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In 1887, Toronto was home to a new Canadian life insurance company: the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, which we call Manulife today. This company was one of Canada’s first life insurance companies. Just ten years later, in 1897, the company went overseas with its first deal in China, signaling the development of its ambitions internationally.

In the early 1930s, targeting the American market, Manulife gained a foothold in the United States through a strategic partnership. This partnership eventually evolved into the renowned John Hancock Financial. As the shadows of war receded, Manulife began to grow, absorbing smaller insurance companies and expanding its Canadian territory.

In 1999, Manulife’s status was elevated by its merger with Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, further cementing its dominance in the domestic market. At the dawn of the new millennium, Manulife’s aggressive international aspirations materialized. This period was marked by acquisitions in the Asian insurance sector, allowing the company to become a prominent figure on the global financial scene.

A landmark event in 2009 was the merger of Manulife with John Hancock. This move brought together US companies under the broad umbrella of Manulife. Manulife now has a presence in more than 20 regions around the world and serves approximately 30 million clients. The company’s influence is undeniable, with more than $1.2 trillion in assets. And today, the company’s heart beats in Toronto, where it was born. With the title of Canada’s leading insurance organization, Manulife has also carved a niche for itself in Asia and is steadily growing its asset and wealth management operations globally.