Top Financial Representative, Kerry Hemphill, Affiliates with John Hancock Financial Network

BOSTON, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kerry W. Hemphill, AIF®, LUTCF, principal of Creative Benefit Concepts, has affiliated with Signature Financial Partners, LLC, a member of John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN). This recent affiliation was announced by Bruce D. Harrington, vice president of sales and business development, JHFN.

With more than 21 years of experience in financial services and as principal of Creative Benefit Concepts, which he established in 2001, Hemphill has focused on the success of business clients in the Baltimore – Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with an emphasis in 401(k) plans. Hemphill also is a member of "The 401(k) Coach Program," a national organization dedicated to assisting corporations with the proper selection, implementation and education programs available to help their employees reach financial independence with reduced financial anxiety.

Hemphill has earned many industry awards including achieving "Top of the Table" status in MDRT, an organization recognized as the worldwide leader for professional and ethical standards.

"I'm excited to be joining an independent broker/dealer with such a vast array of services and support to help grow my practice," said Hemphill.

Hemphill will be joining JHFN's defined contribution consulting program, designed to help JHFN financial advisors expand their retirement plan business and provide the best service to their clients. Elements of the program include training, practice management consulting, and a dedicated retirement sales support team. As part of the 3(21) ERISA fiduciary component of the program, Hemphill will be taking advantage of the open-product suite of retirement plan-focused practice management tools offered through Retirement Plan Advisory Group (RPAG).

"We couldn't be happier to welcome Kerry to Signature Financial Partners and John Hancock Financial Network," said Harrington. "His leadership, experience and knowledge in serving businesses dovetails well with JHFN's focus on retirement plans and preparing individuals financially for a secure retirement."

Established in 1981 and led by recent JHFN Hall of Fame inductee, president and CEO Daryl S. Brockman, Signature Financial Partners has grown into a top, award-winning firm within JHFN.

About Signature Financial Partners
Signature Financial Partners, LLC has been helping clients realize their financial goals for over 30 years, providing wealth management for individuals and financial solutions for businesses. With offices in Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland, our trusted financial representatives are responsible for understanding their client's entire financial picture and for providing the appropriate resources to meet a wide variety of needs.  Presently, Signature Financial Partners, LLC has over 40,000 personal, business and association clients - each with unique financial goals.  For more information on SFP, please visit www.SFPfinancial.com.

About John Hancock Financial Network
John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with nearly 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 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 with principle operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. 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$500 billion (US$491 billion) as at December 31, 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, fixed and variable 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.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor, 197 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial Network