HWC 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2017 | Alphaminr

HWC 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2017

HANCOCK WHITNEY CORP
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10-Q 1 hbhc-20170930x10q.htm 10-Q Form 10Q_Taxonomy2016





UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________________________





FORM 10-Q

___________________________________________________________



(Mark one)



QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period ended September 30 , 2017

OR





TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-36827



HANCOCK HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





Mississippi

64-0693170

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)



One Hancock Plaza, 2510 14 th Street,
Gulfport, Mississippi

39501

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)



(228) 868-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last report)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company , or an emerging growth company . See the definition s of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer ,” “smaller reporting company , and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):





Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer



Non-accelerated filer

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company



Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

8 5,180,800 common shares were outstanding as of November 3 , 201 7 .



1








Ha ncock Holding Company

Index



Part I. Financial Information

Page Number

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements



Consolidat ed Balance Sheets (unaudited) – September 30, 2017 and December 31, 201 6

5



Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

6



Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

7



Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - (unaudited) – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

8



Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

9



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) September 30 , 201 7

10

ITEM 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

35

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

58

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

59

Part II.  Other Information

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

59

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

59

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

59

ITEM 3.

Default on Senior Securities

N/A

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

N/A

ITEM 5.

Other Information

N/A

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

60

 Signatures



2




Hancock Holding Company

Glossary of Defined Terms



AFS – available for sale securities

AOCI – accumulated other comprehensive income

ASC – Accounting Standards Codification

ASU – Accounting Standards Update

ATM - automatic teller machine

Bank – Whitney Bank

Basel II - Basel Committee's 2004 Regulatory Capital Framework (Second Accord)

Basel III - Basel Committee's 2010 Regulatory Capital Framework (Third Accord)

Basel Committee - Basel Committee on Banking Supervision

Beige Book - Federal Reserve’s Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions

bp(s) – basis point(s)

C&I – commercial and industrial loans

CD – certificate of deposit

CDE – Community Development Entity

CMO – Collateralized Mortgage Obligation

Company – Hancock Holding Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries

CRE – commercial real estate

Dodd-Frank Act – The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board

FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Reserve Bank – The 12 banks that are the operating arms of the U.S. central bank. They implement the

policies of the Federal Reserve Board and also conduct economic research.

Federal Reserve Board – The 7-member Board of Governors that oversees the Federal Reserve System, establishes

monetary policy (interest rates, credit, etc.), and monitors the economic health of the country. Its members are appointed

by the President subject to Senate confirmation, and serve 14-year terms.

Federal Reserve System – The 12 Federal Reserve Banks, with each one serving member banks in its own district.

This system, supervised by the Federal Reserve Board, has broad regulatory powers over the money supply and the

credit structure.

FHLB – Federal Home Loan Bank

FNBC – First NBC Bank

FNBC I – acquired selected assets and liabilities from FNBC under agreement dated March 10, 2017

FNBC II – acquired selected assets and liabilities from the FDIC as receiver for FNBC under agreement dated April 28, 2017

GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America

Hancock – Hancock Holding Company

Hancock Bank – Whitney Bank does business as Hancock Bank in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida

HTM – held to maturity securities

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIHTC – Low Income Housing Tax Credit

MD&A – management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

NAICS – North American Industry Classification System

n/m – not meaningful

OCI – other comprehensive income

OFI – Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions

ORE – other real estate defined as foreclosed and surplus real estate

Parent Company – Hancock Holding Company

PCI – purchased credit impaired loans

Repos – securities sold under agreements to repurchase

SEC – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

3


Securities Act – Securities Act of 1933, as amended

te – taxable equivalent adjustment

TDR – troubled debt restructuring (as defined in ASC 310-40)

TSR – total shareholder return

U.S. Treasury – The United States Department of the Treasury

Whitney Bank – wholly-owned subsidiary of Hancock Holding Company, through which Hancock conducts its banking operations

4






Part I. Financial Information

Item 1 . Financial Statements

Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)









September 30,

December 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2017

2016

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

333,775

$

372,689

Interest-bearing bank deposits

105,428

77,235

Federal funds sold

6,297

942

Securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $2,879,343 and $2,562,000 )

2,855,278

2,516,908

Securities held to maturity (fair value of $2,768,148 and $2,470,117 )

2,769,274

2,500,220

Loans held for sale

23,236

34,064

Loans

18,786,285

16,752,151

Less: allowance for loan losses

(223,122)

(229,418)

Loans, net

18,563,163

16,522,733

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $226,410 and $231,127

365,145

361,612

Prepaid expenses

25,084

18,038

Other real estate, net

21,154

18,884

Accrued interest receivable

78,011

65,887

Goodwill

739,403

621,193

Other intangible assets, net

96,525

87,757

Life insurance contracts

539,232

480,406

FDIC loss share receivable

16,219

Deferred tax asset, net

83,615

104,435

Other assets

212,135

176,080

Total assets

$

26,816,755

$

23,975,302

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities

Deposits

Noninterest-bearing

$

7,896,384

$

7,658,203

Interest-bearing

13,637,475

11,766,063

Total deposits

21,533,859

19,424,266

Short-term borrowings

1,737,151

1,225,406

Long-term debt

331,179

436,280

Accrued interest payable

9,014

9,574

Other liabilities

342,277

160,008

Total liabilities

23,953,480

21,255,534

Stockholders' equity

Common stock

291,358

291,358

Capital surplus

1,721,477

1,698,253

Retained earnings

948,591

850,689

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

(98,151)

(120,532)

Total stockholders' equity

2,863,275

2,719,768

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

26,816,755

$

23,975,302

Common shares authorized (par value of $3.33 per share)

350,000

350,000

Common shares issued

87,495

87,495

Common shares outstanding

84,767

84,235





See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5


Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)









Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Interest income:

Loans, including fees

$

199,702

$

155,761

$

566,663

$

466,591

Loans held for sale

216

323

669

731

Securities-taxable

26,616

21,782

74,385

68,788

Securities-tax exempt

5,608

3,780

16,643

8,593

Short-term investments

574

507

3,048

1,597

Total interest income

232,716

182,153

661,408

546,300

Interest expense:

Deposits

21,789

12,590

52,972

36,926

Short-term borrowings

4,425

1,040

11,598

2,942

Long-term debt

3,645

5,010

12,573

15,114

Total interest expense

29,859

18,640

77,143

54,982

Net interest income

202,857

163,513

584,265

491,318

Provision for loan losses

13,040

18,972

43,982

96,204

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

189,817

144,541

540,283

395,114

Noninterest income:

Service charges on deposit accounts

21,444

18,716

60,711

55,493

Trust fees

10,742

11,512

33,459

34,825

Bank card and ATM fees

13,390

11,808

39,545

35,110

Investment and annuity fees

5,570

4,289

15,440

14,265

Secondary mortgage market operations

4,157

4,917

11,965

12,005

Insurance commissions and fees

660

1,088

2,499

3,635

Amortization of FDIC loss share receivable

(1,539)

(2,427)

(4,678)

Other income

11,152

11,866

36,901

32,768

Securities transactions

351

1,465

Total noninterest income

67,115

63,008

198,093

184,888

Noninterest expense:

Compensation expense

82,242

70,290

237,486

213,524

Employee benefits

12,499

12,873

44,019

42,591

Personnel expense

94,741

83,163

281,505

256,115

Net occupancy expense

12,448

10,068

36,285

30,818

Equipment expense

3,779

3,349

11,457

10,203

Data processing expense

16,798

14,590

48,993

43,167

Professional services expense

10,062

6,584

31,691

21,917

Amortization of intangibles

6,070

4,886

16,532

15,015

Telecommunications and postage

3,876

3,284

11,081

9,917

Deposit insurance and regulatory fees

7,883

5,969

21,356

17,415

Other real estate (income) expense, net

199

(5,214)

(2,329)

(4,096)

Other expense

21,760

22,379

68,057

55,561

Total noninterest expense

177,616

149,058

524,628

456,032

Income before income taxes

79,316

58,491

213,748

123,970

Income taxes

20,414

11,772

53,565

26,505

Net income

$

58,902

$

46,719

$

160,183

$

97,465

Earnings per common share-basic

$

0.68

$

0.59

$

1.85

$

1.23

Earnings per common share-diluted

$

0.68

$

0.59

$

1.85

$

1.23

Dividends paid per share

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.72

$

0.72

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

84,749

77,550

84,577

77,525

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

84,980

77,677

84,818

77,653





See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6


Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)











Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net income

$

58,902

$

46,719

$

160,183

$

97,465

Other comprehensive income:

Net change in unrealized gain/loss on securities available for sale and hedges

5,949

(5,604)

19,794

39,997

Reclassification of net losses realized and included in earnings

1,374

1,158

4,479

2,960

Valuation adjustment for pension plan amendment

17,315

Other valuation adjustments for employee benefit plans

1,597

(6,347)

(9,185)

(6,347)

Amortization of unrealized net loss on securities transferred to held to maturity

977

1,108

2,726

2,736

Other comprehensive income/loss before income taxes

9,897

(9,685)

35,129

39,346

Income tax expense (benefit)

3,609

(3,537)

12,748

14,440

Other comprehensive income/loss net of income taxes

6,288

(6,148)

22,381

24,906

Comprehensive income

$

65,190

$

40,571

$

182,564

$

122,371



See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

7


Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)











Accumulated



Other



Comprehensive



Common Stock

Capital

Retained

Income (Loss),

(in thousands, except per share data)

Shares Issued

Amount

Surplus

Earnings

net

Total

Balance, December 31, 2015

87,491

$

291,346

$

1,424,448

$

777,944

$

(80,595)

$

2,413,143

Net income

97,465

97,465

Other comprehensive income

24,906

24,906

Comprehensive income

97,465

24,906

122,371

Cash dividends declared ( $0.72 per common share)

(57,349)

(57,349)

Common stock activity, long-term  incentive plan

2

6

10,135

10,141

Issuance of stock from dividend reinvestment

821

821

Balance, September 30, 2016

87,493

$

291,352

$

1,435,404

$

818,060

$

(55,689)

$

2,489,127



Balance, December 31, 2016

87,495

$

291,358

$

1,698,253

$

850,689

$

(120,532)

$

2,719,768

Net income

160,183

160,183

Other comprehensive income

22,381

22,381

Comprehensive income

160,183

22,381

182,564

Cash dividends declared ( $0.72 per common share)

(62,400)

(62,400)

Common stock activity, long-term incentive plan

20,910

119

21,029

Issuance of stock from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan

2,314

2,314

Balance, September 30, 2017

87,495

$

291,358

$

1,721,477

$

948,591

$

(98,151)

$

2,863,275



See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

8


Hancock Holding Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)







Nine Months Ended



September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

$

160,183

$

97,465

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

20,942

21,350

Provision for loan losses

43,982

96,204

Gain on other real estate owned

(1,865)

(5,145)

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

8,072

(14,713)

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance contracts

(10,855)

(8,807)

(Gain) loss on disposal of other assets

1,662

(6,014)

Net (increase) decrease in loans held for sale

11,583

(21,698)

Net amortization of securities premium/discount

24,119

20,836

Amortization of intangible assets

16,532

15,015

Amortization of FDIC indemnification asset

2,427

4,678

Stock-based compensation expense

12,370

10,555

Increase (decrease) in interest payable and other liabilities

(5,038)

8,946

Net cash receipts from (payments to) FDIC for loss share claims

2,300

(436)

Decrease in FDIC loss share receivable

8,613

3,487

Increase in payable to FDIC for loan servicing

180,882

Decrease in other assets

11,446

40,693

Other, net

17,723

6,572

Net cash provided by operating activities

505,078

268,988

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

213,877

141,716

Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale

249,270

298,810

Purchases of securities available for sale

(578,690)

(720,241)

Proceeds from maturities of securities held to maturity

276,073

307,633

Purchases of securities held to maturity

(554,442)

(371,657)

Net decrease in short-term investments

331,746

436,635

Proceeds from sales of loans

166,922

Net increase in loans

(725,228)

(591,696)

Purchase of life insurance contracts

(50,000)

(40,000)

Purchases of property and equipment

(16,086)

(10,817)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

389

677

Proceeds from sales of other real estate

15,357

20,709

Net cash paid for FNBC I acquisition

(322,708)

Net cash received for FNBC II acquisition

799,509

Other, net

(28,976)

(3,651)

Net cash used in investing activities

(389,909)

(364,960)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Net increase in deposits

181,084

536,581

Net decrease in short-term borrowings

(84,890)

(347,688)

Repayments of long-term debt

(198,690)

(16,796)

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

124

6,796

Dividends paid

(62,400)

(57,349)

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

(3,235)

(444)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

11,610

49

Proceeds from dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan

2,314

821

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(154,083)

121,970

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

(38,914)

25,998

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, BEGINNING

372,689

303,874

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS, ENDING

$

333,775

$

329,872

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR NON-CASH

INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Assets acquired in settlement of loans

$

4,770

$

12,012

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

9


HANCO CK HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIA RIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1. Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hancock Holding Company and all other entities in which it has a controlling interest (the “Company”). The financial statements include all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly state the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The Company has also evaluated all subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Some financial information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Financial information reported in these financial statements is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows for any other interim or annual period.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  Select Stockholders’ Equity line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity have been modified to simplify the presentation as discussed in Note 7 – Stockholders’ Equity.  Presentation of derivatives contracts cleared through a central clearing counterparty has been revised prospectively to reflect netting of variation margin as settlements to the derivative assets and liabilities rather than collateral, effective January 3, 2017, as discussed in Note 6 – Derivatives.  These changes in presentation did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or operating results.

Use of Estimates

The accounting principles the Company follows and the methods for applying these principles conform to GAAP and general practices followed by the banking industry.   These accounting principles require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates



There were no material changes or developments during the reporting period with respect to methodologies that the Company uses when applying what management believes are critical accounting policies and developing critical accounting estimates as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 14 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements for a discussion of accounting standards adopted in 2017.



2.  Acquisitions



On March 10, 2017, the Company , through its banking subsidiary, Whitney Bank (“Whitney”), completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities, including nine branches, from First NBC Bank (“FNBC”), referred to as the FNBC I transaction.  Whitney paid approximately $323 million in cash consideration ( $326 million cash paid net of $3 million in branch cash acquired), including a $41.6 million transaction premium for the earnings stream acquired.



On April 28, 2017, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (“OFI”) closed FNBC and appointed the FDIC as receiver. Whitney entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with the FDIC , referred to as the FNBC II transaction . Pursuant to the agreement, Whitney acquired selected assets and liabilities of the former FNBC , including substantially all of the transaction and savings deposits, and con tinued to operate its 29 branch locations ( 24 in Louisiana and five in Florida). Whitney also had the option to purchase (or assume the leases for) the branch and non-branch locations, including furniture, fixtures, and equipment subsequent to the date of the transaction. This option was exercised for seven branch locations. Whitney paid a premium of $35 million to the FDIC for the earnings stream acquired and received approximately $ 800 million in cash ( $64 2 million from the FDIC for the net liabilities assumed and $158 million in branch cash acquired).



The FNBC I and FNBC II transactions were accounted for as business combinations and therefore, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at estimated fair values on the acquisition dates.

10


The following table sets forth the preliminary acquisition date fair value of  the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the consideration paid or received, and the resulting goodwill recorded in each of the FNBC I and FNBC II transactions, and in the aggregate. The Company recorded certain p urchase accounting adjustments and a cash settlement with the FDIC during the third quarter of 2017. The Company expects to finalize acquisition date fair values and the resulting goodwill in the fourth quarter of 2017.







FNBC I

FNBC II

(in thousands)

March 10, 2017

April 28, 2017

Total

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

2,856

$

157,932

$

160,788

Interest-bearing time deposits with other banks

382,622

382,622

Fed funds sold and other short-term investments

148

148

Securities

213,877

213,877

Total loans

1,211,523

165,577

1,377,100

Property and equipment

11,837

8,988

20,825

Accrued interest receivable

2,969

885

3,854

Identifiable intangible assets

3,900

21,400

25,300

Other assets

63

4,150

4,213

Total identifiable assets

1,233,148

955,579

2,188,727



LIABILITIES

Deposits

398,171

1,530,338

1,928,509

Short-term borrowings

510,749

85,886

596,635

Long-term debt

93,120

93,120

Other liabilities

1,607

3,079

4,686

Total liabilities

1,003,647

1,619,303

2,622,950

Net identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)

229,501

(663,724)

(434,223)



Consideration (Paid) Received

(325,564)

641,577

316,013

Goodwill

$

96,063

$

22,147

$

118,210



The loans acquired were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition dates with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Substantially all of the loans acquired were considered to be performing (“purchased credit performing”) based on such factors as past due status and nonaccrual status, and were accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-20. The unpaid principal balance of the performing loans acquired totaled $1. 4 billion , of which $ 31.7 million is not expected to be collected.  The difference at the acquisition dates between the fair value and the contractual amounts due (the “fair value discount”) of $ 41.0 million will be accreted into income over the estimated lives of the loan pools established in the valuation. Loans with an unpaid principal balance of $39.9 million and a fair value of $23.4 million were considered to be purchased credit impaired and were accounted for under ASC 310-30 using the cost recovery method; as such, the related fair value discount of $16.5 million will not be accreted into income .



The Company assumed approximately $604 million of borrowings in the FNBC I transaction, consisting of both short-term and long-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings.  The short-term borrowings consisted of $460 million in variable rate term notes, of which $200 million mature in 2025 and $260 million mature in 2026 .  These notes reprice quarterly and may be repaid at the Company’s option, either in full or in part, on any quarterly repricing date.  Also included in short-term borrowings are $51 million in fixed rate term notes.  The long-term borrowings include $93.1 million in fixed rate term notes, of which $88 million mature in 2018 , $3.2 million mature in 2019 , and $1.9 million mature in 2023 .  Short-term borrowings assumed in the FNBC II transaction consisted of securities sold under repurchase agreements. No long-term borrowings were assumed in the FNBC II transaction.



Identifiable intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles totaling $ 2 5.3 million that are being amortized using sum of years’ digits over the asset’s life of eight years for the FNBC I transaction and eleven years for the FNBC II transaction.  Goodwill totaling $ 11 8 million represents the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired, or the excess of the fair value of the net liabilities assumed over the consideration received. It is comprised of estimated future economic benefits arising from these transactions that cannot not be individually identified or do not qualify for separate recognition. These benefits include increased market share in the Greater New Orleans and Florida Panhandle market areas, expected earnings streams, and operational efficiencies that the Company believes will result from these business combinations . The tax basis of the goodwill generated from these transactions is expected to be deductible for federal income tax purposes.







Goodwill balance at December 31, 2016

$

621,193

Additions:

Initial goodwill recorded in FNBC I transaction

95,568

Measurement period adjustments - FNBC I transaction

495

Initial goodwill recorded in FNBC II transaction

23,009

Measurement period adjustments - FNBC II transaction

(862)

Goodwill balance at September 30, 2017

$

739,403

11


The operating results of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 include the results from the operations acquired in the FNBC transactions since the respective acquisition dates.  Estimating reliable historical financial information is impracticable as only selected components of the businesses, as historically operated, were acquired. A number of post-acquisition events, including the consolidation of certain branch locations and the integration of operations, cash and investments acquired make quantifying discrete earnings contributions of the businesses acquired impracticable.  As such, neither supplemental pro forma financial information of the combined entity, nor revenue and earnings contributed by the businesses acquired since the dates of acquisition are presented.



The Company incurred merger-related costs in connection with the FNBC I and FNBC II transactions.  The following table reflects the merger-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 for both the FNBC I and FNBC II transactions combined. The Company does not expect to incur any additional merger-related costs related to the FNBC transactions in any subsequent period .







(in thousands)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Personnel expense

$

2,120

$

3,662

Net occupancy and equipment expense

500

777

Professional services expense

2,854

9,681

Data processing expense

929

974

Other real estate

-

(1,511)

Advertising expense

358

1,389

Other expense

2,132

4,398

Total merger-related expenses

$

8,893

$

19,370













3 .  Securities

The amortized cost , gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity follow.









Securities Available for Sale

(in thousands)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016



Gross

Gross

Gross

Gross



Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair



Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

75,019

$

29

$

1,606

$

73,442

$

56,751

$

$

1,923

$

54,828

Municipal obligations

246,805

534

4,661

242,678

253,228

113

11,186

242,155

Residential mortgage-backed securities

1,795,397

9,701

11,672

1,793,426

1,620,191

10,592

19,428

1,611,355

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

584,503

569

16,719

568,353

425,750

23,159

402,591

Collateralized mortgage obligations

174,119

114

354

173,879

202,580

490

591

202,479

Corporate debt securities

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,500



$

2,879,343

$

10,947

$

35,012

$

2,855,278

$

2,562,000

$

11,195

$

56,287

$

2,516,908



12








Securities Held to Maturity

(in thousands)

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016



Gross

Gross

Gross

Gross



Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair



Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

50,000

$

$

63

$

49,937

$

50,000

$

$

44

$

49,956

Municipal obligations

725,484

7,677

7,396

725,765

648,093

2,147

20,175

630,065

Residential mortgage-backed securities

760,158

8,896

776

768,278

862,162

4,329

3,068

863,423

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

75,688

2,592

73,096

75,739

4,038

71,701

Collateralized mortgage obligations

1,157,944

2,476

9,348

1,151,072

864,226

1,420

10,674

854,972



$

2,769,274

$

19,049

$

20,175

$

2,768,148

$

2,500,220

$

7,896

$

37,999

$

2,470,117



The following table presents the amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available for sale and held to maturity at September 30, 2017 by contractual maturity.  Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because of rights to call or repay obligations with or without penalties and scheduled and unscheduled principal payments on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.











(in thousands)

Amortized

Fair

Debt Securities Available for Sale

Cost

Value

Due in one year or less

$

5,392

$

5,425

Due after one year through five years

46,852

47,394

Due after five years through ten years

1,097,850

1,082,709

Due after ten years

1,729,249

1,719,750

Total available for sale debt securities

$

2,879,343

$

2,855,278





Amortized

Fair

Debt Securities Held to Maturity

Cost

Value

Due in one year or less

$

10,081

$

10,123

Due after one year through five years

108,164

108,726

Due after five years through ten years

837,353

833,465

Due after ten years

1,813,676

1,815,834

Total held to maturity debt securities

$

2,769,274

$

2,768,148

The Company held no securities c lassified as trading at September 30 , 2017 or December 31, 2016.

The fair value and gross unrealized losses for securities classified as available for sale with unrealized losses for the periods indicated follow.







Available for Sale

September 30, 2017

Losses < 12 months

Losses 12 months or >

Total



Gross

Gross

Gross



Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(in thousands)

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

52,866

1,606

$

$

$

52,866

$

1,606

Municipal obligations

145,441

2,286

66,640

2,375

212,081

4,661

Residential mortgage-backed securities

1,255,266

11,514

5,360

158

1,260,626

11,672

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

465,596

15,366

30,151

1,353

495,747

16,719

Collateralized mortgage obligations

66,149

201

5,565

153

71,714

354



$

1,985,318

$

30,973

$

107,716

$

4,039

$

2,093,034

$

35,012



13










Available for Sale

December 31, 2016

Losses < 12 months

Losses 12 months or >

Total



Gross

Gross

Gross



Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(in thousands)

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

54,788

$

1,923

$

$

$

54,788

$

1,923

Municipal obligations

228,588

11,186

228,588

11,186

Residential mortgage-backed securities

1,087,644

19,359

3,738

69

1,091,382

19,428

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

402,591

23,159

402,591

23,159

Collateralized mortgage obligations

83,701

591

83,701

591



$

1,857,312

$

56,218

$

3,738

$

69

$

1,861,050

$

56,287



The fair value and gross unrealized losses for securities classified as held to maturity with unrealized losses for the periods indicated follow.









Held to maturity

September 30, 2017

Losses < 12 months

Losses 12 months or >

Total



Gross

Gross

Gross



Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(in thousands)

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

49,938

$

63

$

$

$

49,938

$

63

Municipal obligations

275,874

2,975

98,976

4,421

374,850

7,396

Residential mortgage-backed securities

254,743

776

254,743

776

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

73,096

2,592

73,096

2,592

Collateralized mortgage obligations

559,859

3,852

232,697

5,496

792,556

9,348



$

1,213,510

$

10,258

$

331,673

$

9,917

$

1,545,183

$

20,175









Held to maturity

December 31, 2016

Losses < 12 months

Losses 12 months or >

Total





Gross

Gross

Gross



Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(in thousands)

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

49,956

$

44

$

$

$

49,956

$

44

Municipal obligations

494,470

19,706

11,750

469

506,220

20,175

Residential mortgage-backed securities

278,369

3,068

278,369

3,068

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

71,701

4,038

71,701

4,038

Collateralized mortgage obligations

618,739

7,296

115,375

3,378

734,114

10,674



$

1,513,235

$

34,152

$

127,125

$

3,847

$

1,640,360

$

37,999

The unrealized losses primarily relate to c hanges in market rates on fixed rate debt securities since the respective purchase dates.  In all cases, the indicated impairment on these debt securities would be recovered no later than the security’s maturity date or possibly earlier if the market price for the security increases with a reduction in the yield required by the market.  None of the unrealized losses relate to the marketability o f the securities or the issuers’ abilities to meet contractual obligations.  The Company believes it has adequate liquidity and, therefore, does not plan to and, more likely than not, will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of the indicated impairment.  Accordingly, the unrealized losses on these securities have been determined to be temporary.

Proceeds from the sales of securities were approximately $ 213.9 million with no gross gain or loss and $ 141.7 million with a gross gain of $ 1.5 million and no loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2 017 and 2016 , respectively .

Securities with carrying values totaling $ 3.6 billion and $3.8 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, were pledged as collateral primarily to secure public deposits or securities sold under agreements to repurchase.





4.  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company generally makes loans in its market areas of south Mississippi, southern and central Alabama, south Lou isiana, the Houston, Texas area and the northern, central and panhandle regions of Florida. Loans, net of unearned income, by portfolio are

14


p resented in the table below.











September 30,

December 31,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

Commercial non-real estate

$

8,129,429

$

7,613,917

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

2,076,014

1,906,821

Total commercial & industrial

10,205,443

9,520,738

Commercial real estate - income producing

2,511,808

2,013,890

Construction and land development

1,373,048

1,010,879

Residential mortgages

2,596,692

2,146,713

Consumer

2,099,294

2,059,931

Total loans

$

18,786,285

$

16,752,151



The following briefly describes the composition of each loan category.



Commercial and industrial



Commercial and industrial loans are made available to businesses for working capital (including financing of inventory and receivables), business expansion, to facilitate the acquisition of a business, and the purchase of equipment and machinery, including equipment leasing. These loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and, when secured, have the added strength of the underlying collateral.



Commercial non-real estate loans may be secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, ownership or commodity interests, and may incorporate a personal or corporate guarantee; however, some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis, including a small portfolio of corporate credit cards, generally issued as a part of overall customer relationships.



Commercial real estate – owner occupied loans consist of commercial mortgages on properties where repayment is generally dependent on the cash flow from the ongoing operations and activities of the borrower.  Like commercial non-real estate, these loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower, but also have the added strength of the value of underlying real estate collateral.



Commercial real estate – income producing



Commercial real estate – income producing loans consist of loans secured by commercial mortgages on properties where the loan is made to real estate developers or investors and repayment is dependent on the sale, refinance, or income generated from the operation of the property.  Properties financed include retail, office, multifamily, senior housing, hotel/motel, skilled nursing facilities and other commercial properties.



Construction and land development



C onstruction and land development loans are made to facilitate t he acquisition, development, improvement and construction of both commercial and residential-purpose properties.  Such loans are made to builders and investors where repayment is expected to be made from the sale, refinance or operation of the property or to businesses to be used in their business operations.  This portfolio also includes a small amount of residential construction loans and loans secured by raw land not yet under development.



Residential Mortgages



Residential mortgages consist of closed-end loans secured by first liens on 1- 4 family residential properties. The portfolio includes both fixed and adjustable rate loans, although most longer term, fixed rate loans originated are sold in the secondary mortgage market .



Consumer



Consumer loans include second lien mortgage home loans, home equity lines of credit and nonresidential consumer purpose loans. Nonresidential consumer loans include both direct and indirect loans.   Direct nonresidential consumer loans are made to finance the purchase of personal property, including automobiles, recreational vehicles and boats, and for other personal purposes (secured and unsecured), and deposit account secured loans. Indirect nonresidential consumer loans include automobile financing provided to the consumer through an agreement with automobile dealerships.  Consumer loans also include a small portfolio of credit card receivables issued on the basis of applications received through referrals from the Bank’s branches, online and other marketing efforts.



15


Allowance for Loan Losses

The following schedule shows activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio class for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, as well as the corresponding recorded investment in loans at the end of each period.











Commercial

Commercial



Commercial

real estate-

Total

real estate-

Construction



non-real

owner

commercial &

income

and land

Residential

(in thousands)

estate

occupied

industrial

producing

development

mortgages

Consumer

Total



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Allowance for loan  losses:

Beginning balance

$

147,052

$

11,083

$

158,135

$

13,509

$

6,271

$

25,361

$

26,142

$

229,418

Purchased credit impaired activity:

Charge-offs

(77)

(102)

(153)

(332)

Recoveries

5

110

115

49

23

72

259

Net provision for loan losses

(27)

(220)

(247)

(54)

(124)

175

(192)

(442)

Decrease in FDIC loss share receivable

(47)

(47)

(2,344)

(135)

(2,526)

Non-purchased credit impaired activity:

Charge-offs

(35,247)

(527)

(35,774)

(160)

(593)

(2,383)

(22,691)

(61,601)

Recoveries

6,437

337

6,774

655

1,001

316

5,176

13,922

Net provision for loan losses

15,922

2,776

18,698

540

54

3,988

21,144

44,424

Ending balance

$

134,095

$

13,559

$

147,654

$

14,490

$

6,581

$

25,034

$

29,363

$

223,122

Ending balance:

Allowance:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

20,880

$

477

$

21,357

$

1,321

$

1

$

406

$

405

$

23,490

Amounts related to purchased credit impaired loans

417

784

1,201

199

254

12,795

863

15,312

Collectively evaluated for impairment

112,798

12,298

125,096

12,970

6,326

11,833

28,095

184,320

Total allowance

$

134,095

$

13,559

$

147,654

$

14,490

$

6,581

$

25,034

$

29,363

$

223,122

Loans:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

271,024

$

6,351

$

277,375

$

14,295

$

480

$

8,942

$

1,306

$

302,397

Purchased credit impaired loans

20,186

13,021

33,207

5,353

6,670

123,244

7,637

176,111

Collectively evaluated for impairment

7,838,219

2,056,642

9,894,861

2,492,160

1,365,898

2,464,506

2,090,351

18,307,777

Total loans

$

8,129,429

$

2,076,014

$

10,205,443

$

2,511,808

$

1,373,048

$

2,596,692

$

2,099,294

$

18,786,285















Commercial

Commercial



Commercial

real estate-

Total

real estate-

Construction



non-real

owner

commercial &

income

and land

Residential

(in thousands)

estate

occupied

industrial

producing

development

mortgages

Consumer

Total



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Allowance for loan  losses:

Beginning balance

$

109,428

$

9,858

$

119,286

$

6,041

$

5,642

$

25,353

$

24,857

$

181,179

Purchased credit impaired activity:

Charge-offs

(28)

(28)

(1)

(18)

(91)

(8)

(146)

Recoveries

76

163

239

2

98

33

112

484

Net provision for loan losses

54

(140)

(86)

(436)

(253)

1,685

(1,633)

(723)

(Decrease) increase in FDIC loss share receivable

(2)

(2)

(3,341)

316

(3,027)

Non-purchased credit impaired activity:

Charge-offs

(27,504)

(1,660)

(29,164)

(191)

(827)

(908)

(17,403)

(48,493)

Recoveries

2,709

287

2,996

673

1,422

497

4,272

9,860

Net provision for loan losses

74,500

2,303

76,803

4,862

(216)

964

14,514

96,927

Ending balance

$

159,261

$

10,783

$

170,044

$

10,950

$

5,848

$

24,192

$

25,027

$

236,061

Ending balance:

Allowance:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

20,665

$

223

$

20,888

$

57

$

6

$

94

$

85

$

21,130

Amounts related to purchased credit impaired loans

574

1,088

1,662

279

484

15,949

1,334

19,708

Collectively evaluated for impairment

138,022

9,472

147,494

10,614

5,358

8,149

23,608

195,223

Total allowance

$

159,261

$

10,783

$

170,044

$

10,950

$

5,848

$

24,192

$

25,027

$

236,061

Loans:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

235,039

$

6,458

$

241,497

$

7,655

$

2,062

$

3,864

$

1,485

$

256,563

Purchased credit impaired loans

11,534

16,417

27,951

8,087

8,436

145,273

12,045

201,792

Collectively evaluated for impairment

6,887,355

1,878,950

8,766,305

1,974,567

936,094

1,888,025

2,047,475

15,612,466

Total loans

$

7,133,928

$

1,901,825

$

9,035,753

$

1,990,309

$

946,592

$

2,037,162

$

2,061,005

$

16,070,821





16


Impaired Loans

The following table shows the composition of nonaccrual loans by portfolio class.  Purchased credit impaired loans accounted for in pools with an accretable yield are considered to be performing and are excluded from the table.









September 30,

December 31,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

Commercial non-real estate

$

188,982

$

249,037

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

14,305

14,413

Total commercial & industrial

203,287

263,450

Commercial real estate - income producing

14,360

13,954

Construction and land development

3,292

4,550

Residential mortgages

34,674

23,665

Consumer

14,063

12,351

Total loans

$

269,676

$

317,970



Nonaccrual loans include nonaccruing loans modified in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) of $ 119.3 million and $81.9 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  Total TDRs, both accruing and nonaccruing, were $ 216.0 million as of September 30, 2017 and $121.7 million at December 31, 2016.  All TDRs are individually evaluated for impairment.

The table below details by portfolio class TDRs that were modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .











Nine Months Ended

($ in thousands)

September 30, 2017

September 30, 2016



Pre-Modification

Post-Modification

Pre-Modification

Post-Modification



Outstanding

Outstanding

Outstanding

Outstanding



Number of

Recorded

Recorded

Number of

Recorded

Recorded

Troubled Debt Restructurings:

Contracts

Investment

Investment

Contracts

Investment

Investment

Commercial non-real estate

50

$

135,926

$

135,926

17

$

57,915

$

57,915

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

4

3,734

3,734

Total commercial & industrial

54

139,660

139,660

17

57,915

57,915

Commercial real estate - income producing

5

5,684

5,684

Construction and land development

Residential mortgages

13

2,068

2,068

6

532

532

Consumer

1

40

42

Total loans

73

$

147,452

$

147,454

23

$

58,447

$

58,447



The TDRs modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflected in the table above include $ 96.1 million of loans with extended amortization terms or other payment concessions, $ 50.1 million of loans with significant covenant waivers and $ 1.3 million with other modifications.  The TDRs modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 include $43.4 million of loans with extended amortization terms or other payment concessions , $14.7 million of loans with significant covenant waivers and $ 0.4 million of other modifications.

No TDRs recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 subsequently defaulted within twelve months of modification.

The tables below present loans that are individually evaluated for impairment disaggregated by portfolio class at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.  Loans individually evaluated for impairment include TDRs and loans that are determined to be impaired and have aggregate relationship balances of $1 million or more.











September 30, 2017



Recorded investment

Recorded investment

Unpaid

(in thousands)

without an allowance

with an allowance

principal balance

Related allowance

Commercial non-real estate

$

92,583

$

178,441

$

276,879

$

20,880

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

3,599

2,752

6,353

477

Total commercial & industrial

96,182

181,193

283,232

21,357

Commercial real estate - income producing

5,160

9,135

14,451

1,321

Construction and land development

464

16

1,445

1

Residential mortgages

6,311

2,630

11,961

406

Consumer

1

1,305

1,308

405

Total loans

$

108,118

$

194,279

$

312,397

$

23,490

17








December 31, 2016



Recorded investment

Recorded investment

Unpaid

(in thousands)

without an allowance

with an allowance

principal balance

Related allowance

Commercial non-real estate

$

150,650

$

120,612

$

295,445

$

28,187

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

4,261

2,007

6,646

246

Total commercial & industrial

154,911

122,619

302,091

28,433

Commercial real estate - income producing

10,447

4,929

15,708

466

Construction and land development

1,106

832

2,903

38

Residential mortgages

2,877

1,470

4,865

91

Consumer

2,154

2,155

267

Total loans

$

169,341

$

132,004

$

327,722

$

29,295

The tables below present the average balances and interest income for total impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.  Interest income recognized represents interest on accruing loans modified in a TDR.











Three Months Ended



September 30, 2017

September 30, 2016



Average

Interest

Average

Interest



recorded

income

recorded

income

(in thousands)

investment

recognized

investment

recognized

Commercial non-real estate

$

260,640

$

872

$

233,913

$

155

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

6,916

24

6,374

10

Total commercial & industrial

267,556

896

240,287

165

Commercial real estate - income producing

14,604

35

7,729

24

Construction and land development

663

1

1,655

Residential mortgages

6,204

7

2,466

3

Consumer

1,179

4

826

2

Total loans

$

290,206

$

943

$

252,963

$

194











Nine Months Ended



September 30, 2017

September 30, 2016



Average

Interest

Average

Interest



recorded

income

recorded

income

(in thousands)

investment

recognized

investment

recognized

Commercial non-real estate

$

251,129

$

1,806

$

197,382

$

1,002

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

5,895

46

6,015

39

Total commercial & industrial

257,024

1,852

203,397

1,041

Commercial real estate - income producing

14,449

112

8,624

67

Construction and land development

1,216

1

7,821

Residential mortgages

4,449

12

1,444

7

Consumer

1,644

9

348

4

Total loans

$

278,782

$

1,986

$

221,634

$

1,119







18


Aging Analysis

The tables below present the age analysis of past due loans by portfolio class at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Purchased credit impaired loans accounted for in pools with an accretable yield are considered to be current.











Recorded



Greater than

investment



30-59 days

60-89 days

90 days

Total

Total

> 90 days and

September 30, 2017

past due

past due

past due

past due

Current

Loans

still accruing

(in thousands)

Commercial non-real estate

$

31,634

$

3,880

$

104,334

$

139,848

$

7,989,581

$

8,129,429

$

24,400

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

18,579

303

8,950

27,832

2,048,182

2,076,014

767

Total commercial & industrial

50,213

4,183

113,284

167,680

10,037,763

10,205,443

25,167

Commercial real estate - income producing

1,540

3,731

5,676

10,947

2,500,861

2,511,808

2,907

Construction and land development

5,018

1,031

2,861

8,910

1,364,138

1,373,048

417

Residential mortgages

39,081

10,575

24,415

74,071

2,522,621

2,596,692

41

Consumer

15,574

7,426

7,710

30,710

2,068,584

2,099,294

318

Total

$

111,426

$

26,946

$

153,946

$

292,318

$

18,493,967

$

18,786,285

$

28,850











Recorded



Greater than

investment



30-59 days

60-89 days

90 days

Total

Total

> 90 days and

December 31, 2016

past due

past due

past due

past due

Current

Loans

still accruing

(in thousands)

Commercial non-real estate

$

19,722

$

1,909

$

68,505

$

90,136

$

7,523,781

$

7,613,917

$

384

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

3,008

581

6,310

9,899

1,896,922

1,906,821

52

Total commercial & industrial

22,730

2,490

74,815

100,035

9,420,703

9,520,738

436

Commercial real estate - income producing

838

50

5,026

5,914

2,007,976

2,013,890

216

Construction and land development

694

171

5,300

6,165

1,004,714

1,010,879

1,563

Residential mortgages

24,599

8,816

14,369

47,784

2,098,929

2,146,713

1

Consumer

18,621

7,441

9,147

35,209

2,024,722

2,059,931

823

Total

$

67,482

$

18,968

$

108,657

$

195,107

$

16,557,044

$

16,752,151

$

3,039



Credit Quality Indicators

The following tables present the credit quality indicators by segments and portfolio class of loans at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.











September 30, 2017

(in thousands)

Commercial non-real estate

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied

Total commercial & industrial

Commercial real estate - income producing

Construction and land development

Total commercial

Grade:

Pass

$

6,941,591

$

1,840,553

$

8,782,144

$

2,327,685

$

1,278,648

$

12,388,477

Pass-Watch

345,073

83,808

428,881

107,568

73,538

609,987

Special Mention

122,023

41,270

163,293

12,802

7,484

183,579

Substandard

717,436

110,383

827,819

63,744

13,378

904,941

Doubtful

3,306

3,306

9

3,315

Total

$

8,129,429

$

2,076,014

$

10,205,443

$

2,511,808

$

1,373,048

$

14,090,299





December 31, 2016

(in thousands)

Commercial non-real estate

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied

Total commercial & industrial

Commercial real estate - income producing

Construction and land development

Total commercial

Grade:

Pass

$

6,364,348

$

1,719,114

$

8,083,462

$

1,873,644

$

968,505

$

10,925,611

Pass-Watch

203,311

47,676

250,987

78,309

22,592

351,888

Special Mention

181,763

40,299

222,062

22,492

4,142

248,696

Substandard

846,793

99,732

946,525

39,434

15,640

1,001,599

Doubtful

17,702

17,702

11

17,713

Total

$

7,613,917

$

1,906,821

$

9,520,738

$

2,013,890

$

1,010,879

$

12,545,507





19










September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

(in thousands)

Residential mortgage

Consumer

Total

Residential mortgage

Consumer

Total

Performing

$

2,561,977

$

2,084,913

$

4,646,890

$

2,123,048

$

2,046,757

$

4,169,805

Nonperforming

34,715

14,381

49,096

23,665

13,174

36,839

Total

$

2,596,692

$

2,099,294

$

4,695,986

$

2,146,713

$

2,059,931

$

4,206,644

Below are the definitions of the Company’s internally assigned grades:

Commercial :

·

Pass – loans properly approved, documented, collateralized, and performing which do not reflect an abnormal credit risk.

·

Pass-Watch – credits in this category are of sufficient risk to cause concern.  This category is reserved for credits that display negative performance trends.  The “Watch” grade should be regarded as a transition category.

·

Special Mention – a criticized asset category defined as having potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, at some future date, result in the deterioration of the repayment prospects for the credit or the institution’s credit position.  Special mention credits are not considered part of the Classified credit categories and do not expose the institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

·

Substandard – an asset that is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

·

Doubtful – an asset that has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

·

Loss – credits classified as Loss are considered uncollectable and are charged off promptly once so classified.

Residential and Consumer:

·

Performing – loans on which payments of principal and interest are less than 90 days past due.

·

Nonperforming – a nonperforming loan is a loan that is in default or close to being in default and there are good reasons to doubt that payments will be made in full.  All loans rated as nonaccrual loans are also classified as nonperforming.



Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

Changes in the carrying amount of purchased credit impaired loans and related accretable yield are presented in the following table for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016.











September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016



Carrying

Carrying



Amount

Accretable

Amount

Accretable

(in thousands)

of Loans

Yield

of Loans

Yield

Balance at beginning of period

$

190,915

$

113,686

$

225,838

$

129,488

Addition of cost recovery loans

23,431

Payments received, net

(51,040)

(6,651)

(55,194)

(11,024)

Accretion

12,805

(12,805)

20,271

(20,271)

Increase in expected cash flows based on actual cash flows and changes in cash flow assumptions

4,149

5,358

Net transfers from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield

8,095

10,135

Balance at end of period

$

176,111

$

106,474

$

190,915

$

113,686



Loans Acquired in an FDIC-Assisted Transaction and the Related FDIC Loss Share Receivable



Loans purchased in the 2009 acquisition of Peoples First Community Bank were covered by two loss share agreements between the FDIC and the Company.  In the third quarter of 2017, the Company terminated the agreement s with the FDIC on the remaining covered loan balances totaling $154 million at June 30, 2017. The indemnification asset was written down to the final settlement amount of $3.2 million in the second quarter of 2017. The final cash settlement was received from the FDIC in July 2017.

20


The following schedule shows activity in the FDIC loss share receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .











September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

Beginning Balance

$

16,219

$

29,868

Amortization

(2,427)

(4,678)

Charge-offs, write-downs and other recoveries

(2,442)

(5,569)

External expenses qualifying under loss share agreements

79

1,000

Adjustment due to changes in cash flow projections

(2,526)

(3,027)

Net payments to FDIC

934

436

Write-down for termination of loss share agreements

(6,603)

Cash received from FDIC for final settlement of agreements

(3,234)

Ending balance

$

$

18,030



Residential Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure



Included in loans are $8 .0 million and $10. 1 million of consumer loans secured by single family residential real estate that are in process of foreclosure as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.   Loans in process of foreclosure include those for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.  In addition to the single family residential real estate loans in process of forec is losure, the Company also held $ 2. 5 million and $3.1 million of foreclosed single family residential properties in other real estate owned as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.



5.  Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase

Included in short-term borrowings are customer securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”) that mature daily and are secured by U.S. agency securities totaling $ 512.0 million and $358.1 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively .  The Company borrows funds on a secured basis by selling securities under agreements to repurchase, mainly in connection with treasury management services offered to its deposit customers. As the Company maintains effective control over assets sold under agreements to repurchase, the securities continue to be carried on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Because the Company acts as borrower transferring assets to the counterparty, and the agreements mature daily, the Company’s risk is limited.

6 .  Derivatives

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage risks related to differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments, currently related to select pools of variable rate loans and fixed rate brokered deposits.  The Bank also enters into interest rate derivative agreements as a service to certain qualifying customers.  The Bank manages a matched book with respect to these customer derivatives in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such agreements.  The Bank also enters into risk participation agreements under which it may either sell or buy credit risk associated with a customer’s performance under certain interest rate derivative contracts related to loans in which participation interests have been sold to or purchased from other banks.

21


Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet

The table below presents the notional or contractual amounts and fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.  Effective January 3, 2017, the Company’s central clearing counterparty amended its rulebook to legally characterize variation margin accounts as settlements, rather than being reflected separately as collateral.  As a result of that change, the Company began prospectively reflecting derivative a ssets and liabilities net of the central clearing counterparty derivative margin account.









September 30, 2017

December 31, 2016



Derivative (1)

Derivative (1)

(in thousands)

Type of Hedge

Notional or Contractual Amount

Assets

Liabilities

Notional or Contractual Amount

Assets

Liabilities

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps

Cash Flow

$

875,000

$

$

7,924

$

1,100,000

$

$

7,787

Interest rate swaps

Fair Value

363,000

823



$

1,238,000

$

$

8,747

$

1,100,000

$

$

7,787

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps (2)

N/A

$

1,172,752

$

16,855

$

17,420

$

979,391

$

18,405

$

18,362

Risk participation agreements

N/A

109,556

34

108

84,732

50

105

Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans

N/A

93,809

91

669

75,676

900

221

Interest rate-lock commitments on residential mortgage loans

N/A

71,786

534

71

46,840

189

228

Foreign exchange forward contracts

N/A

55,081

2,465

2,423

56,152

771

729



1,502,984

19,979

20,691

1,242,791

20,315

19,645

Total derivatives

$

2,740,984

$

19,979

$

29,438

$

2,342,791

$

20,315

$

27,432

Less:  netting adjustment (3)

(2,780)

(16,747)

Total derivative assets/liabilities

$

17,199

$

12,691

$

20,315

$

27,432

(1)

Derivative assets and liabilities are reported at fair value in other assets or other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.

(2)

The notional amount represents both the customer accommodation agreements and offsetting agreements with unrelated financial institutions.



(3)

Represents balance sheet netting of derivative assets and liabilities for variation margin collateral held or placed with the same central clearing counterparty.  See offsetting assets and liabilities for further information.







Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company is party to various interest rate swap agreements designated and qualify ing as cash flow hedges of the Company’s forec asted variable cash flows for pools of variable rate loans.   For each agreement, the Company receives interest at a fixed rate and pays at a variable rate.  The notional amounts of the swap agreements at September 30, 2017 expire as follows: $250 million in 2019 ; $200 million in 2020 ; and $425 million in 2022 .

During the terms of the swap agreements, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the periods that the hedged forecasted variabl e rate interest payments affect earnings .  The impact on AOCI is reflected in Note 7- Shareholders’ Equity . There was virtually no ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative s recognized directly in earnings during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .



Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk



During 2017, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements that modify the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk by effectively converting a portion of the Company’s brokered certificates of deposit from fixed rates to variable rates. The maturities and call features of these interest rate swaps match the features of the hedged deposits.  As interest rates fall, the decline in the value of the certificates of deposit is offset by the increase in the value of the interest rate swaps.  Conversely, as interest rates rise, the value of the underlying hedged deposits increases, but the value of the interest rate swaps decrease s , resu lting in no impact on earnings.  Interest expense is adjusted by the difference between the fixed and floating rates for the period the swaps are in effect.  Hedge ineffectiveness on these transactions results in an increase or decrease in noninterest income.

22


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

Customer interest rate derivative program

The Bank enters into interest rate derivative agreements, primarily rate swaps, with commercial banking customers to facilitate their risk management strategies.  The Bank enters into offsetting agreements with unrelated financial institutions, thereby mitigating its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.  Because the interest rate derivatives associated with this program do not meet hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.

Risk participation agreements

The Bank also enters into risk participation agreements under which it may either assume or sell credit risk associated with a borrower’s performance under certain interest rate derivative contracts.  In those instances where the Bank has assumed credit risk, it is not a direct counterparty to the derivative contract with the borrower and has entered into the risk participation agreement because it is a party to the related loan agreement with the borrower.  In those instances in which the Bank has sold credit risk, it is the sole counterparty to the derivative contract with the borrower and has entered into the risk participation agreement because other banks participate in the related loan ag reement.  The Bank manages its credit risk under risk participation agreements by monitoring the creditworthine ss of the borrower, based on the Bank’s normal credit review process.

Mortgage banking derivatives

The Bank also enters into certain deri vative agreements as part of its mortgage banking activities.  These agreements include interest rate lock commitments on prospective residential mortgage loans and forward commitments to sell these loans to investors on a best efforts delivery basis.

Customer foreign exchange forward contract derivatives

The Bank enters into foreign exchange forward derivative agreements, primarily forward foreign currency contracts, with commercial ban king customers to facilitate their risk management strategies.  The Bank manages its risk exposure from such transactions by entering into offsetting agreements with unrelated financial institutions.  Because the foreign exchange forward contract derivatives associated with this program do not meet hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement



Derivative instrument income consisting primarily of customer interest rate swap fees, net of fair value adjustments, is reflected in the income statement in other noninterest income, totaling $ 1.3 million and $ 4.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $ 1.3 million and $ 1.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.  The impact to interest income from cash flow hedges was ($0.1) million and ($0.2) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively and $0.7 million and $1. 7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the fair value hedges entered into during the period reduced interest expense on deposits by $0. 2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and had minimal impact on noninterest income due to ineffectiveness .

Credit Risk-R elated Contingent Features

Certain of the Bank’s derivative instruments contain provisions allowing the financial institution counterparty to terminate the contracts in ce rtain circumstances, such as a downgrade of the Bank’s credit ratings below specified levels, a default by the Bank on its indebtedness, or the failure of the Bank to maintain specified minimum regulatory capital ratios or its regulatory status as a well-capitalized institution.  These derivative agreements also contain provisions regarding the posting of collateral by each party.  As of September 30, 2017 , the aggregate fair value of derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position was $ 16.6 million .

23


Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Bank’s derivative instruments with certain counterparties contain legally enforceable netting provisions that allow for net settlement of multiple transactions to a single amount, which may be positive, negative, or zero.  Agreements with certain bilateral counterparties require both parties to maintain collateral in the event that the fair values of derivative instruments exceed established exposure thresholds.  For centrally cleared derivatives, the Company is subject to initial margin posting and daily variation margin exchange with the central clearinghouses.  As noted above, effective January 3, 2017, the Company began to reflect its derivative assets and liabilities net of the central clearing party variation margin account in the Statement of Income. Offsetting information in regards to all derivative assets and liabilities , including accrued interest, subject to these master netting agreements at September 30, 2017 and Decemb er 31, 2016 is presented in the following tables.









(in thousands)

Gross

Amounts

Net Amounts

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement

of Income

Description

Gross

Amounts

Recognized

Offset in

the Statement

of Income

Presented in

the Statement

of Income

Financial
Instruments

Cash

Collateral

Net
Amount

As of September 30, 2017

Derivative Assets

$

5,271

$

(3,942)

$

1,329

$

1,329

$

$



Derivative Liabilities

$

21,889

$

(16,322)

$

5,567

$

1,329

$

7,318

$

(3,080)









(in thousands)

Gross

Amounts

Net Amounts

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement

of Income

Description

Gross

Amounts

Recognized

Offset in

the Statement

of Income

Presented in

the Statement

of Income

Financial
Instruments

Cash

Collateral

Net
Amount

As of December 31, 2016

Derivative Assets

$

4,788

$

$

4,788

$

4,788

$

$



Derivative Liabilities

$

26,846

$

$

26,846

$

4,788

$

19,095

$

2,963



The Company has excess collateral compared to total exposure due to initial margin requirements for day-to-day rate volatility.



7 . Stockholders’ Equity



The present ation of the components of stock holders’ equity was modified from prior filings to consolidate treasury stock into surplus in the C onsolidated B alance S heets an d Statements of Changes in Stock holders’ E quity in order to simplify the presentation.  Additional information on treasury s tock is reflected in the common shares outstanding section below.





Common Shares Outstanding



Common shares outstanding excludes treasury sha res of 1.0 m illion and 1.3 million at September 30 , 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, with a first-in-first-out cost basi s of $17. 6 mill ion and $24.1 m illion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  Shares outstanding also exclude s unvested restricted share awards of 1. 7 m illion and 2.0 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

24


A ccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

T he components of AOCI and changes in those components are presented in the following table.









Available

HTM Securities



for Sale

Transferred

Employee

Cash

(in thousands)

Securities

from AFS

Benefit Plans

Flow Hedges

Total

Balance, December 31, 2015

$

4,268

$

(16,795)

$

(67,890)

$

(178)

$

(80,595)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes:

Net change in unrealized gain

38,835

1,162

39,997

Reclassification of net (gain) loss realized and included in earnings

(1,435)

4,395

2,960

Valuation adjustment for employee benefit plans

(6,347)

(6,347)

Amortization of unrealized net loss on securities transferred to HTM

2,736

2,736

Income tax expense (benefit)

13,701

1,029

(714)

424

14,440

Balance, September 30, 2016

$

27,967

$

(15,088)

$

(69,128)

$

560

$

(55,689)

Balance, December 31, 2016

$

(28,679)

$

(14,392)

$

(72,501)

$

(4,960)

$

(120,532)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes:

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

21,026

(1,232)

19,794

Reclassification of net losses realized and included in earnings

4,144

335

4,479

Valuation adjustment for pension plan amendment (a)

17,315

17,315

Other valuation adjustments for employee benefit plan

(9,185)

(9,185)

Amortization of unrealized net loss on securities transferred to HTM

2,726

2,726

Income tax expense (benefit)

7,649

1,012

4,416

(329)

12,748

Balance, September 30, 2017

$

(15,302)

$

(12,678)

$

(64,643)

$

(5,528)

$

(98,151)



(a)

For further discussion of the pension plan amendment, see Note 11 – Retirement Plans.

AOCI is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.  AOCI can include, among other items, unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale (“AFS”), gains and losses associa ted with pension or other post- retirement benefits that are not recognized immediately as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and gains and losses on derivative instruments that are designated as, and qualify as, cash flow hedges.  Net unrealized gains/losses on AFS securities reclassified as securities held to maturity (“HTM”) also continue to be reported as a component of AOCI and will be amortized over the estimated remaining life of the securities as an adjustment to interest income. Subject to certain thresholds, unrealized losses on employee benefit plans will be reclassified into income as pension and post-retirement costs are recognized over the remaining service period of plan participants.  Accumulated gains/losses on the cash flow hedge of the variable rate loans describe d in Note 6 will be reclassified into income over the life of the hedge.  Gains (losses) in AOCI are net of deferred income taxes.

The following table shows the line items of the consolidated statements of income affected by amounts reclassified from AOCI .











Nine Months Ended

Amount reclassified from AOCI (a)

September 30,

Affected line item on

(in thousands)

2017

2016

the statement of income

Gain on sale of AFS securities

$

$

1,435

Securities transactions

Tax effect

(502)

Income taxes

Net of tax

933

Net income

Amortization of unrealized net loss on securities transferred to HTM

(2,726)

(2,736)

Interest income

Tax effect

1,012

1,029

Income taxes

Net of tax

(1,714)

(1,707)

Net income

Amortization of defined benefit pension and post-retirement items

(4,144)

(4,395)

Employee benefits expense (b)

Tax effect

1,491

1,538

Income taxes

Net of tax

(2,653)

(2,857)

Net income

Amortization of loss on terminated cash flow hedges

(335)

Interest income

Tax effect

123

Income taxes

Net of tax

(212)

Net income

Total reclassifications, net of tax

$

(4,579)

$

(3,631)

Net income

(a)

Amounts in parenthesis indicate reduction in net income.



(b)

These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and post-retirement cost that is reported with employee benefits expense (see Note 11 – Retirement Plans for additional details).

25




8 .  Other Noninterest Income

Components of other no ninterest income are as follows:































































Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Income from bank-owned life insurance

$

3,097

$

4,097

$

8,632

$

11,148

Credit related fees

2,521

2,685

8,297

7,309

Derivative income

1,339

1,347

4,484

1,741

Net gain on sale of assets

400

991

4,465

4,557

Safety deposit box income

424

424

1,264

1,315

Other miscellaneous

3,371

2,322

9,759

6,698

Total other noninterest income

$

11,152

$

11,866

$

36,901

$

32,768

















9 .  Other Noninterest Expense

Components of other non interest expense are as follows:







Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Advertising

$

3,910

$

2,859

$

11,971

$

7,909

Ad valorem and franchise taxes

3,387

2,268

9,942

6,911

Printing and supplies

1,421

1,134

3,929

3,310

Insurance expense

671

803

2,295

2,467

Travel expense

1,226

1,022

3,635

3,050

Entertainment and contributions

2,322

1,686

6,087

5,319

Tax credit investment amortization

1,212

861

3,637

4,437

Loss share termination

6,603

Other miscellaneous

7,611

11,746

19,958

22,158

Total other noninterest expense

$

21,760

$

22,379

$

68,057

$

55,561



10 .  Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share using the two-class method.  The two-class method allocates net income to each class of common stock and participating security according to common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  Participating secur ities consist of unvested stock based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents.

A summary of the information used in the computation of earnings per common share follows.









Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Numerator:

Net income to common shareholders

$

58,902

$

46,719

$

160,183

$

97,465

Net income allocated to participating securities - basic and diluted

1,244

1,101

3,566

2,334

Net income allocated to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

57,658

$

45,618

$

156,617

$

95,131

Denominator:

Weighted-average common shares - basic

$

84,749

$

77,550

$

84,577

$

77,525

Dilutive potential common shares

231

127

241

128

Weighted-average common shares - diluted

$

84,980

$

77,677

$

84,818

$

77,653

Earnings per common share:

Basic

$

0.68

$

0.59

$

1.85

$

1.23

Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.59

$

1.85

$

1.23



26


Potential common shares consist of employee and director stock options.  These potential common shares do not enter into the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the impact would be anti-dilutive, i.e., increase earnings per share or redu ce a loss per share.  Weighted average anti-dilutive potential common shares totaled 1 ,380 and 11,057 , respectively , for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.  Weighted-average anti-dilutive potential common shares totaled 317,893 and 578, 863 , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

11 .  Retirement Plans



During the second quarter of 2017, the Company amended both the Hancock Holding Company Pension Plan and Trust Agreement (“Pension Plan”), a qualified defined benefit plan, and the Hancock Holding Company 401(k) Savings Plan and Trust Agreement (“401(k) Plan”), a defined contribution plan.  The Pension Plan was amended to exclude any individual hired or rehired by the Company after June 30, 2017 from eligibility to participate. The Pension Plan amendment further provides that the accrued benefits of each participant in the Pension Plan whose combined age plus years of service as of January 1, 2018 totals less than 55 will be frozen as of January 1, 2018 and will not thereafter increase.  As a result of the plan amendments, pension assets and the benefit obligations were re-measured as of June 30, 2017. The impact of the amendment to the benefit obligation was a reduction of $17.3 million. As of June 30, 2017, pension assets totaled $537.6 million and the benefit obligation totaled $476.9 million.

The 401(k) Plan was amended for participants whose benefits are frozen under the Pension Plan, to add an enhanced Company contribution beginning January 1, 2018, in the amount of 2% , 4% or 6% of such participant’s eligible compensation, based on the participant’s age and years of service with the Company. The 401(k) Plan’s amendment further provides that the Company will contribute to the benefit of those associates of the Company hired or rehired after June 30, 2017 and those associates of the Company never enrolled in the Pension Plan an additional basic contribution in an amount equal to 2% of the associate’s eligible compensation beginning January 1, 2018.  Participants will vest in the new basic and enhanced Company contributions upon completion of three years of service.



The Company also has a nonqualified defined benefit plan covering certa in legacy Whitney employees that was frozen as of December 31, 2012 and no future benefits are accrued under this plan .

The Company sponsors defined benefit postretirement plans for both legacy Hancock and legacy Whitney employees that provide health care and life insurance benefits. Benefits under the Hancock plan are not available to employees hired on or after January 1, 2000. Benefits under the Whitney plan are restricted to retirees who were already receiving benefits at the time of plan amendments in 2007 or active participants who were eligible to receive benefits as of December 31, 2007.



The following tables show the components of net periodic benefits cost included in expense for the plans for the periods indicated.











Other Post-

(in thousands)

Pension Benefits

retirement Benefits

Three months Ended September 30, 2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Service cost

$

3,769

$

3,611

$

17

$

45

Interest cost

4,056

4,022

155

204

Expected return on plan assets

(9,652)

(8,554)

Amortization of net loss and prior service costs

1,167

1,426

(128)

53

Net periodic benefit cost (reduction of cost)

$

(660)

$

505

$

44

$

302



Nine months ended September 30, 2017

Service cost

$

11,612

$

10,487

$

112

$

119

Interest cost

12,470

13,033

514

613

Expected return on plan assets

(27,978)

(25,999)

Amortization of net loss and prior service costs

4,368

4,320

(224)

75

Net periodic benefit cost

$

472

$

1,841

$

402

$

807



No contribution to the pension plans is required in 2017 to meet minimum funding requirements, and the Company has no plans to make a contribution in the current year.

27


12 .  Share-Based Payment Arrangements

Hancock maintains incentive compensation plans that provide for awards of share-based compensation to employees and directors.  These plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.  Detailed descriptions of these plans were included in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Effective January 1, 2017, the Company prospectively adopted accounting guidance intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments.  The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

A summary of option activity for the nine months ended September 30 , 201 7 is presented below:







Weighted



Average



Weighted

Remaining



Average

Contractual

Aggregate



Number of

Exercise

Term

Intrinsic

Options

Shares

Price

(Years)

Value ($000)

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

456,258

$

35.91

$

3,734

Exercised/Released

(335,758)

34.58

4,111

Cancelled/Forfeited

(538)

32.09

6

Expired

(16,675)

68.18

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

103,287

$

35.06

2.92

$

1,383

Exercisable at September 30, 2017

103,287

$

35.06

2.92

$

1,383



The total intrins ic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $4.1 million.  There was minimal intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

The restricted and performance shares in the table below are subject to service requirements. A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted and performance shares as of September 30, 2017 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , is presented in the following table.







Weighted



Average



Number of

Grant Date



Shares

Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2017

2,152,119

$

32.15

Granted

63,127

42.16

Vested

(209,440)

30.23

Forfeited

(54,493)

32.36

Nonvested at September 30, 2017

1,951,313

$

32.67



As of September 30, 2017 , there was $ 40.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted and performance shares expected to vest.  This compensation is expected to be recognized in expense over a weighted average period of 3 years . The total fair value of shares which vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $10.1 million and $2. 2 million , respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company granted 23,489 performance shares subject to a total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance metric with a grant date fair value of $42.92 per share and 23,489 performance shares subject to a core earnings per share performance metric with a grant date fair value of $38.26 per share to key members of executive management. The number of performance shares subject to TSR that ultimately vest at the end of the three -year performance period, if any, will be based on the relative rank of the Company’s three-year TSR among the TSRs of a peer group of 44 regional banks. The fair value of the performance shares subject to TSR at the grant date was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation method.  The number of performance shares subject to core earnings per share that ultimately vest will be based on the Company’s attainment of certain core earnings per share goals over the two -year performance period. The maximum number of performance shares that could vest is 200% of the target award. Compensation expense for these performance shares is recognized on a straight line basis over the three -year service period.

28


13 . Fair Value

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market partici pants on the measurement date. The FASB’s guid ance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to these valuation techniques used to measure fair value, giving preference to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“level 1”) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs such as a reporting entity’s own data (“level 3”). Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, observable inputs other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and yield curves, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

The following tables present for each of the fair value hierarchy levels the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets.









September 30, 2017

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets

Available for sale debt securities:

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

$

73,442

$

$

73,442

Municipal obligations

242,678

242,678

Corporate debt securities

3,500

3,500

Residential mortgage-backed securities

1,793,426

1,793,426

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

568,353

568,353

Collateralized mortgage obligations

173,879

173,879

Total available for sale securities

2,855,278

2,855,278

Derivative assets (1)

17,199

17,199

Total recurring fair value measurements - assets

$

$

2,872,477

$

$

2,872,477

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities (1)

$

$

12,691

$

$

12,691

Total recurring fair value measurements - liabilities

$

$

12,691

$

$

12,691



(1)

For further disaggregation of derivative as sets and liabilities, see Note 6 - Derivatives .











December 31, 2016

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets

Available for sale debt securities:

U.S. Treasury and government agency securities

$

$

54,828

$

$

54,828

Municipal obligations

242,155

242,155

Corporate debt securities

3,500

3,500

Residential mortgage-backed securities

1,611,355

1,611,355

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

402,591

402,591

Collateralized mortgage obligations

202,479

202,479

Total available for sale securities

2,516,908

2,516,908

Derivative assets (1)

20,315

20,315

Total recurring fair value measurements - assets

$

$

2,537,223

$

$

2,537,223

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities (1)

$

$

27,432

$

$

27,432

Total recurring fair value measurements - liabilities

$

$

27,432

$

$

27,432



(1)

For further disaggregation of derivative as sets and liabilities, see Note 6 - Derivatives .

Securities classified as level 2 include obligations of U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored agencies, residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations that are issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, and state and munic ipal bonds. The level 2 fair value measurements for investment securities are obtained quarterly from a third-party pricing service that uses industry-standard pricing models.  Substantially all of the model inputs are observable in the marketplace or can be supported by observable data.





29


The Company invests only in securities of investment grade quality with a targeted duration, for the overall portfolio, generally between two and five years . Company policies generally limit investments to U.S. agency securities and municipal securities determined to be investment grade according to an internally generated score which generally includes a rating of not less than “Baa” or its equivalent by a nationally recognized statistical rating agency.

The fair value of derivative financial instruments, which are predominantly customer interest rate swaps, is obtained from a third-party pricing service that uses an industry-standard discounted cash flow model that relies on inputs, LIBOR swap curves and Overnight Index swap rate curves, observable in the marketplace.  To comply with the accounting guidance, credit valuation adjustments are incorporated in the fair values to appropriately reflect nonperformance risk for both the Company and the counterparties.  Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value the derivative instruments fall within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit value adjustments utilize level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads.  The Company has determined that the impact of the credit valuation adjustments is not significant to the overall valuation of these derivatives.  As a result, the Company has classified its derivative valuations in their entirety in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s policy is to measure counterparty credit risk quarterly for all derivative instruments, including those subject to master netting arrangements consistent with how market participants would price the net risk exposure at the measurement date.

The Company also has certain derivative instruments asso ciated with the Bank’s mortgage banking activities.  These derivative instruments include interest rate lock commitments on prospective residential mortgage loans and forward commitments to sell these loans to investors on a best efforts delivery basis.  The fair value of these derivative instruments is measured using observable market prices for similar instruments and is classified as a level 2 measurement.

The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between valuation hierarchy levels as of the end of a reporting period. There were no transfers between levels during the periods shown.

Fair Value of Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Collateral-dependent impaired loans are level 2 assets measured at the fair value of the underlying collateral based on independent third-party appraisals that take into consideration market-based information such as recent sales activity for similar assets in the property’s market.

Other real estate owned, including both foreclosed property and surplus banking property, are level 3 assets that are adjusted to fair value, less estimated selling costs, upon transfer to other real estate owned.  Subsequently, other real estate owned is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated selling costs.  Fair values are determined by sales agreement or third-party appraisals as discounted for estimated selling costs, information from comparable sales, and marketability of the property.

The fair value information presented below is not as of the period-end, rather it was as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded during the twelve months for each of the dates presented below, and excludes nonrecurring fair value measurements of assets no longer on the balance sheet.

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for each of the fair value hierarchy levels.











September 30, 2017

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Collateral-dependent impaired loans

$

$

129,230

$

$

129,230

Other real estate owned

6,810

6,810

Total nonrecurring fair value measurements

$

$

129,230

$

6,810

$

136,040











December 31, 2016

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Collateral-dependent impaired loans

$

$

169,888

$

$

169,888

Other real estate owned

13,968

13,968

Total nonrecurring fair value measurements

$

$

169,888

$

13,968

$

183,856



Accounting guidance from the FASB requires the disclosure of estimated fair value information about certain on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments, including those financial instruments that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis.  The significant methods and assumptions used by the Company to estimate the fair value of financial i nstruments are discussed below.

Cash, Short ‑Term Investments and Federal Funds Sold For these short ‑term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Securities – The fair value measurement for securities available for sale was discussed earlier in the note.  The same measurement techniques were applied to the valuation of securities held to maturity.

30


Loans, Net The fair value measurement for certain impaired loans was discussed earlier in the note.  For the remaining portfolio, fair values were generally determined by discounting scheduled cash flows using discount rates determined with reference to current market rates at which loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality.

Loans Held for Sale – These loans are recorded at fair value and carried at the lower of cost or market.  The carrying amount is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Deposits – The accounting guidance requires that the fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking and savings accounts, be assigned fair values equal to amounts payable upon demand (“carrying amou nts”).  The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Federal Funds Purchased, and FHLB Borrowings – For these short-term liabilities, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Long-Term Debt – The fair value is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using current market rates at which debt with similar terms could be obtained.

Derivative Financial Instruments – The fair value measurement for derivative financial instruments was discussed earlier in the note.

The following tables present the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments by fair value hierarchy levels and the corresponding carrying amount at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .











September 30, 2017



Total Fair

Carrying

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Value

Amount

Financial assets:

Cash, interest-bearing bank deposits, and federal funds sold

$

445,500

$

$

$

445,500

$

445,500

Available for sale securities

2,855,278

2,855,278

2,855,278

Held to maturity securities

2,768,148

2,768,148

2,769,274

Loans, net

129,230

18,300,747

18,429,977

18,563,163

Loans held for sale

23,236

23,236

23,236

Derivative financial instruments

17,199

17,199

17,199

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

$

$

$

21,523,649

$

21,523,649

$

21,533,859

Federal funds purchased

1,150

1,150

1,150

Securities sold under  agreements to repurchase

512,001

512,001

512,001

FHLB short-term borrowings

1,224,000

1,224,000

1,224,000

Long-term debt

330,909

330,909

331,179

Derivative financial instruments

12,691

12,691

12,691











December 31, 2016



Total Fair

Carrying

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Value

Amount

Financial assets:

Cash, interest-bearing bank deposits, and federal funds sold

$

450,866

$

$

$

450,866

$

450,866

Available for sale securities

2,516,908

2,516,908

2,516,908

Held to maturity securities

2,470,117

2,470,117

2,500,220

Loans, net

169,888

16,326,961

16,496,849

16,522,733

Loans held for sale

34,064

34,064

34,064

Derivative financial instruments

20,315

20,315

20,315

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

$

$

$

19,430,939

$

19,430,939

$

19,424,266

Federal funds purchased

2,275

2,275

2,275

Securities sold under  agreements to repurchase

358,131

358,131

358,131

FHLB short-term borrowings

865,000

865,000

865,000

Long-term debt

435,747

435,747

436,280

Derivative financial instruments

27,432

27,432

27,432





31




14.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements



Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017



In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-08, “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities,” which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium.  The amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date.  The amendments do not, however, require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; instead, the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.  The amendments in this ASU more closely align the amortization period of premiums and discounts to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities.  These amendments are effective for fiscal years, and for interim period s within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company early adopted this amendment in the second quarter of 2017 and, in accordance with the standards, the Company began amortizing the premium for certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.



In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including income tax consequences; classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The amendments were effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2017.  In accordance with the standard, the Company elected to account for forfeitures of stock-based compensation as they occur and will reclassify dividends paid on forfeited shares to compensation expense from retained earnings.  Classification of shares forfeited for taxes are reflected in the statement of cash flows as a financing rather than operating activity, with all historical periods restated.  In addition, the Company began recognizing excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies during the period in income (rather than in equity) on a prospective basis.  Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; however, the prospective change in treatment of excess tax benefits resulted in a reduction in income tax expense of approximately $0.2 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and could result in volatility of future earnings, depending on changes in the Company’s stock price.



Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards



In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” with the objective of improving financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. The update provides changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted in any interim period after issuance of the update. All transition requirements and elections are to be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption, and the effect of the adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  The Company is currently assessing all potential impacts of adoption of this update and is considering early adoption effective January 1, 2018.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718):  Scope of Modification Accounting,” which seeks to provide clarity, reduce diversity in practice, and reduce complexity when applying the guidance regarding a change to the terms of conditions of a share-based payment award.  Specifically, an entity is to account for the effects of a modification, unless all of the following are satisfied:  (1) the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or as a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.  The amendments are effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.



In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715):  Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs,” to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost.  The amendments require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period.  The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented.  The amendments also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable.  These amendments are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December

32


15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.  Disclosures of the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle are required in the first interim and annual periods of adoption.  The amendments should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. Refer to Note 11 – Retirement Plans – for detail on the components of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs.   Application of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.



In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which simplifies the manner in which an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  Under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should (1) perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and (2) recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, with the understanding that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  Additionally, ASU No. 2017-04 removes the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails such qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.  This ASU is effective for public business entities that are SEC filers for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  The ASU should be applied using a prospective method.  Application of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.



In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business,” which addresses stakeholders’ concerns that the current definition of a business is applied too broadly and analyzing transactions under the current definition is difficult and costly.  Under the amended guidance, a transaction is initially subject to a screening process to determine whether a “set” (i.e. an integrated set of assets and activities) qualifies as a business.  Under the screen, if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or in a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is deemed not to be a business.  Further evaluation is required only if the transferred set does not meet the screen.  Under the further evaluation, to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that, together, significantly contribute to the ability to create output.  The amendment also narrows the definition of the term “output” so that it is consistent with the manner in which outputs are described in Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods.  Early application is permitted under certain circumstances.  The amendments should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date.  Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.



In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory,” which addresses stakeholders’ concerns that the limited amount of authoritative guidance has led to diversity in practice and is a source of complexity in financial reporting and results in an unfaithful representation of the economics of an intra-entity asset transfer.  The amendment eliminates the exception to the United States generally accepted accounting principle (“U.S. GAAP”) of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes that prohibits recognizing current and deferred income tax consequences for an intra-equity asset transfer (excluding the transfer of inventory) until the asset has been sold to an outside party.  The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.  Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” to address diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows.  The amendments provide guidance on eight specific cash flow issues, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned), life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.  Adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, and the Company does not expect a material impact to the presentation of its Statement of Cash Flows.



In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credits Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations.  The ASU, more commonly referred to as Current Expected Credit

33


Losses, or CECL, requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates.  Many of the loss estimation techniques currently applied will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses.  Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances.  In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  The ASU is effective for SEC filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.  Early application is permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company has begun the process of implementation and currently is not planning to early adopt.  The Company expects the guidance will result in an increase in the allowance for loan losses given the change from covering losses inherent in the portfolio to covering losses over the remaining expected life of the portfolio and the nonaccretable difference on purchased credit impaired loans moving to an allowance (offset by an increase in the carrying value of the related loans). The guidance will also result in the establishment of an allowance for credit loss on held to maturity debt securities.  The amount of the increase in these allowances will be impacted by the portfolio composition and quality at the adoption date as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.



In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” that provides new lease accounting guidance.  Under the guidance, lessees (with the exception of short-term leases) will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.  Lessor accounting is largely unchanged.  Lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.  Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing.  Public business entities are required to apply the amendments for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is currently assessing this pronouncement and the impact of adoption by reviewing its existing lease contracts and service contracts that may include embedded leases.  The Company expects a gross-up of its Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of recognizing lease liabilities and right of use assets; the extent of such is under evaluation. The Company does not expect material changes to its consolidated results of operations.



In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” that improves the recognition and measurement of financial instruments through targeted changes to existing GAAP. It requires equity investments (except those that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It also requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is currently assessing this pronouncement; however, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” affecting any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The core principle of this standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Most revenue associated with financial instruments, including interest and loan origination fees, is outside the scope of the guidance. Gains and losses on investment securities, derivatives, and sales of financial instruments are also excluded from the scope.  Subsequent to issuance of the revenue recognition guidance, the FASB has issued several updates that deferred by one year the effective date for revenue recognition guidance; clarified its guidance for performing the principal-versus-agent analysis; clarified guidance for identifying performance obligations allowing entities to ignore immaterial promised goods and services in the context of a contract with a customer and other clarifying guidance and technical corrections.  Entities can elect to adopt the guidance either on a full or modified retrospective basis.  Full retrospective adoption will require a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented.  Modified retrospective adoption will require a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the entity first applies the new guidance.  The standard will be effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2018 and plans to use the modified retrospective approach.  The Company has inventoried its contracts with customers and has evaluated a material portion of those contracts for compliance with the standard. The Company has not yet identified any material changes to the timing of revenue recognition. Based on the analysis performed to date, adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations. The Company is continuing to evaluate disaggregation for select categories of revenue in the scope of the guidance. Upon adoption, the Company will provide qualitative disclosures of its performance obligations related to revenue recognition.



34


Ite m 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS



This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended , and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided therein . Forward looking statements that we may make include statements regarding balance sheet and revenue growth ; the provision for loan losses, loan growth expectations, management’s predictions about charge-o ffs for loans, including energy related credits, the impact of changes in oil and gas prices on our energy portfolio, and the downstream impact on businesses that support the energy sector, espe cially in the Gulf Coast region; the impact of the First NBC transactions on our performance and financial condition, including our ability to succ essfully integrate the business; deposit trends; credit quality trends; net interest margin trends; future expense levels; success of revenue-generating initiatives ; the effectiveness of derivative financial instruments and hedging activities to manage risk; projected tax rates; future profitability; improvements in expense to revenue (efficiency) ratio ; purchase accounting impacts such as accretion levels ; and the financial impact of regulatory requirements. Also, any statement that does not describe historical or current facts is a forward-looking statement. These statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecast,” “goals,” “targets,” “initiatives,” “focus,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and on information currently available to management. Our statements speak as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in such statements in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking stat ements can be found in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in other periodic reports that we file with the SEC.

OVERVIEW



Non-GAAP Financial Measures



Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include non-GAAP measures used to describe our performance.  A reconciliation of those measures to GA AP measures are provided within the appropriate section s of this Item. The following is a summary of these non-GAAP measures and an explanation as to why they are deemed useful.



C onsistent with Securities and Exchange Co mmission Industry Guide 3, we present net interest income, net interest margin and efficiency ratios on a fully taxable equiva lent (“te”) basis. The te basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from certain loans and investments using a federal tax rate of 35% to increase tax-exempt interest income to a taxable-equivalent basis. We believe this measure to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income , and it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.



Over the past several quarters we have disclosed our focus on strategic initiatives that were designed to replace declining levels of purchase accounting income with improvement in core income, which we define as income excluding net p urchase accounting income. We present core income non-GAAP measures including core net interest income and core net interest margin, core revenue and core pre-tax, pre- provision net revenue . These measures are provided to assist the reader with a better understanding of our performance period over period as well to provide investors with assistance in understanding the success management has experienced in executing its strategic initiatives.



We define Core Net Interest Income as net interest income (te) excluding net purchase accounting accretion resulting from the fair market value adjustments related to acquired operations. We define Core Net Interest Margin as report ed core net interest income, annualized, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.



We define Core Revenue as core net interest income and noninterest income less the amortization of the FDIC loss share receivable related to loans acquired in an FDIC assisted transaction and other nonoperating revenues .



We define Core Pre-Provision Net Revenue as core revenue less noninterest expense, excluding intangible amortization and other nonoperating items. Management believes that core pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue is a useful financial measure because it enables investors and others to assess the Company’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through a credit cycle.











35


Acquisition s

On March 10, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Whitney Bank (“Whitney”), completed a transaction with First NBC Bank (“ FNBC ”) , whereby Whitney acquired approximately $1.2 billion in loans (net of fair value discount or “loan mark”), nine branch locations with $398 million in deposits, and assumed $604 million in FHLB borrowings.  The operational conversion of the branch locations occurred in the second quarter of 2017, along with the simultaneous closure of 10 overlapping branches. This transaction is referred to as the FNBC I transaction throughout this document.



On April 28, 2017, Whitney entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with the FDIC (“Agreement”), which acted as the receiver for the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (OFI) following the OFI’s closure of FNBC. This transaction is referred to as the FNBC II transaction throughout this document. Pursuant to the Agreement, Whitney acquired selected assets and liabilities of FNBC from the FDIC and continued to operate the 29 former FNBC branch locations until systems conversion, which occurred in July 2017. In the third quarter of 2017, Whitney exercised its option to acquire seven former FNBC locations and closed and consolidated 25 overlapping branch locations.



Under the Agreement, Whitney received approximately $642 million in cash from the FDIC, and acquired/assumed the following assets and liabilities:



·

Approximately $1.6 billion in deposits and customer repurchase agreements at an average cost of 0.92%

·

Approximately $165 million in performing loans (mainly single-family residential mortgages) with a 4.5% average yield

·

Approximately $214 million in securities and $540 million in cash and other liquid assets

·

Approximately $9 million in property, plant and equipment, comprised primarily of branch locations



The terms of the Agreement require the FDIC to indemnify Whitney against certain liabilities of FNBC and its affiliates not assumed or otherwise purchased by Whitney. Neither the Company nor Whitney Bank acquired any assets, common stock, preferred stock or debt, or assume d any other obligations, of First NBC Bank Holding Company.



Management believes these low risk in-market transactions strengthen our position in the Greater New Orleans area and are financially compelling, which will help us achieve our long term goals.



For additional information on both transactions, see Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Finan cial Statements – Note 2 – Acq uisitions.

Recent Economic and Industry Developments

Current Economic Environment

Most of Hancock’s market area experienced a modest to moderate expansion in economic activity during the third quarter of 2017, according to the Federal Reserve’s Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions (“Beige Book”).  Energy related businesses operating mainly in Hancock’s south Louisiana and Houston, Texas markets continued to expan d, but at a slightly slower rate in the third quarter.  Although inventories decreased as a result of Hurricane Harvey, drilling activity has returned to pre-hurricane levels .  Overall growth in oil and gas production continued, but oilfield services firms noted weaker demand growth.  Drilling activity is expected to decline slightly by the end of 2017, and demand for oilfield services is softening outside of the Permian Basin.  However, six-month outlooks for 2018 were optimistic relative to the last reporting period, and uncertainty has moderated.

The commercial real estate market continued to improve in most of our footprint, with growing demand for multi-family construction.  In the Houston m arket, apartment leasing activity picked up, occupancy rose and rent concessions diminished following Hurricane Harvey.  Commercial construction activity also increased in these sectors.  Continued improvement is expected in the commercial real estate market in 2018 .

The residential real estate market has a varied outlook , with new home starts and closin gs expected to be behind schedule for the remainder of the year in our Houston market due to Hurricane Harvey.  Residential real estate contracts signaled modest growth and construction activity was slightly up from the year-ago level in the rest of our markets.  Builders expect homes sales to be flat over the next three months, while brokers anticipate slightly higher sales.  Construction activity is expected to match or marginally surpass the current pace over the next three months.

Retail sales activity and consumer spending outlook was positive.  There is an expected increase in building materials in the hurricane impacted areas.  In Houston, there is also increased demand for warehouses from building supply companies. Auto sales surged and are expected to remain elevated from replacement activity due to the hurricanes.    Employment growth was steady , with challenges continuing in filling constructi on, information technol ogy, finance, transportation and nursing positions .  Wage growth remained steady, with the exception of wage pr essures for highly skilled posi tions and rising wages in the construc t ion industry.  Due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey, finding and hiring workers may be more difficult over the next six months in the Houston market.





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Overall economic reports indicate that loan demand continued to increase, however at a more sluggish pace than during the prior period with growth in commercial real estate loans, but with decreases in demand for residential real estate loans and consumer loans. While we experienced loan growth ac ross the our markets compared to the prior quarter , with loan volume increases primarily in commercial real estate and mortgage loans, maintaining that level of growth will be challenging with the slow down of demand in our markets.  Overall, the economic outlook remains positive, as most businesses expect activity to increase over the next year.

Highlights of Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $58.9 million, or $.68 per diluted common share (EPS), compared to $52.3 million, or $.60 EPS in the second quarter of 2017 and $46.7 million, or $.59 EPS, in the third quarter of 2016. The third quarter of 2017 includes nonoperating expenses of approximately $11.4 million ($.08 per share impact), while the second quarter of 2017 included $10.6 million of nonoperating expenses ($.08 per share). The nonoperating expenses in both quarters were mainly related to the two previously disclosed FNBC transactions. There were no nonoperating expenses in the third quarter of 2016.

Highlights of Our Third Quarter 2017 Results (Compared to Second Quarter 2017):

·

Includes a full quarter impact from the FNBC II transaction (April 28, 2017)

·

Reported earnings increased $6.6 million, or 13%

·

Loans incre ased $312 million, or 7% linked quarter annualized

·

Allowance for loan losses of $223 million, up $1.3 million, with coverage to total loans of 1.19% down slightly from 1.20%

·

Energy loans declined $97 million and comprise 6.0% of total loans, down from 6.7%; allowance for the energy portfolio totals $79.8 million, or 7.1% of energy loans ; energy net charge-offs were $3.6 million in third quarter

·

Core pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) of $111.1 million, up $9.5 million, or 9%

·

Net interest margin (NIM) of 3.44%, up 1 basis point (bp); core NIM up 3 bps to 3.32%

·

Operating expense s totaled $166.2 million, down $6.6 million

·

Efficiency ratio declined to 57.5%

·

Return on average assets (ROA) up 9 bps to 0.88%; excluding nonoperating expense ROA increased 10 bps to 0.99%

·

Tangible common equity (TCE) ratio increased 15 bps to 7.80%

The FNBC I and II transactions continue to positively impact our franchise by expanding our customer base and strengthening the market position in our footprint. As noted in the prior quarter, these transactions also temporarily added cost.  In addition to merger-related costs identified as nonoperating items, second quarter results also included other nonpermanent costs estimated at $7 million, or $0.05 per share, to separately operate the 29 branches FNBC had at the time of its closure . These expenses were eliminated during the third quarter through systems conversions and the consolidation of overlapping branches, resulting in a more normalized expense level for the current quarter.

The active hurricane season brought severe weather to several areas in our footprint, with Harvey impacting Texas and Southwest Louisiana , Irma impacting Florida, and Nate impacting coastal Mississippi and Alabama.  Despite the widespread coverage of our market, the Company experienced minimal impact to facilities and operations and we do not expect any significant change to the credit quality of the loan portfolio as a result of the storms.

The Company recently announced the intent to consolidate the Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank brands during the first half of 2018, subject to regulatory approval.  The Company intends to operate as Hancock Whitney Corporation, with the wholly owned bank subsidiary operating as Hancock Whitney Bank.  The brand consolidation is a natural progression of our business tha t allows the simplification of certain operations and sets the stage for continued growth across all the markets we serve, while honoring the legacies of the iconic brands of Hancock and Whitney that have existed since 1899 and 1883, respectively. We expect to incur additional costs for re-branding during the first and second quarter s of 2018, including capital expenditures for new signage for our financial centers .









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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income (te) for the third quarter of 2017 was $211.4 million, a $3.2 million, or 2% increase from the second quarter of 2017. Core net interest income was up $4.2 million. Net interest income (te) for the third quarter of 2017 increased $41.1 million, or 24%, compared to the third quarter of 2016, while core net interest income was up $38.4 million, or 23%. The linked quarter increase is primarily attributable to a full quarter impact from the June 2017 Federal Reserve rate increase partially offset by an approximately $1.4 million increase, or 2 bps on NIM, of interest reversals on nonaccrual loans .

The reported net interest margin was 3.44% for the third quarter of 2017, up 1 bp from the second quarter of 2017.  The core net interest margin for the third quarter of 2017 was 3.32%, up 3 bps from the second quarter of 2017. The core loan yield , excluding purchase accounting adjustments, was up 5 bps. O ffsetting this improvement was a 4 bp increase in the cost of funds.   The increase in the cost of funds was primarily related to both the Federal Reserve rate hike in June and higher cost deposits acquired in the FNBC II transaction.

Compared to the third quarter of 2016, the net interest margin increased 24 bps and the core margin was up 20 bps.  The major factors in these increases are largely the same as for the comparison to the second quarter of 2017, primarily the impact of the FNBC transactions and the three Federal Reserve int e rest rate hikes.



Net interest income (te) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 totaled $609.7 million, a $100.1 million, or 20 %, increase from the same period in 2016. Core net interest income was up $95.3 million . Interest earned on loans, excluding purchase accounting accretion, increased $98.8 million as average total loans grew $ 2.1 billion, or 1 3 %, due to both organic loan growth and the addition of the portfolios acquired in the FNBC transactions . A $ 693.7 million, or 15 %, increase in average investment securities and a 14 bps in crease in the yield resulted in a n $18 million increase in interest earned on investment securities. Higher-yielding municipal securities comprised approximately 18% of the investment securities portfolio.

The reported net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 3.41%, up 18 bps from the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  Core margin was 3.30%, up 17 bps from the same period in 2016.

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The following tables detail the components of our net interest income and net interest margin.









Three months ended





September 30, 2017

June 30, 2017

September 30, 2016



(dollars in millions)

Volume

Interest

Rate

Volume

Interest

Rate

Volume

Interest

Rate

Average earning assets

Commercial & real estate loans (te) (a)

$

13,945.8

$

151.3

4.31

%

$

13,890.1

$

148.4

4.29

%

$

11,948.1

$

114.4

3.81

%

Residential mortgage loans

2,549.3

25.1

3.94

2,399.4

22.2

3.71

2,019.8

20.2

4.01

Consumer loans

2,096.1

29.4

5.57

2,080.0

29.3

5.64

2,055.6

26.7

5.18

Loan fees & late charges

(0.5)

(0.2)

(0.8)

Total loans (te) (a) (b)

18,591.2

205.3

4.39

18,369.5

199.7

4.36

16,023.5

160.5

3.99

Loans held for sale

21.7

0.2

3.97

22.4

0.2

4.22

38.7

0.3

3.34

US Treasury and government agency securities

125.6

0.7

2.08

125.9

0.7

2.08

60.1

0.3

1.73

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

4,575.0

25.3

2.21

4,068.4

22.8

2.23

3,965.4

20.6

2.08

Municipals (te) (a)

975.4

9.2

3.80

983.0

9.3

3.81

677.1

6.7

3.95

Other securities

3.8

1.94

64.4

0.3

1.91

4.6

2.51

Total securities (te) (a) (c)

5,679.8

35.2

2.48

5,241.7

33.1

2.52

4,707.2

27.6

2.34

Total short-term investments

194.7

0.6

1.17

704.5

1.7

0.99

428.0

0.5

0.47

Total earning assets (te) (a)

$

24,487.4

$

241.3

3.92

%

$

24,338.1

$

234.7

3.87

%

$

21,197.4

$

188.9

3.55

%

Average interest-bearing liabilities

Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits

$

8,097.4

$

8.4

0.41

%

$

8,047.4

$

8.1

0.40

%

$

6,732.8

$

4.5

0.27

%

Time deposits

2,711.6

7.7

1.12

2,575.7

6.5

1.01

2,446.3

5.6

0.91

Public funds

2,764.9

5.7

0.82

2,539.5

3.8

0.59

2,253.6

2.5

0.44

Total interest-bearing deposits

13,573.9

21.8

0.64

13,162.6

18.4

0.56

11,432.7

12.6

0.44

Short-term borrowings

1,909.4

4.5

0.92

2,232.8

4.2

0.77

1,366.2

1.0

0.30

Long-term debt

339.5

3.6

4.29

428.3

3.9

3.61

468.1

5.0

4.28

Total borrowings

2,248.9

8.1

1.43

2,661.1

8.1

1.22

1,834.3

6.0

1.32

Total interest-bearing liabilities

15,822.8

29.9

0.75

%

15,823.7

26.5

0.67

%

13,267.0

18.6

0.56

%

Net interest-free funding sources

8,664.6

8,514.4

7,930.4

Total cost of funds

$

24,487.4

$

29.9

0.48

%

$

24,338.1

$

26.5

0.44

%

$

21,197.4

$

18.6

0.35

%

Net interest spread (te) (a)

$

211.4

3.17

%

$

208.2

3.19

%

$

170.3

2.99

%

Net interest margin

$

24,487.4

$

211.4

3.44

%

$

24,338.1

$

208.2

3.43

%

$

21,197.4

$

170.3

3.20

%



(a)

Tax able equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

(b)

Includes nonaccrual loans.

(c)

Average securities do not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.



39










Nine Months Ended



September 30, 2017

September 30, 2016

(dollars in millions)

Volume

Interest

Rate

Volume

Interest

Rate

Average earning assets

Commercial & real estate loans (te) (a)

$

13,634.7

$

430.1

4.22

%

$

11,884.2

$

341.1

3.83

%

Residential mortgage loans

2,379.6

68.7

3.85

2,031.2

62.2

4.09

Consumer loans

2,078.3

85.3

5.49

2,062.1

79.2

5.13

Loan fees & late charges

(0.9)

(2.2)

Total loans (te) (a) (b)

18,092.6

583.2

4.31

15,977.5

480.3

4.01

Loans held for sale

21.8

0.7

4.09

27.6

0.7

3.54

US Treasury and government agency securities

122.6

1.9

2.07

53.4

0.7

1.70

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

4,208.4

70.1

2.22

4,053.2

65.4

2.15

Municipals (te) (a)

967.0

27.7

3.82

516.5

15.8

4.08

Other securities

24.0

0.3

1.92

5.2

0.1

2.06

Total securities (te) (a) (c)

5,322.0

100.0

2.50

4,628.3

82.0

2.36

Total short-term investments

435.1

3.0

0.94

452.0

1.6

0.47

Total earning assets (te) (a)

$

23,871.5

$

686.9

3.84

%

$

21,085.4

$

564.6

3.58

%

Average interest-bearing liabilities

Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits

$

7,685.2

$

21.0

0.37

%

$

6,775.9

$

13.9

0.27

%

Time deposits

2,543.9

19.3

1.01

2,420.7

16.3

0.90

Public funds

2,618.2

12.6

0.64

2,243.1

6.8

0.40

Total interest-bearing deposits

12,847.3

52.9

0.55

11,439.7

37.0

0.43

Short-term borrowings

2,089.0

11.7

0.75

1,427.2

2.9

0.28

Long-term debt

408.2

12.6

4.11

474.4

15.1

4.25

Total borrowings

2,497.2

24.3

1.29

1,901.6

18.0

1.27

Total interest-bearing liabilities

15,344.5

77.2

0.67

%

13,341.3

55.0

0.55

%

Net interest-free funding sources

8,527.0

7,744.1

Total cost of funds

$

23,871.5

$

77.2

0.43

%

$

21,085.4

$

55.0

0.35

%

Net interest spread (te) (a)

$

609.7

3.17

%

$

509.6

3.03

%

Net interest margin

$

23,871.5

$

609.7

3.41

%

$

21,085.4

$

509.6

3.23

%



(a)

Tax able equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%

(b)

Includes nonaccrual loans.

(c)

Average securities do not include unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.



Due to the significant contribution from purchase accounting accretion related to assets acquired in business combinations, management believes that non-GAAP measures of core net interest income and core net interest margin provide investors with meaningful financial measures of the Company’s performance over time.  The following table provides a reconciliation of reported and core net interest income and reported and core net interest margin .









Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(dollars in millions)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net interest income

$

202.8

$

199.7

$

163.5

$

584.3

$

491.3

Taxable-equivalent adjustment (te) (a)

8.6

8.6

6.8

25.4

18.3

Net interest income (te) (a)

211.4

208.3

170.3

609.7

509.6

Purchase accounting adjustments

Loan discount accretion

7.7

8.8

5.2

21.5

17.4

Bond premium amortization

(0.4)

(0.4)

(0.6)

(1.2)

(1.9)

Net purchase accounting accretion

7.3

8.4

4.6

20.3

15.5

Core net interest income (te) (a)

$

204.1

$

199.9

$

165.7

$

589.4

$

494.1

Average earning assets

$

24,487.4

$

24,338.1

$

21,197.4

$

23,871.5

$

21,085.4

Net interest margin - reported

3.44

%

3.43

%

3.20

%

3.41

%

3.23

%

Net purchase accounting adjustments

0.12

%

0.14

%

0.08

%

0.11

%

0.10

%

Core net interest margin

3.32

%

3.29

%

3.12

%

3.30

%

3.13

%



(a)

Tax able equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.



40






Provision for Loan Losses

During the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a total provision for loan losses of $13.0 million, down $1.9 million from the second quarter of 2017 and down $5.9 millio n from the third quarter of 2016.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded a total provision for loan losses of $ 44.0 million, compared to $ 96.2 million for the nine months ended September 30 , 2016, which inc luded $50 m illion in provision expense related to the energy portfolio.

Provision for loan losses reflects net charge-offs from the non-purchased credit impaired loan portfolio t otaling $11.8 million, which represents 0.25% of average total loans on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2017 , compared to $6.0 million , or 0.13% of average total loans in the second quarter of 2017. Net charges-offs from energy credits in the third quarter of 2017 includes gross c harges of $7.6 million, net of recoveries totaling $4.0 million.  There were no charges-offs related to energy credits in the second quarter of 2017.

Our company conducts business in several markets impacted by recent hurricanes.  However, very few of our clients experienced significant flooding, damage or disruption.  As a result, our credit quality measures do not include any specific or additional provisionary expenses related to the impact from those storms.

The section in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Allowance for Loan Losses and Asset Quality” provides additional information on changes in the allowance for loan losses and general credit quality.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income totaled $67.1 million f or the third quarter of 2017, down $0.4 million, or 1%, from the second quarter of 2017 and up $4.1 million, or 7%, compared to the third quarter of 2016.  Decreases in derivative income, trust fees, insurance commissions and fees, credit related fees and bank card and ATM fees were partially offset by an increase in services charges. Included in the second quarter of 2017 is amortization of $1.3 million related to the FDIC indemnification asset. As a result of the termination of the loss share agreements in the second quarter of 2017, the amortization was eliminated beginning in the third quarter of 2017. Compared to the third quarter of 2016, increases in service charges, bank card and ATM, investment and annuity fee s were partially offset by decreases in income from bank-owned life insurance, trust fees, secondary mortgage market operations and gains on sale of assets. Included in the third quarter of 201 6 is $1.5 million in amortization related to the FDIC indemnification asset of the loss share agreements. Noninterest income totaled $198.1 million for the first nine months of 2017, up $13.2 million, or 7%, from the first nine months of 2016. Included in the first nine months of the 2017 is a $4.4 million gain related to sale of selected Hancock Horizon funds, classified as nonoperating.

The components of noninterest income are presented in the following table for the indicated periods.









Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Service charges on deposit accounts

$

21,444

$

20,061

$

18,716

$

60,711

$

55,493

Trust fees

10,742

11,506

11,512

33,459

34,825

Bank card and ATM fees

13,390

13,687

11,808

39,545

35,110

Investment and annuity fees

5,570

5,271

4,289

15,440

14,265

Secondary mortgage market operations

4,157

4,241

4,917

11,965

12,005

Insurance commissions and fees

660

1,174

1,088

2,499

3,635

Amortization of FDIC loss share receivable

(1,327)

(1,539)

(2,427)

(4,678)

Income from bank-owned life insurance

3,097

2,883

4,097

8,632

11,148

Credit related fees

2,521

2,898

2,685

8,297

7,309

Derivative income

1,339

2,680

1,347

4,484

1,741

Net gain on sale of assets

400

(60)

991

113

4,557

Safety deposit box income

424

391

424

1,264

1,315

Other miscellaneous

3,371

4,082

2,322

9,759

6,698

Securities transactions

351

1,465

Total noninterest operating income

$

67,115

$

67,487

$

63,008

$

193,741

$

184,888

Nonoperating income items

4,352

Total noninterest income

$

67,115

$

67,487

$

63,008

$

198,093

$

184,888







41


Service charges on deposits totaled $21.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, up $1.4 million, or 7%, from the second quarter of 2017 and up $2.7 million, or 15%, from the third quarter of 2016. These increases were primarily due to an increase in consumer overdraft fees and new sustained overdraft fees.

Bank card and ATM fees totaled $13.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, down $0. 3 million, or 2 % , from the secon d quarter of 2017 due to the waiver of fees for customers in hurricane impacted areas. Compared to the third quarter of 2016, ban k card and ATM fees were up $1.6 million, or 13% , due to increased activity.

Mortgage loan originations for the third quarter of 2017 totaled $330 million, compared to $361 million in the second quarter of 2017 and $384 million in the third quarter of 2016. Income from s e condary mortgage market operations was relatively flat compared to the second quarter of 2017 and down $0.8 million, or 15% , from the third quart er of 2016.



Trust fees decreased $0.8 million, or 7%, linked quarter due to seasonal income related to tax preparation fees earned in the second quarter 2017.  For the first nine months of 2017, trust fees decreased $1.4 million, or 4%, compared to the first nine months of 2016.  This decrease was primarily due to the sale of certain Hancock Horizon funds.



Investment and annuity fees increased $0.3 million, or 6% , compared to second quarter 2017 and increased $1.3 million, or 30 % , compar ed to third quarter 2016.  The increases are mainly due to corporate underwriting fees and an overall appreciation in asset value as a result of favorable market conditions .

Income from bank-owned life insurance increased $0.2 million, or 7% , compared to the second qua rter of 2017, but was down $1.0 million, or 24 %, compared to the third quarter of 2016.  For the first nine months of 2017, income from bank-owned life insurance decreased $2.5 million, or 23% , compared to the first nine months of 2016. The decrease for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016 was due to a lower level of gains on death benefit claims , partially offset by an increase in income due to an additional $50 million investment in bank-owned policies in the second quarter of 2017.



Income on our customer interest rate derivative program resulted in a $1.3 million net gain for the third quarter of 2017 compared to net gains of $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2017 and $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2016.  This income can be volatile and is dependent upon both customer sales activity and market value adjustments due to interest rate movement.



Other miscellaneous income totaled $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2017, down $0.7 million linked quarter and up $1.0 million compared to the third quarter of 2016.  Other miscellaneous fee income fo r third quarter 2017 included $0.7 million of income from investments in S mall Business Investment Companies . The second quarter 2017 included a $1.1 million co-arranger fee related to a health care credit facility and $0.7 million in additional income from the sale of the investment in a Small Business Investment Company.  While this income is part of our normal operations , it can be unpredictable as to timing.



Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2017 was $177.6 million, down $5.9 million, or 3%, from the seco nd quarter of 2017, and up $28.6 million, or 19 %, from the third quarter of 2016.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, noninterest expense was $524.6 million, a $68.6, or 15% increase over the same period in 2016.   Excluding nonoperating expense items, noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 totaled $496.2 million, up $45.1 million, or 10% , over 2016.

As previously stated, our company conducts business in several markets impacted by recent hurricanes.  However, very few of our locations experienced damage or disruption.  As a re sult, our reported results do not include any material expenses related to the impact from those storms.



42


Nonoperating expenses incurred in 2017 primarily include merger-related costs associ ated with the FNBC transactions and $6.6 million of expense due to the second quarter 2017 termination of a FDIC loss share agreeme nt s associated with the Peoples First transaction in 2009.  The components of noninterest expense and nonoperating expense are presented in the following tables for the indicated periods.



























Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Operating expense

Compensation expense

$

80,358

$

80,876

$

70,290

$

234,239

$

209,961

Employee benefits

12,263

15,334

12,873

43,604

42,180

Personnel expense

92,621

96,210

83,163

277,843

252,141

Net occupancy expense

12,101

12,969

10,068

35,832

30,818

Equipment expense

3,626

3,799

3,349

11,133

10,203

Data processing expense

15,869

16,755

14,590

48,019

43,167

Professional services expense

7,208

8,153

6,584

22,010

21,736

Amortization of intangibles

6,070

5,757

4,886

16,532

15,015

Telecommunications and postage

3,848

3,698

3,284

11,013

9,917

Deposit insurance and regulatory fees

7,563

6,983

5,969

21,036

17,415

Other real estate (income) expense, net

199

(1,004)

(5,214)

(818)

(4,419)

Advertising

3,552

4,083

2,859

10,582

7,909

Ad valorem and franchise taxes

3,387

3,519

2,268

9,942

6,911

Printing and supplies

1,248

1,324

1,134

3,746

3,310

Insurance expense

671

807

803

2,295

2,467

Travel expense

1,188

1,206

1,022

3,438

3,050

Entertainment and contributions

2,016

1,974

1,686

5,757

5,319

Tax credit investment amortization

1,212

1,213

861

3,637

4,437

Other miscellaneous

3,844

5,407

11,746

14,158

21,658

Total operating expense

$

166,223

$

172,853

$

149,058

$

496,155

$

451,054

Nonoperating expense items

11,393

10,617

28,473

4,978

Total noninterest expense

$

177,616

$

183,470

$

149,058

$

524,628

$

456,032









































Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Nonoperating expense

Personnel expense

$

2,120

$

1,435

$

$

3,662

$

3,974

Net occupancy and equipment expense

500

276

777

Professional services expense

2,854

2,200

9,681

181

Other real estate (income) expense, net

(1,511)

(1,511)

323

Advertising

358

901

1,389

Write-down related to FDIC loss share termination

6,603

6,603

Other expense

5,561

713

7,872

500

Total nonoperating expenses

$

11,393

$

10,617

$

$

28,473

$

4,978





The following discussion of the components of operating expenses excludes nonoperating items for each period.

There were minimal nonpermanent costs related to the FNBC transactions during the third quarter of 2017, while there were approximately $7 million during the second quarter of 2017.  As noted earlier, nonpermanent costs included costs of operating former FNBC branches and maintaining separate operations to serve customers following the FNBC II transaction. These expenses were temporarily elevated until we worked through systems conversions and consolidation of overlapping branches early in the third quarter of 2017.

Person nel expense totaled $92.6 million for the th ird quarter of 2017, down $3.6 million, or 4% , from the previous quarter due to a decrease in the number of former FNBC employees, and lower pension costs. Year over year, personnel expense was up $9. 5 million, or 11% , due to addit ional employees from the FNBC transactions, as well as merit increases.

Occ upancy and equipment expenses totaled $15.7 million in the third quarter of 2017, down $1.0 milli on, or 6 %, from the second quarter of 2017 and up $2.3 million, or 17%, compared to the third quarter of 2016 primarily due to the addition of FNBC locations .



43


ORE expense for the third quarter of 2017 was $0.2 million compared to net gains on ORE dispositions of $1.0 million in the linked quarter and $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Management believes the current quarter reflects a more typical level of ORE expense.



All other expenses, excluding amortization of intangibles and nonoperating expense items, totaled $51.6 million for the third quarter of 2017, down $3.5 million, or 6%, from the second quarter of 2017, and down $1.2 million, or 2% compared to the third quarter of 2016.  The decreases from the prior quarter were primarily seen in the professional services, data processing and advertising categories as the second quarter included $2.2 million of nonpermanent operating costs related to FNBC transactions.  The increases from the third quarter of 2016 include data processing, regula tory fees, and ad valorem taxes, primarily related to the FNBC transactions.













Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the third quar ter of 2017 was approximately 25.7 %, compared to 24 .0 % in the second quarter of 2017 and 20 .1 % in the third quarter of 2016. Management expects the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 to be approximately 21% to 22% due to the change in accounting treatment for stock-based compensation and the vesting of awards. The adoption of the new accounting standard for employee stock- based compensation results in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation having a direct impact on income tax expense, and therefore lowers our effective tax rate. T he impact upon our effective tax rate will vary from quarter to quarter d epending upon the Company’s share price and the number of shares vesting during the period .  For the third quarter of 2017, excess tax bene fits from stock- based compensation decreased income tax expense by $0.2 million.  The Company currently estimates that vesting of restricted stock awards in the fourth quarter of 2017 will result in an additional inc ome tax benefit of approximately $3.6 m illion , based on the share price at September 30, 2017 .

The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the 35% federal statutory rate primarily because of tax-exempt income and tax credits, as well as the impact from employee share based compensation as noted above. Interest income on bonds issued by or loans to state and municipal governments and authorities, and earnings from the BOLI program are the major components of tax-exempt income.  The main sources of tax credits have been investments in tax advantaged securities and tax credit projects.  These investments are made primarily in the markets the Company serves and are directed at tax credits issued under the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (“QZAB”), Qualified School Construction Bonds (“QSCB”) and Federal and State New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) programs. The investments generate tax credits, which reduce current and future taxes and are recognized when earned as a benefit in the provision for income taxes.

The Company has invested i n NMTC projects through investments in its own Community Development Entity (“CDE”), as well as, other unrelated CDEs.  These investments will generate approximately $104 million in federal and state tax credits.  Federal tax credits from NMTC investments are recognized over a seven-year period, while recognition of the benefits from state tax credits varies from three to five years.

T he Company intends to continue making investments in tax credit projects and qualified bonds.  However, its ability to access new credits will depend upon, among other factors, federal and state tax policies and the level of competition for such credits.  Based on tax credit investments that have been made to date, the Company expects to realize benefits from federal and state tax credits totaling $7.8 million, $5.6 million and $3.2 million for 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively.

The following table reconciles reported income tax expense to that computed at the statutory federal tax rate for the indicated periods.































Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Taxes computed at statutory rate

$

27,761

$

24,074

$

20,472

$

74,812

$

43,389

Tax credits:

QZAB/QSCB

(643)

(643)

(689)

(1,928)

(2,067)

NMTC - Federal and State

(1,679)

(1,679)

(1,920)

(5,037)

(5,759)

LIHTC

6

18

Total tax credits

(2,322)

(2,322)

(2,603)

(6,965)

(7,808)

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

1,167

1,133

567

3,143

1,621

Tax-exempt interest

(4,629)

(4,719)

(3,818)

(14,021)

(10,278)

Bank-owned life insurance

(1,248)

(1,046)

(1,517)

(3,241)

(3,980)

Impact from interim estimated effective tax rate

(471)

821

(1,468)

2,230

3,035

Employee share-based compensation

(202)

(1,367)

(2,003)

Other, net

358

(58)

139

(390)

526

Income tax expense

$

20,414

$

16,516

$

11,772

$

53,565

$

26,505



On November 2, 2017, the House Ways and Means Committee released a 429-page “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” (HR 1). The bill proposes to lower business and individual tax rates, modernize US international tax rules, and simplify the tax law, with significant

44


impacts on numerous sectors of the economy.  As disclosed in

Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on From 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, future changes in the tax laws could significantly impact our income tax expense, deferred tax asset balance, and the amount of taxes payable. Current proposals to decrease the federal statutory tax rate, if enacted, could result in a decrease to our deferred tax asset with a corresponding non-cash increase to income tax expense or a decrease to capital that could be material. We may also be adversely impacted by modifications or adjustments in the determination of taxable income or utilization of tax credits.



Selected Financial Data

The following tables contain selected financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated .











Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,



2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Common Share Data

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

0.68

$

0.60

$

0.59

$

1.85

$

1.23

Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.60

$

0.59

$

1.85

$

1.23

Cash dividends paid

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.24

$

0.72

$

0.72

Book value per share (period-end)

$

33.78

$

33.21

$

32.09

$

33.78

$

32.09

Tangible book value per share (period-end)

$

23.92

$

23.27

$

22.89

$

23.92

$

22.89

Weighted average number of shares (000s):

Basic

84,749

84,614

77,550

84,577

77,525

Diluted

84,980

84,867

77,677

84,818

77,653

Period-end number of shares (000s)

84,767

84,738

77,571

84,767

77,571

Market data:

High sales price

$

50.40

$

52.94

$

32.94

$

52.94

$

32.94

Low sales price

$

41.05

$

42.70

$

24.49

$

41.05

$

20.01

Period-end closing price

$

48.45

$

49.00

$

32.43

$

48.45

$

32.43

Trading volume (000s) (a)

33,243

39,035

42,809

117,397

140,796



(a)

Trading volume is based on the total volume as determined by NASDAQ on the last day of the quarter.





45








Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Income Statement:

Interest income

$

232,716

$

226,177

$

182,153

$

661,408

$

546,300

Interest income (te) (a)

241,295

234,741

188,937

686,849

564,623

Interest expense

29,859

26,460

18,640

77,143

54,982

Net interest income (te) (a)

211,436

208,281

170,297

609,706

509,641

Provision for loan losses

13,040

14,951

18,972

43,982

96,204

Noninterest income

67,115

67,487

63,008

198,093

184,888

Noninterest expense (excluding amortization of intangibles)

171,546

177,713

144,172

508,096

441,017

Amortization of intangibles

6,070

5,757

4,886

16,532

15,015

Income before income taxes

79,316

68,783

58,491

213,748

123,970

Income tax expense

20,414

16,516

11,772

53,565

26,505

Net income

$

58,902

$

52,267

$

46,719

$

160,183

$

97,465













Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,



2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Performance Ratios

Return on average assets

0.88

%

0.79

%

0.80

%

0.82

%

0.56

%

Return on average common equity

8.23

%

7.52

%

7.52

%

7.69

%

5.33

%

Return on average tangible common equity

11.68

%

10.69

%

10.58

%

10.77

%

7.55

%

Earning asset yield (te) (a)

3.92

%

3.87

%

3.55

%

3.84

%

3.58

%

Total cost of funds

0.48

%

0.44

%

0.35

%

0.43

%

0.35

%

Net interest margin (te) (a)

3.44

%

3.43

%

3.20

%

3.41

%

3.23

%

Noninterest income to total revenue (te) (a)

24.09

%

24.47

%

27.01

%

24.52

%

26.62

%

Efficiency ratio (b)

57.50

%

60.59

%

61.80

%

59.70

%

62.78

%

Average loan/deposit ratio

87.08

%

87.76

%

85.64

%

88.18

%

86.04

%

FTE employees (period-end)

3,979

4,162

3,747

3,979

3,747

Capital Ratios

Common stockholders' equity to total assets

10.68

%

10.57

%

10.77

%

10.68

%

10.77

%

Tangible common equity ratio (c)

7.80

%

7.65

%

7.93

%

7.80

%

7.93

%



(a) Tax equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

(b) The efficiency ratio is noninterest expense to total net interest (te) and noninterest income, excluding amortization of purchased inta ngibles and nonoperating items .

(c) The tangible common equity ratio is common stockholders’ equity less intangible assets divided by total assets less intangible assets.

46












Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

($ in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Asset Quality Information

Nonaccrual loans (a)

$

269,676

$

238,219

$

302,810

$

269,676

$

302,810

Restructured loans - still accruing

96,735

90,502

8,059

96,735

8,059

Total nonperforming loans

366,411

328,721

310,869

366,411

310,869

Other real estate (ORE) and foreclosed assets

21,219

18,049

19,806

21,219

19,806

Total nonperforming assets

$

387,630

$

346,770

$

330,675

$

387,630

$

330,675

Accruing loans 90 days past due (a)

$

28,850

$

18,390

$

4,933

$

28,850

$

4,933

Net charge-offs - non-purchased credit impaired

11,783

5,985

9,531

47,679

38,633

Net charge-offs - purchased credit impaired

(45)

(124)

73

(338)

Allowance for loan losses

223,122

221,865

236,061

223,122

236,061

Provision for loan losses

13,040

14,951

18,972

43,982

96,204

Ratios:

Nonperforming assets to loans, ORE and foreclosed assets

2.06

%

1.88

%

2.06

%

2.06

%

2.06

%

Accruing loans 90 days past due to loans

0.15

%

0.10

%

0.03

%

0.15

%

0.03

%

Nonperforming assets + accruing loans 90 days past due to loans, ORE and foreclosed assets

2.21

%

1.97

%

2.09

%

2.21

%

2.09

%

Net charge-offs - non-purchased credit impaired to average loans

0.25

%

0.13

%

0.24

%

0.35

%

0.32

%

Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans

1.19

%

1.20

%

1.47

%

1.19

%

1.47

%

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans + accruing loans 90 days past due

56.45

%

63.92

%

74.75

%

56.45

%

74.75

%



(a)

Nonaccrual loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more do not include purchased credit impaired loans with an accretable yield. Included in nonaccrual loans are $ 119.7 million, $96.3 million, and $48.2 million in restructured loans at September 30, 2017 , June 30, 2017 , and September 30, 2016 , respectively.















September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2017

2016

2016

Period-End Balance Sheet

Total loans, net of unearned income (a)

$

18,786,285

$

18,473,841

$

18,204,868

$

16,752,151

$

16,070,821

Loans held for sale

23,236

26,787

20,883

34,064

42,545

Securities

5,624,552

5,668,836

5,001,273

5,017,128

4,843,112

Short-term investments

111,725

126,428

51,273

78,177

128,920

Earning assets

24,545,798

24,295,892

23,278,297

21,881,520

21,085,398

Allowance for loan losses

(223,122)

(221,865)

(213,550)

(229,418)

(236,061)

Goodwill

739,403

740,265

716,761

621,193

621,193

Other intangible assets, net

96,525

101,694

86,952

87,757

92,523

Other assets

1,658,151

1,714,583

1,616,566

1,614,250

1,545,677

Total assets

$

26,816,755

$

26,630,569

$

25,485,026

$

23,975,302

$

23,108,730

Noninterest-bearing deposits

$

7,896,384

$

7,887,867

$

7,722,279

$

7,658,203

$

7,543,041

Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits

7,893,546

8,402,133

7,162,760

6,910,466

6,620,373

Interest-bearing public funds deposits

2,762,048

2,537,030

2,595,263

2,563,758

2,394,148

Time deposits

2,981,881

2,615,785

2,441,718

2,291,839

2,327,915

Total interest-bearing deposits

13,637,475

13,554,948

12,199,741

11,766,063

11,342,436

Total deposits

21,533,859

21,442,815

19,922,020

19,424,266

18,885,477

Short-term borrowings

1,737,151

1,810,907

2,121,932

1,225,406

1,075,956

Long-term debt

331,179

407,876

525,082

436,280

463,710

Other liabilities

351,291

155,009

152,370

169,582

194,460

Stockholders' equity

2,863,275

2,813,962

2,763,622

2,719,768

2,489,127

Total liabilities & stockholders' equity

$

26,816,755

$

26,630,569

$

25,485,026

$

23,975,302

$

23,108,730





47








Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Average Balance Sheet

Total loans, net of unearned income (a)

$

18,591,219

$

18,369,446

$

16,023,458

$

18,092,622

$

15,977,526

Loans held for sale

21,723

22,389

38,687

21,815

27,561

Securities (b)

5,679,841

5,241,735

4,707,224

5,321,974

4,628,330

Short-term investments

194,643

704,560

428,037

435,066

452,028

Earning assets

24,487,426

24,338,130

21,197,406

23,871,477

21,085,445

Allowance for loan losses

(224,537)

(216,851)

(228,603)

(222,623)

(210,913)

Goodwill and other intangible assets

837,107

826,097

716,097

798,050

721,056

Other assets

1,577,577

1,578,877

1,517,890

1,546,910

1,496,117

Total assets

$

26,677,573

$

26,526,253

$

23,202,790

$

25,993,814

$

23,091,705

Noninterest-bearing deposits

$

7,775,913

$

7,769,932

$

7,277,568

$

7,670,517

$

7,130,762

Interest-bearing transaction and savings deposits

8,097,370

8,047,426

6,732,815

7,685,213

6,775,870

Interest-bearing public fund deposits

2,764,961

2,539,424

2,253,588

2,618,215

2,243,078

Time deposits

2,711,574

2,575,779

2,446,265

2,543,834

2,420,717

Total interest-bearing deposits

13,573,905

13,162,629

11,432,668

12,847,262

11,439,665

Total deposits

21,349,818

20,932,561

18,710,236

20,517,779

18,570,427

Short-term borrowings

1,909,365

2,232,845

1,366,236

2,089,024

1,427,199

Long-term debt

339,535

428,292

468,100

408,191

474,435

Other liabilities

240,338

145,989

185,820

192,376

174,826

Stockholders' equity

2,838,517

2,786,566

2,472,398

2,786,444

2,444,818

Total liabilities & stockholders' equity

$

26,677,573

$

26,526,253

$

23,202,790

$

25,993,814

$

23,091,705



(a)

Includes nonaccrual loans.

(b)

Average secur ities do not include unrealiz ed holding gains/losses on available for sale securities.





Reconciliation of reported to core net interest income (te) and core net interest margin











Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

($ in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net interest income

$

202,857

$

199,717

$

163,513

$

584,265

$

491,318

Tax-equivalent adjustment (te)(a)

8,579

8,564

6,784

25,441

18,323

Net interest income (te)

$

211,436

$

208,281

$

170,297

$

609,706

$

509,641

Purchase accounting adjustments

Net loan discount accretion (b)

7,711

8,801

5,206

21,529

17,443

Net investment premium amortization (c)

(364)

(398)

(581)

(1,216)

(1,936)

Net purchase accounting adjustments

7,347

8,403

4,625

20,313

15,507

Net interest income (te) - core

$

204,089

$

199,878

$

165,672

$

589,393

$

494,134

Average earning assets

$

24,487,426

$

24,338,130

$

21,197,406

$

23,871,477

$

21,085,445

Net interest margin - reported

3.44

%

3.43

%

3.20

%

3.41

%

3.23

%

Net purchase accounting adjustments

0.12

%

0.14

%

0.08

%

0.11

%

0.10

%

Net interest margin - core

3.32

%

3.29

%

3.12

%

3.30

%

3.13

%























48




Core revenue (te) and co re pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (te)









Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net interest income

$

202,857

$

199,717

$

163,513

$

584,265

$

491,318

Noninterest income

67,115

67,487

63,008

198,093

184,888

Total revenue

$

269,972

$

267,204

$

226,521

$

782,358

$

676,206

Tax-equivalent adjustment (a)

8,579

8,564

6,784

25,441

18,323

Purchase accounting adjustments - revenue (d)

(7,347)

(7,076)

(3,088)

(17,886)

(10,830)

Nonoperating revenue

(4,352)

Core revenue (te)

$

271,204

$

268,692

$

230,217

$

785,561

$

683,699

Noninterest expense

(177,616)

(183,470)

(149,058)

(524,628)

(456,032)

Intangible amortization

6,070

5,757

4,886

16,532

15,015

Nonoperating expense

11,393

10,617

28,473

4,978

Core pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (te)

$

111,051

$

101,596

$

86,045

$

305,938

$

247,660



(a)

Tax able equivalent (te) amounts are calculated using a marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

(b)

Includes net loan discount accretion arising from business combinations.

(c)

Includes net investment premium amortization arising from business combinations.

(d)

Includes net loan discount accretion and net investment premium amortization as defined in (b) and (c) and amortization of the FDIC loss share receivable related to an FDIC assisted transaction.





49


LIQUIDITY

Liquidity management is focused on ensuring that funds are available to meet the cash flow requirements of our depositors and borrowers, while also meeting the operating, capital and strategic cash flow needs of the Company, the Bank and other subsidiaries.  Hancock develops its liquidity management strategies and measures and regularly monitors liquidity risk as part of its overall asset/liability management process.

The asset portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity primarily through loan principal repayments, as well as maturities and repayments of investment securities.  Short-term investments such as federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank or with other commercial banks are additional sources of liquidity to meet cash flow requirements.  Free securities represent unpledged securities that can be sold or used as collateral for borrowings, and include unpledged securities assigned to short-term dealer repurchase agreements or to the Federal Reserve Bank discount window.  As shown in the table below, our ratio of free securities to total securities was 36.61 % at September 30, 2017 , compared to 33.57% at June 30 , 2017 and 23.97 % at September 30, 2016.  The total of pledged securities at September 30, 2017 was down $203.8 million compared to June 30 , 2017 as collateral related to seasonal public fund tax deposits was released. Total securities at September 30, 2017 were $0.8 billion higher than at September 30, 2016.









September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,

Liquidity Metrics

2017

2017

2017

2016

2016

Free securities / total securities

36.61

%

33.57

%

20.29

%

23.46

%

23.97

%

Core deposits / total deposits

91.70

%

93.05

%

92.93

%

93.22

%

93.03

%

Wholesale funds / core deposits

10.47

%

11.12

%

14.30

%

9.18

%

8.76

%

Quarter-to-date average loans /quarter-to-date average deposits

87.08

%

87.76

%

89.90

%

86.31

%

85.64

%

The liability portion of the balance sheet provides liquidity mainly through the Company’s ability to use cash sourced from various customers’ interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposit and sweep accounts.  Core deposits consist of total deposits excluding certificates of deposits (“CDs”) of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits. The ratio of core deposits to total deposits was 91.70 % at September 30, 2017, compared to 93.05% at June 30, 2017 and 93.03% at September 30, 2016. Core deposits totaled $19.7 billion at September 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.2 billion from June 30, 2017, and up $2.2 billion from September 30, 2016. The increase from September 30, 2016 was primarily due to the FNBC transactions. Brokered deposits totaled $ 1.1 b illion as of September 30, 2017, a $ 0.3 b illion, or 42 % , increase compared to June 30 , 2017 and September 30, 2016. The Company ’s use of brokered deposits as a funding source is subject to strict parameters regarding the amount , term and interest rate.

Purchases of federal funds, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings from customers provide additional sources of liquidity to meet short-term funding requirements. Besides funding from customer sources, the Bank has a line of credit with the FHLB that is secured by blanket pledges of certain mortgage loans. At September 30, 2017, the Bank had borrowings of approximate ly $1.2 billi on and had approximately $ 3.0 billion available under this line. The Bank also has unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve’s discount window of approximate ly $2.2 billion. The Company did not have outstanding borrowings with the Federal Reserve at any date in the last twelve months.

Wholesale funds, which are comprised of short-term borrowings and long-term debt, were 10.47% of core deposits at September 30, 2017, compared to 11.12% at June 30, 2017 and 8.76% at September 30, 2016.  The linked quarter d ecrease primarily related to a $0.2 million decrease in both wholesale funds and core deposits. The year over year increase was primarily due to an increase in FHLB borrowings.  FHLB borrowings totaled $1.2 billion at Sep tember 30, 2017 compared to $1. 3 billion at June 30 , 2017 and $0.7 billion at September 30, 2016.  The Company has established an internal target for wholesale funds to be less than 25% of core deposits.

Another key measure the Company uses to monitor its liquidity position is the lo an-to- deposit ratio (average loans outstanding for the reporting period divided by average d eposits outstanding).  The loan-to- deposit ratio measures the amount of funds the Company lends out for each dollar of deposi ts on hand.  The Company’s loan-to- deposit ratio for the thir d quarter of 2017 was 87.08%, compared to 87.76 % at June 30, 2017 and 85.64% at Se ptember 30, 2016. T he Company has established a target range for its loan-to- deposit ratio of 83% to 87 %.

Cash generated from operations is another important source of funds to meet liquidity needs.  The consolidated statements of cash flows present operating cash flows and summarize all significant sources and uses of funds for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .

Dividends received from the Bank have been the primary source of funds available to the Parent Company for the payment of dividends to our stockholders and for servicing its debt . The liquidity management process takes into account the various regulatory provisions that can limit the amount of dividends the Bank can distribute to the Parent Company.  The Parent Company maintains cash and other liquid assets to provide liquidity in an amount sufficient to fund a minimum of at least six quarters of anticipated common stockholder dividends.

50


CAPITAL RESOURCES



Stockholders’ equity totaled $2.9 billion at September 30, 2017, up $ 49 million, or 2 % from June 30, 2017 and up $ 374 million, or 15 % , from September 30, 2016.  The tangible common equity ratio was 7.80% at September 30, 2017, compared to 7.65% at June 30, 2017 and 7.93% at September 30, 2016. The increase in the ratio from prior quarter is due to net tangible earnings. The decline in the ratio from prior periods was due to the effect of the assets acquired in the FNBC transactions , which was partially offset by the $259 million stock issuance in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company has established an internal target for the tangible common equity ratio of at least 8.00%. However, management will allow the Company’s tangible common equity ratio to drop below 8.00% on a temporary basis if it believes that the shortfall can be replenished through normal operations.



The regulatory capital ratios of the Company and the Bank as of September 30, 2017 improved from June 30, 2017. While the ratios were lower in the third quarter of 2017 relative to December 31, 2016 as a result the FNBC transactions, all remain well in excess of current regulatory minimum requirements. The Company and the Bank have been categorized as “well-capitalized” in the most recent notices received from our regulators. Both entities currently exceed all capital requirements of the new Basel III requirements, including the fully phased-in conservation buffer.  Bank ratios reflect a $240 million capital contribution in the first quarter of 2017 to support the FNBC I transaction. See the Supervision and Regulation section in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for further discussion of the Company’s capital requirements.

The following table shows the regulatory capital ratios for the Company and the Bank as calculated under current rules for the indicated periods.











Well-

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,



Capitalized

2017

2017

2017

2016

2016

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

Hancock Holding Company

10.00

%

11.84

%

11.76

%

11.91

%

13.21

%

12.15

%

Whitney Bank

10.00

%

11.35

%

11.33

%

11.52

%

11.57

%

11.81

%

Tier 1 common equity capital (to risk weighted assets)

Hancock Holding Company

6.50

%

10.10

%

10.01

%

10.16

%

11.26

%

10.09

%

Whitney Bank

6.50

%

10.31

%

10.28

%

10.49

%

10.39

%

10.56

%

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

Hancock Holding Company

8.00

%

10.10

%

10.01

%

10.16

%

11.26

%

10.09

%

Whitney Bank

8.00

%

10.31

%

10.28

%

10.49

%

10.39

%

10.56

%

Tier 1 leverage capital

Hancock Holding Company

5.00

%

8.34

%

8.21

%

8.79

%

9.56

%

8.35

%

Whitney Bank

5.00

%

8.53

%

8.44

%

9.09

%

8.83

%

8.76

%



Regulatory definitions:

(1)

Tier 1 common equity capital generally includes common equity and retained earnings, reduced by goodwill and other disallowed intangibles, disallowed deferred tax assets and certain other assets.

(2)

Tier 1 capital consists of Tier 1 common equity capital plus non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries and a limited amount of qualifying perpetual preferred stock.

(3)

Total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus perpetual preferred stock not qualifying as Tier 1 capital, mandatory convertible securities, certain types of subordinated debt and a limited amount of allowances for credit losses.

(4)

The risk-weighted asset base is equal to the sum of the aggregate value of assets and credit-converted off-balance sheet items in each risk category as specified in regulatory guidelines, multiplied by the weight assigned by the guidelines to that category.

(5)

The Tier 1 leverage capital ratio is Tier 1 capital divided by average total assets reduced by the deductions for Tier 1 capital noted above.













51


BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Securities

Investments in securities totaled $5.6 billion at September 30, 2017, up $44 million, or 1%, from June 30, 2017 and up $781 million from September 30, 2016.  At September 30, 2017, securities available for sale totaled $2.8 billion and securities held to maturity totaled $2.8 billion.

The securities portfolio consists mainly of residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. The portfolio is designed to enhance liquidity while providing an acceptable rate of return.  The Company invests only in high quality investment grade securities with a targeted effective duration for the overall portfolio of between two and five years.  The effective duration calculates the price sensitivity to changes in interest rates.  At September 30, 2017, the average maturity of the portfolio was 5.57 years with an effective duration of 4.64 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 2.36%. Management simulations indicate that the effective duration would increase to 4.90 years with a 100 bps increase in the yield curve and to 5.05 years with a 200 bps increase.  At December 31, 2016, the average maturity of the portfolio was 5.79 years with an effective duration of 5.07 years and a nominal weighted-average yield of 2.35%.  The average maturity of the portfolio at September 30, 2016 was 5.06 years, while the duration was 3.78 years, and the nominal weighted average yield was 2.28%.

Loans

Total loans at September 30, 2017 were $18.8 billion, up approximately $312 million, or 1.7%, from June 30, 2017.  Loans to energy related companies decreased $97 million as we continue to decrease our concentration. There was commercial loan growth throughout the markets in our footprint and in our mortgage and equipment finance lines o f business.

The following table shows the co mposition of our loan portfolio:









September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2017

2016

2016

Total loans:

Commercial non-real estate

$

8,129,429

$

8,093,104

$

8,074,287

$

7,613,917

$

7,133,928

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

2,076,014

2,078,332

2,047,451

1,906,821

1,901,825

Total commercial and industrial

10,205,443

10,171,436

10,121,738

9,520,738

9,035,753

Commercial real estate - income producing

2,511,808

2,401,673

2,505,104

2,013,890

1,990,309

Construction and land development

1,373,048

1,313,522

1,252,667

1,010,879

946,592

Residential mortgages

2,596,692

2,493,923

2,266,263

2,146,713

2,037,162

Consumer

2,099,294

2,093,287

2,059,096

2,059,931

2,061,005

Total loans

$

18,786,285

$

18,473,841

$

18,204,868

$

16,752,151

$

16,070,821

Our commercial customer base is diversified over a range of industries, including energy, healthcare, wholesale and retail trade in various durable and nondurable products and the manufacture of such products, marine transportation and maritime construction, financial and professional services, and agricultural production.

52


The following tables provide detail of the more significant industry concentrations for our commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which is based on NAICS codes, and property type concentrations of our commercial real estate – income producing portfolios.









September

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,



2017

2017 (b)

2017

2016

2016



Pct of

Pct of

Pct of

Pct of

Pct of

( $ in thousands )

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Commercial & industrial loans:

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

$

1,134,451

12

%

$

1,116,117

11

%

$

1,119,937

11

%

$

975,821

10

%

$

980,484

11

%

Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (a)

1,074,822

11

1,131,279

11

1,211,006

12

1,320,294

14

1,311,480

15

Health Care and Social Assistance

1,023,939

10

1,084,644

11

1,076,164

11

1,010,135

11

953,900

10

Public Administration

832,638

8

848,543

8

839,005

8

796,742

8

717,629

8

Manufacturing (a)

726,339

7

769,161

8

769,118

8

729,926

8

637,194

7

Retail Trade (a)

761,418

7

774,414

8

755,059

8

682,775

7

632,175

7

Finance and Insurance

559,092

5

503,551

5

478,473

5

507,339

5

451,469

5

Wholesale Trade (a)

513,086

5

492,910

5

490,569

5

486,940

5

461,133

5

Construction

564,444

6

521,926

5

519,663

5

478,926

5

447,206

5

Transportation and Warehousing (a)

563,263

6

569,923

6

556,468

5

468,377

5

428,936

5

Educational Services

438,247

4

434,955

4

428,248

4

421,035

4

421,114

5

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (a)

356,560

3

371,055

4

362,610

4

340,323

4

339,642

4

Other Services (except Public Administration)

349,711

3

348,080

3

342,155

3

308,802

3

292,669

3

Accommodation and Food Services

340,551

3

305,421

3

338,241

3

270,693

3

295,625

3

Other (a)

966,882

10

899,457

8

835,022

8

722,610

8

665,097

7

Total commercial & industrial loans

$

10,205,443

100

%

$

10,171,436

100

%

$

10,121,738

100

%

$

9,520,738

100

%

$

9,035,753

100

%



(a) The Company's energy related lending po rtfolio includes certain balances within each of these selected industry categories as the definition is based on source of revenue.  The energy related lending portfolio totaled $1.1 billion, $1.2 billion, $1.4 billi on, $1.4 billion, and $1.4 billion, at September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017, March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 , and September 30, 2016, respectively.

(b) June 30, 2017 reflects reclassifications from the previous filing for the FNBC transactions.

At September 30, 2017, commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, including both non-real estate and owner occupied real estate secured loans, totaled approximately $10.2 billion, an increase of $34.0 million, or 0.3%, from June 30, 201 7 .  Included in C&I are $1.1 billion in energy related loans, which are comprised of credits to both the exploration and production segment and the support services segment.  Energy related loans comprised 6.0% of total loans at September 30, 2017, down from 12.4% in fourth quarter of 2014, the beginning of the downturn of the energy cycle.  Payoffs and paydowns of approximately $142 million and charge-offs of approximately $8 million were partially offset by approximately $52 million in draws on existing lines of credit.  Management has a strategic target to bring the level of energy loans to total loans to 5%.

T he Bank lends mainly to middle market and smaller commercial entities, although it participates in larger shared credit loan facilities.  Shared national credits funded at September 30, 2017 totaling approximately $2.0 billion, or 11% of total loans, were down $75 million compared to June 30, 2017 and down $41 million from September 30, 2016.  Approximately $718 million of shared national credits were with energy related customers at September 30, 2017, down approximately $72 million from June 30, 2017 and down $199 million from September 30, 2 016.



Com mercial real estate – income producing loans totaled approximately $2.5 billion at September 30, 2017, an increase of $110 million, or 5%, from June 30, 2017.  The majority of the increase in commercial real estate – income producing l oans was related to the hotel/motel and retail property type . The following table details commercial real estate – income producing by property types for the last five quarters.







September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,



2017

2017 (a)

2017

2016

2016



Pct of

Pct of

Pct of

Pct of

Pct of

( $ in thousands )

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Balance

Total

Commercial real estate - income producing loans:

Retail

$

550,720

22

%

$

511,708

22

%

$

565,673

23

%

$

466,168

22

%

$

483,026

24

%

Office

472,169

19

481,626

20

482,121

19

371,029

19

382,191

19

Multifamily

339,656

13

347,583

15

444,188

18

346,612

17

314,539

16

Industrial

299,796

12

296,996

12

307,170

12

289,482

14

292,037

15

Hotel/Motel

327,048

13

269,985

11

268,138

11

179,016

9

129,209

6

Other

522,419

21

493,775

21

437,814

17

361,583

19

389,307

20

Total commercial real estate - income producing loans

$

2,511,808

100

%

$

2,401,673

100

%

$

2,505,104

100

%

$

2,013,890

100

%

$

1,990,309

100

%

(a) June 30, 2017 reflects reclassifications from the previous filings for the FNBC transactions .

53




C onstruction and land development loans, totaling approximately $1.4 billion at September 30, 2017, increased approximately $60 million from June 30, 2017.  Residential mortgages and consumer loans increased $103 million and $6 million respectively, during the third quarter of 2017.



Allowance for Loan Losses and Asset Quality

The C ompany's total allowance for loan losses was $223.1 million at September 30, 2017, compared to $221.9 million at June 30, 2017.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to period-end loans decreased 1 bp to 1.19%, compa red to 1.20% at June 30, 2017.  The increase in allowance is primarily driven by hi gher non-energy reserves due to continued growth and diversification of that portfolio.  Energy prices improved compared the prior quarter and have remained relatively stable. Energy exposure and criticized loan levels continued to decline in all portfolios.  Man agement believes the allowance level for the energy portfolio, as built in previous quarters, remains adequate.

Net charge-offs from the non-purchased credit impaired loan portfolio were $11.8 million, or 0.25%, of average total loans on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2017, up from $6.0 million, or 0.13%, of average total loans in the second quarter of 2017.  Net charge-offs to energy credits in the third quarter of 2017 totaled $3.6 million, consisting of gross charge-offs of $7.6 million, net of recoveries of $4.0 million.  There were no charges-offs related to energy credits in the second quarter of 2017.  Third quarter residential mortgage charge-offs were up $1.4 million compared to second quarter 2017 due largely to a single credit and not necessarily indicative of a portfolio trend.  Consumer loan charge-offs also increase d $1.1 million compared to second quarter, however, was lower than first and fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following table provides a breakout of the Company’s allowance for loan loss for the energy portfolio, allocated by sector, as of September 30, 2017.





( in millions )

Outstanding Balance

Allocated Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses as a % of Loans

Upstream (reserve-based lending)

$

380

$

18.2

4.8

%

Midstream

55

0.7

1.2

Support - drilling

153

12.8

8.4

Support - nondrilling

545

48.1

8.8

Total

$

1,133

$

79.8

7.0

%

Management continues to closely monitor the impact that the sustained decrease in oil and natural gas prices will have on the ability of the Company’s energy related customers to service their debt.  Part of the ongoing monitoring includes a review of customers’ balance sheets, leverage ratios, collateral values and other critical lending metrics. As previously noted, even with improving oil prices, management expects a continued lag in the recovery of energy service and support credits. Many reserve based lending credits are showing signs of improvement given the stabilization of oil prices.  We continue to expect lagging improvement in the support sector, with the expectation for land based services to recover more quickly than drilling and non-drilling services that support offshore production. As new information becomes available, additional risk rating downgrades could occur, which could lead to additional loan loss provisions, a higher allowance for loan losses, and additional charge-offs.  Management believes that any additional losses will be manageable and that capital will remain solid.  Based upon information currently available, management is maintaining the estimate that net charge-offs from energy related credits could approximate $65 million to $95 million over the d uration of the cycle, which started in the fourth quarter of 2014.  To date, the Company has recorded approximately $68 million in energy related net charge-offs since the start of the cycle including the net charge-off of $3.6 million in the current quarter .  See Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for further discussion of our energy portfolio and its potential impact on the allowance for loan losses.

54


The following table sets forth activity in the allowance for loan l osses for the periods indicated:









Three months ended

Nine months ended



September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2017

2016

Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period

$

221,865

$

213,550

$

226,086

$

229,418

$

181,179

Loans charged-off:

Non-purchased credit impaired loans (a):

Commercial non real estate

9,029

1,427

5,292

35,247

27,504

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied

10

488

461

527

1,660

Total commercial & industrial

9,039

1,915

5,753

35,774

29,164

Commercial real estate - income producing

153

160

191

Construction and land development

479

77

235

593

827

Residential mortgages

1,693

401

316

2,383

908

Consumer

7,584

6,568

6,135

22,691

17,403

Total non-purchased credit impaired charge-offs

18,795

9,114

12,439

61,601

48,493

Purchased credit impaired loans:

Commercial non real estate

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied

28

Total commercial & industrial

28

Commercial real estate - income producing

1

Construction and land development

19

4

77

18

Residential mortgages

16

27

68

102

91

Consumer

14

153

8

Total purchased credit impaired charge-offs

35

45

68

332

146

Total charge-offs

18,830

9,159

12,507

61,933

48,639

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:

Non-purchased credit impaired loans (a):

Commercial non real estate

4,621

880

907

6,437

2,709

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied

94

43

49

337

287

Total commercial & industrial

4,715

923

956

6,774

2,996

Commercial real estate - income producing

257

23

405

655

673

Construction and land development

285

268

297

1,001

1,422

Residential mortgages

54

154

17

316

497

Consumer

1,701

1,761

1,233

5,176

4,272

Total non-purchased credit impaired recoveries

7,012

3,129

2,908

13,922

9,860

Purchased credit impaired loans:

Commercial non real estate

3

68

5

76

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied

17

18

43

110

163

Total commercial & industrial

20

18

111

115

239

Commercial real estate - income producing

2

Construction and land development

10

16

45

49

98

Residential mortgages

4

14

30

23

33

Consumer

1

42

6

72

112

Total purchased credit impaired recoveries

35

90

192

259

484

Total recoveries

7,047

3,219

3,100

14,181

10,344

Net charge-offs - non-purchased credit impaired loans

11,783

5,985

9,531

47,679

38,633

Net charge-offs - purchased credit impaired loans

(45)

(124)

73

(338)

Total net charge-offs

11,783

5,940

9,407

47,752

38,295

Provision for loan losses before FDIC benefit - purchased credit impaired loans

180

(912)

(6)

(2,968)

(3,750)

Benefit attributable to FDIC loss share agreement

696

(410)

2,526

3,027

Provision for loan losses non-purchased credit impaired loans

12,860

15,167

19,388

44,424

96,927

Provision for loan losses, net

13,040

14,951

18,972

43,982

96,204

Increase (decrease) in FDIC loss share receivable

(696)

410

(2,526)

(3,027)

Allowance for loan losses  at end of period

$

223,122

$

221,865

$

236,061

$

223,122

$

236,061

Ratios:

Gross charge-offs - non-purchased credit impaired to average loans

0.40

%

0.20

%

0.31

%

0.46

%

0.41

Recoveries - non-purchased credit impaired to average loans

0.15

%

0.07

%

0.07

%

0.10

%

0.08

Net charge-offs - non-purchased credit impaired to average loans

0.25

%

0.13

%

0.24

%

0.35

%

0.32

Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans

1.19

%

1.20

%

1.47

%

1.19

%

1.47



(a)

Non-purchased credit impaired loans includes originated and acquired loans.

55


The following table sets forth nonperforming assets by type for the periods indicated, consisting of nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and foreclosed and surplus ORE and other foreclosed assets.  Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing are also disclosed.











September 30,

December 31,

(in thousands)

2017

2016

Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis: (a)

Commercial  non-real estate

$

76,933

$

170,703

Commercial non-real estate - restructured

112,049

78,334

Total commercial non-real estate

188,982

249,037

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

13,704

13,432

Commercial real estate - owner-occupied - restructured

601

981

Total commercial real estate - owner-occupied

14,305

14,413

Total commercial & industrial

203,287

263,450

Commercial real estate - income producing

8,766

13,147

Commercial real estate - income producing - restructured

5,594

807

Total commercial real estate - income producing

14,360

13,954

Construction and land development

3,137

3,652

Construction and land development - restructured

155

898

Total construction and land development

3,292

4,550

Residential mortgage

33,495

22,814

Residential mortgage - restructured

1,179

851

Total residential mortgage

34,674

23,665

Consumer

13,946

12,351

Consumer - restructured

117

Total consumer

14,063

12,351

Total nonaccrual loans

$

269,676

$

317,970

Restructured loans - still accruing:

Commercial non-real estate

$

89,913

$

32,887

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

1,600

493

Total commercial & industrial

91,513

33,380

Commercial real estate - income producing

3,864

5,939

Construction and land development

Residential mortgage

971

259

Consumer

387

240

Total restructured loans - still accruing

96,735

39,818

Total nonperforming loans

366,411

357,788

ORE and foreclosed assets

21,219

18,943

Total nonperforming assets (b)

$

387,630

$

376,731

Loans 90 days past due still accruing

$

28,850

$

3,039

Total restructured loans

$

216,430

$

121,689

Ratios:

Nonperforming assets to loans plus ORE and foreclosed assets

2.06

%

2.25

%

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans and accruing loans 90 days past due

56.45

%

63.58

%

Loans 90 days past due still accruing to loans

0.15

%

0.02

%



(a)

Nonaccrual loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more do not include acquired credit-impaired loans which were written down to fair value upon acquisition and accrete interest income the remaining life of the loan.

(b)

Includes total nonaccrual loans, total restructured loans - still accruing and ORE and foreclosed assets.

Nonperforming assets totaled $388 million at September 30, 2017, up $11 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2016, up $41 million, or 12%, from June 30, 2017 and up $57 million from September 30, 2016.  During the third quarter of 2017, total nonperforming loans increased approximately $38 million, and up $9 million compared to December 31, 2016. Most of the increase in nonperforming loans linked quarter was in nonenergy commercial, with approximately $13 million of the increase in the energy portfolio. ORE and other foreclosed assets increased approximately $3 million in the third quarter of 2017, due mostly to the transfer of consolidated bank-owned facilities.  Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans, ORE and other foreclosed assets was 2.06% at September 30, 2017, up 18 bps from June 30, 2017.  This ratio was at 2.25% at December 31, 2016 and 2.06% at September 30, 2016.

56


Short-Term Investments

Short-term liquidity assets are held to ensure funds are available to meet the cash flow needs of both borrowers and depositors.  Short-term liquidity investments, including interest-bearing bank deposits and federal funds sold, were $112 million at September 30, 2017. This represents a decrease of $15 million and $17 million from June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.  These assets are highly volatile on a daily basis depending upon movement in customer loan and deposit accounts.  Average short-term investments of $195 million for the third quarter of 2017 were down $510 million compared to the secon d quarter of 2017, and down $233 million compared to the third quarter of 2016. Year-to-date average short-term investments were $435 million, a decrease of $17 million from the same period in 2016.  See the Liquidity section above for further discussion regarding the Company’s management of its short-term investment portfolio and the impact upon its liquidity in general.

Deposits

Total deposits were $21.5 billion at September 30, 2017, up $91 million, or less than 1% from June 30, 2017, and up $2.6 billion, or 14%, from September 30, 2016.  Average deposits for the third quarter of 2017 were $21.3 billion, up $417 million, or 2%, from the second quarter of 2017 and up $2.6 billion, or 14%, from the third quarter of 2016. The deposits assumed in the FNBC transactions made up $1.6 billion of the increase in both deposits and average deposits over the third quarter 2016.



Noninterest-bearing demand deposits were $7.9 billion at September 30, 2017, up $9 million, or less than 1%, linked quarter, and $353 million, or 5%, year over year. The FNBC transactions added noninterest-bearing demand deposits of $259 million, compa red to the third quarter of 2016 .  Noninterest-bearing demand deposits comprised 37% of total deposits at September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017, and 40 % at September 30, 2016.



Interest-bearing transaction and savings accounts of $7.9 billion at September 30, 2017 decreased $509 million, or 6%, compared to June 30, 2017 and $1.3 billion, or 19%, compared to September 30, 2016.  The majority of the increase over the third quarter of 2016 was related to the FNBC transactions.

I nterest-bearing p ublic fund deposits totaled $2.8 billion at September 30, 2017, down $225 million , or 9% from June 30, 2017 and up $368 million, or 15% compared to September 30, 2016.  Time deposits other than public funds totaled $3.0 billion at September 30, 2017 up $366 million from June 30, 2017, which includes an increase in brokered CD’s of $317 million.

Short-Term Borrowings

At September 30, 2017, short-term borrowings totaled $1.7 billion, down $74 million from June 30, 2017, as FHLB borrowings decreased $28 million, and securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased $30 million.  Short-term borrowings increased $661 million from September 30, 2016, due to both an increase in the Company’s FHLB borrowings and the assumption of $511 million in short-ter m FHLB borrowings as part of the FNBC I transaction.  The Company used a portion of the excess liquidity acquired in the FNBC II transaction to pay down FHLB debt.

A verage quarter-to-date short-term borrowings of $1.9 billion in t he third quarter of 2017 were down $323 million, or 14% compared to the second quarter of 2017, and up $543 million, or 40% compared to the third quarter of 2016. Customer repurchase agreements and FHLB borrowings are the major sources of short-term borrowings. Customer repurchase agreements are offered mainly to commercial customers to assist them with their cash management str ategies or to provide a temporary investment vehicle for their excess liquidity pending redeployment for corporate or investment purposes. While customer repurchase agreements provide a recurring source of funds to the Bank, the amounts available over time can be volatile.  FHLB borrowings are funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank that are collateralized by single family and commercial real estate loans incl uded in the B ank’s loan portfolio, subject to specific criteria.

Long- T erm Debt

At September 30, 2017, l ong-term debt totaled $331 million, down $77 million from June 30 , 2017.  The Company was in compliance with all contractual covenants, as amended, related to long-term debt as of September 30, 2017.





OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit

In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into financial instruments, such as commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, to meet the financing needs of their customers.  Such instruments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements until they are funded, although they expose the Bank to varying degrees of credit risk and interest rate risk in much the same way as funded loans. Under regulatory capital guidelines, the Company must include unfunded commitments meeting certain criteria in its risk-weighted capital calculation.

57


Commitments to extend credit include revolving commercial credit lines, nonrevolving loan commitments issued mainly to finance the acquisition and development or construction of real property or equipment, and credit card and personal credit lines.  The availability of funds under commercial credit lines and loan commitments generally depends on whether the borrower continues to meet credit standards established in the underlying contract and has not violated other contractual conditions.  Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the borrower.  Credit card and personal credit lines are generally subject to cancellation if the borrower’s credit quality deteriorates.  A number of commercial and personal credit lines are used only partially or, in some cases, not at all before they expire, and the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements of the Company.

A substantial majority of the letters of credit are standby agreements that obligate the Bank to fulfill a customer’s financial commitments to a third party if the customer is unable to perform.  The Bank issues standby letters of credit primarily to provide credit enhancement to its customers’ other commercial or public financing arrangements and to help them demonstrate financial capacity to vendors of essential goods and services.

The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the Company's exposure to credit risk.  The Company undertakes the same credit evaluation in making loan commitments and assuming conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments and may require collateral or other credit support.

The following table shows the commitments to extend credit and letters of credit at September 30, 2017 according to expiration date.











Expiration Date





Less than

1-3

3-5

More than

(in thousands)

Total

1 year

years

years

5 years

Commitments to extend credit

$

6,651,407

$

2,991,344

$

1,571,652

$

1,177,179

$

911,232

Letters of credit

356,374

310,052

35,539

10,651

132

Total

$

7,007,781

$

3,301,396

$

1,607,191

$

1,187,830

$

911,364



CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

There were no material changes or developments with respect to methodologies that the Company uses when applying what management believes are critical accounting policies and developing critical accounting estimates as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with those generally practiced within the banking industry which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and the resulting estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.



NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

Ite m 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our net incom e is materially dependent on net interest income.  The Company’s primary market risk is interest rate risk which stems from uncertainty with respect to absolute and relative levels of future market interest rates that affect our financial produ cts and services.  In order to manage the exposure s to interest rate risk, manageme nt measures the sensitivity of net interest income and cash flows under various market interest rate scenarios, establishes interest rate risk management policies and implements asset/liability management strategies designed to produce a relatively stable net interest margin under varying rate environments.

The Company measures its interest rate sensitivity primarily by running various net interest income simulations.  The Company’s balance sheet is asset sensitive over a two-year period due to a larger volume of rate sensitive assets than rate sensitive liabilities .  The model measures annual net interest income sensitivity relative to a base case scenario and incorporates assumptions regarding balance sheet growth and the mix of earning assets and funding sources as well as pricing, repricing and maturity characteristics of the existing and projected balance sheet.

58


The table below presents the results of simulations run as of September 30, 2017 for year 1 and year 2, assuming the indicated instantaneous and sustained parallel shift in the yield curve at the measurement date. The results demonstrate an increase in net interest income as rates rise and a decline should rates fall as compared to the stable rate environment assumed for the base case.









Net Interest Income (te) at Risk



Estimated



Change in

increase (decrease)



interest rate

in net interest income (te)



(basis points)

Year 1

Year 2



(100)

(2.66)

%

(5.56)

%



+100

2.16

%

3.29

%



+200

4.07

%

5.91

%



+300

5.39

%

7.61

%



No te: Decrease in interest rates limited to 100 basis points in the current rate environment

The foregoing disclosures related to our market risk should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, related notes and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

Item 4. Co ntrols and Procedures

In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).  Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30 , 2017, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, identified no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three month period ended September 30 , 2017 , that has materially affected, or is reasonably l ikely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.



PART II .  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 .   Legal Proceedings

The Company, including subsidiaries, is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do not believe that loss contingencies, if any, arising from pending litigation and regulatory matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.

Item 1A .  Risk Factors

There were no changes to the risk factors that were previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

The risks described may not be the only risks facing us.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that are currently considered to not be material also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.

Item 2 .  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.









59


Item 6 .  Exhibits

(a)  Exhibits :













































60


SIG NATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.







Hancock Holding Company





By:

/s/ John M. Hairston



John M. Hairston



President & Chief Executive Officer



(Principal Executive Officer)





/s/ Michael M. Achary



Michael M. Achary



Chief Financial Officer



(Principal Financial Officer)





Date:

November 7 , 201 7



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