The board of Gulfport, Miss.-based Hancock Holding Co. recommends that shareholders vote to approve a proposal to change the company's name to Hancock Whitney Corp.

In connection with the proposed name change, the company plans to change its ticker symbol on the Nasdaq Global Select Market from HBHC to HWC.

In addition, the board approved changing the name of company's banking subsidiary, Whitney Bank, to Hancock Whitney Bank.

Shareholders will vote on the proposal during the May 24 annual meeting.