PR86952

TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- C$ unless otherwise stated

Manulife is giving each of its 35,000 employees around the world the spending

equivalent of $50 CAD in their local currency to 'pay it forward' and create

acts of kindness in their local communities this holiday season.

"2020 has been a difficult year for many individuals, families and communities

around the world - it's challenged us to prioritize health and safety and adopt

new ways of connecting and supporting each other," said Manulife President and

Chief Executive Officer Roy Gori. "If we could all demonstrate care and

kindness, even if it is a small gesture, we will help make the world a better place."

Manulife will be forgoing end of year company celebration events and gifts to

instead encourage employees around the world to donate gifts or make donations

to individuals or organizations in their communities. Contributions can also be

pooled with other colleagues should they wish to demonstrate their support

collectively. Employees will be encouraged to share their stories of support on

social media using #ManulifeActofKindness. All posts and stories will be shared

on www.manulife.com/actofkindness.

"We believe that our success as a Company depends on the success of the

communities we serve," said Gori. "And we are grateful to be in a position to

lend a helping hand to those in need. By motivating and empowering our global

team to share their humanity and give back, we hope to make lives better for

people around the world."

Manulife and John Hancock have taken a range of actions this year to support

communities around the world. In response to COVID-19, Manulife has made

donations of nearly $5 million focused on several critical fronts, including

food security for the most vulnerable; supporting the well-being of health care

workers; enabling mental health support through digital programs; offering

financial relief to customers; and facilitating matching donations and virtual

volunteer programs.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services

group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our

global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our

offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the

United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset

management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of

2019, we had more than 35,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of

distribution partners, serving almost 30 million customers. As of September 30,

2020, we had $1.3 trillion (US$943 billion) in assets under management and

administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $31.2 billion in payments

to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United

States where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as

'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under

'945' in Hong Kong.

Media Contact: Sean B. Pasternak, Manulife, 416-852-2745,

Sean_Pasternak@manulife.com; Investor Relations: Adrienne O'Neill, Manulife,

416-926-6997, Adrienne_Oneill@manulife.com

SOURCE  Manulife Financial Corporation