Sun Life Financial deploys rapid response fund for disaster relief in Japan

TORONTO, March 13 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX/NYSE: SLF) announced today it has deployed the Sun Life Financial International Response Fund to support rapid humanitarian aid in Japan. An initial contribution from the Response Fund has been made to the Canadian Red Cross, which will contribute to the emergency support flowing rapidly to the area.

"We want to do our part to help people most affected by the disaster," said Donald A. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer. "We're thankful that this donation can be used immediately and that it will focus on the most critical needs of the Japanese people right now."

Sun Life has operations in Tokyo through MFS Investment Management, which reports that its 27 employees were not harmed and its offices did not suffer major damage in the earthquake.

The Sun Life Financial International Response Fund, the first international corporate sponsorship of its kind, was established in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross in 2005 to help it accelerate emergency response to large-scale international humanitarian crises. Administered by the Canadian Red Cross, the Response Fund has helped provide immediate relief and resources to people affected by natural disasters in various countries, including India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

An initial $50,000 has been directed from the Response Fund to help people affected by the disaster.

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 December 31, 2010, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $464 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.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.