Sun Life Financial Announces Expansion of MFS Investment Management

    Client Interest Spurs Growth

    TORONTO, July 22 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. has announced a broad
expansion of its MFS Investment Management unit's global investment and
distribution platforms in response to significant growth of client interest in
MFS' products and services. MFS has experienced strong net sales growth in
2009, reflecting the solid relative performance of its investment line-up
along with its extensive global distribution capabilities.
    As a result, MFS will be adding personnel in investment management
throughout its global footprint. Areas the firm is targeting include new
equity research analysts stationed in key and growing emerging markets, as
well as specialists in quantitative analysis and tactical asset allocation.
    Within distribution, MFS will be expanding in relationship management,
dealer relations and sales to support the firm's expanding efforts in global
retail and institutional distribution. "MFS is a major contributor to the SLF
group of companies, and has a bright future," said Kevin Dougherty, President,
Sun Life Global Investments. "MFS has built unique global research and
distribution platforms that align the firm very strongly with clients. Its
excellent historical investment performance is a result of its distinctive
team-approach to managing money. We intend to build on these strengths, while
allowing MFS to continue to prosper organically, through investment of up to
US$50 million in the firm's infrastructure."
    "We are exceptionally fortunate to have a parent company in Sun Life that
has encouraged MFS to accelerate its growth through direct investment in our
operations," added Robert Manning, CEO of MFS. "With their support, we have
not only been able to expand our investment management capabilities, but also
to continue to invest in our clients by expanding critical areas within
distribution and client service."
    Ninety-two per cent of all MFS' fund assets ranked in the top half of
their respective Lipper categories based on three-year performance as of June
30, 2009. Performance in the U.S. equity and global/international equity
categories also has been exceptional, with 93 per cent and 96 per cent of fund
assets ranking in the top half of their respective three-year Lipper
categories as of June 30, 2009. In addition, 94 per cent of the firm's
institutional separate account composites beat their respective benchmarks
over the same time frame.

    Important Performance Ranking Information

    The percentage of assets in the top half of the respective Lipper
Category is based on performance of Class A shares at NAV and Class A Assets.
For all MFS fund assets, 83 per cent (42 out of 65 funds), 95 per cent (45 out
of 56 funds) and 89 per cent (38 out of 48 funds) ranked in the top half of
their respective Lipper Categories for one-, five- and ten-year periods, ended
June 30, 2009. For MFS U.S. equity fund assets, 86 per cent (14 out of 28
funds), 97 per cent (16 out of 21 funds) and 88 per cent (8 out of 14 funds)
ranked in the top half of their respective Lipper Categories for one-, five-
and ten-year periods, ended June 30, 2009. For MFS global/international equity
fund assets, 76 per cent (7 out of 9 funds), 95 per cent (7 out of 8 funds)
and 95 per cent (7 out of 8 funds) ranked in the top half of their respective
Lipper Categories for one-, five- and ten-year periods, ended June 30, 2009.
    Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
    Keep in mind, a high relative ranking does not always mean the funds
achieved a positive return during the period.
    Lipper rankings do not take into account sales charges and are based on
historical total returns, which are not indicative of future results. Note
that rankings are based on the performance of all share classes and sales load
types as reported by Lipper. Rankings for other share classes may be higher or
lower.

    About Sun Life Financial

    Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in
1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets
worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland,
Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of
March 31, 2009, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets
under management of CDN$375 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 ticker symbol SLF.

    About MFS Investment Management

    MFS is a premier global money management firm with investment offices in
Boston, London, Mexico City, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney. The firm's history
dates back to March 21, 1924, and the establishment of the first "open-end"
mutual fund. MFS manages approximately US$124 billion in assets on behalf of
individual and institutional investors worldwide, as of March 31, 2009.