Dividend hike at Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ: HWC) lifts payout 11.1%

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Hancock Whitney Corporation announced that its Board of Directors approved an 11.1% increase in the regular first quarter 2026 cash dividend, raising it to $0.50 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 16, 2026 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2026.

The company highlights that it has paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends since 1967, underscoring a long history of returning cash to shareholders.

Insights

Banking sector income-investor analyst

Hancock Whitney lifts its quarterly dividend by 11.1%, signaling continued willingness to return cash to shareholders.

Hancock Whitney Corporation increased its regular first quarter 2026 cash dividend to $0.50 per share, an 11.1% raise. The dividend is scheduled for payment on March 16, 2026 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2026, indicating a clear timeline for income-focused holders.

The company also notes uninterrupted quarterly dividends since 1967, suggesting a longstanding emphasis on consistent shareholder payouts. While the filing does not discuss earnings or capital levels, such a dividend increase often reflects management’s confidence in the business and its cash-generating ability.

Investors who own shares on the March 5, 2026 record date will be entitled to receive the higher payout on March 16, 2026, making these dates important markers for dividend-focused strategies.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2026

Hancock Whitney Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Mississippi			001-36872	64-0693170
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Hancock Whitney Plaza 2510 14th Street
Gulfport, Mississippi				39501
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (228) 868-4727

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
COMMON STOCK, $3.33 PAR VALUE		HWC		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
6.25% SUBORDINATED NOTES		HWCPZ		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On January 29, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Hancock Whitney Corporation (the “Company”) declared an 11.1% increase in the regular first quarter 2026 cash dividend. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share is payable on March 16, 2026 to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2026. The Company has paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends to shareholders since 1967.

A copy of the press release is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release dated January 29, 2026
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION
Date:	January 29, 2026	By:	/s/ Michael M. Achary
			Michael M. Achary Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What dividend did Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) declare for Q1 2026?

Hancock Whitney Corporation declared a regular first quarter 2026 cash dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents an 11.1% increase over its prior quarterly dividend, reinforcing the bank’s ongoing commitment to returning cash to shareholders through regular income distributions.

When will Hancock Whitney (HWC) pay its new $0.50 quarterly dividend?

The new $0.50 per share quarterly cash dividend will be paid on March 16, 2026. Shareholders who remain on the company’s books through the record date will receive this payment directly, reflecting the recently approved 11.1% dividend increase for the first quarter of 2026.

What is the record date for Hancock Whitney’s Q1 2026 dividend?

The record date for Hancock Whitney’s first quarter 2026 dividend is March 5, 2026. Investors listed as shareholders of record on that date will be eligible to receive the increased $0.50 per share cash dividend when it is paid later in the month.

By how much did Hancock Whitney (HWC) increase its quarterly dividend?

Hancock Whitney increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by 11.1%, bringing the first quarter 2026 dividend to $0.50 per share. This higher payout reflects a step up from the previous dividend level while maintaining the company’s long history of shareholder distributions.

How long has Hancock Whitney Corporation paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends?

Hancock Whitney Corporation states it has paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends since 1967. This multi-decade record highlights a consistent dividend policy and a long-term pattern of sharing cash flows with shareholders through recurring quarterly cash payments.

What SEC filing reported Hancock Whitney’s 2026 dividend increase?

The dividend increase was reported in a Form 8-K under the “Other Events” section. The filing discloses the new $0.50 per share first quarter 2026 dividend, the 11.1% increase, and key dates for shareholders, including the March 5, 2026 record date.