BOSTON, October 18, 2000 - Hancock Timber Resource Group (HTRG) and Resource Management Service, Inc. (RMS) have reached agreement on a new, three-year property management contract covering 1.3 million acres of HTRG timberlands in 11 southern states.

The contract between Birmingham, Alabama-based RMS and HTRG, headquartered in Boston, continues a long-term relationship between the two companies. "Over the past 15 years of our relationship, the RMS team has consistently delivered depth of experience and expertise," said Bill Coleman, president and CEO of HTRG. "We are delighted to see this productive arrangement continue for our investors."

"We're pleased to renew our relationship with HTRG as they continue to grow," said Bruno Fritschi, president and CEO of Resource Management Service, Inc. "To better serve the needs of HTRG, we've developed a dedicated team of select company employees who will exclusively focus on our business for HTRG."

Hancock Timber Resource Group (HTRG) is a division of Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., (HNRG) a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., (NYSE:JHF) with $126.9 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2000, provides a wide range of insurance and investment products and services to individual and institutional clients.