Hancock Holding Company (Nasdaq:HBHC) announced that the company raised gross proceeds of approximately $200 million through its previously announced public common stock offering. The company, in connection with the offering, issued 6,201,500 shares of common stock. Net proceeds of the offering to Hancock were approximately $191.5 million after estimated expenses. Morgan Stanley acted as sole book-runner, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. served as lead manager and Raymond James & Associates and Sterne Agee & Leach, Inc. served as co-managers.

Hancock Holding Company — parent company of Hancock Bank (Mississippi), Hancock Bank of Louisiana, and Hancock Bank of Alabama — had assets of approximately $8.1 billion as of December 31, 2010. Founded in 1899, Hancock Bank consistently ranks as one of the country's strongest, safest financial institutions, according to BauerFinancial, Inc. Continued At: http://doubleinstocks.com/?p=15130