Hancock Bank of Louisiana today said it has opened 49 of 50 Louisiana branches since Hurricane Gustav, including offices in heavily impacted communities throughout metropolitan Baton Rouge, central Louisiana, and greater New Orleans.

The branch that remains closed is on Plank Road in Baton Rouge because of storm damage that poses a safety risk to customers and employees. Hancock officials expect to resolve options for banking services at that location by the weekend.

The company said it was the first bank to open in Baton Rouge less than 24 hours after Gustav's landfall and has reopened more branches in Louisiana than any other bank serving storm-affected areas.

Hancock will open its Louisiana branches from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, including locations that do not typically open for Saturday banking.

With assets of approximately $6.2 billion, Hancock Holding Co. is the parent company of Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank Mississippi, Hancock Bank of Alabama and Hancock Bank of Florida. Hancock Bank of Louisiana is headquartered in Baton Rouge.

All of Hancock's Mississippi, Alabama and Florida branches as well as corporate and personal trust, commercial banking, small business services, mortgage, insurance, investments and wealth management divisions opened for regular business hours Tuesday.

Credit: CityBusiness Staff Reports

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