Creating Economic, Environmental and Social Value: Manulife 2015 Public Accountability Statement Published

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TORONTO, May 10, 2016 /CNW/ - Manulife today released its 2015 Public Accountability Statement. The annual statement highlights the ways Manulife and John Hancock support the economic, environmental and social well-being of customers, employees and communities where it operates around the world, as well as the Company's commitment to excellence in business conduct.

"We're helping to build a better future by providing products and advice that offer customers peace of mind, a means to attaining personal aspirations, a comfortable retirement, and help when they or their families need it most," said Paul Rooney, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Manulife. "We manage our operations with integrity and deliver measurable results on a range of economic, environmental and social factors."

Leader in green financing
Manulife's dedicated team of renewable energy financing specialists has invested $9.4 billion in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects since 2002. Our long track record makes Manulife a leading arranger and provider of debt financing to the renewable energy industry in Canada.

Manulife also invested $115 million in green bonds in 2015, supporting this emerging asset class. By designating the proceeds from their sale for use only in projects with specific environmental benefits, green bonds provide transparency and allow us to address environmental challenges while also earning a financial return.

Global financial innovation
In Vietnam, as in many Southeast Asian countries, villagers often lack access to financial protection against accidents, disease and death. Manulife is helping to address this gap by partnering with the Vietnam Women's Union to provide micro-insurance coverage for low-income women. As of the end of 2015, the program has provided protection for more than 150,000 women.

Across the border in China, millions of people in rural areas lack adequate insurance coverage, despite the rapid development of China's social security system. Since becoming one of China's first foreign joint venture providers of village insurance, Manulife has extended its coverage to seven communities in rural China, and now provides protection to about 30,000 villagers.

Additional highlights from 2015

• 81,853 hours volunteered at local charities by Manulife employees and agents
• $38.4 million contributed to charities and other non-profit organizations by Manulife, its employees and its programs
• 21 per cent reduction in the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions in Manulife's real estate portfolio since 2011
• $8.8 billion in loans made to businesses to help fuel their growth

Manulife's Public Accountability Statement is online at www.manulife.com/pas

About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions.  We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere.  We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.  At the end of 2015, we had approximately 34,000 employees, 63,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers.  At the end of March 2016, we had $904 billion (US$697 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $24.9 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers.  Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years.  With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.  Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit www.manulife.com or www.johnhancock.com.

Sources:
https://www.spencerstuart.com/~/media/pdf%20files/research%20and%20insight%20pdfs/2015_canada_board_index.pdf
https://www.spencerstuart.com/who-we-are/media-center/more-new-independent-directors-added-to-s-and-p-500-boards

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

Media Contact: Rebecca Freiburger, 519-503-6604, [email protected], @ManulifeNews