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2009 News Releases
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2009
John Hancock Financial Network Experiencing Growth Under New Business Model
| Increase in Experienced Representatives Joining Network Many Existing Firms Re-Branding as Independent New Firms Beginning to Join Boston – John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN) reports an increase in experienced financial representatives joining the national network, increased branding activity among its existing firms and increased interest shown by outside independent firms since it implemented a new business model in January. “These early results, along with quite a bit of positive feedback from our firms and reps, confirms the direction we’ve taken – offering a variety of options for affiliation, including some that provide more independence than we did under our traditional career model,” said Peter Gordon, President, JHFN. JHFN’s experienced representative count is up 250 percent compared to the same time last year, and its net total new financial rep count is up 165 percent in the same time period. So far this year, JHFN already has hired more experienced producers than during all of last year and more than half of all independent regional firms that are members of JHFN have hired new experienced producers. Under the new business model, firms have the flexibility to brand and build each of their businesses based on their own market and vision. While some prefer to use the John Hancock Financial Network name as part of their core value proposition, more than 50 percent have chosen to re-brand using their own unique identity. The ability to choose how to brand their business is proving to be very attractive. At the same time, JHFN also has focused on helping its regional firms grow their businesses by providing resources that enable financial representatives to be more productive as well as enhancing its business platform and infrastructure. “They get the best of both worlds, the ability to be independent and create the businesses they envision while benefitting from the backing of a strong and stable company to provide infrastructure and support to build their unique businesses,” said Brian Heapps, Executive Vice President, Sales and Business Development, JHFN. JHFN also has received interest from independent firms and industry leaders not likely to have contacted them in the past. Athan Vorilas, President of Lighthouse Financial Network LLC, who joined in 2008 said, “Under my relationship with JHFN, I have the opportunity to grow my firm exponentially. They’re allowing me, as an independent firm owner, to build my business in the way I want – but making it possible with resources aligned to my needs. I no longer have to run my firm according to directives from the home office – it’s more like a partnership.” Commented Heapps, “We consider ourselves a ‘new breed” of financial services distributor – offering our national network of independent firms the best elements of both independent and career systems. We’re finding that the ability to operate independently including offering an open product architecture – while partnering with a financially strong, brand name company – appealing to many experienced reps.” About John Hancock Financial Network John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with nearly 1,900 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader with the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, John Hancock Financial Network gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on John Hancock Financial Network and its national network of independent firms, visit www.jhnetwork.com. About John Hancock and Manulife Financial John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as 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 $405.3 billion (U.S. $321.7 billion) as at March 31, 2009. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com. The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor, 197, Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. - 30 -
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