New Equity Portfolio Manager for Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) — December 9, 2009

SINGAPORE, December 9, 2009 — MFC Global Investment Management today announces that it has hired Grace Ho as senior portfolio manager for Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Grace's appointment comes at a strategically important time for the business, following hot on the heels of the launch of the company's first five funds in Singapore.

Grace joins to help oversee the company's Singapore Equity portfolios and will work closely with Amy Low, Head of Equities Singapore and will support MFC Global Investment Management's Asia Pacific strategies. Prior to joining the company, Grace was Senior Portfolio Manager at Société Generale Asset Management (Singapore) where she was the lead portfolio manager for the company's retail and institutional Singapore equity funds. In this role, she oversaw equity research, stock selection, portfolio construction and risk management and managed the SGAM Singapore Dividend Growth Fund - one of the best performing funds Singapore equity funds over a 5-year period. She has previously worked for The Chase Manhattan Bank in Singapore as a financial analyst.

Announcing the appointment, Manulife Asset Management (Singapore)'s Managing Director, Jill Smith, said: "We are a fast-growing business in Singapore and as our business develops, so too are we bolstering our investment teams to offer our retail and institutional clients access to the best possible local investment expertise. Grace brings significant experience and skills in Singapore equities and, working closely with Amy Low, will help us to cement our position in this important market."

Amy Low, head of equities, Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) added: "Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) adopts a team-approach to equity investment. This means that we can offer our clients access to the best investment ideas from a team of equity experts. We continually challenge our investment views which means our clients benefit from a rigorous and dynamic investment process. We are delighted to welcome Grace to the team. She comes with a solid track record of consistent outperformance, demonstrating excellent results in the management of local equity funds.

In October 2009, Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) launched its first five funds in the local market. Singapore dollar-denominated, the fund range includes local money market, bond, balanced and equity funds and a Greater China equity fund.

About Manulife Asset Management (Singapore)
Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd (Company Registration Number 200709952G) is part of MFC Global Investment Management, the asset management division of Manulife Financial. Since being granted its license to operate in 2008, Manulife Asset Management Singapore has established a strong team in Singapore where the business manages over S$2.6billion in assets (at 31st October 2009).

About MFC Global Investment Management
MFC Global Investment Management® is the asset management division of Manulife Financial. MFC Global Investment Management's diversified group of companies provides comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors, investment funds and individuals in key markets around the world. This investment expertise extends across a full range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as oil and gas, real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies.

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