Desjardins gives members a new green challenge

An initiative that demonstrates once again Desjardins's leadership in the area of sustainable development

Lévis (Québec), August 25, 2009 – Desjardins Group is asking members to rise to a new green challenge with the GO Eco-Green, GET Organic Fresh contest. Following the success of the Eco-friendly Statement Challenge, a program initiated in partnership with Earth Day which resulted in more than 140,000 trees being planted, the time has come to harvest their fruit…organic fruit, of course.

Until September 30, 2009, VISA Desjardins cardholders get a chance to win one of 10 one-year supplies of organic fruits and vegetables each time they register to receive a statement of account online on AccèsD. Cardholders who also register to receive their caisse statement of account online on AccèsD get an additional chance to win.

Promoting organic farming is one of the commitments made by Desjardins as part of its Change the world, one step at a time corporate campaign. Developed in collaboration with Équiterre, the goal of the campaign is to build awareness of sustainable development among members and employees. The organic fruits and vegetable baskets that will go to GO Eco-Green, GET Organic Fresh contest winners will come from the agricultural network supported by the Équiterre community. In addition to promoting organic farming, the contest supports our local farms, helps reduce greenhouse gasses due to transportation and promotes healthy eating.

Once again this year, Desjardins members and clients will be rewarded for making a sound environmental choice. And this time nature's gratitude may extend to their table!

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, and the ninth 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):
Hélène Lavoie
Information and Media Relations Advisor
514-281-7275 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275