Manulife Asset Management ranked among world's largest money managers by Pensions & Investments

Firm moves to #28 in 2015 from #32 in 2014, based on institutional assets under management worldwide

TORONTO and BOSTON, June 28, 2016 /CNW/ -- Manulife Asset Management placed 28^th among the world's largest money managers, as of December 31, 2015, according to Pensions & Investments' latest annual ranking published in its May 30, 2016 issue. The publication ranked and provided data on 604 global asset management firms.

The firm moved up to #28 with total worldwide institutional assets under management of US$313.5 billion* (as at December 31, 2015), from the 32^nd spot at the end of 2014 with assets under management of US$276.7 billion (as at December 31, 2014).

"Our improved placement in Pensions & Investments' annual ranking reflects the sustained hard work of our entire organization, and the confidence and patronage of our clients around the world, and we are grateful for both," said Kai Sotorp, President & CEO, Manulife Asset Management. "We are a growing global business with exciting investment capabilities that span traditional asset classes such as fixed income, equities, absolute return, and asset allocation, as well as private markets investments including timber, agriculture and real estate."

"A consistent focus on solutions to meet the needs of our clients, supported by strong investment performance, have been – and will continue to be -- the driving factors for Manulife Asset Management's success," said Warren A. Thomson, Chairman.

With significant scale in North America and Asia, Manulife Asset Management is expanding into new geographies. Europe (and the wider EMEA market) is a strategically important growth market for Manulife Asset Management, and the firm recently detailed plans for its investment in the region for the long term.

*Information shown represents advised and sub-advised, public and private assets managed by Manulife Asset Management (Manulife AM) and certain of its affiliates on behalf of Manulife AM, its clients and the general accounts of the insurance company affiliates of Manulife AM. Manulife AM assets under management include assets of Manulife TEDA Fund Management Company Ltd.'s 49% joint venture ownership structure. The methodologies used to compile the total assets under management are subject to change. Information related to assets under management may not be the same as regulatory assets under management reported on Form ADV of applicable US affiliates of Manulife AM.

About Manulife Asset Management
Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife, providing comprehensive asset management solutions for investors. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of public and private asset classes, as well as asset allocation solutions. As at March 31, 2016, assets under management for Manulife Asset Management were approximately US$325 billion (€285 billion, £226 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

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.

SOURCE Manulife Asset Management

Beth McGoldrick, 617 663 4751, [email protected]; Brian Carmichael, 617-663-4748, [email protected], http://www.manulife.com