This week marks two months since Hurricane Michael ripped across Northwest Florida, leaving hometowns and lives changed forever.
Thanks to the innate resilience and resourcefulness of local people and communities and the help of countless agencies and volunteers, we’ve made major progress in that short period. To come back better and stronger from the third most intense hurricane to strike our country, though, we’ve still got a long journey ahead of us.
At Hancock Whitney, we’re here to help clients and communities confidently navigate that uncertain road to recovery.
More than a century of insights
Our bank was born on the Gulf Coast 100-plus years ago. Like most local folks, we recognize that the threat of hurricanes is a trade-off we accept to call this special region home. And, like many others who live, work, and raise families here, we know what to do before, during, and after a storm.
When a hurricane hits, people need money and immediate assistance. All of our full-service financial centers—including Panama City’s first two mobile banking units at our destroyed Highway 77 location—reopened within 72 hours of Michael’s landfall. We set up special disaster recovery programs at https://www.hancockwhitney.com/hurricane-michael and have continued to waive ATM fees for Florida clients. To date, we’ve also contributed more than $200,000 toward relief and recovery for storm affected areas.
Now, our cities and towns are changing their focus to the long term by working to repair, rebuild, and restore a semblance of the normalcy we knew before October 10. It might be a different kind of normal; but by working tenaciously together with strategic focus, we’ll re-emerge to thrive again with new business, industry, visitors, and residents.
Your recovery partner
At Hancock Whitney, we’ve been here to help Gulf Coast communities recover from major disasters since the 1800s. In Michael’s wake, we’re once again working side-by-side, hand-in-hand, step-by-step with clients, communities, friends, and neighbors - one of America’s strongest, safest banks helping Northwest Florida move forward from Michael’s devastation.
Talk to your Hancock Whitney banker about how we can help you recover from Hurricane Michael. Whether you’re repairing or rebuilding your home or reopening your business—or both, our local bankers can guide you through financial solutions for your recovery plan. We can also help you answer common questions everyone should ask about
- loans or disaster relief assistance
- mortgage and auto loan liability
- insurance claims and total loss declaration
- paying for recovery services to your home and business
- financial planning and rebuilding
- protecting you, your family, and business from frauds and scams
Creating opportunities together
Recovery isn’t fast or easy. Just think, though, how far Northwest Florida has already come. At Hancock Whitney, we’re certain the caring and commitment core to the heritage and values we all share will continue to advance our communities toward complete recovery and new opportunities for future growth.
The late Maya Angelou once said, “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.” Hurricane Michael certainly changed so much for so many of us, but we have already seen the region unite, refusing to allow this storm to diminish what can be with time and teamwork.
Together, we will rebuild; and together, we will always be Florida Strong.
Equal Housing Lender. All loans and accounts subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.