Is Hancock Whitney Corporation a Buy?

Hancock Whitney Corporation, founded in 1899 and headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, functions as the financial holding company for Hancock Whitney Bank. This institution delivers a comprehensive range of traditional and online banking solutions to commercial entities, small businesses, and individual consumers. Its deposit product portfolio includes noninterest-bearing checking accounts, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, and time deposits. The company also provides diverse loan options, such as commercial and industrial financing, commercial real estate loans, construction and land development loans, residential mortgages, and consumer loans like second lien mortgage home loans, home equity lines of credit, and other consumer purpose loans. Additionally, it offers revolving credit facilities, letters of credit, and financial guarantees. Beyond core banking, Hancock Whitney furnishes investment brokerage and treasury management services, along with annuity and life insurance products. It also provides trust and investment management services for retirement plans, corporations, and individuals. The corporation further participates in new market tax credit activities and manages foreclosed assets. Operating primarily throughout the Gulf South corridor, Hancock Whitney maintains a significant physical presence with 177 banking locations and 239 automated teller machines. Its operational footprint covers southern and central Mississippi; southern and central Alabama; southern, central, and northwest Louisiana; the northern, central, and panhandle areas of Florida; and specific regions of East Texas, including Houston, Beaumont, Dallas, and San Antonio. The company also operates a loan production office in Tennessee and a dedicated trust and asset management office in Texas. Formerly known as Hancock Holding Company, the company rebranded to Hancock Whitney Corporation in May 2018.