For the seventh consecutive year, Manulife Mutual Funds has been named the best in Canada for client service among its competitors, according to an ongoing study by Environics Research Group.

The 2007 Call Audit study measured client service representatives at 15 mutual fund companies on various skills including: professionalism; knowledge; plus overall value-added service to clients. It also measured client service efficiency.

The study, executed between January and December 2007, was based on about 4,500 telephone calls to client service departments by advisors, brokers and their assistants.

Manulife Mutual Funds ranked highest in the study with an overall score of 85.7 out of a possible 100 points, above the industry average of 80.8.

“Client Service excellence is a major contributor to our business success,” says Guy Vaillant, vp, individual wealth management operations, Manulife Financial. “I am pleased that for the seventh consecutive year our Mutual Fund Client Service Team has been recognized as being the best in fulfilling our distributors’ needs in service leadership.”

Environics Research Group’s financial service group specializes in conducting research with Canada’s personal financial advisors and their clients.