Jim Prieur appointed to Manulife Board of Directors

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC   
SEHK:945 

TORONTO, Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company announced today that C. James (Jim) Prieur has been appointed to their Boards of Directors, effective January 1, 2013.  Mr. Prieur will sit on the Risk Committee.

Mr. Prieur brings extensive financial and insurance industry experience to Manulife's Boards. He served as Chief Executive Officer of CNO Financial Group, Inc. from 2006 until his retirement in 2011. CNO Financial Group is a life insurance holding company focused on the senior middle income market in the U.S.

Prior to joining CNO, Mr. Prieur was President and Chief Operating Officer of a major Canada-based international insurance company where he had previously led operations in Asia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

"We are delighted to welcome Jim Prieur to our Board," said Manulife Chair, Gail Cook-Bennett.  "Jim's deep knowledge of insurance products in Asia and North America, investing expertise and executive experience will be of great benefit to the Board."

A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Prieur graduated from Royal Military College before going on to receive his Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School at Western University. He is a member of the President's Circle of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and a member of The Pacific Council on International Policy and its China Committee.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. 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 also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$515 billion (US$523 billion) as at September 30, 2012. 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 Financial Corporation