2008 News Releases

Company announces new appointments to senior team

Hong Kong— Manulife Asset Management Hong Kong has completed its acquisition of Fuhwa Securities Investment Trust Co., Ltd. (Fuhwa SITE). The acquisition, which was announced in August 2008, adds seven new retail funds to Manulife’s current offering in Taiwan, 20 bank and security firm distributors and a significantly enhanced Taiwanese investment capability for the company.

The Company has also made two key appointments to lead the new business. Brian Hsieh has joined Manulife to lead Fuhwa SITE’s sales, product development and distribution efforts as General Manager of the investment company. Brian comes to Manulife from Fidelity SITE where he was General Manager and Head of Institutional Business. Prior to Fidelity, Brian worked at Taishin Financial Holding Co. and Grand Cathay Investment Service Corp.

Andrew Wang has also joined Manulife as Chief Investment Officer who will be responsible for integrating Fuhwa SITE into Manulife’s Asia investment operations, managing Fuhwa’s front, middle and backoffice investment operations within Taiwan. Andrew comes with over 15 years of financial market experience, including seven years with Prudential Financial Securities in Taiwan. His last position was Managing Director with Fuh Hwa Asset Management Hong Kong (unaffiliated with Fuhwa SITE).

Marc Sterling, Executive Vice President, Asia Regional Operations at Manulife Financial said: “We are pleased to have received the necessary approvals to proceed with this important phase in our long term development in Greater China. We now have a strong investment business in Taiwan with exceptional investment professionals, to which we are delighted to now add the talent, expertise and experience of Brian Hsieh and Andrew Wang.”

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$400 billion (US$393 billion) as at June 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.

About MFC Global Investment Management
MFC Global Investment Management® represents the diversified investment management group of Manulife Financial. MFC Global Investment Management companies and affiliates provide asset management strategies for institutional investors, investment funds and individuals in key markets around the world. This investment expertise extends across a full range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as oil & gas, real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies.

MFC Global Investment Management has investment offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, and throughout Asia. As at March 30, 2008, total assets managed for Manulife Financial companies and affiliates and for other clients exceeded C$240 billion (US$210 billion.) Additional information about MFC Global Investment Management may be found at www.mfcglobal.com.

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