Hong Kong - Manulife's legal and compliance team in Asia has won the Insurance In-House Team of the Year award at the prestigious Macallan Asian Legal Business (ALB) Hong Kong Law Awards 2015, one of the most important events in Hong Kong's legal calendar. This is the first time Manulife has won the award.

The recognition was for Manulife's work on deals, culminating in the company's US$1.2 billion bancassurance partnership with DBS signed earlier this year. Manulife was selected as the exclusive provider of bancassurance solutions to DBS customers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and China. The 15-year agreement will take effect on January 1, 2016.

'We are honoured to win this prestigious award which is a testament to the excellence and outstanding achievements of my legal and compliance team in Asia,' said Steven Yeo, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Manulife Asia.

'The successful completion of Manulife's partnership with DBS demonstrates the strong capability of our in-house legal team to deal with complex legal issues under tight timelines.'

'The award speaks volumes for Manulife's world class legal and compliance team in Asia. Demonstrating the highest possible legal and regulatory standards is essential as our customers continue to put their trust in us,' said Roy Gori, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Asia.

The 14th annual event which took place on September 11th at the Conrad Hotel in Hong Kong, recognized Hong Kong's best law firms, legal work and lawyers across a total of 39 categories. Insurance In-House Team of the Year was one of 10 in-house categories covering a range of business sectors.

At the awards, members of the judiciary, law professors, law firm partners and general counsels recognized the excellence of people behind major deals, projects and achievements.

In total, 350 private practice lawyers, in-house counsel and business leaders from Hong Kong and across Asia attended the ceremony.

Manulife Asia's legal and compliance team based in Hong Kong covers Asia legal, compliance and corporate governance issues across its life insurance, asset management, wealth management, pensions, health and retirement businesses.

Notes to editors
In April 2015 Manulife was selected as the exclusive provider of bancassurance solutions to DBS customers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and China. This 15-year agreement will take effect January 1, 2016 and significantly expands our existing, successful relationship with DBS, a leading financial services group in Asia with more than six million customers. This agreement accelerates Manulife's Asia growth strategy, and solidifies Manulife's position as a leading pan-Asian insurance and wealth management franchise.

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 2014, we had 28,000 employees, 58,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers. At the end of June 2015, we had $883 billion (US$708 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $22 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.

For more information, please contact:

Saijal Patel
Regional Communications, Asia
Tel (852) 2202 1382
saijal_patel@manulife.com

Jason Benham
Regional Communications, Asia
Tel (852) 2510 5822
jason_benham@manulife.com

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