Manulife Finl - MFC STOCK NEWS

Manulife Investment Management has successfully closed Manulife Private Equity Partners III with approximately US$660 million in commitments. The fund, representing the company's third private equity fund of funds, was established in partnership with Ardian, featuring a portfolio of private equity fund interests and co-investments in North American buyout funds with over 15 leading private equity managers.

The fund will be managed by Richard Tarr, Managing Director of Private Equity Funds at Manulife IM. The company's private equity and credit platform currently manages US$28 billion in assets, including $9.3 billion of unfunded commitments, focusing on various strategies across North America and Asia middle markets as of December 31, 2024.

Manulife (MFC) has announced key leadership changes, with Stephanie Fadous appointed as Chief Actuary effective May 9, 2025. Fadous, currently Global Treasurer and Head of Capital Management, will succeed Steve Finch, who becomes President and CEO of Manulife Asia. She will join the Executive Leadership Team, reporting to incoming President and CEO Phil Witherington.

Fadous brings extensive experience, having led Manulife's global IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 implementation and held various roles in Global Finance, Group Actuarial, Corporate Development, and Asset Liability Management. She holds a BSc in Actuarial Science and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and Society of Actuaries.

Additionally, Hung Ko, currently Global Head of Investor Relations, will assume an expanded role as Global Head of Treasury and Investor Relations. Ko has over 20 years of insurance industry experience and holds an MBA from McGill University, along with CFA and CPA credentials.

Manulife Financial (MFC) has announced its plan to redeem all outstanding $1 billion worth of 2.237% Fixed/Floating Subordinated Debentures on May 12, 2025. The debentures, which were originally set to mature in May 2030, will be redeemed at par value along with any accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. Interest on these debentures will stop accruing on the redemption date. The redemption is being executed under MFC's option as per the Trust Indenture, with formal notice to be provided to debenture holders.

Manulife (TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC) has issued a warning to investors regarding an unsolicited mini-tender offer from New York Stock and Bond (NYSB). The offer seeks to purchase up to 250,000 Manulife common shares (less than 0.02% of outstanding shares) at USD$18.50 per share.

The offer price represents a significant discount of approximately 35% below the closing prices on both TSX and NYSE as of March 13, 2025, and over 41% below the April 1, 2025 closing prices. Manulife emphasizes it is not associated with NYSB and does not endorse this offer.

Mini-tender offers, which target less than 5% of a company's shares, bypass typical securities regulations disclosure requirements. Both the Canadian Securities Administrators and SEC have expressed concerns about such offers, noting they often target uninformed investors who may not compare offer prices to market values.

Manulife (TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC) has announced the release of a revised template for its statistical information package (SIP), incorporating updates to reflect the impact of Global Minimum Taxes (GMT) by operating segments. The company has updated its 2024 quarterly results to enhance year-over-year comparability of key financial metrics, including core earnings, new business value, and post-tax contractual service margin.

The update comes in anticipation of additional local jurisdictions enacting GMT in 2025, with Manulife planning to recognize GMT in reporting segments subject to these taxes starting Q1 2025. The updated SIP will be implemented for financial reporting beginning with Q1 2025 results, scheduled for release on May 7, 2025. A supplementary summary of changes has been provided to help users understand the updates, available in the '2025 Q1 Results' section of Manulife's investor relations website.

Manulife (MFC) has launched the 'Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge' in partnership with UpLink, a World Economic Forum initiative. This marks the second of three challenges in their multiyear partnership focused on longevity innovation.

The challenge seeks startups developing solutions in three key areas:

• Multigenerational financial resilience
• Equitable healthy aging
• Lifelong fulfillment

The initiative addresses Asia's demographic shift, where by 2050, one in four people will be over 60. Winners will receive part of a CAD 200,000 prize pool split among three of the top ten winners, along with networking opportunities and partnership access. The application deadline is April 28, 2025.

Manulife Financial (MFC) has announced the release of its Management Information Circular and 2024 Annual Report for shareholders. The company will hold its annual meeting on May 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EST, offering both in-person and live webcast attendance options.

The Management Information Circular contains essential information about the annual meeting, including details on director elections, auditor appointments, and attendance procedures. Manulife is implementing a notice-and-access system to deliver the Circular to shareholders, making it available through multiple online platforms including the company website, transfer agent website, SEDAR+, and EDGAR.

Shareholders are urged to vote and submit proxies before the meeting to ensure their shares are represented. Paper copies of the Circular can be requested through TSX Trust Company, the company's transfer agent.

Manulife (MFC) has announced the appointment of Steve Finch as President and CEO of Manulife Asia, effective May 9th, 2025. Finch, currently serving as Chief Actuary, will succeed Phil Witherington, who has been promoted to Manulife's President and CEO.

Finch, a member of Manulife's Executive Leadership team since 2016, brings 32 years of experience with the company. His track record includes leading significant transformations, managing historic transactions for reserve validation, and overseeing the transition to IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 standards. Previously, he served as CFO of John Hancock and General Manager of US Life Insurance, where he led the business to become a market leader in life insurance sales.

The company has set ambitious goals for its Asian operations, targeting to contribute more than 50 percent of Manulife's core earnings. A successor for the Chief Actuary position will be announced later.

Manulife (MFC) has announced that Chief Financial Officer Colin Simpson will participate in a fireside chat at the 23rd Annual Financial Services Conference hosted by National Bank of Canada. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. EDT.

Investors and interested parties can access both the live webcast and replay through Manulife's Investor Relations website. The replay will remain available for a three-month period following the event.