In 1949, our bank president, Leo W. Seal, Sr., addressed what was then our entire team of 60 associates and their guests at the bank’s 50th anniversary banquet. He thanked associates, many of whom were long tenured, for their hard work, which had helped bring the bank to that milestone, and lauded their continued commitment to the company, clients, and community.
“Nowhere is there to be found a more loyal, conscientious, sympathetic, able, courteous, and devoted group than we have in our bank. We fill with pride upon the realization of such a wonderful group. Whether they are taken as a whole or as individuals, their fine qualities stand out … We are grateful when we reflect upon the length of time so many of you have been valuable members of this organization,” Mr. Seal stated.
He also challenged those mid-20th century bankers to carry on core values our founders had set forth just five decades earlier: Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility.
“Never fail to keep alive and pass on the traditions and high principles maintained by this institution and to ever conduct its affairs so that when another half-century is reached, it will still be held in the highest favor and known far and wide for its strength, stability, and integrity,” he said.
Dedicated associates past and present have met that challenge. They’ve helped create opportunities for people and the communities we serve while securing our organization as a solid, reliable financial and community partner anchored in timeless ideals.
Thanks to their commitment, we mark another milestone in our story this October: the 125th anniversary of the charter our founders established in 1899.
Hard Work, Heartfelt Gratitude
Labor Day became a national holiday just five years before our bank was founded. Rooted in late 19th century labor movements, this first-Monday-in-September celebration annually honors America’s workforce. For some, it’s the symbolic end of summer. The real intent, however, is to recognize the industrious workers whose yeoman efforts create the collective backbone of our country’s economy.
Whether part of large companies, small businesses, nonprofits, or entrepreneurs, these hard-working people show up. They get things done. They give back and pay forward. They help their organizations grow and stay strong. They consistently strive to build something that can last well beyond their own time.
To America’s workers, Hancock Whitney extends heartfelt appreciation on Labor Day and every day. Your diligence in doing what’s right and good for where you work and whom you serve truly does make a difference for all of us.
Building the Future
Hancock Whitney has grown considerably since that 1949 speech. Today, 3,600 associates serve clients and communities across the five contiguous Gulf Coast states. Assets total approximately $36 billion. Nationally, the company consistently rates among the strongest, safest, most trustworthy banks in America. Regionally and locally, the bank repeatedly earns best-of-the-best accolades.
The tenets Mr. Seal articulated 75 years ago still hold true for us, though.
“We must be ever mindful that one of our cardinal objectives is to build a business that will never know completion,” he emphasized.
Creating Opportunity. Hard-working Hancock Whitney associates carry on the company’s founding core values by serving people and communities throughout the Gulf South.
Working together with clients and communities, associates continue to build our business, knowing our team won’t ever really complete that task. Rather, they and their successors will sustain our core values while helping us grow and get better for the people and communities depending on us.
May you enjoy a safe, pleasant Labor Day with the hard-working people most important to you.
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