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Global IQX's real-time group insurance quoting service to offer Manulife's group benefit products

Manulife is the third Canadian insurance carrier to partner with Global IQX since March

Ottawa, Ontario and Waterloo, Ontario — July 17, 2001
Global IQX today announced that Manulife Financial will offer their group benefit small business products in Canada on Connect Insure™, the first Web-based group insurance marketing, quoting and enrollment service. Manulife is the third major Canadian insurance carrier to partner with Global IQX since March.

“Connect Insure corresponds to the vision that Manulife has developed and will definitely help us towards achieving our goal in becoming a global leader,” said Geoff Crickmay, senior vice president, Canadian Division Group Business, Manulife Financial. “In a time of cost effectiveness and return on investment, Connect Insure is the answer for our plan advisors, brokers and certified agents to research and offer our products to the marketplace.”

“Manulife has experienced great success with a 26 percent increase in group benefits in 2000. We believe Connect Insure will contribute to future growth,” said Michael de Waal, president and founder of Global IQX. Since March, the Clarica Life Insurance Company and Green Shield Canada have also partnered with Global IQX.

Connect Insure is a Web-based application powered by the Global IQX Insurance Quotation Exchange Engine (IQX™). It provides plan advisors, brokers and other certified benefit planners the access to an instant quoting service online. While it currently takes benefit advisors and brokers an average of four to six weeks to gather the necessary information to provide a complete program to their clients, Connect Insure will provide the same information instantaneously.

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Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services company operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial (Manulife Financial Corporation and its affiliated companies) were Cdn $124.2 billion as at March 31, 2001.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC' on the TSE, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

About Global IQX, Inc.
Global IQX, www.globaliqx.com, established in 1999, specializes in configurable, component-based sales and services automation solutions that streamline and optimize business processes for North American group benefits insurance organizations. Offered as a complete suite or individually, these solutions automate rating, underwriting, renewal and enrollment supporting all lines and market segments. Global IQX production proven solutions increase operational efficiency and reduce cost while promoting improved communication and interaction within and across departments. Developed and delivered by a team with group insurance depth and experience, these solutions give business users more control, with less dependence on IT resources. Clients include many of North America's largest insurance companies.

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