Manulife Bank of Canada names new president to lead continued growth

WATERLOO, ON, April 15 /CNW/ - Doug Conick has been named President and CEO of Manulife Bank of Canada, to lead the Bank's future growth.

As the top executive of Manulife Bank, Mr. Conick will lead Canada's first advisor-based Bank that offers a wide range of products, including the popular all-in-one Manulife One account. Created from three small regional trust companies in 1993, Manulife Bank now ranks as the country's eighth-largest domestic bank, with close to $16 billion in assets under management.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that Doug has been named as successor to J. Roman Fedchyshyn, who recently retired after taking the Bank to new heights during the past 12 years," said Roy Firth, Executive Vice President, Individual Wealth Management, Manulife Financial.

"Throughout his career in Wealth Management, I have been impressed with Doug's strong leadership skills and ability to identify strategic opportunities that move the business forward with our advisors and clients," added Mr. Firth. "I am confident in Doug's ability to continue growing Manulife Bank well into the future, and I look forward to working with him in this capacity."

Mr. Conick will continue building Canada's premiere advisor-based banking services organization. Manulife Bank's mandate remains focused on helping Canadians discover the benefits of having a trusted financial advisor and to integrate banking solutions within their overall financial plan.

"Now, more than ever, Canadians need trusted financial advice and banking solutions that allow them to better manage the debt side of their balance sheets, improve their cash-flow, and make their savings work harder for them. Remaining focused on service, product innovation and strengthening Manulife Bank's brand will help more advisors incorporate banking into their financial plans and grow their businesses," said Mr. Conick,

Mr. Conick joined Manulife Financial in 1998 and has played a number of increasingly senior roles since that time, becoming President and Chief Executive Officer for Manulife Bank of Canada in April 2010. He moved to Manulife Bank in 2008 as Vice-President Sales, Marketing and Product Development.

Prior to his roles with Manulife Bank, Mr. Conick was Vice President, Investment Fund Products for the Canadian Individual Wealth Management business and he has spent time in Asia as Vice President and Financial Controller of Manulife's Japan Division.

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 nearly $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 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, 1-877-782-2363, [email protected]