VANCOUVER, Wash. -Robert Bass has been appointed Northwest Washington Regional Manager of Hancock Forest Management (HFM), the company announced today.

Bass is currently Senior Forester on the Kapowsin Forest. In his new position, he will oversee the company's operations on the Snoqualmie and White River Forests as well as the Kapowsin, where he will retain direct management responsibility.

"Robert's outstanding background in Northwest forestry will enable us to bring together our management teams on the Kapowsin, Snoqualmie and White River Forests. The result will continue to enhance our services for investors in those forests," said Michael Wolf, Director of Forest Operations North America for Hancock Timber Resource Group (HTRG) and president of Hancock Forest Management.

Bass joined HFM in November 2005 when HTRG acquired the Kapowsin and other forests in the United States and New Zealand. He oversaw operations on the Kapowsin under previous ownerships.

He also worked for The Campbell Group, IP Pacific Timberlands, Champion and Pack Forest. He graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Forest Resources Management.

About Hancock Forest Management

HFM provides day-to-day, on-the-ground timberland management services for the Hancock Timber Resource Group's investors. It is committed to leading-edge forest management and strong environmental stewardship on the more than 2 million acres it manages in the U.S. and around the world. It is a subsidiary of the Hancock Natural Resource Group, an operating company of MFC Global Investment Management.

About The Hancock Timber Resource Group

The Hancock Timber Resource Group, a division of Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., is the world's largest timberland investment management organization. It has approximately $5 billion in timberland assets under management, consisting of approximately 3.3 million acres of timberland and timber rights in the Pacific Northwest, Northeast and the Southeast United States, as well as Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Additional information about HTRG may be found at www.hancocktimber.com.

About MFC Global Investment Management and Manulife Financial Corporation

MFC Global Investment Management is the diversified investment management group of Manulife Financial Corporation, with investment offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and throughout Southeast Asia. MFC Global has more than 100 years of experience managing portfolios for The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, and other major clients.

With more than Cdn$240 billion (US$200 billion) in assets under management, MFC Global Investment Management is a leading global investment management group. Additional information about MFC Global Investment Management may be found at www.mfcglobal.com.

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners.

Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$372 billion (US$319 billion) as at December 31, 2005. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.