Desjardins among 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada

Lévis (Quebec), July 7, 2009 – Desjardins Group is part of the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada, awarded 24th place in 2009 by Corporate Knights, an organization that promotes socially responsible entrepreneurship.

It is fitting that the financial cooperative be recognized here, as this ranking serves to showcase the values and cooperative principles held by Desjardins Group, which include social responsibility and commitment to sustainable development. These two principles were, in fact, the most influential in Corporate Knights' decision. Other indicators were considered, such as pension plan quality, management diversity, the remuneration of the president and CEO, relations with First Nations Peoples and tax spinoffs of business activities.

"For nearly 110 years, Desjardins has been looking out for the economic and social well-being of people and communities by making the interests of its members and clients a priority. Firmly focused on the future, Desjardins Group can be proud of its social performance that it successfully blends with its financial performance. At Desjardins Group, our members and clients find not only answers to their personal financial needs, but they are taking part, 'one step at a time,' in the development of a society which is economically more viable, equitable and responsible," explained the Chair of the Board, President and CEO, Monique F. Leroux.

In October, as part of Cooperation Week, Desjardins will release the second full edition of its social responsibility report, which follow the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This report is part of the implementation of its Sustainable Development Policy, adopted in 2005, which has, to date, given rise to different initiatives that encourage growth and development of both its commercial and management practices. As part of its launch at the beginning of the year, Desjardins introduced its new line of socially responsible SocieTerra funds, based on ongoing dialogue with the companies which composed the funds.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, and the eighth largest in the world, with overall assets of approximately $160 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, as well as its subsidiaries, several of which are active throughout Canada, Desjardins offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8 million individual and business members and clients. Desjardins Group is also home to a wealth of expertise in property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, wealth management, services for businesses of all sizes, securities brokerage, venture capital, asset management and secure leading-edge virtual access methods, all part of an integrated offer that is the only one of its kind in Canada. One of the largest employers in the country, Desjardins is backed by the knowledge and skills of its 42,000 employees and the commitment of its 6,300 elected officers. To find out more, consult www.desjardins.com.

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Source (for journalists only):
André Chapleau
Director, Information and Media Relations
514-281-7229 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7229