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did the same thing with the cattle industry by bringing in Holstein bulls, and Mr. Seal bought and introduced to Hancock County the first Brahma bull after experiments had proven that the Brahma could up grade the native Mis-sissipi cattle.
The bank was also one of the pioneer promoters of re-forestation in Mississippi. Back in the middle 1940’s, when the state was giving 5000 free pine seedlings to farmers for planting, the bank realized how slow and back-breaking was the job of placing these by hand. So the Hancock Bank invested in three mechanical planters, running from $200 to $800 apiece and made them available without charge to the farmers of both Hancock and Harrison Counties—substantially stimulating the tree planting program. More recently, the Bank has set up a Forestry Scholarship at Mississippi State University available to Harrison and Hancock boys.
A moment ago, we referred to that period when Long Beach was a nationally recognized vegetable producing center, especially famous for its long red radishes. During that period the Hancock had a branch there, the Bank conceived the idea that Long Beach could also successfully raise and market strawberries early enough to secure the top beginning of the season market prices. To develop this project, the Bank set aside a special Farm Fund to be loaned to the truck farmers, without security, to help them purchase and set out their plants. The L&N Railroad also guaranteed cooperation by seeing that the necessary express cars were available on the siding at the right time.
The first year’s crops were successful, the growers made money and paid back virtually 100% of the loans. The following year, the same program was effected. However, two weeks before the berries were to be ready for market, a freeze killed the entire crop. The onset of the Great Depression in the following year ended the program.
After the Mississippi lumber boom had run its course and the port of Gulfport was no longer shipping out its millions of board feet a month, it was necessary to revamp the port facilities and build warehouses and the proper accommodations for a more diversified shipping program. Again, during the Joseph Milner administration, the Hancock Bank stepped forward to cooperate with the City of Gulfport in converting the port to general cargo. It received special permission from the Superintendent of Banks to act as trustee of the Special Bond Issue for this reconstruction program, on which the PWA also advanced assistance.
One lone human interest example injected here—that fits in with that depression period of the Thirties when not only the port of Gulfport but the people of the Coast were putting up a valiant economic struggle—may help dispel the prevalent opinion that bankers cast a cold eye on all loan applicants unless backed up with gilt edged collateral.
During this aforementioned depression a well known Gulfport business man approached Mr. Seal of the Hancock Bank—admitted honestly that he didn’t have enough money for a haircut
and that he had already borrowed some money from the barber to buy groceries —but that he needed $2,000 in his business and he was* certain if he could get it he would pull out of the hole he was in. Mr. Seal knew the man, knew his integrity, knew his business ability and knew the situation. He loaned him the $2,000 on his personal record and business reputation. Several years later, that man’s checking account with the Hancock Eank had reached S60,000.
With Mr. Seal’s permission, we have recounted this bit of personal banking drama to point out that for the same reason depositors put their money in a bank because of their faith in the men operating that bank, the banks themselves frequently loan money because of their faith in the man or business seeking the loan.
During World War II when most Banks were refusing savings accounts, the Hancock Bank not only accepted them but encouraged them—on the basis, that by promoting thrift among its customers in inflationary times, not only the customers but the entire community would ultimately benefit.
Hancock Bank pioneered Christmas Saving Club on the Gulf Coast, first offering this type of banking service in 1914. For forty-five years, with the exception of the two years of World War
I	when this type savings went by the name of Liberty Savings Club for the purchase of Liberty Bonds for the war effort, the Bank has continued to offer
this popular savings plan. In 1958 the Bank mailed out a record $403,000.00 the first week in December to 4683 club members, which is evidence of its growth and acceptance by the public over the years.
During the sixty year business span of the Hancock Bank, it has seen the last stand of virgin pine in the state cut in its own Hancock County, but long before that happened, it had begun pioneering with other organizations and individuals in promoting the reforestation program that has already put Mississippi in the position of raising more timber now than it cuts.
The Hancock Bank has seen the Coast grow from the Bay St. Louis Ferry and the gravel bed Old Spanish Trail (both of which it helped promote) to the present day modern 4 lane bridges and super highway that serves around 25,-000 cars a day in the Coast area.
It has assisted the Mississippi Gulf Coast to grow from an island, blocked off l*y two husre bays from prosperity, to a nationally recognized year round saltwater recreationland, the Riviera of America. It has helped the Coast make the transition from lumber to diversified industry.
The steady march of its branches across the face of Hancock and Harrison during the last half century are the best proof we can present of the steady surge forward of the communities they serve—£or the presence of a bank is both the cause and effect of progress. ★
The recently enlarged and remodeled Hancock flank Building in Gulfport which became its Mississippi Gulf Coast headquarters in 1938. With offices also in Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach and North East (hdfport the Hancock Bank is this year celebrating the 60th Anniversary of its founding in 1899 at Bay St. Louis.
November—December 1959
Tell them you saw it in DOWN SOUTH. Thanks!
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