It was a busy half-year for the asset manager, notably with the completed acquisition of the Canada-based operations of Standard Life. The transaction increased the Manulife Asset Management's assets by C$26 billion as of January.

“Expanded investment capabilities and solid investment performance drove sales across Manulife Asset Management's global footprint,” said Manulife Asset Management's chairman, Warren Thomson.

“We continue to grow our private markets business by creating innovative investment solutions for our customers in commercial real estate, private placement debt and commercial mortgages,” said Kevin Adolphe, president and chief executive of Manulife Asset Management Private Markets.

The first half of the year also saw some key appointments, including Michael Dommermuth as head of wealth and asset management in Asia, Roger Renaud as president of Manulife Asset Management in Canada, and Sahezad Pardhan as global chief financial officer for Manulife Asset Management Private Markets.