Cindy Forbes to assume new role; Steve Finch appointed Chief Actuary

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC 
SEHK:945

TORONTO, March 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial Corporation (Manulife) today announced that Cindy Forbes has been appointed Chief Analytics Officer, effective April 1, 2016.  In this newly created role, Ms. Forbes will be responsible for expanding Manulife's analytical capabilities from both internal and external sources, and monitoring and introducing advanced analytic solutions to the business.  She will report directly to Paul Rooney, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Analytics are fundamental to Manulife's customer-centric strategy and the overall improvement of our decision making," said Mr. Rooney. "Cindy will be responsible for building the Company's analytic capability and providing this information to our business leaders to enhance the Company's top and bottom line performance."

Ms. Forbes has held a wide range of senior positions within Manulife's Investment, Reinsurance, Group Functions and Asia Divisions, and was most recently Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary.  Ms. Forbes was also named one of Canada's Most Powerful Women in 2015.

Steve Finch, who was most recently Chief Financial Officer of John Hancock Financial Services, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary.  Mr. Finch will lead Manulife's worldwide actuarial function, including valuation of policyholder liabilities and capital management.  In the role of Chief Actuary, he will be responsible for determining the amount of insurance contract liabilities in accordance with the standards established by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.  He joins Manulife's Executive Committee and will report directly to Steve Roder, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions.  We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere.  We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.  At the end of 2015, we had approximately 34,000 employees, 63,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers.  At the end of December 2015, we had $935 billion (US$676 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $24.6 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers.  Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years.  With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.  Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit www.manulife.com or www.johnhancock.com.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation