Desjardins tops up its discretionary portfolio management service offering

Desjardins consolidates its leadership position in socially responsible investment with the addition of segregated accounts

Lévis (Québec), June 16, 2009 – Desjardins Group is building an even stronger presence in socially responsible investing (SRI). Private Management members and clients can now invest via segregated accounts managed according to the principle of active investment, which emphasizes dialogue with companies. The offering is in partnership with Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P., Canada's leader in socially responsible investing and a 50% owned subsidiary of Desjardins.

“Providing the option of making socially responsible investments enhances our discretionary portfolio management offering,” states Jean Brunelle, Director, Desjardins Private Management. “It allows our Private Management clients greater flexibility in personalizing their investment portfolios.”

In addition to segregated accounts, discretionary portfolio management will also boast new DIM Private Funds, while some existing funds will be modified. These enhancements are part of an inclusive offering that combines the many aspects of family asset management.

Desjardins Private Management offers a comprehensive and select approach to changing financial and trust needs. Our discretionary portfolio management and trust services are expertly tailored to high net worth clients.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, with overall assets of close to $160 billion, as at March 31, 2009. It comprises a network of caisses, credit unions and business centres in Québec and Ontario, and some twenty subsidiary companies in life and general insurance, securities brokerage, venture capital and asset management, many of which are active across the country. Drawing on the expertise of its 42,000 employees and the commitment of its 6,300 elected officers, Desjardins offers its 5.8 million individual and corporate members and clients a full range of financial products and services. Its physical distribution network is complemented by leading-edge virtual access methods. To find out more, consult www.desjardins.com.

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Source (for journalists only):
Hélène Lavoie
Advisor, Information and Media Relations
Desjardins Group
514-281-7275 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275