ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

Management’s discussion of

Fund performance

By John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

Stocks rose to record highs in the 12 months ended October 31, 2013, with virtually every sector of the S&P 500 Index enjoying double-digit gains. Signs of economic improvement in the United States and Japan and economic stabilization in Europe helped support stock prices. Equities also benefited from the aggressive monetary policies of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and central banks of other developed nations. In that environment, financial shares did very well and outperformed the broader stock market. Within the S&P 500 Financials Index, capital markets-related industries were among the best performers, including asset managers, custody banks, and investment banks. The poorest performers tended to be real estate-related securities.

In the 12 months ended October 31, 2013, John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund had total returns of 29.03% at closing net asset value (NAV) and 30.56% at closing market price. The difference in the fund’s NAV performance and its market performance stems from the fact that the market share price is subject to the dynamics of secondary market trading, which could cause it to trade at a discount or premium to the fund’s NAV at any time. By comparison, the S&P Composite 1500 Banks Index and the average open-end financial fund category tracked by Morningstar, Inc. returned 29.19% and 31.06%, respectively. The fund’s current annualized distribution rate was 5.15% at closing NAV and 5.34% at closing market price on October 31, 2013.

The fund enjoyed contributions from positions across a broad range of industries. A number of key contributors were asset-sensitive banks benefiting from improving economic conditions and the prospect of rising interest rates. Rates rising from historically low levels should benefit banks’ spread lending business. Another source of strength was alternative asset manager The Blackstone Group LP. In a period of such strong absolute performance, there were still a few positions that detracted from the fund’s results. The leading individual detractor was Florida-based bank holding company Bond Street Holdings LLC.

This commentary reflects the views of the portfolio managers through the end of the period discussed in this report. As such, they are in no way guarantees of future events, and are not intended to be used as investment advice or a recommendation regarding any specific security. They are also subject to change at any time as market and other conditions warrant.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investments focused on one industry may fluctuate more widely than investments across multiple industries.

Portfolio summary

¹ As a percentage of total investments on 10-31-13.

² Cash and cash equivalents not included.

³ Investments focused on one industry may fluctuate more widely than investments across multiple industries.

Fund’s investments

As of 10-31-13

The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.

Notes to Schedule of Investments

LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate

(I) Non-income producing security.

(Q) Perpetual bonds have no stated maturity date. Date shown as maturity date is next call date.

(R) Direct placement securities are restricted to resale and the fund has limited rights to registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

(S) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration.

(Z) All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement. Total collateral value at 10-31-13 was $200,205,198.

* Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.

† At 10-31-13, the aggregate cost of investment securities for federal income tax purposes was $418,230,264. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated $97,022,526, of which $113,226,587 related to appreciated investment securities and $16,204,061 related to depreciated investment securities.

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Financial statements

Statement of assets and liabilities 10-31-13

This Statement of assets and liabilities is the fund’s balance sheet. It shows the value of what the fund owns, is due and owes. You’ll also find the net asset value for each common share.

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Statement of operations For the year ended 10-31-13

This Statement of operations summarizes the fund’s investment income earned and expenses incurred in operating the fund. It also shows net gains (losses) for the period stated.

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Statements of changes in net assets

These Statements of changes in net assets show how the value of the fund’s net assets has changed during the last two periods. The difference reflects earnings less expenses, any investment gains and losses, distributions, if any, paid to shareholders and the net of fund share transactions.

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Statement of cash flows

This Statement of cash flows shows cash flow from operating and financing activities for the period stated.

Financial highlights

The Financial highlights show how the fund’s net asset value for a share has changed during the period.

¹ Based on the average daily shares outstanding.
² The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $15.15, $14.82, $15.04 and $12.99 for 461,253, 1,016,051, 803,485 and 290,700 shares, and $6,987,727, $15,062,318, $12,088,382 and $3,776,593 for the years ended 10-31-12, 10-31-11, 10-31-10 and 10-31-09, respectively.
³ Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods shown.
⁴ Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the fund’s net asset value during each period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure assumes that dividend, capital gain and tax return of capital distributions, if any, were reinvested. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the fund’s shares traded during the period.
⁵ Expenses net of fee waivers and credits excluding interest expense is 1.58% for the year ended 10-31-13.
⁶ Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowings of the fund outstanding at year end (Note 8). As debt outstanding changes, level of invested assets may change accordingly. Asset coverage ratio provides a measure of leverage.

Notes to financial statements

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund, formerly John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunities Fund, (the fund) is a closed-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).

Effective December 14, 2012, John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund changed its name to John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities held by the fund are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the principal securities exchange on which they trade. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last quoted bid or evaluated price. Debt obligations are valued based on the evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing service, which utilizes both dealer-supplied and electronic data processing techniques, taking into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data. Options listed on an exchange are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. For options not listed on an exchange, an independent pricing source is used to value the options at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. Certain securities traded only in the over-the-counter (OTC) market are valued at the last bid price quoted by brokers making markets in the securities at the close of trading. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund’s Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates,

prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund’s investments as of October 31, 2013, by major security category or type:

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

*Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to Level 3 securities held at the period end. This balance is included in the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of operations.

The valuation techniques and significant amounts of unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the fund’s Level 3 securities are outlined in the table below:

Increases/decreases in offered quotes or book value multiples may result in increases/decreases in security valuation. Increases/decreases in discounts for lack of marketability may result in decreases/increases in security valuation.

Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund’s custodian. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest.

Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, the MRA does not result in an offset of the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during

which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay back claims resulting from close-out of the transactions. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund’s investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Foreign taxes are provided for based on the fund’s understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income and/or capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries in which the fund invests. Taxes are accrued based upon investment income, realized gains or unrealized appreciation.

Overdrafts. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the fund’s custodian may, in its discretion, advance funds to the fund to make properly authorized payments. When such payments result in an overdraft, the fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any costs or expenses associated with the overdraft. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the extent of any overdraft.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of October 31, 2013, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund’s federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Managed distribution plan. In March 2010, the Board of Trustees approved a managed distribution plan. In August 2012, the Board of Trustees approved an amendment to the managed distribution plan (the Managed Distribution Plan). Under the current Managed Distribution Plan, the fund makes quarterly distributions of an amount equal to $0.2961 per share, based upon an annual distribution rate of 6.50% of the fund’s net asset value of $18.22 on July 31, 2012 (representing a quarterly distribution rate of 1.625% of the fund’s July 31, 2012 net asset value). This amount will be paid quarterly until further notice.

Distributions under the Managed Distribution Plan may consist of net investment income, net realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, return of capital. Return of capital distributions may be necessary when the fund’s net investment income and net capital gains are insufficient to meet the minimum distribution. In addition, the fund also may make additional distributions to avoid federal income and excise taxes.

The Board of Trustees may terminate or reduce the amount distributed under the Managed Distribution Plan at any time. The termination or reduction may have an adverse effect on the market price of the fund’s shares.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays distributions quarterly under the Managed Distribution Plan described above. The tax character of distributions for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

As of October 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $1,228,112 of undistributed ordinary income.

Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Material distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund’s financial statements as a return of capital.

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. The fund had no material book-tax differences at October 31, 2013.

Statement of cash flows. Information on financial transactions that have been settled through the receipt and disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of cash flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of cash flows is the amount included in the fund’s Statement of assets and liabilities and represents the cash on hand at the fund’s custodian and does not include any short-term investments.

Note 3 — Derivative instruments

The fund may invest in derivatives in order to meet its investment objectives. Derivatives include a variety of different instruments that may be traded in the OTC market, on a regulated exchange or through a clearing facility. The risks in using derivatives vary depending upon the structure of the instruments, including the use of leverage, optionality, the liquidity or lack of liquidity of the contract, the creditworthiness of the counterparty or clearing organization and the volatility of the position. Some derivatives involve risks that are potentially greater than the risks associated with investing directly in the referenced securities or other referenced underlying instrument. Specifically, the fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty to an OTC derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction.

Options. There are two types of options, put options and call options. Options are traded either OTC or on an exchange. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy (and the

seller the obligation to sell) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell (and the writer the obligation to buy) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. Writing puts and buying calls may increase the fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the underlying instrument. Buying puts and writing calls may decrease the fund’s exposure to such changes. Risks related to the use of options include the loss of premiums, possible illiquidity of the options markets, trading restrictions imposed by an exchange and movements in underlying security values, and for written options, potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. In addition, over-the-counter options are subject to the risks of all OTC derivatives contracts.

When the fund purchases an option, the premium paid by the fund is included in the Fund’s investments and subsequently “marked-to-market” to reflect current market value. If the purchased option expires, the fund realizes a loss equal to the cost of the option. If the fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the fund realizes a gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale are greater or less than the original cost. When the fund writes an option, the premium received is included as a liability and subsequently “marked-to-market” to reflect the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are recorded as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the fund.

During the year ended October 31, 2013, the fund participated in written option contracts to generate earnings from option premiums. The following tables summarize the fund’s written options activities during the year ended October 31, 2013. As of October 31, 2013, the fund did not hold any written options.

Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations

The table below summarizes the net realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the year ended October 31, 2013:

The table below summarizes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the year ended October 31, 2013:

Note 4 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the fund’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 5 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. The Advisor is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC).

Management fee. The fund has an investment advisory agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent, on annual basis, to the sum of (a) 1.15% of the first $500,000,000 of the fund’s average daily gross assets, including the assets attributed to the Credit Facility Agreement (see Note 8) (collectively, gross managed assets), and (b) 1.00% of the fund’s average daily gross managed assets in excess of $500,000,000. Prior to January 18, 2013, the fund paid a daily management fee to the Advisor at an annual rate of 1.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The investment management fees incurred for the year ended October 31, 2013 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 1.15% of the fund’s average daily gross managed assets.

Administrative services. The fund has an administration agreement with the Advisor under which the Advisor provides certain administrative services to the fund and oversees operational activities of the fund. The compensation for the period was at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average weekly gross assets of the fund. The Advisor agreed to limit the administrative services fee to 0.10% of the fund’s average weekly gross assets. Accordingly, the expense reductions related to administrative services fees amounted to $660,100 for the year ended October 31, 2013. The Advisor reserves the right to terminate this limitation in the future with the Trustees’ approval. The administrative services fees incurred for the year ended October 31, 2013 amounted to an annual rate of 0.10% of the fund’s average weekly gross managed assets.

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. Under the John Hancock Group of funds Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), which was terminated in November 2012, certain Trustees could have elected, for tax purposes, to defer receipt of this compensation. Any deferred amounts were invested in various John Hancock funds. The investment of deferred amounts and the offsetting liability are included within Other receivables and prepaid expenses and Payable to affiliates — Trustees’ fees, respectively, in the accompanying Statement of assets and liabilities. Plan assets will be liquidated in accordance with the Plan documents.

Note 6 — Fund share transactions

In May 2009, the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase plan, which was subsequently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees each year in December. Under the current share repurchase plan, the fund may purchase in the open market up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2012. The current share repurchase plan will remain in effect between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.

During the year ended October 31, 2013 and the year ended October 31, 2012, the fund repurchased 0.00% and 2.43%, respectively, of its common shares outstanding under the repurchase plan. The

weighted average discount per share on these repurchases amount to 10.20% for the year ended October 31, 2012. Shares repurchased and corresponding dollar amounts are included on the Statement of changes in net assets. The anti-dilutive impacts of these share repurchases are included on the Financial highlights.

Note 7 — Leverage risk

The fund utilizes a Credit Facility Agreement (CFA) to increase its assets available for investment. When the fund leverages its assets, common shareholders bear the fees associated with the CFA and have the potential to benefit or be disadvantaged from the use of leverage. The Advisor’s fee is also increased in dollar terms from the use of leverage. Consequently, the fund and the Advisor may have differing interests in determining whether to leverage the fund’s assets. Leverage creates risks that may adversely affect the return for the holders of common shares, including:

• the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares;

• fluctuations in the interest rate paid for the use of the credit facility;

• increased operating costs, which may reduce the fund’s total return;

• the potential for a decline in the value of an investment acquired through leverage, while the fund’s obligations under such leverage remains fixed; and

• the fund is more likely to have to sell securities in a volatile market in order to meet asset coverage or other debt compliance requirements.

To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used, conversely, returns would be lower if the cost of the leverage exceeds the income or capital appreciation derived.

In addition to the risks created by the fund’s use of leverage, the fund is subject to the risk that it would be unable to timely, or at all, obtain replacement financing if the CFA is terminated. Were this to happen, the fund would be required to de-leverage, selling securities at a potentially inopportune time and incurring tax consequences. Further, the fund’s ability to generate income from the use of leverage would be adversely affected.

Note 8 — Credit Facility Agreement

Effective February 4, 2013, the fund has entered into a CFA with Bank of America, N.A. (Bank of America) that allows it to borrow up to $110 million and to invest the borrowings in accordance with its investment practices.

The fund pledges a portion of its assets as collateral to secure borrowings under the CFA. Such pledged assets are held in a special custody account with the fund’s custodian. The amount of assets required to be pledged by the fund is determined in accordance with the CFA. The fund retains the benefits of ownership of assets pledged to secure borrowings under the CFA. Interest charged is at the rate of one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 0.68% and is payable monthly. Effective August 2013, the fund is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on any unused portion of the commitment, if the daily outstanding amount of the borrowings is less than $88 million. There were no payments for commitment fee for the year ended October 31, 2013. As of October 31, 2013, the fund had borrowings of $95,000,000, at an interest rate of 0.85%, which is reflected in the Credit facility agreement payable on the Statement of assets and liabilities. During the year ended October 31, 2013, the average borrowings under the CFA and the effective average interest rate were $77,378,277 and 0.88%, respectively.

The fund may terminate the CFA with 30 days’ prior written notice. If certain asset coverage, collateral requirements, minimum net assets or other covenants are not met, Bank of America could declare an event of default, terminate the CFA and accelerate the fund’s obligation to repay the loans. Absent a default, Bank of America is required to provide the fund with 360 days’ notice prior to terminating or amending the CFA.

Note 9 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, amounted to $158,560,717 and $85,776,156, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2013.

Note 10 — Industry or sector risk

The fund generally invests a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund’s assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund’s net asset value more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors. Financial services companies can be hurt by economic declines, changes in interest rates, regulatory and market impacts.

Auditor’s report

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations, of changes in net assets and of cash flows and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (formerly known as John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund) (the “Fund”) at October 31, 2013, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, and the application of alternative auditing procedures where securities purchased confirmations had not been received, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 20, 2013

Tax information

Unaudited

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended October 31, 2013.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

The fund paid $16,198,826 in capital gain dividends.

Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2013 Form 1099-DIV in early 2014. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2013.

Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.

Additional information

Unaudited

Investment objective and policy

The fund is a closed-end, diversified management investment company, shares of which were initially offered to the public in August 1994. The fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return consisting of long-term capital appreciation and current income.

Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities of U.S. and foreign financial services companies of any size. These companies may include, but are not limited to, banks, thrifts, finance companies, brokerage and advisory firms, real estate-related firms, insurance companies and financial holding companies. The fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in this 80% policy.

Bylaws

Effective September 27, 2013, the Board of Trustees of the fund amended and restated in its entirety the Bylaws of the fund (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). The Amended and Restated Bylaws include, among other changes, provisions that: (i) require a shareholder to give written advance notice and other information to the fund of the shareholder’s nominees for Trustees and proposals for other business to be considered at shareholders’ meetings, or in the event a shareholder proposes to seek a shareholder action by written consent or request a special meeting of shareholders; (ii) require any such notice by a shareholder to be accompanied by certain information as provided in the Bylaws; (iii) provide that Trustees may be nominated by shareholders only at an annual meeting of the fund or special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting; and (iv) reserve to the Trustees the exclusive power to adopt, alter, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws or to make new Bylaws, except where the Declaration of Trust, Bylaws or applicable law would also require a shareholder vote to effect such adoption, alteration, amendment or repeal. The foregoing description of the Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws effective as of September 27, 2013, which are available by writing to the Secretary of the fund at 601 Congress Street, 11th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

Dividends and distributions

During the year ended October 31, 2013, distributions from net investment income totaling $0.2209 per share and from realized gains totaling $0.9635 per share were paid to shareholders. The dates of payments and the amounts per share were as follows:

Dividend reinvestment plan

The fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan) provides that distributions of dividends and capital gains are automatically reinvested in common shares of the fund by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Plan Agent). Every shareholder holding at least one full share of the fund is entitled to participate in the Plan. In addition, every shareholder who became a shareholder of the fund after June 30, 2011 and holds at least one full share of the fund will be automatically enrolled in the Plan. Shareholders may withdraw from the Plan at any time and shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash.

Prior to November 1, 2013, if the fund declared a dividend or distribution, participants received shares purchased by the Plan Agent on participants’ behalf on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market. Whenever shares were purchased or sold on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market, each participant would pay a pro rata portion of brokerage trading fees, previously $0.05 per share purchased or sold. Brokerage trading fees were deducted from amounts to be invested.

Effective November 1, 2013, if the fund declares a dividend or distribution payable either in cash or in common shares of the fund and the market price of shares on the payment date for the distribution or dividend equals or exceeds the fund’s net asset value per share (NAV), the fund will issue common shares to participants at a value equal to the higher of NAV or 95% of the market price. The number of additional shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution or dividend by the higher of NAV or 95% of the market price. If the market price is lower than NAV, or if dividends or distributions are payable only in cash, then participants will receive shares purchased by the Plan Agent on participants’ behalf on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market. If the market price exceeds NAV before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the average per share purchase price may exceed NAV, resulting in fewer shares being acquired than if the fund had issued new shares.

There are no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the fund. However, whenever shares are purchased or sold on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market, each participant will pay a pro rata portion of brokerage trading fees, currently $0.05 per share purchased or sold. Brokerage trading fees will be deducted from amounts to be invested.

The reinvestment of dividends and net capital gains distributions does not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Shareholders participating in the Plan may buy additional shares of the fund through the Plan at any time in amounts of at least $50 per investment, up to a maximum of $10,000, with a total calendar year limit of $100,000. Shareholders will be charged a $5 transaction fee plus $0.05 per share brokerage trading fee for each order. Purchases of additional shares of the fund will be made on the open market. Shareholders who elect to utilize monthly electronic fund transfers to buy additional shares of the fund will be charged a $2 transaction fee plus $0.05 per share brokerage trading fee for each automatic purchase. Shareholders can also sell fund shares held in the Plan account at any time by contacting the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s Web site at www.computershare.com/investor. The Plan Agent will mail a check (less applicable brokerage trading fees) on settlement date, which is three business days after the shares have been sold. If shareholders choose to sell shares through their stockbroker, they will need to request that the Plan Agent electronically transfer those shares to their stockbroker through the Direct Registration System.

Shareholders participating in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan at any time by contacting the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s website at www.computershare.com/investor. Such termination will be effective immediately if the notice is received by the Plan Agent prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution, with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. If shareholders withdraw from the Plan, their shares will be credited to their account; or, if they wish, the Plan Agent will sell their full and fractional shares and send the shareholders the proceeds, less a transaction fee of $5 and less brokerage trading fees of $0.05 per share. If a shareholder does not maintain at least one whole share of common stock in the Plan account, the Plan Agent may terminate such shareholder’s participation in the Plan after written notice. Upon termination, shareholders will be sent a check for the cash value of any fractional share in the Plan account, less any applicable broker commissions and taxes.

Shareholders who hold at least one full share of the fund may join the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s website at www.computershare.com/investor. If received in proper form by the Plan Agent before the record date of a dividend, the election will be effective with respect to all dividends paid after such record date. If shareholders wish to participate in the Plan and their shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, shareholders should contact their nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan. If shareholders wish to participate in the Plan, but their brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is unable to participate on their behalf, they will need to request that their shares be re-registered in their own name, or they will not be able to participate. The Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by shareholders as representing the total amount registered in their name and held for their account by their nominee.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan. Participants generally will receive written notice at least 90 days before the effective date of any amendment. In the case of termination, participants will receive written notice at least 90 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the fund. Effective November 1, 2013, the Plan was revised to provide that Computershare Trust Company, N.A. no longer provides mail loss insurance coverage when shareholders mail their certificates to the fund’s administrator.

All correspondence or requests for additional information about the Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at the address stated below, or by calling 800-852-0218, 201-680-6578 (For International Telephone Inquiries) and 800-952-9245 (For the Hearing Impaired (TDD)).

Shareholder communication and assistance

If you have any questions concerning the fund, we will be pleased to assist you. If you hold shares in your own name and not with a brokerage firm, please address all notices, correspondence, questions or other communications regarding the fund to the transfer agent at:

Computershare
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3006
Telephone: 800-852-0218

If your shares are held with a brokerage firm, you should contact that firm, bank or other nominee for assistance.

Continuation of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Evaluation of Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements by the Board of Trustees

This section describes the evaluation by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (the fund) of the Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) and the Subadvisory Agreement (the Subadvisory Agreement) with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor). The Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the Agreements.

Approval of Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

At in-person meetings held on May 16–17, 2013, the Board, including the Trustees who are not considered to be interested persons of the fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) (the Independent Trustees), reapproved for an annual period the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the fund and the Advisor and the Subadvisory Agreement between the Advisor and the Subadvisor with respect to the fund.

In considering the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board received in advance of the meeting a variety of materials relating to the fund, the Advisor, and the Subadvisor, including comparative performance, fee and expense information for a peer group of similar funds prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data; performance information for an applicable benchmark index; and other matters such as the prices at which the fund’s shares have traded and, with respect to the Subadvisor, comparative performance information for comparably managed accounts; and other information provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor regarding the nature, extent, and quality of services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor under their respective Agreements, as well as information regarding the Advisor’s revenues and costs of providing services to the fund and any compensation paid to affiliates of the Advisor. At the meeting at which the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement is considered, particular focus is given to information concerning fund performance, comparability of fees and total expenses, and profitability. However, the Board notes that the evaluation process with respect to the Advisor and the Subadvisor is an ongoing one. In this regard, the Board also took into account discussions with management and information provided to the Board at prior meetings with respect to the services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor to the fund, including quarterly performance reports prepared by management containing reviews of investment results and prior presentations from the Subadvisor with respect to the fund. The Board noted the affiliation of the Subadvisor with the Advisor, noting any potential conflicts of interest. The Board also considered the nature, quality, and extent of non-advisory services, if any, to be provided to the fund by the Advisor’s affiliates.

Throughout the process, the Board asked questions of and requested additional information from management. The Board is assisted by counsel for the fund and the Independent Trustees are also separately assisted by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The Independent Trustees also received a memorandum from their independent counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Agreements and discussed the proposed continuation of the Agreements in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of management were present.

Approval of Advisory Agreement

In approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered a variety of factors, including those discussed below. The Board also considered other factors (including conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry) and does not treat any single factor as determinative, and

each Trustee may attribute different weights to different factors. The Board’s conclusions may be based in part on its consideration of the advisory and subadvisory arrangements in prior years and on the Board’s ongoing regular review of fund performance and operations throughout the year.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. Among the information received by the Board from the Advisor relating to the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the fund, the Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor relating to its operations and personnel, descriptions of its organizational and management structure, and information regarding the Advisor’s compliance and regulatory history, including its Form ADV. The Board also noted that on a regular basis it receives and reviews information from the fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) regarding the fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board also considered the Advisor’s risk management processes. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the fund, including, but not limited to, general supervision of and coordination of the services provided by the Subadvisor, and is also responsible for monitoring and reviewing the activities of the Subadvisor and third-party service providers.

The Board also considered the differences between the Advisor’s services to the fund and the services it provides to other clients that are not closed-end funds, including, for example, the differences in services related to the regulatory and legal obligations of closed-end funds.

In considering the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Advisor, the Trustees also took into account their knowledge of the Advisor’s management and the quality of the performance of the Advisor’s duties through Board meetings, discussions, and reports during the preceding year and through each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the fund and of the other funds in the complex.

In the course of their deliberations regarding the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other things:

(a) the skills and competency with which the Advisor has in the past managed the fund’s affairs and its subadvisory relationship, the Advisor’s oversight and monitoring of the Subadvisor’s investment performance and compliance programs, such as the Subadvisor’s compliance with fund policies and objective; review of brokerage matters, including with respect to trade allocation and best execution and the Advisor’s timeliness in responding to performance issues;

(b) the background, qualifications and skills of the Advisor’s personnel;

(c) the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures and its responsiveness to regulatory changes and fund industry developments;

(d) the Advisor’s administrative capabilities, including its ability to supervise the other service providers for the fund;

(e) the financial condition of the Advisor and whether it has the financial wherewithal to provide a high level and quality of services to the fund; and

(f) the Advisor’s reputation and experience in serving as an investment advisor to the fund and the benefit to shareholders of investing in funds that are part of a family of funds offering a variety of investments.

The Board concluded that the Advisor may reasonably be expected to continue to provide a high quality of services under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund.

Investment performance. In considering the fund’s performance, the Board noted that it reviews at its regularly scheduled meetings information about the fund’s performance results. In connection with the consideration of the Advisory Agreement, the Board:

(a) reviewed information prepared by management regarding the fund’s performance;

(b) considered the comparative performance of an applicable benchmark index;

(c) considered the performance of comparable funds, if any, as included in the report prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data. Such report included the fund’s ranking within a smaller group of peer funds and the fund’s ranking within a broader group of funds;

(d) took into account the Advisor’s analysis of the fund’s performance; and

(e) considered the fund’s share performance and premium/discount information.

The Board noted that, based on its net asset value, the fund outperformed the benchmark index and peer group average for the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2012.

The Board noted the fund’s favorable performance relative to the benchmark index and peer group for the one-, three-, and five-year periods. The Board also took into account the limited number of funds in the peer group and the various changes implemented for the fund during the previous year including changes to its investment strategies relating to the ability to issue leverage.

The Board concluded that the performance of the fund has generally been in line with or outperformed the historical performance of comparable funds and the benchmark index.

Fees and expenses. The Board reviewed comparative information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data including, among other data, the fund’s contractual and net management fees and total expenses as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund. The Board considered the fund’s ranking within a smaller group of peer funds chosen by the independent third-party provider, as well as the fund’s ranking within a broader group of funds. In comparing the fund’s contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Board noted that such fees include both advisory and administrative costs.

The Board noted that net management fees for the fund are higher than the peer group median. The Board also noted that total expenses for the fund are equal to the peer group median and that the contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement reduces certain expenses of the fund. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the fund’s expenses, including the differences among the funds in the peer group, including the utilization of leverage.

The Board also took into account management’s discussion with respect to the advisory/subadvisory fee structure, including the amount of the advisory fee retained by the Advisor after payment of the subadvisory fee. The Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor concerning investment advisory fees charged by the Advisor or one of its advisory affiliates to other clients (including other funds in the complex) having similar investment mandates, if any. The Board considered any differences between the Advisor’s and Subadvisor’s services to the fund and the services they provide to other comparable clients or funds. The Board concluded that the advisory fee paid with respect to the fund is reasonable.

Profitability/indirect benefits. In considering the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from the Advisor’s relationship with the fund, the Board:

(a) reviewed financial information of the Advisor;

(b) reviewed and considered an analysis presented by the Advisor regarding the net profitability to the Advisor and its affiliates with respect to the fund;

(c) received and reviewed profitability information with respect to the John Hancock fund complex as a whole;

(d) received information with respect to the Advisor’s allocation methodologies used in preparing the profitability data;

(e) considered that the Advisor also provides administrative services to the fund pursuant to an administrative services agreement;

(f) noted that the fund’s subadvisor is an affiliate of the Advisor;

(g) noted that the Advisor also derives reputational and other indirect benefits from providing advisory services to the fund;

(h) noted that the subadvisory fees for the fund are paid by the Advisor; and

(i) considered that the Advisor should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to the fund and the entrepreneurial risk that it assumes as Advisor.

Based upon its review, the Board concluded that the level of profitability, if any, of the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from their relationship with the fund was reasonable and not excessive.

Economies of scale. The Board considered whether there should be changes in the management fee rate or structure in order to enable the fund to participate in any economies of scale, noting that the fund has a limited ability to increase its assets as a closed-end fund. The Board took into account management’s discussions of the current advisory fee structure and, as noted above, the services the Advisor provides in performing its functions under the Advisory Agreement and in supervising the Subadvisor. The Board also considered potential economies of scale that may be realized by the fund as part of the John Hancock fund complex. The Board also considered the Advisor’s overall operations and its ongoing investment in its business in order to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations that benefit the fund. The Board noted that the fund has breakpoints in its contractual management fee schedule and that the fund’s total expenses are equal to the peer group median. The Board determined that the management fee structure for the fund was reasonable.

Approval of Subadvisory Agreement

In making its determination with respect to approval of the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board reviewed:

(1) information relating to the Subadvisor’s business, including current subadvisory services to the fund (and other funds in the John Hancock family of funds); and

(2) the historical and current performance of the fund and comparative performance information relating to an applicable benchmark index and comparable funds.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. With respect to the services provided by the Subadvisor, the Board received information provided to the Board by the Subadvisor, including the Subadvisor’s Form ADV, as well as took into account information presented throughout the past year. The Board considered the Subadvisor’s current level of staffing and its overall resources, as well as received information relating to the Subadvisor’s compensation program. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor’s history and investment experience, as well as information regarding the qualifications, background, and responsibilities of the Subadvisor’s investment and compliance personnel who provide services to the fund. The Board also considered, among other things, the Subadvisor’s compliance program and any disciplinary history. The Board also considered the Subadvisor’s risk assessment and monitoring process. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor’s regulatory history, including whether it was currently involved in any regulatory actions or investigations as well as material litigation, and any settlements and amelioratory actions undertaken, as appropriate. The Board noted that the Advisor conducts regular, periodic reviews of the Subadvisor and its operations, including regarding investment processes and organizational and staffing matters. The Board also noted that the fund’s CCO and his staff conduct regular, periodic compliance reviews with the Subadvisor and present reports to the Independent Trustees regarding the same, which includes evaluating the regulatory compliance systems of the Subadvisor and procedures reasonably designed by it to assure compliance with the federal securities laws. The Board also took into account the financial condition of the Subadvisor.

The Board considered the Subadvisor’s investment process and philosophy. The Board took into account that the Subadvisor’s responsibilities include the development and maintenance of an investment program for the fund that is consistent with the fund’s investment objective, the selection of investment securities and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of such securities, as well as the implementation of compliance controls related to performance of these services. The Board also received information with respect to the Subadvisor’s brokerage policies and practices, including with respect to best execution and soft dollars.

Subadvisor compensation. In considering the cost of services to be provided by the Subadvisor and the profitability to the Subadvisor of its relationship with the fund, the Board noted that the fees under the Subadvisory Agreement are paid by the Advisor and not the fund.

The Board also received information and took into account any other potential conflicts of interest the Advisor might have in connection with the Subadvisory Agreement. In addition, the Board considered other potential indirect benefits that the Subadvisor and its affiliates may receive from the Subadvisor’s relationship with the fund, such as the opportunity to provide advisory services to additional funds in the John Hancock fund complex and reputational benefits.

Subadvisory fees. The Board considered that the fund pays an advisory fee to the Advisor and that, in turn, the Advisor pays a subadvisory fee to the Subadvisor. The Board also took into account the subadvisory fee paid by the Advisor to the Subadvisor with respect to the fund to fees charged by the Subadvisor to manage other subadvised portfolios and portfolios not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, as applicable.

Subadvisor performance. As noted above, the Board considered the fund’s performance as compared to the fund’s peer group and the benchmark index and noted that the Board reviews information about the fund’s performance results at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Board noted the Advisor’s expertise and resources in monitoring the performance, investment style, and risk-adjusted performance of the Subadvisor. The Board was mindful of the Advisor’s focus on the Subadvisor’s performance. The Board also noted the Subadvisor’s long-term performance record for similar accounts, as applicable.

The Board’s decision to approve the Subadvisory Agreement was based on a number of determinations, including the following:

(1) The Subadvisor has extensive experience and demonstrated skills as a manager;

(2) The performance of the fund has been in line with or outperformed the historical performance of comparable funds and the benchmark index and the fund’s overall performance is satisfactory; and

(3) The subadvisory fees are reasonable in relation to the level and quality of services being provided.

Based on the Board’s evaluation of all factors that the Board deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement would be in the best interest of the fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board, and the Independent Trustees voting separately, approved the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement for an additional one-year period.

Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.