Edward Jones can now refer their clients to Manulife Bank products to help
clients become debt-free sooner and build savings

Edward Jones advisors now providing Manulife One referrals

    
    TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC      SEHK: 945
    

WATERLOO, ON, March 1 /CNW/ - Edward Jones, a leading Canadian financial services firm, has formalized an association with Manulife Bank of Canada to integrate innovative debt-management and banking solutions into the financial plans of their clients.

Now, Edward Jones advisors can refer their clients to the revolutionary Manulife One account, an all-in-one account designed to help homeowners become debt-free sooner and improve their overall financial plan.

"The debt and cash-flow management capabilities of our Manulife One account are ideally suited for the clients of a respected financial services firm like Edward Jones," said J. Roman Fedchyshyn, President and CEO of Manulife Bank of Canada. "We're encouraged by how many Canadians now recognize that their day-to-day banking is crucial to building their wealth. They have also embraced the importance of seeking professional advice on how to manage their debt as well as their savings."

"As Canada's first advisor-based bank, we believe the cornerstone of a client's long-term financial plan is effective debt-management, efficient use of their income and getting the most for their short-term savings," Mr. Fedchyshyn said. "The Edward Jones advisor network shares this commitment to providing clients with the right tools to put their hard-earned money to work and it is a pleasure to be a part of their select product offering."

About Edward Jones

Edward Jones is a full-service investment dealer with one of the largest branch networks in Canada. It is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, and a participating organization of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Including its affiliate, Edward Jones serves nearly 7 million individual investors in Canada and the U.S. from more than 11,000 locations.

Edward Jones is a limited partnership in Canada and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edward D. Jones & Co., LP, a Missouri limited partnership. Edward D. Jones & Co., LP is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Jones Financial Companies, LLLP, a Missouri limited liability limited partnership.

About Manulife Bank and Manulife Financial

Established in 1993, Manulife Bank was the first federally regulated bank opened by an insurance company in Canada. It is a Schedule l federally chartered bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial. As Canada's first advisor-based bank, it has successfully grown to more than $16 billion in assets and serves clients across Canada. Manulife Bank provides its innovative Manulife One account and deposit and loan products through independent financial advisors in order to help individuals make the most of their financial plan.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers customers 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 $440 billion (US$ 420 billion) as at December 31, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

For further information: Media contact: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, [phone], [email protected], www.manulife.com