Jim Schetakis Joins MFC Global as Vice President of Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolios

TORONTO, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jim Schetakis has joined MFCGlobal Investment Management as a Vice President and Senior PortfolioManager of Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolios, Mark Schmeer, MFC GlobalSenior Vice President and Managing Director, North American Equities, saidtoday. His appointment is effective immediately. Mr. Schetakis, who will report to Mr. Schmeer, will join the MFC Globalteam running Asset Allocation Funds that employ tactical asset allocationoverlays. "We're very pleased to have Jim join the MFC Global asset allocationteam. His experience and solid investment track record will only furtherstrengthen our team," Mr. Schmeer said. "Asset allocation is one of MFCGlobal's core strengths as we use a highly disciplined, analytical processto develop portfolios that deliver strong performance and are accuratelyand consistently matched to client's risk and return expectations." Mr. Schetakis joins MFC Global from Caisse de depot et placement duQuebec where he had managed US equities and a market neutral hedge fund.Prior to Caisse, he worked for the Ontario Hydro Pension fund in severalroles including managing US equities, fixed income securities and realestate. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in Economics.He holds the CFA designation. About MFC Global Investment Management MFC Global Investment Management(R) represents the diversifiedinvestment management group of Manulife Financial. MFC Global InvestmentManagement companies and affiliates provide asset management strategies forinstitutional investors, investment funds and individuals. This investmentexpertise extends across a full range of asset classes including equity,fixed income and alternative investments such as oil & gas, real estate,timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies. MFC Global Investment Management has investment offices in the UnitedStates, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, and throughoutSoutheast Asia. As at March 31, 2007, assets managed exceeded C$240 bil.(US$210 bil.). Additional information about MFC Global InvestmentManagement may be found at http://www.mfcglobal.com. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services groupserving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide.Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily throughJohn Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverserange of financial protection products and wealth management servicesthrough its extensive network of employees, agents and distributionpartners. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE andPSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on theInternet at http://www.manulife.com. MFC Global Investment Management(R), Manulife and the block design aretrademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by itand its affiliates including Manulife Financial Corporation.