BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At a meeting today with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Whitney Bank announced significant support for flood recovery efforts across the region.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2bf5be4b-8b55-4e51-b1e2-bc53dfa33aa9
Whitney Bank is the banking subsidiary of Hancock Holding Company (Nasdaq:HBHC) which does business under the Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank names across the five-state corridor encircling the Gulf of Mexico.
The money includes millions for low-interest special disaster assistance, deferred payment loans to help residents and businesses, and $60,000 in donations to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund administered by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, to the United Way of Acadiana, and to the Community Foundation of Acadiana.
“When a disaster hits, we come together to help each other. That’s what we do here,” said Greater Baton Rouge Regional President Robert Schneckenburger. “We’ve created opportunities for people and communities in the Gulf South for more than a century of good times and tough times. Right now, we want to help create opportunities for people to recover from this devastating disaster.”
Schneckenburger said flood victims can find out more about the special loan program at www.hancockwhitney.com/emergency-assistance or from their local bankers.
Bank associates have worked around the clock to re-open operations in areas affected by floods, even while caring for the more than 100 colleagues affected by floods. Many lost everything to floodwaters.
The bank is helping associates by
- bringing in support from coworkers across the bank’s five-state footprint;
- managing distribution and delivery of necessities, clothing, housing, and meals for associates who suffered flood damage and loss;
- offering emergency grants to help associates with disaster expenses; and
- providing associates and their families with referral resources for free, confidential counseling.
“It’s incredibly humbling to see associates who have nothing left come to the bank to say, ‘I’m here to help. What can I do?’ They’ve executed extraordinary efforts to get the bank back open for clients. It makes me so proud of our culture here in Baton Rouge and at Whitney Bank,” added Schneckenburger.
On Wednesday, President and CEO John Hairston, COO Shane Loper, and EVP Mike Dickerson traveled to flooded parishes to assess the damage first-hand to be able to ensure the bank backs up its commitment to service, as the bank has done since the late 1800s.
“We’ve weathered a lot of storms together. Like you, we know recovery starts with the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone’s there for you. We’re here for you. And, we’re at your sides, focused on what we can do to move forward together,” said Hairston. “We’re Louisiana strong with people and the communities we serve.”
Watch video from Hairston’s visit to Greater Baton Rouge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYfAPNr4PGg.
About Hancock Holding Company
Hancock Holding Company is a multi-faceted financial services company with regional business headquarters and locations across a growing Gulf South corridor. With core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility and a heritage dating to the late 1800s, the company’s banking subsidiary provides comprehensive financial products and services through Hancock Bank locations in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and Whitney Bank locations in Louisiana and Texas, including traditional, online, and mobile banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; certain insurance services; and mortgage services. More information is available at www.hancockwhitney.com.
For More Information
R. Paul Maxwell, Senior Communications Officer
800.448.8812 or paul.maxwell@hancockwhitney.com
Robert Schneckenburger, Greater Baton Rouge Regional President
225.571.9739 or robert.schneckenburger@hancockwhitney.com