Manulife Asset Management Awarded More Than US$2.5 Billion in Institutional Mandates During the First Quarter of 2014

BOSTON, May 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Manulife Asset Management won a series of institutional mandates during the first quarter of 2014 which brought in more than US$2.5 billion in new assets. Notably, a US$1.2 billion global equity mandate was awarded by St. James's Place, a UK wealth management firm based in London. The St. James's Place mandate will be managed by Manulife Asset Management's Global Equity team, led by Paul Boyne and Doug McGraw.

Sales for Manulife Asset Management were diversified across various asset classes and regions. Wins in North America included several new allocations to the firm's Strategic Fixed Income Strategy, managed by Daniel S. Janis III, Thomas Goggins and Kisoo Park, as well as mandates to the firm's Total Return Bond Strategy, managed by Peter Farley, Bond Griffin and Jeffrey Given.

Significant new mandates were awarded in Asia. These mandates came from diverse clients including two sovereign wealth funds that invested in the US Large Cap Core Strategy, managed by Walter McCormick and Emory (Sandy) Sanders. In addition, Manulife Asset Management was awarded several new asset allocation mandates across the region.

"We are honored to be selected for these important investment mandates. As with all of our clients, we look forward to long business partnerships managing their assets," said Christopher Conkey, Manulife Asset Management's Global Chief Investment Officer.

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.

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SOURCE: Manulife Asset Management

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