John Hancock Retirement Plan Services Promotes Cheney L. Hunt, III to Regional Sales Manager, Midwest Region

BOSTON, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cheney L. Hunt, III has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Midwest Region, John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (RPS), it was announced by Arthur Creel, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, John Hancock RPS. In this role, Hunt is responsible for sales and sales management of the Midwest Region.

"I am very pleased to have Cheney in this role," said Tom Bruns, Divisional Vice President, Western Division, John Hancock RPS. "He has had many successful years with us in sales and brings broad past experience in sales management, marketing and operations. His expertise will be a tremendous asset as we continue our sales momentum in the Midwest."

Hunt, who most recently served as John Hancock RPS's Regional Vice President in San Diego, replaces Bob Carroll who recently became the company's Divisional Vice President for the Eastern Division. He earned a B.S. in Finance from Millikin University.

Hunt will be based in the company's Chicago sales office.

About John Hancock Retirement Plan Services

John Hancock Retirement Plan Services is the largest provider of 401(k) plans across all plan sizes among banks, mutual funds and insurers, according to CFO Magazine. (CFO Magazine 2009 401(k) Providers Survey, for year-end 2008. Published in May 2009).

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

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 clients 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.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

Both John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York do business under certain instances using the John Hancock Retirement Plan Services name. Group annuity contracts and recordkeeping agreements are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02210 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595.  Product features and availability may differ by state.

NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY

SOURCE John Hancock Retirement Plan Services