Dr. Lesley Daniels Webster appointed to Manulife Board of Directors

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC
SEHK:945 

TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company announced today that Dr. Lesley Daniels Webster has been appointed to their Boards of Directors, effective October 1, 2012.  Dr. Daniels Webster will sit on the Risk Committee.  Dr. Daniels Webster's extensive financial industry experience includes serving as Executive Vice President, JPMorgan Chase's firm-wide Market and Fiduciary Risk Management until 2005, and prior to that as the global head of US Dollar Fixed Income Derivatives at UBS and head of Fixed Income Arbitrage trading at Chase Manhattan Bank. Dr. Daniels Webster is the founder of Daniels Webster Capital Advisors, which she continues to lead.

"Dr. Daniels Webster brings strong risk management experience, extensive knowledge of large, international financial institutions and significant executive experience," said Manulife Chair, Gail Cook-Bennett .  "We are delighted to welcome Lesley Daniels Webster to our Boards."

Dr. Daniels Webster holds a Ph. D. in Economics from Stanford University.

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$514 billion (US$504 billion) as at June 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