Randy LeClair, CFA, Joins Manulife Asset Management as Portfolio Manager

Continues as Portfolio Manager for the Manulife Preferred Income Fund

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Manulife Asset Management said today that Randy LeClair, CFA, joined the firm effective January 30th. As a Managing Director with Manulife Asset Management, the asset management arm of Manulife Financial, Mr. LeClair continues to serve as Portfolio Manager for the Manulife Preferred Income Fund, which he has led since 2009.

"With Randy's depth of experience in the Canadian marketplace, we add yet another strong member to our fixed income team, in support of our partners at Manulife Mutual Funds. We look forward to benefiting from his insights and contributions as manager of the Manulife Preferred Income Fund," said Terry Carr, Head of Canadian Fixed Income, Manulife Asset Management.

"We are pleased to welcome Randy to our internal asset management team at Manulife, where he will provide leadership and continuity on our Manulife Preferred Income Fund," said Paul Lorentz, President of Manulife Investments. "The addition of Randy to our team reflects our on-going commitment to provide advisors and their clients with access to top-performing portfolio managers and mutual fund solutions."

Mr. LeClair most recently served as Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager with Portland Investment Counsel. He joined Portland, which provides portfolio management services as sub-adviser to several Manulife Mutual Funds, in 1998. He became CIO in 2010. Previously he had served as Portfolio Manager for the Regional Municipality of Halton, in Oakville, Ontario, from 1991 to 1998. A CFA charterholder since 1991, Mr. LeClair earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor, and a Bachelor of Arts, ACS (Finance), from the University of Western Ontario.

About Manulife Asset Management
Manulife Asset Management™ is the global asset management arm of Manulife Financial. Manulife Asset Management provides comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. Manulife Asset Management also provides investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. This investment expertise extends across a full range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies. Manulife Asset Management has offices with full investment capabilities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. In addition, it has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. It also has operations in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay. John Hancock Asset Management, Hancock Natural Resource Group and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management. As at September 30, 2011 total assets under management were C$207 billion (US$199 billion). Additional information about Manulife Asset Management can be found at ManulifeAM.com.

About Manulife Mutual Funds
Manulife Mutual Funds, a division of Manulife Asset Management Limited, builds on more than 120 years of Manulife Financial's wealth and investment management expertise in managing approximately C$16.7 billion as at September 30, 2011 for Canadian investors, through a diverse portfolio of forward-thinking mutual fund products. Our experienced Portfolio Managers offer access to markets in Canada, the United States and around the world, in a range of investment styles to help meet individual needs. Manulife Mutual Funds is part of Manulife Investments, which offers personal wealth management products and services, such as mutual funds, segregated funds, annuities and guaranteed investment contracts. For more information, please visit manulifemutualfunds.ca.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group operating in 21 countries and territories worldwide. In 2012, we celebrate 125 years of providing clients 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 provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$492 billion (US$473 billion) as at September 30, 2011. 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

CONTACT: Beth McGoldrick, [phone], [email protected]

http://www.manulife.com