2004 News Releases

Hong Kong— Manulife Financial (stock code: 0945), a Canadian-based leading financial-services provider, has announced the appointment of two senior executives in its Asian Division, while Manulife (International) Limited (MIL) and Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (MAMHK), both a member of the Manulife Financial group, have announced three senior executive appointments.

Darren Thomson has been appointed Vice President, Alternative Distribution, Asia, responsible for the strategic development and implementation of Manulife’s alternative distribution initiatives, in particular the bancassurance distribution channel, across the Asian region. Prior to joining Manulife, Mr. Thomson was Chief Officer for bancassurance business of a multinational insurance company’s Hong Kong operations. With more than 19 years of insurance experience in the U.K. and Asia, Mr. Thomson is a veteran in sales and marketing management and possesses leadership experience in strategic development for alternative distribution in Asia.

Kevin McWhinney has been appointed Assistant Vice President, Regional Agency Development, Asia, responsible for agency recruitment, training, supervision and compensation support for all Manulife’s Asian territories. Mr. McWhinney has more than 24 years of agency experience, specialising in personal insurance and investment sales, agency management, corporate as well as brokerage sales management. Prior to joining Manulife, Mr. McWhinney was the Regional Vice President of Life and Investment Sales of a listed insurance group in Canada. Mr. McWhinney holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) from the University of Waterloo, Canada. He is also a Certified Financial Planner, a Chartered Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Fellow of the LIMRA Leadership Institute.

Hillman Au has been appointed Assistant Vice President, Agency Training and Development, MIL, responsible for the company’s agency management development program as well as the implementation of financial planning practice in the agency operation. Mr. Au has 19 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, specialising in personal selling, agency training, marketing and agency management. He joined Manulife in 1986 but shortly immigrated to Canada where he became the Regional Marketing Manager and Mutual Funds Branch Manager of Manulife Financial’s Vancouver Oriental Resources Centre. He then returned to Hong Kong to join a major insurance corporation as Assistant Vice President in Agency and Financial Services. Mr. Au holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and is an Associate of Customer Service of the Life Office Management Institute.

May Wong has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, MIL, responsible for developing and implementing Manulife’s human resources policies, strategies and programs in Hong Kong, which include staffing, compensation and benefits, training and organisational development to support the company’s growth. Ms Wong has more than 17 years of experience in human resources management. She joined Manulife in 1997. Ms Wong holds an MBA and is a Fellow of the Life Office Management Institute.

Pauline Dan has been appointed Executive Director, Equities, MAMHK, responsible for. managing all Hong Kong, Taiwan and China equity portfolios under Manulife’s Asian Investment Office in Hong Kong. She has more than 10 years of investment management experience with specialty in Asian equity portfolios. Prior to joining Manulife, Ms Dan was Portfolio Manager of a major investment management company where she was responsible for the management of regional equity portfolios with focus on Greater China and Thailand for institutional and mutual fund clients. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Los Angeles in the U.S. 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$346 billion (approximately HK$2,138 billion) as at September 30, 2004.

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: 2202 1050 / 2510 3191
Fax: 2234 6875
Email: helena_lee@manulife.com
jeanie_ho@manulife.com