Ms. Laura Crochetiere reports

MANULIFE LAUNCHES NEW ADVISOR AI ASSISTANT, EXPANDING AI-ENABLED UNDERWRITING SUPPORT FOR ADVISORS

Manulife Financial Corp. has launched the Manulife Advisor AI Assistant, a new artificial-intelligence-powered capability designed to help advisers access underwriting guidance 24/seven.

Advisers can ask questions in plain language and receive AI-generated guidance drawn from content in Manulife's underwriting adviser handbooks. The assistant helps advisers prepare for client conversations, understand potential underwriting requirements and gather information earlier in the insurance process. By helping advisers access guidance sooner, it can support clearer client conversations and better-informed expectations before an application is submitted. The first release supports life insurance, critical illness insurance and Synergy products.

This launch is part of Manulife's broader effort to create a more connected advisor experience by making it easier for advisers to access the information, tools and support they need. The assistant helps advisors access underwriting guidance earlier in the process, while Maude, Manulife's AI-enabled underwriting engine, supports decision-making after an application is submitted. Together, these capabilities are designed to support advisors as they move through the underwriting process and demonstrate how Manulife is applying AI to assist advisors throughout the underwriting journey.

"The faster advisers can get to the information they need, the more confidently they can help clients move forward," said Karen Cutler, chief underwriter, Manulife Canada. "The Manulife Advisor AI Assistant puts underwriting guidance at their fingertips, making the process easier to navigate while laying the foundation for new ways we can support advisers in the future."

Over time, Manulife plans to evolve the assistant beyond underwriting guidance with additional knowledge areas and capabilities that support advisors across more aspects of doing business with Manulife. The launch builds on Manulife's broader investment in AI-powered capabilities for advisers, including sales and adviser enablement tools announced earlier this year.

This momentum reflects Manulife's continued investment in AI across underwriting, operations and digital experiences while maintaining strong governance and oversight. Earlier this year, Manulife was named the No. 1 life insurer for AI maturity for a second consecutive year by Evident. The company also earned Celent Model Insurer recognition for AI leadership in underwriting.

"AI is most powerful when it takes complexity out of the way and helps people do their best work," said Jamie Campbell, head of artificial intelligence and data, Canada, Manulife. "The Manulife Advisor AI Assistant does exactly that, making underwriting information easier to find so advisers can spend more time focused on their clients. It's another example of how we're applying AI in practical ways across the insurance journey."

Manulife Advisor AI Assistant is designed to complement, not replace, the expertise of Manulife's underwriters and wholesalers. The tool helps advisors quickly access underwriting guidance and information, but does not make underwriting decisions or provide a binding indication of insurability, premium, coverage or application outcome. All insurance applications remain subject to Manulife's applicable underwriting requirements and evaluation. Advisers are expected to exercise professional judgment when using the assistant, as AI-generated responses may contain errors. The assistant was developed using Manulife's underwriting adviser handbooks and operates within Manulife's broader AI governance framework, which includes risk management, human oversight, privacy safeguards and continuing monitoring.

Becoming an AI-powered organization is one of Manulife's strategic priorities. Manulife expects to generate more than $1-billion of enterprise value by 2027, with $300-million achieved as of year-end 2025, improving productivity and efficiency and delivering real impact for customers, colleagues and shareholders.

The Manulife Advisor AI Assistant is now available through Advisor Portal.

About Manulife Financial Corp.

Manulife Financial is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in the company's ambition to be the No. 1 choice for customers, the company operates as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, the company offers global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, the company had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. The company trades as MFC on the Toronto, New York and Philippine stock exchanges, and under 945 on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

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