2009 News Releases

Ho Chi Minh City – Manulife Vietnam, celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, ranked in the top 3 amongst all life insurers in the country for the first six months of 2009 with new business annualized premiums amounting to over VND 133 billion, a 14% growth over the same period in 2008. Total premiums with deposits were VND 568 billion and total assets under management grew 11% year-to-date on a local book value basis.

Increased case size and agency productivity were the key sales growth drivers for the first six months of 2009 despite challenging market conditions owing to the global economic recession. “Our first six-month results reflect our continued commitment and ability to providing customers with quality products that meet their financial needs. I am very proud that we continue to maintain our leading position in the top 3 life insurance companies in Vietnam and I am very confident that we will continue this sales momentum for the balance of 2009,” said David Wong, CEO & General Director of Manulife Vietnam.

Since opening its doors in Vietnam as the first 100% foreign-owned life insurer on June 12,1999, Manulife Vietnam has successfully established itself as a company of choice in Vietnam’s thriving insurance market. Operating today through a network of 12 cities and provinces throughout the country, Manulife Vietnam currently serves 300,000 customers through a network of more than 5,500 professional agents and 300 employees.

In ten years, Manulife Vietnam has grown rapidly to become a major financial company in Vietnam providing a competitive array of financial protection and wealth management products to Vietnamese customers. In particular during the first half of 2009, there has been a strong upward sales trend in the Maxx Phuc Loc Thinh Vuong product.

Maxx Phuc Loc Thinh Vuong was developed for customers to build investment portfolios that generate optimal investment returns with dollar-cost averaging, to help grow their hard-earned money with the added bonus of an insurance protection component.

“The company continues to enjoy the trust of Vietnamese customers who can be assured that Manulife is committed to helping them bring their dreams to life by providing a wider product selection and an institution which enjoys financial strength at levels that are the envy of many of our competitors,” added Mr. Wong.

Recently, the company has continued to pioneer product innovation in the industry by launching a unique medical care solution called Phuc An Binh to meet the increasing need for better health care for Vietnamese customers.

About Manulife Vietnam
Manulife Vietnam - the first 100 per cent foreign-owned life insurance company licensed in Vietnam - provides financial services to more than 300,000 customers through a network of over 5,500 professionally qualified agents. Manulife has been operating in Vietnam since June 1999. On June 14, 2005, Manulife Vietnam Fund Management (MVFM), a wholly owned local subsidiary of Manulife Vietnam, was granted license to operate a fund management and investment-finance consulting business, further expanding Manulife Vietnam’s product offerings for its customers.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 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$421 billion (US$362 billion) as at June 30, 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.

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