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Advancing AI Leadership at Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

In a significant move towards redefining financial advisory services, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management (Manulife WAM) has taken steps to enhance its AI capabilities. The company recently announced the launch of three AI-driven tools designed to streamline advisor workflows, allowing professionals to focus more on client interaction rather than routine tasks. These innovations mark a progressive shift in how financial services integrate technology for better client outcomes.

Revolutionizing Advisor Efficiency with AI Tools

Paul Lorentz, Manulife WAM's President and CEO, commented, “AI is becoming a powerful enabler and differentiator for how sales organizations engage with financial advisors.” The three new tools aim to reduce daily operational friction and surface key insights that allow advisors to concentrate on meaningful advice and client relationships.

1. Canada Wealth: Transforming Compliance Management

The first of these tools focuses on compliance, enabling advisors to swiftly access accurate information regarding compliance policies. Since its introduction, it has engaged nearly 980 users, generating over 5,400 conversations. Approximately 42% of advisors reported saving up to 15 minutes per inquiry, enabling them to redirect their focus towards client discussions and financial planning. Brett Marchand, President and CEO of Manulife Wealth, emphasized the tool’s significance in making complex regulations accessible, thus enriching advisor-client interactions.

2. U.S. Retirement: Real-Time Advisor Intelligence

The second tool was developed for Manulife John Hancock Retirement's sales and service teams. It leverages vast amounts of data to distill actionable recommendations for personalized outreach to financial advisors. Since its launch in March 2025, the tool has produced nearly 2,000 opportunities and has closed around 390 deals, significantly increasing assets under management. This AI capability has resulted in an impressive reduction of 80% in time spent on information searches, illustrating its effectiveness in enhancing team productivity.

3. U.S. Retail: Enhanced Advisor Insights

To further support sales teams, the third tool delivers real-time insights and engagement signals. It aggregates advisor profiles, product usage, and potential growth opportunities into one intuitive interface, drastically reducing the time teams spent on manual data searches. Following its rollout in early 2026, contact rates among internal sales teams increased by 40%, leading to a notable uptick in sales performance. Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, detailed how this tool interprets data, enabling sales teams to ask targeted questions and maximize their outreach effectiveness.

Building on AI Excellence

These innovative tools build on the success of the AI Research Assistant platform launched for Manulife's public markets investment teams. With a strategic aim to enhance collaboration and utilize AI for practical solutions, the initiative underscores Manulife's commitment not just to technology, but to integrating human judgment and governance into its processes. Lorentz encapsulated the vision stating, “This technology is allowing us to reimagine and create better experiences for our clients.”

Future-Proofing with Responsible AI

Manulife’s approach to AI reflects a responsible framework that prioritizes both innovation and ethics. The overarching goal remains to augment service while maintaining the essential human relationships that define financial advising. With over 70% of its workforce engaged with Generative AI (GenAI), Manulife is firmly positioning itself as a frontrunner in the AI-driven landscape of financial services.

For further insights into Manulife’s AI innovations, visit AI @ Manulife. This ongoing commitment to integrating forward-thinking solutions promises not only to enhance service delivery but also to empower financial professionals with the tools they need to excel in an evolving marketplace.

About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations navigate complex financial landscapes and achieve their investment goals. By emphasizing partnerships and transparent relationships, Manulife aims to foster trust and enable clients to invest with confidence throughout their financial journeys.