We’re a leading international financial services group that helps make people’s decisions easier and lives better. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.
At the end of 2020, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 118,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 30 million customers. As of March 31, 2021, we had CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $31.3 billion in payments to our customers.
With over a century of helping people build better lives, we’re confident we can help you hold on to the achievements you make in life, and build a foundation toward new ones.
+133 years
Helping Canadians
+30M
Happy Customers
$50M
Amount Claims per year
Our values
Our Values are the guideposts that will help us achieve our bold mission. They define who we are and how we work together: we are a digital, customer-centric market leader that's leading the change customers demand.
Own it
We feel empowered to make decisions and take action to deliver our mission.
Think big
Anything is possible. We can always find a better way.
Share your humanity
We build a supportive, diverse and thriving workplace.
Get it done together
We’re surrounded by an amazing team. Do it better by working together.
Obsess about customers
We predict their needs and do everything in our power to satisfy them.
Do the right thing
We act with integrity and do what we say.
Our mission
We believe our greatest contribution to society is the products we provide, which help make people’s decisions easier and lives better. We also make meaningful impacts by adhering to the strongest standards of conduct, through environmental responsibility, philanthropy, employee volunteerism, promoting health and wellness, and much more.
Manulife makes decisions easier and lives better. Our core values include doing the right thing and sharing our humanity. That’s why we partner with like-minded organizations to support the needs of Canadians and drive meaningful change, such as:
$8.8 millions
in donations sponsorships and other types of community investments
30,000+ volunteer hours
spent by employees at local charities
5,400+ employees
are members of our Canadian employee resource groups
Our history
From being the first in North America to insure people living with diabetes to launching AI in underwriting in Canada, our history is one of innovation, leadership and finding new ways to make decisions easier and lives better.
We started offering insurance over 130 years ago, in 1887 and expanded into Asia in 1897. We opened in the United States in 1903 and moved into our Bloor Street, Toronto address in 1925—where we still are today. We were the first company to offer life insurance to people living with diabetes, the first insurance company in Canada to embrace mainframe computer technology, and one of the first insurers to offer lower rates to non-smokers. Recently, we’ve been the first Canadian life insurer to underwrite using artificial intelligence. Stronger than ever, we look forward to the next hundred years of innovations and firsts.
2021
Net zero emissions
We announce a net zero emissions commitment to support climate goals worldwide.
2020
Remote & fully connected
Faced with the global COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned 98 percent of our 35,000 strong global workforce to remote work and remained fully connected with our nearly 100,000 agents thanks to our investments in digital initiatives, all while supporting our customers.
$3.5M DE&I investment
Manulife and John Hancock announce the investment of more than $3.5 million over the next two years to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and the communities we serve.
BIPOC recruitment efforts
We announce the establishment of leadership and recruitment goals to increase the representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) across our North American businesses as we advance our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
2019
Myanmar
Manulife announces that it has been selected as a preferred applicant by Myanmar’s Ministry of Planning and Finance to set up a wholly foreign-owned life insurance operation.
Youngest female chief economist
Frances Donald becomes Manulife’s Chief Economist. She is the youngest woman to become a chief economist in Canada.
John Hancock Aspire
John Hancock, Verily and Onduo launch John Hancock Aspire, the first life insurance solution designed for Americans living with diabetes.
2018
Brand transformation
Manulife and John Hancock launch global rebrand.
AI
Manulife is the first Canadian life insurer to underwrite using artificial intelligence.
Vitality Go
We are the first company to fully embrace behavioural-based life insurance with the launch of John Hancock Vitality Go on all life insurance policies at no additional cost to the customer.
2017
Hitting $1T
Global Assets Under Management and Administration are over $1 trillion for the first time.
Setting a world record
Manulife insurance agent Joe Sun makes the record books for an astounding 63-year career!
Alexa skills
Manulife launches two new skills for Amazon Alexa.
Twine app
John Hancock launches an app that helps couples plan their finances.
Big steps in China
Manulife is the first financial institution to receive an Investment Company Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) license in China.
2016
Mobile claims
China accepts claims via WeChat.
Coverage for HIV
We are the first insurer in Canada to offer life insurance to people who are HIV positive.
2015
Biometrics
Manulife is the first company in Canada to introduce voice biometrics and natural language understanding in an interactive voice response (IVR) system.
ManulifeMOVE
Manulife Asia launches an innovative insurance concept that rewards customers for being healthier and more active.
Supporting wellness with Vitality
We start a first-ever life insurance partnership between John Hancock Insurance and Vitality, the global leader in integrating wellness benefits with life insurance products.
2012
Cambodia
Our Cambodian head office opens.
2004
We merge with John Hancock
It makes us the largest life insurer in Canada, second largest in North America and fifth largest in the world.
2000
$1B net income
We’re the first Canadian life insurance company to reach that milestone.
1999
We go public
We start trading on the TSX, NYSE, SEHK and PSE – at $2.5Bm it’s the largest IPO in Canada’s history.
Japan and Vietnam
Manulife is the first Canadian insurer to launch a joint venture in Japan, and the first foreign-owned insurance company to do business in Vietnam.
1996
Joining forces in Shanghai
Manulife-Sinochem is China’s first joint venture life insurance company.
1993
Manulife Bank launches
We’re the first Canadian insurance company to open a bank.
1992
First in China
We are the first Canadian life insurance company to open an office in China (Beijing).
1985
Indonesia
A joint venture with Dharmala Group and the International Finance Corporation forms P.T. Asuransi Jiwi Dharmala Manulife.
1981
Lower premiums for non-smokers
We are one of the first insurers to offer lower rates to non-smokers.
1978
First female Director and Chair
Dr. Gail C. A. Cook-Bennett is our first female Director, and in 2008, our first female Chair of the Board.
1961
$1 billion
Our total assets reach $1 billion.
1956
Early adopters
We’re the first insurance company in Canada to embrace mainframe computer technology with the installation of the IBM 650.
1942
Insurance for people with diabetes
We are the first North American company to offer life insurance to people living with diabetes.
1925
New HQ
Our head office at 200 Bloor Street in Toronto officially opens.
1903
Entry into the US market
A small office in Detroit opens its doors.
1897
We expand into Asia
The first Manulife policy is sold in Shanghai.
1893
International expansion begins
The sale of our first policy outside Canada, in Bermuda, kicks off our international operations.
1887
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company is founded
Manulife offered two innovative insurance products to Canadians right away and insured 915 lives in 1887.