Manulife Asset Management Adds New Global Natural Resources Equity Team

Expands global equity capabilities with hiring of veteran portfolio managers

TORONTO, June 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Manulife Asset Management has expanded its global investment capabilities by naming Craig Bethune, CFA, and Diana M. Racanelli, CFA, as Portfolio Managers on a new Global Natural Resources Equity team. Both join from a large Canadian bank-owned asset management firm and are based in Toronto, further strengthening Manulife Asset Management's Canadian-based presence. Together, they co-lead the team and report to Christopher Conkey, Global Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Asset Management.

"We are pleased to welcome Craig and Diana to manage a global natural resources strategy for our institutional clients and certain wealth management businesses of Manulife and John Hancock, expanding our investment capabilities and complementing our global footprint," said Mr. Conkey.

Mr. Bethune served as a Portfolio Manager with his prior employer since 2008. Most recently he was the lead manager on the energy and resource funds and co-manager on a Canadian equity fund with $3.0 billion in assets. From 2002 to 2006 he was with the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System as Portfolio Manager - Public Equity Group. Prior to that, Mr. Bethune held analyst and research positions with Credit Suisse Canada and other firms. Mr. Bethune holds an MBA from the University of Toronto, and graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He is a CFA® charterholder.

Ms. Racanelli most recently was a Vice President and Director with her prior employer, where she served as lead manager of a precious metals fund and was co-manager of resource and energy funds. From 2005 to 2007 she was with CIBC Global Asset Management as Vice President, Canadian Equities and before that as Vice President, Global Equity Research, from 2003 to 2005. She started her career in the industry on the sell-side working for both Burns Fry Limited and Scotia Capital Markets and was a Base Metals Mining Analyst before her move to AIC Limited on the buy-side. Ms. Racanelli has an Honours B.A. in Economics and English from the University of Toronto and is a CFA® charterholder.

About Manulife Asset Management

Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife Financial, providing comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of public and private asset classes, as well as asset allocation solutions. As at March 31, 2014, assets under management for Manulife Asset Management were C$298 billion (US$269 billion).

Manulife Asset Management's public markets units have investment expertise across a broad range of asset classes including public equity and fixed income, and asset allocation strategies. Offices with full investment capabilities are located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, Manulife Asset Management has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. The public markets units of Manulife Asset Management also provide investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. John Hancock Asset Management and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.

Additional information about Manulife Asset Management may be found at ManulifeAM.com.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were approximately C$635 billion (US$574 billion) as at March 31, 2014. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

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 manulife.com.

SOURCE: Manulife Asset Management

Beth McGoldrick, 617-663-4751, [email protected]