Singapore Investors Continue to Favour Regular Income Funds and pour $30 million into Manulife Income Series - Singapore Fund in 3 months

Manulife Income Series - Singapore fund reaches $30 million. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 14, 2012 - Singapore - Singapore investors continue to favour investing in regular income products that help provide shelter amidst economic uncertainty and market volatility. The Manulife Income Series - Singapore Fund, the first fund for an investment-linked plan to provide a monthly income in Singapore, has reached the S$30 millionth mark in fund size, in just 3 months following its launch period.

According to data from Manulife Singapore, female customers show greater appetite for this Fund to help provide for their retirement needs and fulfil other financial objectives, with about twice the number of women investing in the Fund compared to men.

Since its launch at the end of April 2012, despite the uncertain economic environment, the Fund has delivered a return of 4.5 per cent in three months. Investments per customer averaged S$34,000 and more significantly, 44 per cent of these policyholders have opted for regular monthly pay-outs, whilst 56 per cent have chosen to reinvest in the Fund.

Ms Annette King, President & CEO of Manulife Singapore said: "The feedback from our customers on the Manulife Income Series - Singapore Fund has been overwhelmingly positive. Singaporeans, particularly women, are looking for a regular stream of income as a hedge against the market volatility and global uncertainties. This is a logical extension of most women's investment profiles and risk appetites. Our customers have found that the Fund provides a good match of assets to the liabilities of many Singaporeans."

The Fund seeks to provide medium to long term capital appreciation and income by primarily investing 60 per cent into the Manulife Singapore Bond Fund and 40 per cent into the Manulife Singapore Equity Fund, both of which are managed by Manulife Asset Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. This balanced portfolio approach is designed to cushion the impact of market volatility, while still providing growth potential.

The Fund targets to pay a dividend of 3.6 cents (SGD) per unit per annum or 0.3 cents (SGD) per unit per month.* The Fund's Annual Management Charge (AMC) is 1.2 per cent per annum.

Investors can invest into the Fund with cash or SRS with as little as S$5000. Some clients have invested up to S$500,000 and investors can invest into the Fund by choosing from two products: Manulink or Manulink Investor. Both are single premium investment-linked plans. Manulink offers higher protection while Manulink Investor is more focused on investment. The Fund is sold through the 1,000 Manulife Financial Planners as well as through authorised financial advisory firms.

*There is no guarantee, assurance and/or certainty that any distribution will be made and if distributions are made, such distributions are not in any way a forecast, indication or projection of the future or likely performance/payout of the Fund. The making of any distributions shall not be taken to imply that future distributions will be made. The Fund Manager and/or Manulife (Singapore) Pte Ltd may also vary the frequency and/or the amount of distributions made. When distributions are declared and paid out with respect to the Fund, the net assets of the Fund will reduce by an amount equivalent to the distributions declared. Thus it will be reflected as a reduction in the unit price.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, we celebrate 125 years of providing clients strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$514 billion (US$504 billion) as at June 30, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK.

About Manulife Asset Management
Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife Financial. Manulife Asset Management provides comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. Manulife Asset Management also provides investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies.

Manulife Asset Management has offices with full investment capabilities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, it has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. It also has operations in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay. John Hancock Asset Management, Hancock Natural Resource Group and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.

Manulife Asset Management was named Best Asian Bond House by Asia Asset Management in 2011. As at June 30, 2012, assets under management were US$218 billion.

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