Caisses Desjardins du Québec and Caisses populaires de l'Ontario [Change site]

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Tips

	Knowing the ins and outs of finance

		Financial vocabulary

		Caisse or bank: what's the difference?

		A litlle history

	Having a chequing account

	Saving

	Borrowing

	Buying your 1st car

	Getting ready for CEGEP or vocational school

	Working

	Travelling

Caisse or bank: what’s the difference?

Do you know the differences?

	The Desjardins caisse	The bank
Nature	Financial services cooperative	Private establishment
Owners	Caisse members (you, your parents, your neighbours, etc.).	A few shareholders
Objective	The economic and social well-being of all its members and economic development of its community by, for example: sponsoring events donating money to a community organization awarding student bursaries	Works to enrich shareholders.
Management	Each caisse is managed locally by elected officials and members.	Managed by the head office that is often located away from its clients’ community.
Participation in the annual general meeting and vote	All members can take part in their caisse’s Annual General Meeting, vote and run for the position of elected officer. 1 member=1 vote	Only shareholders can attend the bank’s Annual General Meeting. 1 share=1 vote
Distribution of surplus earnings	A portion of their surplus earnings is given back to their members and community through member dividends, when possible.	A portion of the profits is given to a small group of shareholders through dividends.