2006 News Releases

Leads the mid-sized company category for “Best Overall” program, wins six additional awards

Boston – John Hancock Funds won seven awards, including “Best Overall Communications” in the mid-sized fund company category ($5 billion to $25 billion in assets), at the Mutual Fund Education Alliance (MFEA) 10^th Anniversary STAR Awards celebration in Chicago on October 18.

The six other STAR awards received by John Hancock Funds honored the company for excellence in online innovation, advisor website, advisor communications, investor education and shareholder communications. In total, John Hancock Funds received more awards than any other mutual fund company in the mid-size category.

“These awards are a reflection of the passion, dedication and creativity of our marketing team,” said Keith F. Hartstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Funds. “Our clients have often told us that we have some of the best marketing material in the industry. It’s an honor to have those sentiments validated by our peers.”

“The STAR awards have become prestigious among companies in the mutual fund industry,” said Carey Foran Hoch, Vice President and head of marketing. “We are pleased to be recognized for some of our most recent initiatives, including our redesigned web site and advisor communications.”

In the “Best Overall” category, which evaluates a fund company’s comprehensive efforts, the MFEA judges commended John Hancock Funds for having "Just an overall terrific program. The look and feel of the materials are outstanding. Well done."

In the award category “Printed Fund Company Communications,” John Hancock Funds’ Lifestyle Portfolios client kit won for “Best Investor Fulfillment/Prospectus Kit.” Judges remarked on "Consistent brand application, great fund profiles. Impressive kit."

Under the category of “Printed Educational and Promotional Materials,” John Hancock won three awards. “Best Educational Brochure” went to John Hancock’s “10 Proven Strategies to Help Secure Your Financial Future.”  Judges commented that, "It's all here -- including helpful worksheets -- in clear, concise language. Bravo." In that same overall category, the John Hancock Funds’ brochure “Be Prepared for Emergencies” won for “Best Special Communications,” and was characterized by the judges as an "Excellent, thoughtful resource, applicable to everyone. Well done." Also, the brochure “12 Great Client Connections” won for “Best Advisor Communications,” with the judges commenting: "A lot of good, valuable information packaged into one value-added kit for the advisor."

John Hancock Funds won two awards in the category of Online Education & Services. The newly redesigned web site, www.jhfunds.com, which was relaunched in June of this year, won for “Best Innovation.” Judges commented: "Great site. Innovations provide efficient experience -- whatever you're looking for, there it is." The site was also named “Best Advisor Web Site,” with judges noting: “Great site with tie-in to overall corporate look and feel."

About the STAR Awards and the Mutual Fund Education Alliance
The annual STAR Awards recognize mutual fund companies for outstanding investor communications, education and support. Each year the MFEA examines the best educational materials, both in print and electronic, in the mutual fund industry and then asks industry judges to select from the best. In 2006, 30 different companies were recognized for excellence in 28 categories ranging from best annual report to best online innovation and to the coveted best overall award.

The Mutual Fund Education Alliance is the national trade association for mutual fund marketers and distributors. Since 1971, the MFEA has been dedicated to informing and educating the investing public about how to achieve important lifetime goals using mutual funds. The members of the Alliance represent nearly $4 trillion in assets under management. For more information, visit www.mfea.info.

About John Hancock Funds
The Boston-based mutual fund business unit of John Hancock Financial Services, John Hancock Funds manages more than $47.5 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional investors at June 30, 2006. For more information, visit 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$370 billion (US$332 billion) at June 30, 2006. 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 www.manulife.com.

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Contact:
Beth McGoldrick
(617) 663-4751
bmcgoldrick@jhancock.com