2005 News Releases

~Investment Advisory and Fee Based Brokerage Platforms popular with Field and Investors~

Boston– Signator Investors, Inc., the retail broker dealer and registered investment advisor of John Hancock Financial Network, announced that the combined assets under management of its flagship investment and advisory program, Portfolio by Design, and fee-based brokerage account platform, SignatorOne Advantage, exceeded one billion dollars.

“We are extremely pleased to have reached this milestone,” said Wendy Benson, president, Signator Investors, Inc and COO of John Hancock Financial Network. “It is a testament to our strong product portfolio, consumers’ continuing preference to work with professional advisors in a consultative and advisory capacity, and the professionalism and financial acumen of our financial representatives.”

Since its inception in 1999, Portfolio by Design has provided clients with the advantages of professional money management in a simple package that is customized to the client’s specific goals, risk tolerance and time horizons. Upon completion of an investment questionnaire, clients receive a personalized investment strategy report that includes recommended asset allocation and model portfolios. Each of Portfolio by Design’s three core programs offers an array of services, research, and portfolio diversification tailored to the client’s needs and preferences.

In line with consumer popularity for fee-based account management, Signator Investors launched its fee-in-lieu of commission brokerage account platform, SignatorOne Advantage, in 2003. Since then, clients have invested over $200 million in SignatorOne Advantage accounts. “The significant demand for the SignatorOne Advantage program over the past two years reinforces our commitment to providing a product platform that caters to the differing ways in which consumers want to purchase and manage their investments,” added Benson.

Making its broker dealer organization top-tier is a key component of John Hancock Financial Network’s mission. The company has invested significantly in training, technology, product and business development programs to distinguish itself in the marketplace and grow its distribution channel. To help its distribution firms stay competitive and meet consumer needs, the company recently launched its Client Centered Marketing Firm program which focuses on helping the firms and producers position their businesses for growth based on consumer buying patterns in the 21st century. Today, John Hancock Financial Network has more than 1500 representatives servicing the needs of high net worth clients and small businesses through 100 offices across the United States.

“Achieving the one billion dollar milestone is an affirmation from our producers and clients that Signator Investors and John Hancock Financial Network offer the right combination of objective solutions and wide breath of investment and advisory products. We are confident that we will see continued growth in the future as we refine and expand our investment and advisory platforms to remain cutting edge with consumer buying preferences,” added Benson.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
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$364 billion (US$297 billion) as at June 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. Signator Investors Inc. is a retail broker/dealer and registered investment advisor of John Hancock Financial Network.

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

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc., Member NASD, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor, 197 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116, 1-800-543-6611.

- 30 -

Melissa Berczuk
(617) 572-6390