Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial ranks first on universal life statements with industry’s only “excellent” rating: DALBAR survey

Posted by Steven Wevodau

 

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC; SEHK: 945

WATERLOO, ON, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial is the leader in providing Canadians with statements to help them understand their universal life insurance plans, according to an industry survey by DALBAR Inc. 

Manulife Financial’s universal life statement was the only one designated as “excellent” in a cross-country review of five industry statements that explain Canadians’ universal life insurance policies. Manulife’s universal life statement scored 81.29 compared to an industry average of 68.1.

“Manulife continually strives to be a leader helping Canadians understand their finances and to make better financial decisions,” said Paul Rooney, President and CEO of Manulife Canada. “We’re very proud once again to be recognized by DALBAR.”

“DALBAR congratulates Manulife, which earned the industry-leading ‘Excellent’ designation,” added Jody Bullen, Director of Strategy and Public Relations for DALBAR Inc. in Toronto. “Its statement stood out for its clear presentation of information, as well as providing the investor with critical updates and issues concerning their investments.”

DALBAR is a recognized leader for its reports on how statements measure up to standards for investor communications in Canada and the United States. The company grades customer statements based on how well companies meet various needs and preferences.

 

	    Key strengths
	          Manulife's Universal Life statements:
	    -     Variable, customized information based on product options
	    -     Enhanced rate of return details, including 1, 3, 5 & 10-year policy
	          returns
	    -     Effective use of graphics to enhance understandability
	    -     Personalized messaging, including information about upcoming policy
	          changes

“This is the second time that we’ve received DALBAR’s top rating for our universal life statements. It confirms our belief that our statements lead the industry as an important tool for helping clients understand their policy and get the maximum benefit from it,” said Michael Doughty, Executive Vice President, Individual Insurance for Manulife. “These statements give our clients a customized picture of their policy so they can work with their advisor to manage the policy, gauge their progress and explore opportunities.” 

 

	    DALBAR Inc.
	    -----------

DALBAR, Inc. is a leading financial services research firm with offices in Toronto and Boston, specializing in measuring the performance of institutions and financial professionals in areas such as communications effectiveness, client satisfaction, and service quality. DALBAR can be found on the Internet at www.dalbar.ca

 

	    About Manulife Financial
	    ------------------------

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$385.3 billion (US$363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008. 

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

For further information

Media contacts: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, (519) 594-8578, tom_nunn@manulife.com
Jody Bullen, DALBAR Inc., (416) 777-1103 ext. 225, jbullen@dalbar.ca

 

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 Manulife Financial Corporation, Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off

Manulife Financial launches Personal Benefits - posted by Steven Wevodau

<< Portable personal life and personal critical illness coverage now available to group benefits clients >>

WATERLOO, ON, Jan. 29 /CNW/ - Employers who provide benefits plans can now introduce their employees to portable Life and Critical Illness Insurance coverage through Personal Benefits, just launched by Manulife Financial Group Benefits. Portable coverage is unique in the group marketplace in that Manulife contracts directly with the employee, which allows employees to retain their coverage, regardless of the status of their future employment.With Personal Benefits, Manulife Group Benefits takes on the administration and deals directly with the member from the first inquiry through to collection of premium, allowing employers to enrich their employee’s protection without increasing administration or the cost to their benefits program.

“Manulife is responding to the changing needs evident in the marketplace. In the past, employers and employees were not concerned about the portability of traditional benefit coverage; this need has changed and we are happy to respond,” said Rick Brunet, Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Group Benefits. “We’re launching Personal Benefits starting with our Life and Critical Illness products, but this is just the beginning, there is potential to expand into a broader range of products.”

Employers will be able to inform their employees that they have access to either Personal Life or Personal Critical Illness, or both. Manulife then provides direct communication and educational support to explain the value and unique nature of these protections to interested employees. Employees can then elect to purchase the additional coverage for themselves, their spouse and their children.

Personal Life Insurance

Personal Life is term insurance coverage that supplements existing insurance, including basic coverage available through group benefits programs or products an employee may own. Personal Life coverage offers a benefit maximum of $500,000 to age 70 and child coverage in the amount of $20,000.

Personal Critical Illness

Personal Critical Illness provides additional coverage that may not be available through their group benefits plan and supplements traditional health and disability benefits. A tax-free lump-sum payment is made if the member or their spouse becomes ill with one of 22 listed covered medical conditions, with 15 covered conditions for the child. The standard benefit offers a maximum of $150,000 and child coverage in the amount of $10,000.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$385.3 billion (US$363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

For further information

Media Contact: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, (519) 594-8578, tom_nunn@manulife.com

 

 


Source: Manulife Financial

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Thursday, January 29th, 2009 Manulife Financial Corporation, Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off

Canadians aim to focus on stability and paying down debt in 2009: Manulife Investor Sentiment Index - Steven Wevodau

WATERLOO, ON, Jan. 9 /CNW/ - Canadians say they’re turning to financial safety and paying down debts as economic troubles continue, according to a national poll for Manulife Financial, Canada’s leading insurance and wealth management company.
More than a third of Canadians (35 per cent), the largest group, said their top financial priority for 2009 is paying down debts and reducing their mortgages.

“Many Canadians have been unsettled by recent market and economic turmoil and feel it’s time to seek a safe haven,” said Paul Rooney, President and CEO, Manulife Canada. “We always encourage investors to work closely with their own advisors, particularly given short-term changes in the economy and markets.”

“Working with an advisor and sticking to a plan can help investors stay focused on their goals, plus help balance their guaranteed versus variable investments.”

Manulife serves more than one in five Canadians with a wide range of financial services and products and one of our key goals is to help them make better financial decisions, added Mr. Rooney.

In its latest national survey of Canadians, the 40th quarterly Manulife Investor Sentiment Index fell back three points in December to reach +5, its lowest point since the survey began in 1999.

The national telephone poll of 1,000 Canadians by Acrobat Research in December found only two among 10 investment categories and vehicles gained ground slightly from the previous October survey.

Better off than five years ago

Responding to separate questions, half of Canadians polled (51 per cent) said they’re financially better off now than five years ago. That’s down from a year ago when 60 per cent said their finances had improved in the past five years.

Another 27 per cent said they’re in the same financial spot as in 2003 (up from 23 per cent in late 2007), while 22 per cent feel worse off than five years earlier (compared to 16 per cent a year earlier).

When asked about financial goals for 2009, the top priority is to pay down their debts. Twenty-four per cent chose overall consumer debts as their top concern, up from 20 per cent a year ago. Another 11 per cent want to reduce their mortgage as their top priority. Sticking with real estate, five per cent said saving to buy a home is their top target for 2009, down from seven per cent a year ago.

Saving for retirement continues to be a focus, with 14 per cent choosing this as their top priority as sagging equity markets impact pensions and RRSPs.

Saving for big-ticket item other than a home was chosen by eight per cent as their top financial priority for 2009, while eight per cent said their top concern is ensuring they have enough money if they become disabled or ill.

When it comes to investing, almost three-quarters of those surveyed (72 per cent) said they have not changed their approach as a result of recent market conditions while one in ten (10 per cent), however, said they have permanently changed how they invest.

Overall index

Since its launch in 1999, the Manulife Investor Sentiment Index has remained in positive territory overall. It peaked at +35 in early 2000, but fell to +11, in December 2001. During the past two years, the index had generally remained near six-year highs, above +20, before dropping sharply in October.

The quarterly index monitors how Canadians say they feel about investing in 10 different categories and vehicles. The index reflects the percentage of those who say they believe it is a good or very good time to invest minus those who feel the opposite.

Two investment categories gain ground

Only investment real estate and stocks gained slightly in the latest national survey, while fixed income investments and putting money in their own homes took hard hits from Canadians.

Principal residences still remain the most popular investment category - yet are now only nine points ahead of cash - which had historically been the lowest destination for investors in the past. Investment property registered the biggest gain in December, rising five points, but still remains in negative overall territory after dropping a combined 37 percentage points in June and October.

Highlights

The Manulife Investor Sentiment Index is determined by the following six investment categories, shown by order of their overall ranking in the survey.

- Investing in their own homes (either through renovations or paying
down the mortgage) remains the most popular place for Canadians to put
their money - a consistent finding since 1999. The index for investing
in their own home fell eight points in December to +35. The index
reflects 54 per cent of those surveyed who said it’s a good or very
good time to invest in their own residence - minus 19 per cent who
believe it’s a bad or very bad time.

- Cash (including savings accounts) remained unchanged this quarter, but
now ranks as the second most favourite place to put money at +26.
Since 1999, cash had been the least favourite place named by Canadians
to leave their money, but it overtook fixed investments this quarter
and now ranks higher than balanced funds, investment real estate and
equities.

- Fixed income investments (including GICs and annuities) fell back to
third place among most popular categories, losing 16 points from
October. At +10, the index is approaching its low of +4 hit in mid-
2004.

- Investment real estate gained five points in December, after quickly
falling from its second-place rank last March. At -4, investment real
estate ranked in negative territory for only the second time since the
survey began.

- Balanced funds fell to fifth place among the most-popular investment
targets, losing three points in December on the heels of a 33-point
decline in October. Resting at -11, the index reflects 29 per cent who
felt balanced funds are a good or very good place to invest, compared
to 40 per cent who said the opposite in October.

- After dropping back 27 points in October, equities gained three points
to rest at -25 in December. The stocks index reflects 24 per cent who
said it’s a good or very good time to invest in stocks, either
directly or via mutual funds, while 49 per cent saw equities as a bad
or very bad choice. Another 11 per cent felt it’s neither a good or
bad time to buy shares.

Investment Vehicles

As well as evaluating the six investment categories, the same question was
asked of four investment vehicles.

- Registered Education Savings Plans held onto the top spot among
favourite vehicles in December, despite falling 18 points to reach +30
in the latest poll. Some 49 per cent of those surveyed said now is a
good time to invest, compared to 19 per cent who disagreed.

- Among Canadians’ traditional favourite investment vehicles, Registered
Retirement Savings Plans showed another significant drop of 11 points
in December, after losing 18 points in October. At +27, the latest
results for RRSPs reflect 49 per cent of respondents who feel it’s a
good or very good time to put money into an RRSP, while 19 per cent
said they feel it is a bad or very bad time.

- After showing strong stability in October, segregated funds fell back
22 points in December, yet still held a slight lead over mutual funds
at -2.

- At -12, the index for mutual funds fell three points in December,
following a 31-point drop in October. The latest mutual fund index
reflects 30 per cent who said now is a good or very good time to
invest in mutual funds, while 42 per cent said it was a bad or very
bad time. Another 13 per cent answered that it was neither a good or
bad time for funds.

The poll by Omnitel, a division of Acrobat Research, was conducted with 1,000 Canadians aged 18 and older between December 4 and 10, 2008. The results have a margin of error of +/- three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$385.3 billion (US$363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008.

Manulife Financial is one of two publicly traded life insurance companies in the world whose rated life insurance subsidiaries hold Standard & Poor’s Rating Services’ highest “AAA” rating.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

For further information

Media contact: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, (519) 594-8578, tom_nunn@manulife.com

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Source: Manulife Financial

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Saturday, January 10th, 2009 Manulife Financial Corporation, Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off

Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund (NYSE: BTO) Announces Completion of Reverse Stock Split - Steven S. Wevodau

BOSTON, Dec. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund (NYSE: BTO - News; the “Fund”) announced today that its previously disclosed 1-for-4 reverse stock split was executed after the close of business on December 29, 2008. Trading of BTO’s common shares on the split-adjusted basis began on December 30, 2008 under the Fund’s new CUSIP number of 409735206 (Old CUSIP: 409735107).As a result of the reverse stock split, every four shares of the Fund that a shareholder owned were converted into one share of the Fund, thus reducing the number of BTO’s outstanding common shares from 84.4 million to 21.1 million. However, each shareholder will hold the same percentage of the Fund’s outstanding common shares immediately following the reverse stock split as he or she held immediately prior to the reverse stock split, except for adjustments for fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split. Fractional shares created as a result of the reverse stock split will be paid out in cash.

Shareholders of record will receive a letter with additional information regarding the reverse stock split from the Fund’s transfer agent, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services (”BNY Mellon”). Any holders of certificates representing pre-split shares of the Fund’s common shares, upon submitting their pre-split certificate shares, will receive non-certificated post-split shares of the Fund’s common stock (i.e., a shareholder’s holdings of post-split shares will be reflected only in the Fund’s record books — no new share certificates will be issued). Please note that holders of certificates will not be able to trade their shares or receive any dividends or other distributions until they surrender their pre-split certificate shares.

As previously disclosed, the Fund has had a managed distribution plan in effect since January 2004, where the Fund makes quarterly distributions of at least 2.5% of the Fund’s preceding calendar year-end NAV. The Fund would like to further clarify that the distribution amount to be paid on December 31, 2008, which was declared on December 1 at $0.173 per share, will not be affected by the reverse split and will be paid to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2008. Additionally, the December 31, 2008 distribution will be paid out in cash for operational purposes as a result of the reverse stock split. Shareholders who have elected to participate in the Fund’s reinvestment plan will continue to reinvest their distributions starting with the Fund’s March 31, 2009 distribution, under the Fund’s new CUSIP number.

The Fund is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of net assets in equity securities of U.S. regional banks, thrifts and holding companies that primarily own or receive a substantial portion of their income from regional banks and thrifts.

Questions and requests for assistance should be directed to BNY Mellon, at 1-866-205-7274 (from within the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico) or 1-201-680-6579 (from outside the U.S.).

About John Hancock Funds

The Boston-based mutual fund business unit of John Hancock Financial Services, John Hancock Funds manages more than $47.9 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional investors at September 30, 2008. John Hancock Funds are distributed by John Hancock Funds, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit http://www.jhfunds.com.

John Hancock Financial Services is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$385 billion (US$364 billion) at September 30, 2008. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial may be found on the Internet at http://www.manulife.com.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at http://www.manulife.com.

 

 


Source: John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund

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Thursday, January 1st, 2009 Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off

Is Your Long-Term-Care Policy Safe?

POSTED BY STEVEN S. WEVODAU

Long-term-care insurance protects against the financial risk of needing extended nursing-home or at-home care. Journal reporter M.P. McQueen, who recently wrote about Conseco’s offloading more than 140,000 long-term-care-insurance policies into an independent trust, tackles some follow-up questions from readers:

Conseco said it needed to transfer its Senior Health unit into a Pennsylvania-supervised trust, the Senior Health Insurance Co. of Pa., because the policies were losing too much money. Regulators said they allowed this because there were no other good choices. Premium increases are expected, regulators acknowledge.

Other insurers have also asked state regulators for rate hikes recently. (Insurance companies are regulated by states.) Prudential is asking for increases averaging 22% for 30,000 long-term care policies sold from 1998 to 2004, the company said. The average annual premium for those policies is currently $1,922. Genworth Financial, the largest issuer of long-term-care policies, and John Hancock Life Insurance, a unit of Manulife Financial, have also asked for boosts; MetLife has asked for increases of 18% for some policies sold from 1998 to 2006. And another long-term care insurance company — Penn Treaty American Corp. of Allentown, Pa., which has 120,000 policies nationwide–is slated to enter receivership next month.

The American Council of Life Insurers and other industry groups say most companies writing long-term care policies remain financially sound. They say the difficulties of one company should not shake consumer confidence in long-term care insurance. Most experts agree, however, that multiple financial-strength ratings downgrades from ratings agencies such as A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s, or a slip outside the secure range of ratings, are cause for concern. Here are answers to questions posed by readers, and some steps they can take to protect themselves:

  • What happens if my insurer goes bust?In the event that an insurance company fails — which doesn’t happen often — regulators usually try to get another company to take over its policies. But if a company is liquidated, states have guaranty funds to make good on policies up to certain limits.

    Long-term-care insurance policies are guaranteed up to a limit of at least $100,000 in every state, according to the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations in Herndon, Va. Some 23 of the 52 guaranty associations cover to the limit of $100,000; six guaranty associations cover policies to at least $500,000, and the rest to a limit of $300,000.

    Policy owners who anticipate receiving reduced benefits for any reason should review their retirement and estate plans with a professional because it may affect their ability to protect assets for their spouse and heirs.

  • What can I do if rising premiums make my policy unaffordable?If you’re facing huge premium increases after many years, your main recourse — unsatisfactory though it may be — is to shrink the policy you own.

    Most companies allow this. You could reduce your maximum benefit, say, from lifetime coverage to five years, or increase the waiting period from 90 days to 120 or more. You could also take a lower daily or monthly benefit, says Karen Smyth, director of product development at Prudential Long-Term Care.

    For policies sold since 1997, companies have had to offer new buyers of tax-qualified plans the option of purchasing a rider that allows for nonforfeiture of benefits. The rider, which adds 6% to 30% to the premium, allows you to stop paying premiums after at least 3 full years and receive a benefit equivalent to the paid-up amount.

    Many states have adopted model regulation from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or similar rules since 2000 that require insurers to offer owners of long-term care policies the right upon lapse to receive a smaller benefit in return for premiums they’ve already paid or reduce benefits to maintain premium levels, if they receive a “substantial” rate increase, as defined by the law. Some insurers honor this rule even in states where it hasn’t been enacted.

  • What can I do if my insurer’s financial-stability rating declines significantly?If your health is good and you purchased a long-term care policy recently, you can always compare policies from more-financially stable companies and decide what to do after consulting with a licensed agent or qualified financial planner. There is no penalty for replacing a long-term-care policy, though you may receive nothing for the money you already spent and pay a higher price for a new policy. Never cancel any insurance policy, however, until you have been issued a replacement.

    If your policy has been in effect for seven years or more, a premium on a new one with similar coverage would probably cost you 50% to 100% more because of your increased age, says Debra Newman, a director of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, an industry group. If you’ve since reached an advanced age and your health has worsened, you are not likely to be able to qualify for a brand-new policy, even if you can afford one.

  • What should I look for if I’m shopping for a new policy?Choose only from companies that have the highest ratings from several ratings agencies. Also consider the company’s overall financial condition and its investment holdings, and whether the issuing company has had a history of premium increases, which may portend future ones. Some of this information is available from your state insurance department; link to it from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Web site. All policies have a 30-day free-look period to make sure you are comfortable with what you bought. Consumer advocates also suggest reviewing a company’s history of complaints, because claims delays and denials often indicate other problems.
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    Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off

    Manulife Financial donates $100,000 to 15 charities, $40,000 to Food Banks Canada and $25,000 to Breakfast for Learning to support those in need - Steven Wevodau

    TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC; SEHK: 0945
    WATERLOO, ON, Dec. 19 /CNW/ - In the spirit of the holiday season, Manulife Financial’s Canadian Division is donating $100,000 to charities in four cities where it has major employee locations, $40,000 to Food Banks Canada plus $25,000 to Breakfast for Learning.

    Manulife’s Canadian Division established “Spirit of Giving” committees in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo to give employees a chance to direct $25,000 in each centre to charities that they believe can have a positive impact. In total, 15 different groups will receive support in the four cities.

    “Our employees take great pride in supporting groups in their local communities through the year,” said Paul Rooney, President and CEO of Manulife Canada. “Our Spirit of Giving donations will help provide those who need it most with companionship, comfort and support through the holidays and into the new year.”

    Charities selected by Manulife’s employee Spirit of Giving Committees include:

    Halifax: The QEII Foundation, Palliative Care Unit ($10,000); Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank ($7,500) and the Canadian Cancer Society, Relay for Life ($7,500)

    Montreal: Fais-un-voeu Canada / Make-a-Wish Foundation Canada ($10,800); Centre de la petite enfance Genesis - Day care in impoverished neighbourhood ($6,200); Centre pour les victims d’agression sexuelle - Centre for victims of sexual abuse ($4,000) and Foundation Auberges du coeur - Helps street youth ($4,000)

    Toronto: Bloorview Kids Foundation ($15,000); Society of Saint Vincent de Paul ($5,000) and BOOST Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention ($5,000)

    Kitchener-Waterloo: Family & Children’s Services, Tree of Hope ($9,500); Women’s Crisis Services ($9,500); Food Bank of Waterloo Region ($2,000); Planned Lifetime Network ($2,000) and Nutrition for Learning ($2,000).

    Along with the city-specific donations, Manulife’s Canadian Division is also donating $40,000 to Food Banks Canada (formerly the Canadian Association of Food Banks) to assist families across the country and $25,000 to Breakfast for Learning, a national organization that provides nourishment programs to school-age children.

    “Food banks are helping a growing number of working individuals and families as they face increased economic pressure,” said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada. “We are very appreciative of Manulife Financial’s support during a time when families and individuals are struggling, as well-paying jobs are either cut or replaced by those with lower wages.”

    More than 700,000 people are assisted by food banks every month in this country, she added - 14.5 per cent are employed, 4.8 per cent receive Employment Insurance and 19 per cent receive disability or old age income support.

    Founded in 1992, Breakfast for Learning has helped nourish children and youth across Canada through school-based nutrition programs. In 2007-2008, Breakfast for Learning funded more than 3,100 programs, providing millions of healthy breakfasts, lunches and snacks to more than 360,000 students.

    Manulife in the community

    With more than 7,000 employees in its Canadian Division, Manulife contributes to a wide range of community initiatives and causes. In 2008, Manulife donated more than $9 million to non-profit organizations across Canada.

    For further information

    Media contact: Tom Nunn, Assistant Vice President, Manulife Financial, (519) 594-8578, tom_nunn@manulife.com

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    Source: Manulife Financial

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    Friday, December 19th, 2008 Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off

    Manulife Financial completes $2.275 billion equity offerings

    POSTED BY STEVEN WEVODAU

    TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC; SEHK: 0945

    TORONTO, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) announced today that the offerings of its common shares announced on December 2, 2008 have been completed raising a total of $2.275 billion. $1.125 billion of common shares were sold by way of private placement to eight existing institutional investors. $1.150 billion of common shares were sold to a syndicate of underwriters in a “bought deal” public offering, which amount includes the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option of $150 million of common shares.

     

    	    About Manulife Financial
    	    ------------------------

    Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers customers a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were $385.3 billion (US$363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008.

    Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

    For further information

    Media inquiries: Laurie Lupton, (416) 852-7792, laurie_lupton@manulife.com
    Investor Relations: Amir Gorgi, 1-800-795-9767, investor_relations@manulife.com

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    Thursday, December 11th, 2008 Steve Wevodau - Life Insurance Comments Off