Frank M. Levy Earns Highest Ranking in John Hancock Financial Network's Inaugural "Practice of the Year" Award

BOSTON, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank M. Levy, founder and principal of Diversified Financial Consultants, LLC (DFC) of Wilmington, DE, earned John Hancock Financial Network's inaugural "Practice of the Year" award for his firm's excellence in several key areas of practice management and client service.

DFC, LLC, and more than 65 other JHFN firms underwent a rigorous assessment conducted by the international management consulting firm Business Health, which reviewed client management, internal planning and structure, external relations, staffing and technology capabilities, and overall practice performance.

"We congratulate Frank and all of our finalists for their outstanding work serving their clients and managing their firms," said Brian Heapps, CLU, ChFC, president of JHFN. "JHFN launched Practice of the Year in 2011 to recognize the most well-run practices across our network and to celebrate and share the best practices that helped them achieve such high standards for their clients."

"Diversified Financial Consultants is an extremely impressive business and Frank has guided it to achieve the highest ranking of any of the firms we reviewed," said Rod Bertino, principal, Business Health. "He's got a strong sense of what drives the firm's success and how fundamentals such as infrastructure and succession planning translate to excellence."

In addition to Levy, finalists rounding out the top five included Tom Spencer, Spencer Financial in Sudbury, MA; Michael Fischer, Client 1st Financial in Fogelsville, PA; Cory Hoffer, Hermitage Wealth Management, Henrico, VA and Jennifer Kim, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, in Los Angeles, CA.  

In order to be considered, JHFN's financial professionals and advisors registered and completed Business Health's HealthCheck, a web-based business assessment tool that benchmarks a practice in several areas. Among all HealthChecks received, 10 semi-finalists were selected to receive a site visit from Business Health in the fall. Business Health and a panel of JHFN and outside experts then narrowed the field to one winner and four finalists.

"Practice of the Year is valuable not only in recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit in our winners, but also to every one of the practices that took part," said Bruce Harrington, vice president of sales and business development. "An outside assessment is extremely helpful and what we learn and share will help all our independent advisors as JHFN continues to grow as a network of successful financial services practices, centered on providing exceptional client service."

About Business Health

Business Health is an international consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry. Business Health has developed and marketed a suite of unique and exclusive business diagnostic tools which are supported by a range of specialized consultancy services.

About John Hancock Financial Network

John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with approximately 1,900 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader with the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, John Hancock Financial Network gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on John Hancock Financial Network and its national network of independent firms, visit https://www.johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 21 countries and territories worldwide. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation 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 C$492 billion (US$473 billion) as at September 30, 2011. 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.

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, 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 johnhancock.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Financial Network