John Hancock Unveils GenAI-Based Underwriting Support Tool: Quick Quote

Rhea-AI Summary

John Hancock (NYSE/TSX: MFC) on Jan 29, 2026 launched Quick Quote, a GenAI underwriting support tool that trims preliminary life-insurance assessments from one day to about 15 minutes. Capacity: designed for >4,000 requests/month; pilot began end-2024 and supported >20,000 cases.

The tool aims to improve underwriting consistency, let underwriters focus on complex cases, and advance Manulife and John Hancock's AI-at-scale strategy while emphasizing responsible integration.

Positive

• Preliminary assessment time reduced from one day to 15 minutes
• Designed capacity of over 4,000 Quick Quote requests per month
• Pilot supported more than 20,000 cases since end-2024
• Frees underwriters to focus on complex applications

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Turnaround reduction: from one day to 15 minutes Request capacity: over 4,000 requests per month Pilot launch timing: end of 2024 +1 more

4 metrics

Turnaround reduction from one day to 15 minutes Preliminary underwriting assessment time using Quick Quote

Request capacity over 4,000 requests per month Designed Quick Quote processing capacity

Pilot launch timing end of 2024 Initial Quick Quote pilot period

Cases supported over 20,000 cases Quick Quote pilot performance through launch

Market Reality Check

Price: $38.55 Vol: Volume 1,329,344 is below...

normal vol

$38.55 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,329,344 is below 20-day average of 1,543,880 (relative volume 0.86). normal

Technical Trading above 200-day MA of 32.45 with price at 37.72, near 52-week high 37.845.

Peers on Argus

MFC is up 0.94% while peers are mixed: MET (-0.25%) versus AFL, PRU, UNM, GL up ...

MFC is up 0.94% while peers are mixed: MET (-0.25%) versus AFL, PRU, UNM, GL up between 0.56% and 1.2%, suggesting a more company-specific move around this AI tool news.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 21	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+1.3%	Announced timing and access details for Q4 and full-year 2025 results.
Jan 13	ESG initiative launch	Positive	-0.9%	Launched Manulife Impact Forests restoration program using veritree technology globally.
Dec 22	AI partnership	Positive	+1.0%	Multi-year deal with Adaptive ML to power enterprise AI and underwriting quotes.
Dec 22	Investor caution	Neutral	+1.0%	Warned shareholders about discounted mini-tender offer by Ocehan LLC for MFC shares.
Dec 12	Credit ratings affirmed	Positive	-0.5%	AM Best affirmed A+ financial strength and key issuer ratings with stable outlook.

Pattern Detected

Recent news shows mixed price reactions: positive AI and rating developments sometimes aligned with gains, while sustainability and rating news also saw negative or muted follow-through.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, MFC has issued diverse updates, including an AI-focused enterprise deal on Dec 22, 2025 and multiple news items around ratings, ESG initiatives, and shareholder alerts. AI-related scaling of underwriting and enterprise models on Dec 22, 2025 saw a positive reaction of 1.02%, while AM Best’s rating affirmation on Dec 12, 2025 coincided with a -0.48% move. The new GenAI underwriting tool extends this AI trajectory within insurance operations.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights MFC’s continued push toward an AI-powered operating model, with Quick Q...

Analysis

This announcement highlights MFC’s continued push toward an AI-powered operating model, with Quick Quote targeting faster preliminary underwriting decisions and handling over 4,000 requests monthly. It builds on prior AI initiatives disclosed on Dec 22, 2025. Investors may watch how widely Quick Quote adoption scales, impacts underwriting efficiency, and integrates with broader enterprise AI efforts, alongside upcoming results scheduled for release after Feb 11, 2026.

Key Terms

generative artificial intelligence, underwriting

2 terms

generative artificial intelligence technical

"launch of its innovative generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) based underwriting support tool"

Generative artificial intelligence is a type of computer system that learns patterns from large datasets and produces new content—text, images, audio, designs, or code—rather than just sorting or summarizing existing information, like a virtual apprentice that invents drafts based on what it has seen. Investors pay attention because it can lower costs, speed product development, create new revenue streams and competitive advantages, while also introducing risks around accuracy, intellectual property and regulation that can affect valuation.

underwriting financial

"GenAI-based underwriting support tool, Quick Quote, designed to help streamline"

Underwriting is the process where a financial institution agrees to buy and then resell new stocks or bonds to investors. It matters because it helps companies raise money quickly and smoothly, while the bank takes on the risk of selling those securities at the agreed price. Think of it like a booker guaranteeing to sell all tickets for a concert before opening the doors.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC     SEHK: 945 

GenAI-Powered Life Insurance Quote-Generation Engine Drastically Reduces Turnaround Times to Minutes

BOSTON, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock announced the launch of its innovative generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) based underwriting support tool, Quick Quote, designed to help streamline the preliminary assessment process for purchasing life insurance. This innovative tool is among the first reasoning-based GenAI quote-generating engines in the U.S. life insurance market and marks a significant advancement in underwriting efficiency and customer experience.

"At John Hancock, we are always looking to leverage the most innovative technology to enhance and streamline the purchase experience for both our customers and our distribution partners, which is why we're proud to bring the innovative GenAI-based Quick Quote tool to market," said Brooks Tingle, president and CEO, John Hancock. "Quick Quote delivers faster, more consistent initial underwriting assessments in response to agent inquiries, enhancing our underwriting efficiency and creating a more frictionless experience."

The Quick Quote tool leverages GenAI to significantly reduce the manual and time-consuming nature of typical preliminary underwriting assessment processes for less complex cases, reducing the average time required from one day to just 15 minutes. The engine is designed to process over 4,000 Quick Quote requests per month, allowing underwriters to focus their time on more complex inquiries and formal applications, which ultimately enhances both the customer's and the agent's experience. Quick Quote was originally launched as a pilot at the end of 2024 and has since successfully supported over 20,000 cases, demonstrating its capability to handle a high volume of requests efficiently.

"Quick Quote isn't just about efficiency – it's about streamlining the life insurance purchase experience," said Hector Martinez, Head of Insurance, John Hancock. "By harnessing advanced AI capabilities in this way, we're able to deliver faster initial assessments and make our solutions more accessible for advisors. This innovative benchmark will ultimately allow more families to tap into the value of our solutions to help them live longer, healthier, better lives."

This initiative is part of John Hancock and its parent company Manulife's global strategy to become an AI-powered organization, committed to responsibly integrating AI solutions at scale as a means of driving growth, enhancing efficiency, and delivering world-class customer experiences.

To learn more about Manulife and John Hancock's AI progress, visit AI @ Manulife.

About John Hancock and Manulife

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better by providing financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports more than ten million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance and annuities. John Hancock also supports US investors by bringing investment capabilities and retirement planning and administration expertise to individuals and institutions. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

About Quick Quote

Quick Quote provides a non-binding initial underwriting assessment based solely on general information provided by an agent. It does not constitute an application for insurance. Any life insurance purchase requires completion of a formal application and a comprehensive underwriting process and evaluation. Quick Quotes are intended for individuals up to age 75 and face amounts up to $10 million.

Media Contact
news@jhancock.com

Insurance products are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595.

MLINY012326866-1

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-unveils-genai-based-underwriting-support-tool-quick-quote-302673381.html

SOURCE John Hancock

FAQ

What is John Hancock's Quick Quote tool and how fast is it (MFC)?

Quick Quote is a GenAI underwriting support engine delivering initial assessments in about 15 minutes. According to the company, it replaces manual preliminary review times of roughly one day and is designed to streamline responses to agent inquiries for less complex life-insurance cases.

How many Quick Quote requests can John Hancock (MFC) handle each month?

Quick Quote is designed to process over 4,000 requests per month. According to the company, that capacity aims to handle high-volume, less complex cases so underwriters can concentrate on formal applications and more complex underwriting work.

When did John Hancock pilot Quick Quote and how many cases did it support?

The pilot began at the end of 2024 and has supported more than 20,000 cases. According to the company, the pilot results demonstrate the engine's ability to efficiently manage a high volume of preliminary underwriting requests.

What investor impact does John Hancock say Quick Quote may have for MFC shareholders?

The company frames Quick Quote as an efficiency and customer-experience improvement rather than a direct financial projection. According to the company, benefits include faster assessments, greater underwriting consistency, and potential operational efficiency gains over time.