Manulife Financial Hires 20-Year Veteran of Asia's Financial Services Sector, Steve Roder, as Chief Financial Officer

TORONTO, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation today announced the appointment of Steve Roder as incoming Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Mr. Roder's responsibilities will include management and oversight of the Company's global financial affairs, including Actuarial and Capital Management, Treasury, Controllership, Taxation, Financial Regulation, Investor Relations and Reinsurance activities. Mr. Roder will report directly to Manulife President and Chief Executive Officer Donald A. Guloien. His appointment is expected to become effective in the beginning of June, subject to immigration approvals.

"I am pleased we have attracted an executive of Steve Roder's calibre," Mr. Guloien said. "Steve's extensive experience in Asia, his hands-on experience in our core business, his impeccable career in public accounting and finance, and his well-known capability as a leader, communicator and straight-shooter were exactly the qualities we were looking for.

"Steve significantly adds to our body of Asian experience here in the Toronto head office, brings great financial acumen, and adds significant strength to our overall management team," Mr. Guloien added.

From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Roder was CFO for AIA Group Ltd. During his tenure with AIA, he gained valuable experience developing positive relationships with regulators, investors, rating-agencies and other key stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions. He also modernized the finance function by driving finance transformation, achieving major improvements in process and control, and building the tax, investor relations and business analysis functions.

Prior to AIA, Mr. Roder headed KPMG's financial services practice in Asia. During his 16 years as a partner at KPMG, he worked in London, Hong Kong and Japan advising CEOs, CFOs, and boards of directors of some of the world's largest financial institutions. In addition to English, Mr. Roder also speaks Japanese to an advanced level.

Mr. Roder has a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Southampton, U.K., is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (FCA) and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA). Mr. Roder is former chairman of the Expert Panel on Insurance of the Hong Kong Institute of CPAs, former President of the Royal Society of St. George, Tokyo, and former chairman of the British School in Tokyo.

Mr. Roder will succeed Michael W. Bell who will be returning to Philadelphia to rejoin his family. Mr. Bell's departure was announced in February 2012. He will assist Manulife in the orderly transition of responsibilities to Mr. Roder.

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$512 billion (US$512 billion) as at March 31, 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