Copernican World Banks Split Inc. Announces Quarterly Distribution

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK:945

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - Copernican World Banks Split Inc. (TSX: CBW/CBW.PR.A) (the "Corporation") announced today that a quarterly cash distribution in the amount of $0.13125 per Preferred Share of the Corporation will be paid on January 12, 2012 to Preferred shareholders of record as of December 30, 2011.

A shareholder who has continually held shares since inception will have received a total of $0.67014 per Class A Share and $2.67103 per Preferred Share respectively as of the payment date.

About Manulife Investments
Manulife Investments is the brand name describing certain Canadian subsidiaries and operating divisions of Manulife Financial Corporation that offer personal wealth management products and services in Canada. As one of Canada's leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments offers a variety of products and services including segregated funds, mutual funds, annuities and guaranteed investment contracts.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group operating in 21 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$492billion (US$473 billion) as at September 30, 2011. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.