2005 News Releases

Agent Productivity Up
Life Sales Up

Boston - John Hancock Financial Network* (JHFN) reported a 26 percent increase in recruiting results for the first half of 2005 compared to the same time period in 2004 and compared to a one percent increase for the time period in the industry overall¹. JHFN also said that productivity of newly appointed financed representatives was up nearly 25 percent, measured by commissions, over the same time period.

In addition, JHFN life insurance sales, as measured by premium, were up 23 percent over 2004, at the same time individual life insurance annualized premiums for the industry were just about even².

“By putting resources into new marketing, training and management development programs, we’ve been able to make strides in growing our career agency force,” said William J. Cuff, Senior Vice President of Recruiting, Training and Field Leadership Development. “We’re especially proud of our growth given recent challenges the industry has faced in recruiting quality candidates and increasing life insurance sales,” he said.

Cuff said that new producers have been attracted to the company’s high-performing financial products, advanced underwriting expertise, a proven market development system, practice management tools, comprehensive training and the trusted brand name of John Hancock, backed by the strength and commitment of John Hancock’s parent company, Manulife Financial. “All our resources, plus the fact John Hancock’s field management is truly driving recruiting, training and sales at a grass roots level, have helped us grow this year,” said Cuff.

Bill Palmer, CEO and President of JHFN, added, “In the John Hancock Financial Network, we offer producers resources so they may achieve their personal vision of success. We’ve seen both experienced and new producers choosing JHFN as the company with which they want to affiliate to achieve long-term growth, development and success. We think they see that our work in building a strong infrastructure ready to help them compete in today’s complex financial marketplace is paying off.”

John Hancock Financial Network (www.jhnetwork.com) has over 100 offices across the United States, and is a career agency distribution 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 most of 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 (US$310 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 www.manulife.com.

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*John Hancock Financial Network is the service mark of John Hancock Life Insurance Company and its affiliated companies.

¹U.S. Career Agent Recruiting Trends, LIMRA Mid-Year Report, 2005

²U.S. Career Agent Recruiting Trends, LIMRA Mid_Year Report, 2005

Contact: Melissa Berczuk
617-572-6390