John Hancock Acquires Software Provider Guide Financial, Inc. As Part of Companywide Long-Term Innovation Plan

BOSTON, May 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock announced today that it has acquired Guide Financial, Inc., a San Francisco-based software provider for financial advisors. Guide Financial builds software that enables investors to make better financial decisions and build wealth, utilizing artificial intelligence, behavioral finance, and seamless advisor integration. Terms were not disclosed.

Guide Financial will continue to operate from their current offices in San Francisco as an independent group and report to Tim Ramza, Senior Vice President of Wealth Business Development and Strategy, John Hancock.

"This partnership brings together John Hancock's resources and deep experience supporting financial professionals with Guide Financial's innovative financial advisory technology, thought leadership and software development expertise," said Ramza.  "John Hancock is committed to driving ongoing innovation for advisors, and we are pleased to welcome the Guide Financial technology and management team into our family of companies as a part of that long-term commitment."

"After years of continuous product and technology innovation, we could not be prouder that Guide Financial and John Hancock are joining forces," added Uri Pomerantz, co-founder and CEO of Guide Financial. "We look forward to enhancing our support of independent advisors across the country who have responded so favorably to our product. We are also excited by the opportunity to explore how behavioral finance concepts and advanced technologies can be integrated with John Hancock's current products and services."

The partnership will provide Guide Financial with additional resources to fuel further development of their web-based software portal that independent financial advisors across the country have come to rely on.

Ramza added, "Over time, the partnership will enable both companies to collaborate and explore opportunities to build innovative technology solutions for providers of financial products and advice, and even further enhance the advisor and customer experience."

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners.  Assets under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were C$821 billion (US$648 billion) as at March 31, 2015. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSA, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at Manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

About Guide Financial
Guide Financial is a San Francisco-based software company that enables financial advisors and institutions to help clients build assets and manage their full financial lives - utilizing artificial intelligence, behavioral finance, and seamless advisor integration.

Guide Financial software includes a Financial Planning Engine™ & Intelligent Alerts™ system that utilizes artificial intelligence and real-time notifications to help investors and advisors make better planning decisions without having to think about it. The advisor and client web-based portal also includes dozens of cutting-edge advisory features, from providing financial data and cash-flow analytics covering clients' entire household balance sheets, to applying behavioral finance insights to drive higher investment rates.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial