TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2006 – For the fifth consecutive year, Manulife Mutual Funds, a division of Elliott & Page Limited, has been named the best in Canada for customer service among its competitors, according to an ongoing study by Environics Research Group.
“Customer service is a key element of our business as our people are usually the main point of contact for brokers and advisors servicing their clients with Manulife products,” says Guy Vaillant, Vice President Operations. “We continue to succeed because we listen to what our clients need, we fulfill those needs, and then try to go above and beyond.”
The 2005 Call Audit study measured customer service representatives at 14 mutual fund companies on various attributes including: professionalism, wait time, plus overall value-added service to clients. It also measured the departments on aspects of client service efficiency.
The annual Call Audit study was conducted between January 2005 and December 2005 and the results of approximately 4,500 telephone calls to client service departments by advisors brokers and their assistants were combined to develop an overall ranking. Manulife Mutual Funds ranked highest in the study with an overall score of 87.92 out of a possible 100 points, improving from 85.99 points in last year’s survey.
“Our team is committed to providing each client with a service experience unlike any other,” says Alex Bodnar, Director of Operations. “I am very proud of my team’s enthusiasm as we continue to provide industry-leading client support.”
About Manulife Investments
Manulife Investments is the brand name describing certain Canadian subsidiaries and operating divisions of Manulife Financial Corporation that offer personal wealth management products and services in Canada. As one of Canada’s leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments offers a variety of products and services including segregated funds, mutual funds, annuities and guaranteed interest contracts.
About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company 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 Cdn$360 billion (US$310 billion) as at September 30, 2005.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
About the Environics Research Group
Established in 1970, Environics Research Group is one of Canada’s most respected research companies. It has Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary. The company’s financial service group specializes in conducting research with Canada’s personal financial advisors and their clients. Questions about this research may be directed to Hugh Murphy, Vice President, Environics Research Group at (416) 969-2829.
