WATERLOO - Manulife Financial's Canadian Individual Wealth Management Operations, which serves Manulife Investments and Manulife Securities International businesses, has been recognized for excellence in leadership, people, customer service and processes with Level Four Certification, the highest certification under the National Quality Institute Progressive Excellence Program (NQI PEP(R)).

Manulife Investments Operations received the Canada Awards for Excellence Silver recognition for quality in October, 2008. The Governor General of Canada is the Vice-Regal Patron of these prestigious national awards presented by the NQI.

"We are extremely proud of our team's dedication and hard work," said Guy Vaillant, Vice-President Operations, Individual Wealth Management, Manulife Financial. "The certification represents a tremendous achievement by Manulife's Canadian Individual Wealth Management organization as we continue to understand and deliver on our clients' needs."

The certification follows a detailed submission from Manulife, plus on-site verification by NQI staff who examined various customer and other processes. The National Quality Institute is Canada's leading authority on the development and sustainability of excellence through quality and healthy workplace environments.

"Our strategy continues to be focused on making it easy for our clients - understanding their needs and creating efficient processes that provide them excellent service," added Mr. Vaillant. "We place great importance in regularly reviewing and improving everything we do. Achieving Level Four Certification confirms that we have a superior team serving our clients across Canada."