Transamerica to Sell Division of Broker Dealer Unit to John Hancock

BALTIMORE, Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA), and John Hancock Financial Network, Inc. (JHFN), a distribution channel of John Hancock, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for John Hancock to acquire certain assets of TFA, a full service, independent broker dealer and registered investment adviser based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Following the close, approximately 1,100 advisors and 90 Transamerica employees who support TFA will become affiliated with Signator Investors, Inc. (Signator), the broker dealer of John Hancock Financial Network.

Like TFA, Signator provides an open product platform for advisors to best meet their clients' needs, including a comprehensive range of top-quality investment advisory and protection products from leading carriers. Transamerica will continue to support the growth of its retail broker dealer in the U.S., which has 3,000-plus affiliated registered representatives.

It is anticipated that the transaction will close within six months, subject to regulatory approvals. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

About Transamerica 
With a history that dates back over 100 years, the Transamerica companies are recognized as leading providers of life insurance, savings and retirement and investment solutions, serving millions of customers throughout all fifty of the United States.

Transamerica works to Transform Tomorrow® for those who entrust its dedicated professionals with their financial needs, helping them take the necessary steps to achieve their long-term goals and aspirations. Transamerica's 10,000 employees serve nearly every customer segment, providing a broad range of quality life insurance and savings products, individual and group pension plans, as well as asset management services.

Transamerica's corporate headquarters is located in Baltimore, Maryland, with other major corporate operations based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Transamerica is a member of the Aegon group of companies. Aegon is one of the world's largest life insurance, pension and asset management groups, operating in over 25 markets worldwide with over 28,000 employees. For the full year 2014, Aegon managed $675 billion in revenue generating investments. 
www.transamerica.com

About Signator Investors, Inc. and John Hancock Financial Network
Signator Investors, Inc. is a dual-registered broker dealer/investment advisor of John Hancock Financial Network and has a national network of independent firms and approximately 1,500 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader in the financial services industry having the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, Signator gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on Signator Investors, Inc. and its national network of independent firms, visit http://www.signatorinvestors.com/

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were C$883 billion (US$708 billion) as at June 30, 2015. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com. 

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

Media inquiries
Contact name: Greg Tucker
Phone: 443.475.3017
Email: [email protected] 

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SOURCE Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.