Condensed Parent Company Information (Condensed Statements of Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income tax benefit	$ 37,627	$ 38,304	$ 66,465
Net income	149,296	131,461	175,722
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(39,937)	(30,521)	(14,695)
Comprehensive income	109,359	100,940	161,027
Hancock [Member]
Cash dividends received from bank subsidiaries	120,000	31,000	124,000
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries greater than dividends received	39,293	111,424	58,358
Total operating income	159,293	142,424	182,358
Other expense, net	(16,614)	(17,297)	(10,035)
Income tax benefit	(6,617)	(6,334)	(3,399)
Net income	149,296	131,461	175,722
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(39,937)	(30,521)	(14,695)
Comprehensive income	$ 109,359	$ 100,940	$ 161,027