Hancock Whitney Builds on Its Foundation to Help Businesses, Residents Succeed Financially

A bank with a rich history after 123 years in business and a foundation built on community and powered by its core values, mission and purpose. 

“We believe in building a company that never knows completion—an organization that keeps getting better,” said Andrew McGinnis, Polk County Market President for Hancock Whitney Bank. “Our Mission, Our Purpose, Our Promise to associates and our core values guide us as we move forward. Our founders knew the importance of community.” 

That community commitment created opportunities for the residents who lived there, he said. “More than 123 years later, community — a shared understanding of who we are, where we come from, and where we can go together — still stands central to our company’s culture.” 

Hancock Whitney entered Polk County in 2016. “We saw a need for a bank that offered broad services with experienced bankers who lived and served in Polk County,” McGinnis said. “Our business model and relationship approach to banking was the perfect fit to fill that void. We believe the commercial market in Polk County is most effectively served by bankers who live, work and raise their families in the same communities as the clients they serve.” 

The bank sees tremendous growth opportunities in the county and Central Florida region that corresponds to the population growth being experienced here, he said. 

“Polk County has a large and growing population of commerce and industry companies that fit our sweet spot and focus. There is manufacturing, logistics, trucking, distribution, agriculture, food processing, business services, healthcare and higher education,” McGinnis said. “We are always committed to fostering this growth with the addition of expert bankers and financial service professionals.” 

Customized Service

The bank knows its personal service and customized solutions can help businesses here succeed, he said.  

“From treasury management to financing, our comprehensive suite of products means customized solutions for their business. Whether it is for expansion initiatives, capital improvements, seasonal inventory or technology upgrades, we offer a number of commercial loan programs that can be tailored to a business’ needs. “From expanding operations to taking advantage of an investment opportunity, our lending experts will help explore the right products and services for growing a business. We offer equipment finance, asset-based lending, payment card solutions, construction loans and more.”  

By the Numbers

Hancock Whitney has:  

• 180 financial centers in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. 
• 225 ATMs.  
• $37.5 billion in total assets. 
• $23.4 billion in total loans.  
• $29.6 billion in deposits. 
• About 3,700 full-time employees. 

Its growth is centered around its foundation. 

“Living by our core values is an indispensable priority in planning and implementing strategies for the company’s growth,” McGinnis said. “Five timeless core values keep us strong, help us grow, and define the way we do business. These are Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork and Personal Responsibility.”  

The commercial bank has “strong liquidity, solid capital, and a stable, seasoned deposit base well diversified among consumer, commercial and wealth clients,” he said. “We have a de-risked balance sheet, strong capital, solid allowance for credit losses, and proven resilience in navigating changing economic climates for more than a century. With this, we believe Hancock Whitney remains well-positioned to stay strong, stable and committed to serving our clients and communities regardless of isolated industry events and changes in the national economy.” 

Helping Clients

The bank has always helped its clients achieve their financial dreams. Its products and services are only part of the equation. Education is the other part. 

“A strong understanding of financial basics, money and credit management not only improves individuals’ financial health but can also be the difference in achieving or falling short of financial goals,” McGinnis said. “We provide thought leadership to our clients and communities through our website, social media and in-person touchpoints. Our associates share their expertise with community groups. We help young and old alike learn the value of good financial habits at every stage of life.” 

In 2022, 82% of its financial education activities qualified as Community Reinvestment Act services, reaching low- to moderate-income individuals, he said. 

Giving Back

Giving back and paying it forward have always been important to the bank and its employees. 

“We believe in volunteering our time, talent, energy and enthusiasm to make a difference in the communities where we work and live,” McGinnis said. “Community Connection, our associate volunteer program, offers associates one paid day each year to volunteer in their communities. At work and when they volunteer, associates help people achieve their goals and dreams.” 

In 2022, its associates logged over 4,300 hours with more than 530 organizations, he said. 

It also gives back through programs like Plan Your Way Home and Financial Cents. 

• “Plan Your Way Home (PYWH) helps potential first-time homebuyers and existing homeowners with low to moderate incomes through the mortgage loan process,” he said. “To ensure we meet the credit needs of underserved borrowers, we created our own suite of mortgage assistance products. We also offer additional programs available through federal, state and local agencies to help facilitate homeownership opportunities in the communities we serve.” In 2022, the program provided $10 million in mortgage financing for 59 homeowners. 

• Financial Cents is a comprehensive online and in-person financial education program for young people and adults. By providing people the right information at the right times in their lives to nurture their financial success, it “supports our lifelong learning philosophy of financial education. Hancock Whitney Financial Cents for Students includes online modules available to complement in-class instruction at no cost to schools or taxpayers. Similarly, Hancock Whitney Financial Cents for Adults is accessible through our website and offers online playlists featuring important financial lessons. In 2022, visitors to Hancock Whitney Financial Cents for adults engaged in more than 3,600 online financial education lessons.” 

The Future

The bank continues to innovate to bring its customers the products and services they need to achieve their financial goals and dreams, with the personal touch they deserve, McGinnis said.  

“Hancock Whitney is one of America’s strongest and safest banks. It has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Banks for 2022 and 2023 — proving our 123-year commitment to staying strong and serving our clients in any economy,” he said. “We work hard to create opportunities for the people we serve: our clients, our associates, our shareholders and our communities.”