Sun Life Global Investments Canada's inaugural fund line-up harnesses world-class investment and product capabilities

Events from coast to coast to celebrate greater choice for Canadian investors

TORONTO, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ - Fireworks will be illuminating the sky over five Canadian cities tonight as Sun Life Financial (TSX/NYSE:SLF) hosts galas in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax in celebration of the launch of its new investment company, Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. The festivities will feature local live musical performances to celebrate the initial fund offerings. The Company is scheduled to begin accepting investments from clients on October 25, 2010.  

"Our innovative funds harness the strength of Sun Life with top product development, investment expertise and asset management from around the world, providing Canadian investors with attractive new choices to meet their investment and retirement needs," said Rick Headrick, president, Sun Life Global Investments Canada. "The new funds will be available through our extensive distribution reach, which includes Sun Life advisors, MFDA and IIROC advisors, and Sun Life's group retirement and direct distribution businesses through our segregated fund platform."

The suite of 12 funds include seven funds sub-advised by MFS Investment Management, bringing the best of MFS's investment capabilities to Canadian investors through six global, U.S. and international equity funds and one global balanced fund.

"These funds will be powered by MFS's renowned platform of proprietary global research and strong investment discipline," said Headrick. In June, Morningstar ranked MFS among the Top 5 of the 30 largest mutual fund companies in the U.S., based on a measurement that reflects 3-year returns, stewardship and manager tenure, retention, and investment levels.

The inaugural fund family also includes four Milestone funds, Sun Life's brand of target-date funds, and one money market fund sub-advised by McLean Budden - one of Canada's oldest and most respected investment firms.

"The Milestone funds will provide Canadians with the convenience of target-date funds, along with a guaranteed maturity value for units held to the fund's maturity date," Headrick said, noting that Sun Life was the first company in the Canadian group market to offer target-date funds with that type of guarantee. 

"The money market fund rounds out the line-up and offers flexibility for investors to manage their portfolios across the fund family," he added. "McLean Budden is also renowned for its research-intensive process and we look forward to offering additional funds through McLean Budden in the future."

The new funds are eligible for inclusion in registered plans, such as RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs. For more information, see the Fund line-up summary at www.sunlife.com/SLGIFundLineUpSummary2010 and the Sun Life Global Investments Canada fact sheet at www.sunlife.com/SLGIFactSheet2010.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2010, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $434 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: Figures in Canadian dollars except as indicated.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.