Sun Life Global Investments completes acquisition of Excel Funds Management Inc. and Excel Investment Counsel Inc.

Jan 3, 2018

Acquisition expands Sun Life's wealth management business in Canada with broader lineup of emerging market funds

TORONTO, Jan. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. announced today that it completed the purchase of Excel Funds Management Inc. and Excel Investment Counsel Inc. (collectively, "Excel Funds"), an investment manager specializing in emerging markets funds, on January 2, 2018. The acquisition was previously announced on September 7, 2017.

"Sun Life Global Investments has achieved a significant milestone, as we officially welcome Excel Funds to the Sun Life family. By expanding our lineup of emerging market funds and adding Excel's exchange-traded funds, Clients will have more choices through which to achieve their financial goals," said Rick Headrick, President, Sun Life Global Investments. "We're beginning the integration process, with the goal of ensuring a seamless transition for Clients and advisors of both Sun Life Global Investments and Excel Funds."

Bhim D. Asdhir, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of Excel Funds, will join the Sun Life Global Investments leadership team in the newly created role of Head of Emerging Markets and Business Development. "I'm thrilled to join Sun Life Global Investments and excited to take on this new role," said Mr. Asdhir. "I look forward to working with advisors and Clients who see opportunities within emerging markets as we continue to build on the great achievements we've seen with Excel Funds, but now under the Sun Life Global Investments banner."

The acquisition of Excel Funds helps accelerate the growth of Sun Life Global Investments and aligns with Sun Life Financial's broader strategy to expand its wealth management business in Canada.

About Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc.
Sun Life Global Investments is a subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. It offers Canadians a diverse lineup of mutual funds and innovative portfolio solutions, empowering them to pursue their financial goals at every life stage. We bring together the strength of one of Canada's most trusted names in financial services with some of the best asset managers from around the world to deliver a truly global investment platform. Sun Life Global Investments manages $20 billion on behalf of institutional and retail investors from coast to coast and is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies. For more information, visit www.sunlifeglobalinvestments.com or connect with us on Twitter @SLGI_Canada.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $934 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

About Excel Funds Management Inc. 
Founded in 1998, Excel Funds Management Inc. is an investment fund manager offering actively-managed core and specialty investment solutions to retail investors, including access to the largest suite of emerging markets investments in Canada. Excel Funds' strategic alignment with active, on-the-ground sub-advisors who work in collaboration with its in-house managers, enhances the depth and breadth of its portfolio management team. Excel Funds has access to a global network of over 700 portfolio managers and 200 research analysts, who provide firsthand knowledge of the markets in which they invest. For more information, please visit www.excelfunds.com.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Media Relations Contact:
Gannon Loftus
Director, Corporate Communications
T. 416-979-6345
gannon.loftus@sunlife.com

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.