2005 News Releases

First insurance company to be honoured by Volunteer Movement

Hong Kong- Manulife (International) Limited has been presented with the 2004 Merit Award of Highest Service Hour Award (Private Organization – Category 1) by the Social Welfare Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in recognition of its on-going efforts to give back to society and encouraging volunteerism among its staff and insurance advisors. The Highest Service Hour Award is an annual recognition introduced by the Social Welfare Department under its “Volunteer Movement” to recognise contribution made by individual volunteers and participating organisations.

The territory-wide “Volunteer Movement”, launched jointly by the Social Welfare Department, the Hong Kong Council of Social Services and various non-governmental organizations in 1998, aims to promote volunteer service in a systematic and more effective manner and encourage people from all walks of life to help build a caring and harmonious community.

Each year, the participating organisations can nominate their volunteers for the Award according to the accumulated number of service hours they put in during the year. Organisations may also be awarded according to the service hours accumulated by their employees. The Merit Award is given to those volunteers or organizations that complete the highest number of hours of voluntary service - and Manulife was selected as the winner in the category of corporations with 1,000 staff or more.

“We are very pleased to receive this honour as it is yet another testament to our service commitment to our community,” said Michael Huddart, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Hong Kong, Manulife (International) Limited, at the awards ceremony held last Saturday, December 10, 2005. “As one of the leading insurance companies in Hong Kong, Manulife is dedicated to offering the best products and services to help its customers meet their needs and accomplish their goals in life. And it is with this strong sense of mission that our staff and insurance advisors extend their care and concern to the society at large. I am glad to see that our staff and insurance advisors share Manulife’s belief in giving back to the community and I am extremely proud of their contribution over the past year.”

In 2004, Manulife’s volunteers strongly supported various charitable activities, such as the Community Chest of Hong Kong’s “Walks for Millions”, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service’s “Corporate Blood Donation Program”, the Hong Kong Red Cross’s “Charity on the Ride”, the Haven of Hope Christian Service’s “Qile Charity Cake Sale” and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s “Stride for a Cure”.

Earlier this year, Manulife was also honoured with the title “Caring Company”, bestowed by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services in appreciation of its devoted efforts in the realm of social and community commitments.

About Manulife (International) Limited
Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies. 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$360 billion (approximately HK$2,404.3 billion) as at September 30, 2005.

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