John Hancock Financial Services

The general account invests to back insurance liabilities, targeting long-duration, spread-sensitive assets such as commercial mortgages, infrastructure debt, and investment-grade corporates. The funds business — John Hancock Investment Management — operates as an open-architecture platform distributing sub-advised mutual funds and ETFs to retail and institutional clients. The two pools share Manulife's central investment resources but are managed against distinct benchmarks and liquidity profiles.

John Hancock is a direct investor in multiple private asset classes, particularly commercial real estate mortgages, infrastructure debt, and private credit. It also commits to third-party private funds and co-investments through Manulife Investment Management. The firm's ability to hold private loans to maturity on its balance sheet is a core structural advantage compared with managers that must periodically liquidate or distribute positions.

Investment decisions are executed through Manulife Investment Management, the global asset management division of Manulife. Paul Lorentz leads the overall Manulife Investment Management business. Within the U.S. insurance entity, asset-liability management and investment strategy are implemented jointly with the general account portfolio management team and approved by the board of John Hancock.

John Hancock Financial Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, the Canada-based multinational insurer. Manulife acquired John Hancock in 2004 for roughly $11 billion. The U.S. entity operates under its own brand and charter but reports consolidated financials through Manulife and shares the global investment, risk, and technology platforms.

John Hancock and parent Manulife operate corporate giving programs, including the John Hancock MLK Scholars Program, which provides summer jobs and leadership training for Boston youth. The firm also sponsors the Boston Marathon through a long-term partnership. These community programs are funded through corporate contributions, not from policyholder or general account assets.

Through Manulife Investment Management, the firm participates in co-investments alongside external private equity and infrastructure GPs, primarily where Manulife has existing fund relationships. Co-investments are typically allocated to the general account or to third-party institutional mandates managed by the firm, and target private credit and infrastructure equity alongside established sponsors in North America and Europe.

John Hancock originates and services commercial mortgages directly through a team based in Boston and regional offices. The firm is one of the largest agricultural and commercial mortgage lenders in the U.S., focusing on stabilized, income-producing properties. Loans are held predominantly on the general account balance sheet, giving the firm long-term control over underwriting standards and workout situations.