Bank has 162 banking and financial services offices and 132 ATMs throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. With headquarters in Baton Rouge, Hancock Bank of Louisiana also operates a New Orleans corporate trust division, a downtown office of the century-old New Orleans insurance company J. Everett Eaves, Inc. (a division of 106-year-old Hancock Insurance Agency), and convenient full-service branches at Clearview, Veterans East, Elmwood, and Williams Boulevard. Within the next month, a brand-new 6,800-square-foot LaPalco branch will replace a modular office opened in late 2006.
"Hancock was founded on core values of honor and integrity, strength and stability, commitment to service, teamwork, and personal responsibility. For the last century, we've had the privilege of helping preserve hometown heritages, facilitating Gulf South commerce and opportunity, and helping people achieve their financial goals and dreams. We're looking forward to sharing that same community banking legacy throughout New Orleans and the CBD," said Hancock CBD branch manager Charmaine Tyler.
More about Hancock Bank
Bank Director magazine recently rated Hancock Bank third among the nation's top-performing financial services institutions. Additionally, BauerFinancial Services, Inc., and Veribanc, Inc. -- two of the country's leading independent financial analysis organizations -- have consistently ranked Hancock among America's strongest, safest banks for 15 years.
Parent company Hancock Holding Company (Nasdaq:HBHC) has assets of approximately $6.0 billion; and bank subsidiaries include Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, and Harrison Finance Company. Additional corporate information and online banking and bill pay services are available at www.hancockbank.com.
The Hancock Bank logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2759
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
CONTACT: Hancock Holding Company & Hancock BankR. Paul Maxwell, VP & Corporate Communications Manager
228.563.7953
paul_maxwell@hancockbank.comwww.hancockbank.com