2006 News Releases

Hong Kong - Manulife Financial (stock code: 0945), a Canadian-based leading financial services provider, has announced the promotion of one senior executive and the appointment of one senior executive in its Asian Division, while Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (MAMHK), a member of the Manulife Financial Group, announced one senior executive promotion and one senior appointment.

Suk Ling Low has been promoted to Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for South East Asia, in recognition of her ability and significant contributions in managing complex legal issues and in the provision of consistent, excellent legal support to the South East Asia Division. In her expanded role, Ms. Low is responsible for all legal and compliance matters in Manulife’s ASEAN region, i.e. Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Ms. Low has worked in a number of major law firms in Singapore and Hong Kong before joining Manulife. She holds a law degree from the National University of Singapore and is a member of the Society of International Law (Singapore) (SILS) and of the International Promotion of Singapore Law Sub-committee.

Leo Seewald has been appointed Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Greater China, responsible for all legal and compliance issues in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. Mr. Seewald joined Manulife from one of China’s largest and most respected law firms where he was a partner. Previously, he was the managing partner of the Hong Kong office of a Canadian-based international law firm. He brings with him extensive legal experience in corporate commercial law, having advised both multinational companies and locally based enterprises with respect to their business interests in Hong Kong and China. He is a frequent speaker on China-related legal issues and has presented to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the American Bar Association, and the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association among others. He has also written a number of articles on the subject for international publication. Mr. Seewald holds a Law degree from the University of Alberta, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University in Canada. He is qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong and as a barrister and solicitor in British Columbia, Canada. He is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors and a director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as well as Co-chair of the Chamber’s China Business Committee.

Victoria Ip-Cheung has been promoted to Vice President and Head of Investments, Fixed Income, MAMHK – Investment Operations, responsible for overseeing all fixed income investment activities in Hong Kong for both the general account and third party clients. In her new role, she is to manage the delivery of investment performance through portfolio management, and devise strategies to address asset/liability duration gaps for insurance funds. In addition, she will provide guidance to investment offices in other Asian territories on fixed income-related activities. Ms. Ip-Cheung joined Manulife at the inception of the Hong Kong Investment Office in 2000. Prior to joining Manulife, she was Head of Fixed Income at a renowned local asset management corporation, in charge of fixed income products managed in Hong Kong. Her responsibility ranged from investment strategies formulation to product launching and development. Ms. Ip-Cheung has more than 18 years of investment experience and is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (cum laude). She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the Hong Kong Securities Institute.

Kelvin Tang has been appointed Executive Director, Equities, MAMHK – Investment Operations, responsible for managing institutional pension mandates investing in Hong Kong and China equities. Mr. Tang also advises on sector allocation and individual stock selection for the Hong Kong equities market. Mr. Tang has more than 10 years’ experience in the investment industry. Prior to joining Manulife, he was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of a large Singapore-based fund management company in Hong Kong, where he was a member of its Asia equity investment team, responsible for overall asset allocation and stock picking of regional and single-country portfolios. Mr. Tang is also the Greater China specialist of the said fund management company, managing several Hong Kong and China equities portfolios and overseeing the investment strategy for the Hong Kong and China markets. Mr. Tang holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Lancaster in the United Kingdom as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

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$370 billion (approximately HK$ 2,577 billion) as at June 30, 2006.

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.

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For more information please contact:
Helena Lee / Jeanie Ho
Manulife (International) Limited
Tel: (852) 2202 1050 / 2510 3191
Fax: (852) 2234 6875
Email: helena_lee@manulife.com
jeanie_ho@manulife.com