Company Press Release

GULFPORT, Miss., Sep 9, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Hancock Horizon Funds announced today that after an extensive search, EARNEST Partners has been selected as the sub-advisor for the new Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund set to open on September 30, 2008. EARNEST Partners is an Atlanta based investment firm with over $20 billion in assets under management.

EARNEST Partners has vast experience managing international investments, and Hancock Horizon Funds believes they will do an exceptional job of managing the assets while constraining downside risk.

John Portwood, Chief Economic Strategist and Fund Manager for Hancock Horizon Funds, had this to say about EARNEST Partners, "There were numerous reasons why we selected EARNEST Partners to sub-advise this fund, but their disciplined investment strategy and proven results truly set them apart from the rest of the competition."

The Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund will seek long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund will be diversified across currencies, regions, and countries, including emerging market countries. The Fund will have a core style and utilize a fundamental, bottom-up investment process. Its objective will be to outperform the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. index while controlling for downside risk and volatility.

Trey Greer, a Partner at EARNEST Partners said, "EARNEST Partners is delighted to be partnered with Hancock Horizon Funds. Although this is a new fund, EARNEST Partners has been managing international portfolios for over nine years and has generated consistent outperformance over that time period. With our disciplined process and an established team, we believe we will have a good chance of continuing to provide long-term outperformance for investors in the fund."

The Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund will open September 30, 2008. The information in this press release is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell shares of the Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Mutual fund investing involves risk including loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principals, or from social, economic or political instability in other nations.

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World ex-US Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index composed of approximately 2000 companies, and is representative of the market structure of 47 developed and emerging market countries in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific Rim, excluding securities of U.S. issuers. Individuals cannot invest directly in an Index.

To determine if this Fund is an appropriate investment for you, carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information will be found in the Fund's prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-888-346-6300 or visiting www.hancockhorizonfunds.com after the fund launches on September 30, 2008. Please read it carefully before investing.

Hancock Horizon Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with Hancock Holding Company or any of its affiliates. About Hancock Bank

Hancock Holding Company -- parent company of Hancock Bank Mississippi, Hancock Bank of Louisiana, Hancock Bank of Florida, and Hancock Bank of Alabama -- has assets of approximately $6.2 billion. Bank subsidiaries include Hancock Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, and Harrison Finance Company. Founded October 9, 1899, Hancock Bank consistently ranks as one of the country's strongest, safest financial institutions according to Veribanc, Inc., and BauerFinancial Services, Inc. Additional corporate information and online banking are available at www.hancockbank.com.