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Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation On Behalf of Shareholders of Whitney Holding Corporation, in Connection

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^{Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, December 28th 2010 at 16:35 GMT by Market Wire}  

BENSALEM, Pa.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that it is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Whitney Holding Corporation (aWhitneya or the aCompanya) (NASDAQ:WTNY) related to the Companya™s agreement to be acquired by Hancock Holding Company in a proposed stock-for-stock transaction.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement entered into by the parties, Whitney shareholders will receive 0.418 shares of Hancock Holding Company common stock for each share they own of Whitney common stock. The proposed transaction values Whitney common shares at $15.48, based on the closing price of Hancock Holding Company shares on December 21, 2010. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2011. The investigation concerns possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law related to approval of the proposed transaction by Whitneya™s board of directors.

If you are a shareholder of Whitney, if you have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or if you wish to discuss these matters or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, Toll Free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [ howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com ], or visit our website at [ http://www.howardsmithlaw.com ].