HONG KONG, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife Financial Asia Limited has been named a winner of the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2025 in the prestigious category of Top Sustainability Advocates in Asia, marking the company’s first win at the regional level.Presented by the ACES Council, the award recognises Manulife’s outstanding commitment to sustainability through its Impact Agenda, environmental stewardship, and strategic integration of sustainable investing across its oper ...

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Core Insights - The "Water Parade at Victoria Harbour" is a unique waterfront celebration featuring giant inflatable sculptures and an interactive market, supported by Manulife Hong Kong [2][11] - The event culminated in a spectacular drone show, which served as a vibrant celebration of art, entertainment, and culture, enhancing community spirit and emotional well-being [3][4][7] Company Involvement - Manulife Hong Kong acted as a Supporting Partner for the event, curating various engaging activities and donating tickets to local charities, thereby promoting social responsibility and community engagement [2][3] - The sponsorship reflects Manulife's commitment to emotional wellness and fostering connections within the community [3][4] Event Highlights - The drone show on November 1 illuminated the night sky, providing memorable experiences for families and the broader community [7] - The event included themed Dukling sailings and outdoor advertisements, contributing to a week-long festival of joy and creativity [2][3]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the fiduciary status of financial advisors, as fiduciaries are legally required to act in the best interest of their clients, unlike other financial professionals [2][4][12] - It highlights the need for clients to evaluate advisory fees in the context of the services provided, the advisor's compensation structure, and the complexity of the financial needs [4][10][14] Fee Structure and Evaluation - Average advisory fees range from 0.59% to 1.18%, with higher fees typically associated with smaller portfolios [7] - A 2% fee for a portfolio worth approximately $850,000 may be considered high, especially if tax advice is not included [5][10] - Advisors can be compensated through various methods, including fixed fees, percentage-based fees on assets under management, and commissions from selling products [6][12] Complexity and Customization - The complexity of financial advice can influence costs, with high-touch, customized services generally being more expensive than generic offerings [11][12] - Advisors who provide comprehensive financial planning and investment management tailored to individual goals may justify higher fees [11][16] Next Steps for Clients - Clients are encouraged to benchmark advisor fees against industry averages and to have transparent discussions about fee structures and services offered [14][15] - The decision on selecting an advisor should consider not only fees but also the alignment of interests and the level of service provided [16]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record quarterly net revenues of $3.7 billion, an increase of 8% year-over-year and 10% sequentially [7] - For fiscal 2025, record net revenues reached $14.1 billion, representing a 10% growth compared to fiscal 2024 [7] - Pre-tax income for the quarter was $731 million, a decline of 4% year-over-year but an increase of 30% from the preceding quarter [7] - The adjusted pre-tax margin for the quarter was 20.7%, with an annualized return on common equity of 19.6% [15][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Private Client Group achieved record quarterly net revenues of $2.66 billion, with pre-tax income of $416 million [15][16] - The Capital Markets segment generated quarterly net revenues of $513 million, a 6% year-over-year increase, driven by higher debt underwriting and strong growth in affordable housing investments [16] - The Asset Management segment reported record pre-tax income of $132 million on net revenues of $314 million, attributed to higher financial assets under management [17] - The Bank segment generated net revenues of $459 million and pre-tax income of $133 million, with a strong focus on loan growth [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with record client assets under administration of $1.6 trillion, reflecting an 11% year-over-year growth [8] - Quarterly domestic net new assets were nearly $18 billion, representing a 5% annualized growth rate [9] - The bank segment's loans reached a record $51.6 billion, primarily due to a 22% annual growth in securities-based lending balances [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on sustainable growth and quality over quantity, emphasizing a long-term approach to client relationships and advisor retention [28][29] - Significant investments of approximately $1 billion in technology, including AI initiatives, are aimed at enhancing advisor efficiency and client experience [5][6] - The company is pursuing both organic and inorganic growth opportunities, maintaining a share repurchase program to manage capital levels effectively [14][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the competitive positioning and growth prospects entering fiscal 2026, highlighting a strong recruiting pipeline and advisor retention [28] - The company anticipates continued demand for securities-based loans in a lower interest rate environment, which is expected to drive growth [43][71] - Management noted that the investment banking pipeline remains strong, with a commitment to enhancing capabilities through strategic hiring and acquisitions [11][12] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $350 million of common stock during the quarter, maintaining a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 13.1% [14][27] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 17.4%, with an estimated rate of 24%-25% for fiscal 2026 [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the recruiting success across segments? - Management indicated that recruiting success has been broad-based across all affiliation options, with a strong pipeline entering fiscal 2026 [32][34] Question: What are the goals for AI initiatives? - The company aims to enhance infrastructure resilience, increase service efficiency, and provide tailored advice through AI investments [35][37] Question: What is the outlook for loan growth in a lower interest rate environment? - Management expects securities-based loans to continue being the highest growth category, with potential acceleration in demand as rates decrease [42][43] Question: How will the company fund growth? - The company has diversified funding sources and plans to utilize third-party deposits and run down some securities to support growth [59][60] Question: What are the criteria for larger acquisitions? - The company emphasizes cultural fit, strategic alignment, and financial sensibility as key criteria for acquisitions [82][84]

Core Insights - Manulife is sponsoring The Hinton Lectures, an annual series focused on AI safety, led by Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton, to enhance public understanding of AI risks and benefits [1][3][4] - The lectures will feature global experts, including Owain Evans, and will take place from November 10-12, 2025, in Toronto [3][5] - Manulife emphasizes its commitment to ethical AI use through its Responsible AI Principles, aiming to deliver long-term societal benefits [2][4] Company Commitment - Manulife's sponsorship of The Hinton Lectures reflects its dedication to responsible AI development and public dialogue on AI safety [3][4] - The company was ranked first in AI maturity within the life insurance sector and among the top five in the overall insurance industry according to the Evident AI Index [4] Event Details - The Hinton Lectures will be open to the public and available via livestream, organized by the AI Safety Foundation in collaboration with the Global Risk Institute [5]

Core Insights - There is a distinction between being rich and feeling rich, which many Americans may not recognize [1] Financial Advisor Insights - A household income of $573,000 is significantly above the U.S. median income of $83,730 in 2024, indicating financial success [2] - If individuals are struggling financially despite high income, it may be due to ineffective financial advice or high fees from their advisors [3] - Not all financial advisors are equal, and it is crucial to trust the advisor managing one's finances [4] Fiduciary Responsibility - Advisors who are fiduciaries have a legal obligation to act in the best interest of their clients, which is not the case for all financial professionals [6] - Many financial advisors may not hold fiduciary status, and only certain professionals, like Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), are required to adhere to this standard [7] Finding Financial Advisors - FinancialAdvisor.net offers a service to connect individuals with vetted financial advisors, allowing users to find suitable advisors based on their financial goals [5]

Core Insights - Tavistock has agreed to acquire a 76.59% stake in UK-based financial advisory firm Lifetime for approximately £5.95 million [1] - Lifetime is recognized for its hybrid model of services, which encompasses financial advice, mortgages, investments, pensions, estate planning, savings, and protection [1] - The deal is subject to approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [2] Company Overview - Lifetime offers financial wellbeing solutions, including tools like the Lifetime Hub and app, educational workshops, webinars, and personalized coaching [2] - The company integrates technology and artificial intelligence to enhance its services while ensuring the involvement of qualified professionals [2] Strategic Goals - Lifetime aims to close the advice gap and make financial wellbeing accessible to all, with support from Tavistock's resources and national presence [3] - The acquisition is expected to provide Lifetime with more resources, connections, and investment to expand and enhance its offerings [3] Recent Developments - In November 2024, Tavistock acquired Alpha Beta Partners, an asset management firm, to enhance its investment solutions for clients [4] - Alpha Beta Partners, established in 2017, provides outsourced investment solutions to advisory businesses and networks [4]

Core Insights - Truist is focusing on enhancing its physical bank branches to attract affluent clients by opening 100 new branches and renovating 300 existing ones in key cities [2][3] - The bank aims to create a digitally empowering and relational experience for clients, leveraging AI-driven insights and personalized financial planning for Premier Banking clients [3][4] - Truist has expanded its premier banking team by 50% and plans a further 20% increase in the coming years to target potential customers with investable assets over $100,000 [3][4] Industry Context - Other banks, such as Bank of America, are also investing in physical locations, with plans to open 150 new financial centers by the end of 2027 [5] - Both Truist and Bank of America acknowledge that while digital banking offers convenience, physical locations provide essential spaces for discussing loans and seeking financial advice [6] - The banking industry has historically built a model around physical branches, but newer companies like Chime and SoFi are attracting younger consumers by offering more accessible digital solutions [7][8]

Core Points - Manulife Financial Corporation's Board of Directors announced quarterly dividends for various non-cumulative preferred shares, payable on or after September 19, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 20, 2025 [1] - The company operates globally under the Manulife brand in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance services [1] - As of the end of 2024, Manulife had over 37,000 employees and served more than 36 million customers [1] Dividend Details - Class A Shares Series 2: $0.29063 per share [3] - Class A Shares Series 3: $0.28125 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 3: $0.14675 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 4: $0.255458 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 9: $0.373625 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 11: $0.384938 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 13: $0.396875 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 15: $0.360938 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 17: $0.346375 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 19: $0.323063 per share [3] - Class 1 Shares Series 25: $0.371375 per share [3]