SC 13D

 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, Par Value $0.10

(Title of Class of Securities)

598039105

(CUSIP Number)

Matthew Lindenbaum

Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.

645 Madison Avenue, 10^th Floor

New York, NY 10022

(212) 521-9500

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

(with copies to)

Michael E. Brandt, Esq.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

(212) 728-8000

April 30, 2019

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box: ☒

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See Rule 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

1

CUSIP No.  598039105				Page 2 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.82%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) IA

2

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 3 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Partners, L.L.C.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 456,831 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 456,831 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 456,831 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.73%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) OO

3

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 4 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Enhanced Long Short GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 403,749 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 403,749 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 403,749 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.42%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) OO

4

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 5 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Financial Fund, LP
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 125,828 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 125,828 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 125,828 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.75%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) PN

5

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 6 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Financial Fund, Inc.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 21,553 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 21,553 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 21,553 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.13%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) CO

6

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 7 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 42,169 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 42,169 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 42,169 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.25%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) PN

7

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 8 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Enhanced Long Short Fund, LP
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 403,749 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 403,749 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 403,749 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 2.42%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) PN

8

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 9 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 288,834 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 288,834 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 288,834 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 1.73%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) PN

9

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 10 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Basswood Opportunity Fund, Inc.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS WC
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 41,740 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 41,740 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 41,740 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0.25%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) CO

10

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 11 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Matthew Lindenbaum
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.82%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) IN

11

CUSIP No. 598039105				Page 12 of 19 Pages
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Bennett Lindenbaum
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP				(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS AF
5	CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 0
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 1,641,562(see Item 5)
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,641,562 (see Item 5)
12	CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAINSHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.82%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS) IN

12

Item 1.  Security and the Issuer

This Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Common Stock”), of MidSouth Bancorp, Inc., a Louisiana corporation (the “Issuer”), and is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The address of the Issuer’s principal executive offices is 102 Versailles Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501.

Item 2. Identity and Background

(a) This Schedule 13D is being filed on behalf of:

(i) Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C. (the “Management Company”), Basswood Partners, L.L.C. (“Basswood Partners”), Basswood Enhanced Long Short GP, LLC (“Basswood Long Short GP”), each a Delaware limited liability company;

(ii) Basswood Financial Fund, LP, Basswood Enhanced Long Short Fund, LP, Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP, Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP (“BOP”), each a Delaware limited partnership, Basswood Financial Fund, Inc., Basswood Opportunity Fund, Inc., each a Cayman Islands corporation (collectively, the “Funds”); and

(iii) Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum.

The Funds and certain managed accounts directly own shares of Common Stock.  The Management Company is the investment manager or adviser to the Funds and the managed accounts and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the Common Stock directly owned by the Funds and managed accounts by virtue of the authority granted to it to vote and to dispose of the securities held by them, including the Common Stock held by them.  Basswood Partners is the general partner of each of Basswood Financial Fund, LP, Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP and Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the Common Stock directly owned by such Funds by virtue of its position as general partner.  Basswood Long Short GP is the general partner of Basswood Enhanced Long Short Fund, LP and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the Common Stock directly owned by such Fund by virtue of its position as general partner. Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum are the managing members of the Management Company and control the business activities of the Management Company.  The Management Company, Basswood Partners, Basswood Long Short GP, the Funds, Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum may be referred to herein as the “Reporting Persons”.

(b)  The address of the principal business and principal office of each of the Reporting Persons is 645 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

(c)  The principal business of the Management Company is to serve as investment manager or adviser to the Funds and the managed accounts, and to control the investing and trading in securities of the Funds and the managed accounts.  The principal business of each of Basswood Partners and Basswood Long Short GP is to serve as the general partner to the applicable Funds.  The principal business of each of the Funds is investing and trading in securities.  The principal business of each of Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum is to act as the managing member of each of the Management Company, Basswood Partners and Basswood Long Short GP.

13

(d)  None of the Reporting Persons, nor, to the best of their knowledge, any of their directors, executive officers, general partners or members has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)  None of the Reporting Persons, nor, to the best of their knowledge, any of their directors, executive officers, general partners or members has, during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f)  Each of Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum is a citizen of the United States of America.

Item 3.  Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

The Funds and the managed accounts expended an aggregate of $19,637,403 (excluding commissions, if any) to acquire the shares of Common Stock reported herein as beneficially owned by them.  The Funds and the managed accounts effect purchases and hold securities primarily through margin accounts maintained for them with each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co., and BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, which may extend margin credit to the Funds and the managed accounts as and when required to open or carry positions in the margin accounts, subject to applicable Federal margin regulations, stock exchange rules and the firms’ credit policies.  In such instances, the positions held in the margin accounts are pledged as collateral security for the repayment of debit balances in the accounts. Certain managed accounts hold securities in custody accounts with The Bank of New York Mellon.

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

Based on, among other things, the Management Company’s belief that the shares of Common Stock were trading at a significant discount to their fair value, the Management Company acquired the shares of Common Stock for the purpose of investment.

On April 30, 2019, the Issuer and Hancock Whitney Corporation, a Mississippi corporation (“Hancock Whitney”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Issuer will merge with and into Hancock Whitney (the “Merger”), with Hancock Whitney as the surviving corporation in the Merger. Immediately following the Merger, MidSouth Bank, N.A., a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of MidSouth, will merge with and into Hancock Whitney Bank, a Mississippi bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Hancock Whitney (“Hancock Whitney Bank” and such merger, the “Bank Merger”), with Hancock Whitney Bank as the surviving entity in the Bank Merger.

In connection with entering into the Merger Agreement, Hancock Whitney entered into a voting and support agreement with the Management Company (the “Basswood Support Agreement”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Basswood Support Agreement, the Management Company agreed, among other things, to vote the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and against alternative acquisition proposals.

14

The foregoing description of the Basswood Support Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Basswood Support Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Schedule 13D as Exhibit 99.2 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Except as otherwise provided in the Basswood Support Agreement, the Reporting Persons may engage in discussions with the Board, the Issuer’s management, other shareholders of the Issuer, knowledgeable industry or market observers, potential acquirors of the Issuer and other persons regarding the Issuer’s business, strategy and future plans or any other matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) – (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.  The Reporting Persons may make further acquisitions of Common Stock from time to time or dispose of any or all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Funds and a managed account at any time.  Any such acquisition or disposition may be effected through privately negotiated transactions, in the open market, in block transactions or otherwise.  In addition, except as provided in the Basswood Voting Agreement, the Reporting Persons may enter into hedging or derivative transactions with respect to the securities of the Issuer, including the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them.  Any determination to acquire or dispose of securities of the Issuer will depend on a number of factors, including the Issuer’s business and financial position and prospects, other developments concerning the Issuer, the price levels of the Common Stock, general market and economic conditions, the availability of financing and other opportunities available to the Reporting Persons.

Except as set forth in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons have no plans or proposals at present that relate to or would result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) – (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

(a)As of the date of this Schedule 13D, each of the Reporting Persons beneficially owns shares of Common Stock in such numbers as set forth on the cover pages of this Schedule 13D.  The total number of shares each of the Reporting Persons beneficially owns represents such percentages as set forth on the cover pages to this Schedule 13D of the Common Stock outstanding.  The percentages used in this Schedule 13D are calculated based upon the 16,717,021 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 25, 2019, as reported in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and filed on April 30, 2019.

(b)The Management Company, Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum share voting and dispositive power over the 1,641,562 shares of Common Stock held directly by the Funds and the managed accounts.  Basswood Partners, the Management Company, Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum share voting and dispositive power over the 456,831 shares of Common Stock held directly by Basswood Financial Fund, LP, Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP and Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP.  Basswood Long Short GP, the Management Company, Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum share voting and dispositive power over the 403,749 shares of Common Stock held directly by Basswood Enhanced Long Short Fund, LP.

By virtue of the relationships among the Reporting Persons, as described in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to be a “group” under the Federal securities laws. If the Reporting Persons were deemed to be such a “group,” such group would collectively beneficially own 1,641,562 shares of Common Stock or 9.82%.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Schedule 13D, (i) each Fund expressly disclaims voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each other Reporting Person, (ii) each of Basswood Partners and Basswood Long Short GP expressly disclaims voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each other Reporting Person, other than the shares of Common Stock held directly by the Fund or Funds for which each, respectively, serves as general partner, and the filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission, for the purposes of Sections 13(d) and 13(g) or under any provision of the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder or for any other purpose, that any such person is a beneficial owner of any shares as to which it disclaims voting and dispositive power.

15

(c)Schedule I hereto sets forth all transactions with respect to the Common Stock effected by the Reporting Persons during the past sixty (60) days.  All the transactions set forth on Schedule I were internal transactions between Funds and managed accounts managed by the Management Company.

(d)Other than the Funds and the managed accounts that directly hold shares of Common Stock, and except as set forth in this Item 5, no other person is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of, dividends from or proceeds from the sale, of such shares of Common Stock.

(e)Not applicable.

Item 6.  Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Reporting Persons have entered into a Joint Filing Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Schedule 13D as Exhibit 99.1, with respect to the joint filing of this Schedule 13D and any amendment or amendments thereto.

Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) between the Reporting Persons and any other person with respect to the securities of the Issuer.

Item 7.  Material to be filed as Exhibits.

1. Exhibit 99.1 - Joint Filing Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2019

2. Exhibit 99.2 - Voting and Support Agreement, dated April 30, 2019, by and between Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C. and Hancock Whitney Corporation

16

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of each of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned, severally and not jointly, certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD PARTNERS, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD ENHANCED LONG SHORT GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD ENHANCED LONG SHORT FUND, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD FINANCIAL FUND, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member

17

Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD FINANCIAL LONG ONLY FUND, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD FINANCIAL FUND, INC.
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD OPPORTUNITY PARTNERS, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
	Matthew Lindenbaum
Dated: May 9, 2019	/s/ Bennett Lindenbaum
	Bennett Lindenbaum

18

Schedule I

Transaction Type	Fund	Trade Date	SharesPurchased / Sold	Price (Gross)	Trade Amount
Buy	Basswood Opportunity Partners, LP	03/29/19	84,495	$            11.41	$                   964,087.95
Buy	Basswood Opportunity Fund, Inc	03/29/19	16,253	$            11.41	$                   185,446.73
Buy	Basswood Financial Fund, LP	03/29/19	13,680	$            11.41	$                   156,088.80
Buy	Basswood Financial Long Only Fund, LP	03/29/19	12,331	$            11.41	$                   140,696.71
Buy	Basswood Managed Account	03/29/19	283,920	$            11.41	$                3,239,527.20
Sell	Basswood Financial Fund, Inc.	03/29/19	75,019	$            11.41	$                   855,966.79
Sell	Basswood Enhanced Long Short Fund, LP	03/29/19	296,251	$            11.41	$                3,380,223.91
Sell	Basswood Managed Account	03/29/19	39,409	$            11.41	$                   449,656.69

19

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)

The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13D may be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint filing agreements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained herein or therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD PARTNERS, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD ENHANCED LONG SHORT GP, LLC
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD ENHANCED LONG SHORT FUND, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD FINANCIAL FUND, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member

Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD FINANCIAL LONG ONLY FUND, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD FINANCIAL FUND, INC.
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD OPPORTUNITY PARTNERS, LP
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	BASSWOOD OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.
	By: Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
	By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
		Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
		Title: Managing Member
Dated: May 9, 2019	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
	Matthew Lindenbaum
Dated: May 9, 2019	/s/ Bennett Lindenbaum
	Bennett Lindenbaum

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT, dated as of April 30, 2019 (this “Agreement”), is by and between Hancock Whitney Corporation, a Mississippi corporation (“Hancock Whitney”), and the undersigned shareholder (the “Shareholder”) of MidSouth Bancorp, Inc., a Louisiana corporation (“MidSouth”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings specified in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Hancock Whitney and MidSouth are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as the same may be amended, supplement or modified, the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (a) MidSouth will merge with and into Hancock Whitney (the “Merger”), with Hancock Whitney being the surviving corporation in the Merger and (b) at the Effective Time, the shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of MidSouth (“MidSouth Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than certain shares of MidSouth Common Stock held by MidSouth or Hancock Whitney) will, without any further action on the part of the holder thereof, be automatically converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration as set forth in the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Shareholder is the record or beneficial owner of, has the sole right to dispose of, and has the right to vote the number ofsharesof MidSouth Common Stock set forth below the Shareholder’s signature on the signature page hereto (all such MidSouth Common Stock, together with any other capital stock of MidSouth acquired by the Shareholder after the execution of this Agreement, whether acquired directly or indirectly, upon the exercise of options, conversion of convertible securities or otherwise, and any other securities issued by MidSouth that are entitled to vote on the approval of the Merger Agreement held or acquired by the Shareholder (whether acquired heretofore or hereafter), being collectively referred to herein as the “Shares” (provided that the Shared Voting Shares shall not constitute “Shares” for the purposes of Section 1(a));

WHEREAS, receiving the Requisite MidSouth Vote is a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Hancock Whitney to enter into the Merger Agreement and incur the obligations therein, Hancock Whitney has required that certain shareholders of the MidSouth, including the Shareholder, enter into this Agreement or a similar agreement, and the Shareholder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1.   Agreement to Vote; Restrictions on Voting and Transfers.

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(a)   Agreement to Vote the Shares.  The Shareholder hereby agrees that from the date hereof until the Expiration Time (as defined below), at any meeting (whether annual or special and any adjournment or postponement thereof) of MidSouth’s shareholders, however called, the Shareholder will (i) appear at such meeting or otherwise cause all of the Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum and (ii) vote or cause to be voted all of the Shares, (A) in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn or postpone such meeting of MidSouth’s shareholders to a later date if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Merger Agreement, (C) against any Acquisition Proposal without regard to the terms of such Acquisition Proposal, or other proposal made in opposition to or that is otherwise in competition or inconsistent with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (D) against any agreement, amendment of any agreement or organizational document (including MidSouth Articles and MidSouth Bylaws), or any other action that is intended or would prevent, impede, or interfere with, delay, postpone or discourage any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (E) against any action, agreement, transaction or proposal that would result in a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or other obligation of MidSouth in the Merger Agreement; provided, that in each case, the Merger Agreement shall not have been amended or modified without the Shareholder’s consent (i) to decrease the Merger Consideration payable to the shareholders of MidSouth pursuant to the Merger Agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement, (ii) to change the form of Merger Consideration payable to the shareholders of MidSouth pursuant to the Merger Agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement, or (iii) that otherwise affects the Shareholder in a manner materially adverse to such Shareholder; provided, further, that in the event that the Board of Directors of MidSouth (x) has submitted the Merger Agreement to the shareholders of MidSouth without a recommendation in favor of the Merger Agreement, or (y) has submitted the Merger Agreement to the shareholders of MidSouth with a recommendation in favor of the Merger Agreement but subsequently withdraws a recommendation in favor of the Merger Agreement, the Shareholder shall be released from its obligations under this Section 1 unless and until such time as the Board of Directors of MidSouth recommends that the shareholders of MidSouth approve the Merger Agreement.

(b)   Restrictions on Transfers.  The Shareholder hereby agrees that, from the date hereof until the earlier of the receipt of the Requisite MidSouth Vote or the Expiration Time, the Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, give, tender in any tender or exchange offer, pledge, grant a security interest in, encumber, assign, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Shares, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding to take any of the foregoing actions (each, a “Transfer”) other than (i) any Transfer to its affiliates (as defined in the Merger Agreement); provided that as a condition to such Transfer to an affiliate of the Shareholder, such affiliate shall execute a joinder to this Agreement pursuant to which such affiliate agrees to become a party to and comply with the terms of this Agreement as if it were the Shareholder; provided, further, that the Shareholder shall remain jointly and severally liable for the breaches by any of its affiliates of the terms hereof and (ii) any Transfer to an unaffiliated third party; provided that as a condition to such Transfer, such transferee shall execute a joinder to this Agreement, in a form reasonably approved by Hancock Whitney in good faith, pursuant to which such third party agrees to become a party to and comply with the terms of this Agreement as if it were the Shareholder.  Any Transfer in violation of this Section 1 shall be null and void.  The Shareholder further agrees to authorize and request MidSouth to notify MidSouth’s transfer agent that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Shares and that this Agreement places limits on the voting and Transfer of the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Shareholder shall be permitted to engage in hedging transactions or swap transactions so long as such Shareholder retains the voting power with respect to the Shares.

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(c)   Transfer of Voting Rights.  The Shareholder hereby agrees that the Shareholder shall not deposit any Shares in a voting trust, grant any proxy or power of attorney or enter into any voting agreement or similar agreement or arrangement in contravention of the obligations of the Shareholder under this Agreement with respect to any of the Shares owned by the Shareholder.

(d)   Acquired Shares.  Any Shares or other voting securities of MidSouth with respect to which beneficial ownership is acquired by the Shareholder or any of its affiliates, including, without limitation, by purchase, as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange or change of such Shares or upon exercise or conversion of any securities of MidSouth, if any, after the execution hereof (in each case, a “Share Acquisition”) shall automatically become subject to the terms of this Agreement and shall become “Shares” for all purposes hereof.  If any affiliate of the Shareholder acquires Shares by way of a Share Acquisition, the Shareholder shall cause such affiliate to comply with the terms of this Agreement applicable to a “Shareholder” and the Shareholder shall be jointly and severally liable for the breaches by any of its affiliates of the terms hereof.

(e)   No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Shareholder hereby agrees that it shall not enter into any agreement, contract or understanding with any person prior to the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, directly or indirectly, to vote, grant a proxy or power of attorney or give instructions with respect to the voting of the Shares in any manner which is inconsistent with this Agreement.

Section 2.   Non-Solicit.  Except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Shareholder shall not, and shall not authorize or permit its controlled affiliates and each of its respective officers, directors, members, partners, employees and other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (a) solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage (including by providing information or assistance) or knowingly facilitate any inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to, or the making or completion of, any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (b) provide or cause to be provided any non-public information or data relating to MidSouth, or have any discussions with, any person relating to an actual or proposed Acquisition Proposal (except to disclose the existence of the provisions of this Section 2), (c) engage in any discussions or negotiations concerning an Acquisition Proposal (provided that the Shareholder may refer any such person to the provisions of this Section 2) or otherwise take any action to encourage or knowingly facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal, (d) approve, recommend, agree to or accept, or propose publicly to approve, recommend, agree to or accept, any Acquisition Proposal, (e) solicit proxies or become a “participant” in a “solicitation” (as such terms are defined in the Exchange Act) with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or otherwise encourage or assist any person in taking or planning any action that would reasonably be expected to compete with, restrain or otherwise serve to interfere with or inhibit the timely consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (f) initiate a shareholders’ vote or action by consent of MidSouth’s shareholders with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (g) become a member of a “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any voting securities of MidSouth that takes, or intends to take, any action in support of an Acquisition Proposal or (h) approve, endorse or recommend, agree to or accept, or propose to approve, endorse, recommend, agree to or accept, or execute or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement, investment agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement related to any Acquisition Proposal.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Shareholder, directly or indirectly through one or more of its Representatives, may engage in the actions referred to in clauses (b)-(c) of this Section 2 with any person to the same extent that MidSouth is permitted to engage in such actions with such person in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement, in each case subject to the restrictions and limitations set forth in Section 6.11 of the Merger Agreement.

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Section 3.   Representations, Warranties and Support Covenants of the Shareholder.

(a)   Representations and Warranties.  The Shareholder represents and warrants to Hancock Whitney as follows:

(i)   Power and Authority; Consents.  The Shareholder is duly organized and validly existing and in good standing (except, in the case of good standing, if Shareholder is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction that does not recognize such concept) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  No filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity (other than any required filing under Section 13 or Section 16 under the Exchange Act, filings or consents contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any filings or consents that, if not obtained, made or given, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonable be expected to (x) impair in any material respect the ability of the Shareholder to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (y) prevent or materially impede or delay the consummation of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement) is necessary on the part of the Shareholder for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Shareholder or the consummation by the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(ii)   Due Authorization.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Shareholder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Shareholder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Shareholder.

(iii)   Binding Agreement.  Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Hancock Whitney, this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Shareholder, enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies).

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(iv)   Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Shareholder does not, and the performance by the Shareholder of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under, (i) any agreement, instrument, contract or other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which the Shareholder is a party or by which the Shareholder or its property or assets is bound, or any statute, rule or regulation to which the Shareholder or its property or assets is subject or (ii) any charter, bylaw, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other organizational document of the Shareholder other than any such violations, conflicts or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonable be expected to (x) impair in any material respect the ability of the Shareholder to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (y) prevent or materially impede or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Except for this Agreement and the Observer Rights Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2018, between MidSouth and the Shareholder (the “Observer Rights Agreement”), the Shareholder is not, and no affiliate of the Shareholder is, a party to any voting agreement, voting trust or any other contract with respect to the voting, transfer or ownership of any Shares.  The Shareholder has not appointed or granted a proxy or power of attorney to any person with respect to any Shares.

(v)   Ownership of Shares.  Except for (1) restrictions in favor of Hancock Whitney pursuant to this Agreement, (2) transfer restrictions of general applicability as may be provided under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (3) the “blue sky” laws of the various States of the United States, (4) customary encumbrances pursuant to the terms of any custody or similar agreement applicable to Shares held in brokerage accounts (and which, for the avoidance of doubt, do not limit the ability of the Shareholder to vote the Shares) and (5) restrictions on voting authority with respect to 221,523 Shares pursuant to an investment management agreement previously executed between the Shareholder and its client (with respect to which Shares (the “Shared Voting Shares”) the Shareholder will recommend to such client that it vote such Shared Voting Shares in the same manner as the Shareholder is obligated to vote the other Shares pursuant to Section 1(a)), the Shareholder beneficially owns as of the date hereof all of the Shares free and clear of any proxy, voting restriction, adverse claim, security interest, or other lien, and has the voting power and the power of disposition with respect to the Shares with no restrictions on the Shareholder’s rights of voting or disposition pertaining thereto, and no person other than the Shareholder and its controlling affiliates has any right to direct or approve the voting or disposition of any of the Shares.  As of the date hereof, the number of the Shares is set forth below the Shareholder’s signature on the signature page hereto.

(vi)   Legal Actions.  There is no action, suit, investigation, complaint or other proceeding pending against the Shareholder or, to the knowledge of the Shareholder, any other person or, to the knowledge of the Shareholder, threatened against the Shareholder or any other person that would reasonably be expected to restrict or prohibit the exercise by Hancock Whitney of its rights under this Agreement or the performance by the Shareholder of its obligations under this Agreement.

(vii)   Reliance.  The Shareholder understands and acknowledges that Hancock Whitney is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Shareholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the representations and warranties of such Shareholder contained herein.

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(b)   Representations and Warranties.  Hancock Whitney represents and warrants to the Shareholder as follows:

(i)   Power and Authority; Consents.  Hancock Whitney is duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  No filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity (other than any filings or consents contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any filings or consents that, if not obtained, made or given, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonable be expected to (x) impair in any material respect the ability of Hancock Whitney to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (y) prevent or materially impede or delay the consummation of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement) is necessary on the part of Hancock Whitney for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Hancock Whitney or the consummation by Hancock Whitney of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(ii)   Due Authorization.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Hancock Whitney and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Hancock Whitney and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Hancock Whitney.

(iii)   Binding Agreement.  Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Hancock Whitney, this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of Hancock Whitney, enforceable against Hancock Whitney in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies).

(iv)   Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Hancock Whitney does not, and the performance by Hancock Whitney of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by Hancock Whitney of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under, (i) any agreement, instrument, contract or other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which Hancock Whitney is a party or by which Hancock Whitney or its property or assets is bound, or any statute, rule or regulation to which Hancock Whitney or its property or assets is subject or (ii) any charter, bylaw, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or other organizational document of Hancock Whitney other than any such violations, conflicts or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonable be expected to (x) impair in any material respect the ability of Hancock Whitney to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (y) prevent or materially impede or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(v)   Legal Actions.  There is no action, suit, investigation, complaint or other proceeding pending against Hancock Whitney or, to the knowledge of Hancock Whitney, any other person or, to the knowledge of Hancock Whitney, threatened against Hancock Whitney or any other person that would reasonably be expected to restrict or prohibit the exercise by the Shareholder of its rights under this Agreement or the performance of Hancock Whitney’s obligations under this Agreement.

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(c)   Support Covenants.  From the date hereof until the Expiration Time:

(i)   The Shareholder agrees not to take any action that would make any of its representations and warranties herein untrue or that would have the effect of preventing, impeding, or, in any material respect, delaying or interfering with the performance by the Shareholder of its obligations under this Agreement or the ability of Hancock Whitney, MidSouth or any of their respective Subsidiaries to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

(ii)   The Shareholder hereby agrees to promptly notify Hancock Whitney of the number of Shares, if any, acquired in any Share Acquisition by the Shareholder after the execution hereof; provided that filings made by the Shareholder pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 16 of the Exchange Act shall constitute notice for purposes of this Section 3(b)(ii).

(iii)   The Shareholder hereby authorizes Hancock Whitney and MidSouth to publish and disclose in any announcement or disclosure required by applicable law and any periodic report or proxy statement filed in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement the Shareholder’s identity and ownership of the Shares and the nature of the Shareholder’s obligation under this Agreement.

(iv)   From time to time, at the reasonably request of Hancock Whitney and without further consideration, the Shareholder shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.   Termination of Observer Rights Agreement.  The Shareholder agrees that, effective as of the Effective Time, the Observer Rights Agreement will automatically be terminated without any liability or obligation being imposed on Hancock Whitney or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Subsidiaries of the Surviving Company).  In furtherance of the foregoing, effective as of the Effective Time, (i) the Shareholder for itself and on behalf of its affiliates and each of its and their respective successors and assigns hereby irrevocably, knowingly and voluntarily releases, discharges and forever waives and relinquishes all claims, demands, liabilities, defenses, affirmative defenses, setoffs, counterclaims, actions and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, which any such person has, may have or might have or may assert now or in the future, against MidSouth or any of its Subsidiaries and their respective successors (including Hancock Whitney), assigns, officers and directors, arising out of, based upon or resulting from the Observer Rights Agreement, whether known or unknown, and which occurred, existed, was taken, permitted or begun prior to the Effective Time and (ii) Hancock Whitney, for itself and on behalf of its affiliates (including MidSouth and its Subsidiaries) and each of its and their respective successors and assigns hereby irrevocably, knowingly and voluntarily releases, discharges and forever waives and relinquishes all claims, demands, liabilities, defenses, affirmative defenses, setoffs, counterclaims, actions and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, which any such person has, may have or might have or may assert now or in the future, against Shareholder and its affiliates and each of their respective successors assigns, officers and directors, arising out of, based upon or resulting from the Observer Rights Agreement, whether known or unknown, and which occurred, existed, was taken, permitted or begun prior to the Effective Time.  Each such releasing party shall, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any claim or demand or commencing, instituting or maintaining, or causing to be commenced, instituted or maintained any legal or arbitral proceeding of any kind against (x) MidSouth or any of its Subsidiaries and their respective successors (including Hancock Whitney), assigns, officers and directors or (y) Shareholder or any of its affiliates and their respective successors, assigns, officers and directors, as applicable, based upon any matter released pursuant to this Section 4.

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Section 5.   Termination.  This Agreement will terminate upon the earliest of (a) the conclusion of the meeting (whether annual or special and any adjournment or postponement thereof) of MidSouth’s shareholders at which MidSouth has obtained the Requisite MidSouth Vote, (b) the date of any amendment, waiver or modification of the Merger Agreement without the Shareholder’s prior written consent which has the effect of (1) decreasing the Merger Consideration payable to the shareholders of MidSouth pursuant to the Merger Agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement, (2) changing the form of the Merger Consideration payable to the shareholders of MidSouth pursuant to the Merger Agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement or (3) otherwise affecting the Shareholder in a manner materially adverse to such Shareholder and (c) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Expiration Time”); provided this Section 5 and Section 6 shall survive the Expiration Time indefinitely; provided, further, that no such termination or expiration shall relieve any party hereto from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to such termination.

Section 6.   Miscellaneous.

(a)   Expenses.  All expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses.

(b)   Notices.  All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied or emailed (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

(i)   If to Hancock Whitney, to:

Hancock Whitney CorporationHancock Whitney Plaza2510 14th StreetGulfport, Mississippi  39501Attention:   Michael M. Achary, Chief Financial Officer   Joy Lambert Phillips, General CounselEmail:   michael.achary@hancockwhitney.com   joy.phillips@hancockwhitney.com

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY  10019

Attention:  Nicholas G. Demmo

Facsimile:  (212) 403-2000

(ii)   If to the Shareholder, to the address of the Shareholder set forth below the Shareholder’s signature on the signature pages hereto.

(iii)   All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of actual receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt.

(c)   Amendments, Waivers, Etc.  This Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

(d)   Successors and Assigns.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, except Hancock Whitney may, without the consent of any other party hereto, assign any of its rights and delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement to any affiliate of Hancock Whitney; provided, that any such assignment shall not relieve Hancock Whitney of any of its obligations hereunder.  Any purported assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void.  Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

(e)   Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein.

(f)   No Partnership, Agency, or Joint Venture; No Ownership Interest.  This Agreement is intended to create, and creates, a contractual relationship and is not intended to create, and does not create, any agency, partnership, joint venture or any like relationship between the parties hereto. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Hancock Whitney any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership (whether beneficial ownership or otherwise) of or with respect to any Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Shares shall remain vested in and belong to the Shareholder, and Hancock Whitney shall have no authority to direct the Shareholder in the voting or disposition of any of the Shares, except as otherwise provided herein.

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(g)   Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(h)   Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction such that the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

(i)   Specific Performance; Remedies Cumulative.  The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed by any party in accordance with the terms hereof and, accordingly, that each party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which such party may be entitled at law or in equity.  Each party hereby further waives (i) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (ii) any requirement under any law to post security or a bond as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

(j)   No Waiver.  The failure of any party hereto to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by any other party hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its right to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance.

(k)   Governing Law.  This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law principles.

(l)   Submission to Jurisdiction.  Each party agrees that it will bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby exclusively in any federal or state court sitting in the State of Delaware (the “Chosen Courts”), and, solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions that are the subject of this Agreement, (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 6(b).

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(m)   Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW AT THE TIME OF INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICABLE LITIGATION, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.  EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT:  (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6(m).

(n)   Other Shareholders. Hancock Whitney confirms that it is requiring other shareholders of MidSouth, including the other shareholder who has observation rights with respect to, the board of directors of MidSouth (such shareholders, the “Other Shareholders”), contemporaneously herewith, to enter into substantially similar agreements that are each either (i) no less favorable to Hancock Whitney than this Agreement or (ii) have been provided to the Shareholder prior to execution and delivery of this Agreement. In the event any provision in any of such agreements with any of the Other Shareholders (or any amendment thereto or waiver thereof) results in less stringent obligations upon such Other Shareholder than those imposed upon the Shareholder under this Agreement, or otherwise results in more favorable treatment of any such Other Shareholder as compared with the Shareholder’s treatment hereunder, such provision (or amendment thereto or waiver thereof, as applicable) shall be deemed to be incorporated herein, and Hancock Whitney shall make reasonable best efforts to reasonably promptly inform the Shareholder of such fact.

(o)   Drafting and Representation.  The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

(p)   Name, Captions, Gender.  Section headings of this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms.

(q)   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or other electronic means and in any number of counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

[Signature Pages Follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.

HANCOCK WHITNEY CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Michael M. Achary
	Name: Michael M. Achary
	Title: Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Voting and Support Agreement]

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.

SHAREHOLDER:
Basswood Capital Management, L.L.C.
By:	/s/ Matthew Lindenbaum
	Name: Matthew Lindenbaum
	Title: Principal
Number of shares of MidSouth Common
Stock:	1,420,039 + 221,523 (shared voting)
Address:	645 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10022

[Signature Page to Voting and Support Agreement]