2004 News Releases

Toronto - Manulife Financial Corporation has received approval from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) for its proposed merger with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. The DOI is the principal U.S. regulator for John Hancock.

During the hearing held by the DOI, Manulife reiterated its firm commitment to its business and community ties with Boston and Massachusetts following the completion of the merger. The combination of the existing John Hancock franchise with that of Manulife’s U.S. Division will position the Boston-based operation for even greater growth and competitive excellence.

“We are pleased with the Insurance Commissioner’s decision and look forward to continuing to contribute to the vitality of the Boston community,” said Dominic D’Alessandro, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“The Commissioner’s approval follows overwhelming support of the merger by John Hancock shareholders. Clearly this merger is good for our shareholders, our employees and our communities,” said David F. D’Alessandro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Financial Services.

The merger is still subject to approvals from other insurance regulatory authorities, including the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the Minister of Finance in Canada.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial were Cdn$156.7 billion as at December 31, 2003.

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.

About John Hancock
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: JHF) and its affiliated companies provide a broad array of insurance and investment products and services to retail and institutional customers. As of December 31, 2003, John Hancock and its subsidiaries had total assets under management of US$142.5 billion. John Hancock can be found on the Internet at www.jhancock.com

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Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes Forward-Looking statements with respect to the Company, including its business operations and strategy as well as its financial performance and condition. These statements generally can be identified by the use of Forward-Looking words such as: “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such Forward-Looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include among other things, general economic conditions worldwide, market factors, including global capital market activity, interest rate and currency value fluctuations, business competition, changes in government regulations or in tax laws, technological changes, changes in consumer demand for the Company's products and services, realizing increased revenue from the expansion and development of distribution channel capacity, our ability to complete strategic acquisitions and to integrate acquisitions, catastrophic events, political conditions and developments and international conflicts. The Company does not undertake to update any Forward-Looking statements.

Important Legal Information
In connection with the proposed merger of Manulife and John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., Manulife has filed a registration statement on Form F-4 containing a proxy statement/prospectus for the stockholders of John Hancock with the SEC. John Hancock’s stockholders and investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the merger and any other relevant documents carefully in their entirety because they contain important information about the proposed transaction. The registration statement containing the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s Web site, www.sec.gov.  Stockholders and investors in John Hancock or Manulife may also obtain the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents free of charge by directing their requests to John Hancock Shareholder Services, c/o EquiServe, L.P., P.O. Box 43015, Providence, RI 02940-3015, (800-333-9231) or to Manulife Investor Relations, 200 Bloor Street East, NT-7, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1E5, Canada, (800-795-9767).