TORONTO, Jan. 22 2008 – Manulife Financial’s Canadian Individual Wealth Management Operations, which serves Manulife Investments and Manulife Securities International businesses, has been recognized for excellence in leadership, people, customer service and processes with a Level Three Certification under the National Quality Institute Progressive Excellence Program (NQI PEP(R)).
The certification means Manulife will be recognized at the Canada Awards for Excellence national program at a summit to be held in October, 2008. The Governor General of Canada is the Vice-Regal Patron of these prestigious national awards.
“We are extremely pleased to attain this honour,” said Guy Vaillant, Vice President Operations, Individual Wealth Management, Manulife Financial. “The certification is an important achievement for Manulife’s Canadian individual wealth management business as we continue to deliver on the needs of our clients.”
The certification follows a detailed submission from Manulife, plus on-site verification by NQI staff who examined various customer and other processes. The National Quality Institute is Canada’s leading authority on the development and sustainability of excellence through quality and healthy workplace environments. The Operations team is working towards Level Four, the final NQI certification in the program.
“Our team remains committed to going that extra mile for all of our clients, as well as our employees,” added Mr. Vaillant. “A key part of our strategy has been to make it easy for our customers, to deliver excellent service and to build continuous improvement into everything we do. By receiving this honour, it confirms that we have an excellent team serving our clients across Canada.”
The Canada Awards for Excellence have been presented each fall since 1982 to private, public and not-for-profit sector organizations that display outstanding performance in the areas of Quality and Healthy Workplace(R).
For more information on the National Quality Institute or its programs, please visit their website at www.nqi.ca
For more information about Manulife Investments, please visit www.manulifeinvestments.ca
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 investment 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$399.0 billion (US$400.5 billion) as at September 30, 2007.
Manulife Financial is one of two publicly traded life insurance companies in North America whose rated life insurance subsidiaries hold Standard & Poor’s Rating Services’ highest “AAA” rating and Moody’s Investor Services’ second highest “Aa1” rating, both representing financial strength.
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.
