Form 4: Hancock Whitney Counsel Receives RSU Grant

Hancock Whitney's EVP and General Counsel, Juanita P. Kuhner, acquired 1,561 shares of common stock through a restricted stock unit grant.

Summary

• Juanita P. Kuhner, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Hancock Whitney Corp., was granted 1,561 shares of common stock.
• The acquisition was in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) under the Company's 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan.
• The transaction occurred on February 27, 2026, with a price of $69.94 per share.
• Following this transaction, Juanita P. Kuhner beneficially owns 6,051 shares of common stock.
• These RSU awards are structured to vest incrementally over a three-year period.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, indicating management's continued stake in the company's long-term performance through a standard compensation mechanism, which generally aligns executive and shareholder interests.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units aligns the interests of a key executive with the long-term performance of Hancock Whitney Corp. and its shareholders.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating a pre-arranged and systematic approach to equity compensation.

Future Outlook

The Restricted Stock Units are designed to vest incrementally over a three-year period, indicating a future commitment and continued alignment of the executive's interests with the company's long-term performance.

Management Comments

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units to Juanita P. Kuhner is in accordance with the Company's 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the grant of Restricted Stock Units with multi-year vesting is a common executive compensation practice within the financial services industry. This approach is widely used to incentivize long-term performance, retain key talent, and align executive interests with shareholder value, consistent with broader industry trends.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• RSU grants with multi-year vesting schedules are standard practice for executive compensation across various industries, including banking, to promote retention and performance. Companies like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America frequently utilize similar long-term incentive structures for their senior executives to foster sustained growth and align with shareholder interests.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Grant of 1,561 Restricted Stock Units to Juanita P. Kuhner, an executive officer, by Hancock Whitney Corp. as part of her compensation package, in accordance with the 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased alignment of executive interests with long-term company performance and shareholder value.
• Employees (specifically executives): Provides a long-term incentive and retention mechanism, contributing to executive stability.

Next Steps

• The granted Restricted Stock Units will vest incrementally over the next three years, subject to the terms of the 2020 Long Term Incentive Plan.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The acquisition of restricted stock units by a key executive, while part of a compensation plan, demonstrates continued alignment of management's interests with long-term shareholder value. This routine transaction alone does not significantly alter the investment thesis but reinforces a 'hold' position for existing investors, indicating stable executive commitment.

Keywords

Hancock Whitney, HWC, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Restricted Stock Unit, RSU, Executive Compensation, Juanita P. Kuhner, Stock Grant