Environmental, Social Responsibility and Governance Report
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Environmental, Social Responsibility and Governance Report 2020 FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO From Our President and CEO Across America and the world, 2020 consecutive quarters. We’re proud of that honor. It’s a review challenged and changed lives. Impacts and rating we can’t buy or decline. It’s a tribute to the people from unprecedented international, and businesses that are confident in us. It’s a testament to national, and regional events—including nearly 4,000 associates in five states who are committed to our a global pandemic and unparalleled core values and their communities. hurricane season—tested the human spirit to extraordinary levels. Together, though, with characteristic resolve and resilience, the To individuals and organizations coming together to make people and communities Hancock Whitney serves carried on, our communities better and to all stakeholders who help us doing everyday things differently to move toward more certainty. stay strong, our Hancock Whitney team extends a heartfelt thank you. At Hancock Whitney, we’ve weathered more than 120 years of literal and figurative storms with the people and places we serve. With gratitude, No matter how external influences alter our collective course, our commitment as a strong, reliable financial and community partner stays constant and steadfast. We nurture success in prosperity and stability in adversity, always guided by timeless ideals central to who we are. In fact, our core values shine John M. Hairston brightest when the days seem darkest. 2020 was no exception. President and CEO As our country braced against the coronavirus crisis, we led in helping businesses navigate national loan programs designed to keep doors open and people employed. Turning CONTENTS to our “last-to-close, first-to-open” philosophy of service, we followed CDC guidelines, kept drive-throughs operating, and 3. Spotlighting Our Commitment offered digital options so clients could bank safely despite 4. Introduction local lockdowns. Our proactive community relief efforts 6. Social Responsibility delivered vast supplies of personal protection equipment to first responders, healthcare professionals, and nonprofits, 11. Reinvesting in Our Communities helping our communities cope with COVID-19. Similarly, 14. Community Development Advisory Council when a record number of named storms hit our Gulf Coast footprint, associates from across our company came to help, 15. Associate and Corporate Culture handing out more than 36,000 hot meals, giving away more 20. Corporate Responsibility than 500,000 pounds of ice, and opening our mobile banking unit in the midst of major destruction. 24. Information Security and Privacy 26. Environmental Responsibility Helping people achieve their financial goals and dreams is our mission. Helping them when they need us most is our privilege. 27. Environmental Projects and Partnerships We know people and communities depend on us to help create 28. Conclusion opportunities that make a difference. Whether in calm or crisis, we strive to meet the highest standards of environmental 29. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Index sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance, transparency, and accountability. This report highlights many Additional information about Hancock Whitney of those initiatives and outcomes. is available at hancockwhitney.com. BauerFinancial, Inc., recommends Hancock Whitney as one of America’s strongest, safest banks—now for more than 125 hancockwhitney.com/esg SPOTLIGHTING OUR COMMITMENT 3 Spotlighting Our Commitment Timeless core values Honor & Integrity Quarters in a row as Strength & Stability one of America’s Commitment to Service strongest, safest banks 5 Teamwork BauerFinancial, Inc. Personal Responsibility 125 December 2020 $7 million $533 million Community Contributions in Investment in Community 2020 to help the people and Development and Affordable Housing communities we serve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 201 Associate Council Members $4 billion+ Greenwich Excellence and driving strategic focus at all Best Brand Awards since 2005 Small Business Loans Over the Last Two Years levels of the organization through Supporting Economic Growth 10 designated Change Champions Members of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders Hancock Whitney Board of from five states serving on the Directors including four Hancock Whitney Community 14 outstanding Gulf South 10 Development Advisory Council businesswomen 1.4 million $198 million New Market Tax Credit-allocations deployed to pounds help low-income communities since 2007 Nearly of Paper Recycled in 2020 1000 Live Oaks planted $37 million $491 million since 2016 to replace Company Investments in like oaks lost in Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund securities containing Gulf Coast Investments since 2019 Green-certified Properties Communities affected by major storms $2.5 million Investment in COVID-19 Community Relief hancockwhitney.com/esg INTRODUCTION 4 Introduction SERVICE—THE CORE OF OUR COMMITMENT For more than 100 years, we’ve succeeded with and because of the people and communities we serve. Our individual and collective relationships have endured because of deep local roots, resilient shared respect, and mutual understanding that we must work together to ensure the Gulf South remains a diverse mix of booming metropolitan hubs and prosperous hometowns offering opportunities for all. Hancock Whitney proudly serves the Gulf South region while operating a At Hancock Whitney, we believe strong community partnerships loan production office in Nashville. and our core commitment to service help create opportunities that further strengthen the multifaceted fabric of our region. Growing our roots in We also unite in forward-thinking tactics to preserve our Mississippi. environment, expand social responsibility, and ingrain ethics We’ve called the Magnolia essential to good governance. These priorities stand paramount State home for future associates to carry on our commitment to service. for more than 120-years, and in 2020 Our associates deliver 5-star service to help clients achieve expanded into their financial goals and dreams. Earning our clients’ the Jackson metro area. confidence by honoring our founding promise is why we can stay strong and grow together with the people, businesses, and communities we serve. Since our organization first opened its doors, we have Our Corporate Profile embraced our role to serve our clients, our communities, In the late 1800s, our founders saw the need for a bank built to and each other. Our focus has never been all about us as last—an institution anchored in values, reinforced with resilience, a company. Rather, we have concentrated on our obligation and focused on opportunity. To realize their vision, they forged as a conscientious community steward and corporate servant business foundations from the character and community that leader, championing what is good, fair, right, and responsible distinguish the Gulf South. Today, we carry on that remarkable for our local landscapes, people, and communities and our legacy as one of America’s strongest and safest banks serving extended Hancock Whitney family. one of the nation’s most vibrant corridors. Part of Hancock Whitney Corporation, Hancock Whitney offices How Our Clients Feel about Our and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, 5-Star Service and Texas offer comprehensive and contemporary banking “Wonderful banking service. Everyone is friendly options, including traditional and online banking; commercial and very professional. If you have any questions and small business banking; private banking; equipment leasing or need help, they will always be willing to help and financing; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; you with whatever your needs may be. The bank certain insurance services; and mortgage services. The company is always very clean too. Great people! Great also operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee. experience! Great banking service!” BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and analysis firm, consistently recommends Hancock Very Friendly Environment and Excellent Service. “ Whitney as one of America’s most financially sound banks. Best Experience I’ve Ever Had Banking.” hancockwhitney.com/esg INTRODUCTION 5 Honor & Integrity. We proudly bear a figurative badge symbolizing our steady commitment to do Financial Snapshot the right thing for the people who depend on and December 31, 2020 trust us. • More than 200 Financial Centers • Almost 300 ATMs Strength & Stability. We maintain strong capital and solid business practices to anchor the • Total Assets – $34 Billion company’s financial soundness and offer clients • Total Loans – $22 Billion safe harbor for their hard-earned money. • Total Deposits – $28 Billion Commitment to Service. With a firm • FTE associates – Approximately 4,000 handshake and compassionate outreach, we • Rated among the strongest, safest financial pledge exceptional service to our clients and institutions in the country by BauerFinancial, communities every day. Inc., for 125 consecutive quarters Like finely tuned gears, we work • Earned 201 Greenwich Excellence Awards Teamwork. and Best Brands Awards for top client service together to power an organization founded to help since 2005 people, businesses, and communities succeed. Personal Responsibility. Each of us carries the long-burning light of accountability that leads us How We Do Business to go above and beyond our best. Like