Financial Results
 

• Desjardins Financial Security Carries on Strong with Net Earnings of $120.5 M after Three Quarters (November 22, 2005)
• Desjardins Financial Security Posts the Highest Quarter Results in its Entire History (August 23, 2005)
• 2005 First Quarter Financial Results: A Strong Start for Desjardins Financial Security (May 24, 2005)
• 2004 Financial Results: Desjardins Financial Security Posts Record Net Earnings (March 15, 2005)
   

Organization and Structure
 

• Louise Turgeon Appointed Chairwoman of Sigma Assistel Board of Directors (May 12, 2005)
• Desjardins Financial Security Selects SunGard System to Administer its Group Retirement Business (February 3, 2005)
• Desjardins Financial Security Concludes the Sale of its Bahamas Operations
  (January 20, 2005)
• Desjardins Financial Security Acquires the Caisse de dépôt et placement's Minority Interest in SFL Management (January 17, 2005)
   

Social Commitment
 

• Desjardins Financial Security Sponsors Campaign of Crime Victims Assistance Centres (October 3, 2005)
   

Products and Services
 

• Desjardins Financial Security Adds Two New Segregated Funds to Its Millennia III Line Up (December 21, 2005)
• ID Theft Assistance: A New Product From Sigma Assistel (November 24, 2005)
• Desjardins Financial Security Reduces Investment Fees on Some of its Funds (May 9, 2005)
• A Little T.L.C. Reduces Debt Load in Case of Illness or Accident (April 6, 2005) 
• Desjardins Financial Security Increases its Group Retirement Savings
  Market Presence Across Canada (March 1, 2005)
• Critical Illness Insurance: Desjardins Financial Security Innovates and Strenghtens its Position as the Leading Health Insurer in Canada (January 24, 2005)
   

Awards and Honours
 

• Desjardins Financial Security Wins Seven North American Communication Prizes (September 15, 2005)
• Desjardins Financial Security and Desjardins Group Top the List of Best Web Sites (April 25, 2005) 
   

Surveys
 

• Few insured travellers take advantage of their travel coverage's assistance services (December 22, 2005)
• Easy does it when giving generous gifts of money this holiday season - you may need it in retirement! (December 5, 2005)
• Retirement Dreams Never Become Reality for Some Canadians (October 31, 2005)
• 'In Sickness and in Health' - A Reality Check Up (May 3, 2005)
• Nearly Half of Canadians Feel Their Lifestyle is a Source of Stress (April 28, 2005)
• A Valentine from the Heart and the Wallet: Twenty Per Cent of Canadians Contribute to Their Spouse's RRSP (February 11, 2005)
   

Miscellaneous
 

• Draw for the 2004 Win Big with Loan Insurance! Contest: Member of the Local Caisse Populaire, a Homeowner of Hearst Wins $25,000 (February 8, 2005)
• Draw for the 2004 Win Big with Loan Insurance! Contest: A Member of the Caisse Provencher in Manitoba Wins $10,000 (February 7, 2005)
• Draw for the 2004 Win Big with Loan Insurance! Contest: Member of the caisse populaire Azilda, a resident of Chelmsford wins $50,000 (February 3, 2005) 
   

Few insured travellers take advantage of their travel coverage's assistance services

Lévis, December 22, 2005 - Only a small percentage of travel insurance policyholders contact their insurer's assistance services when they encounter problems during trips outside their province of residence according to a survey conducted by Synovate on behalf of Desjardins Financial Security.

"Assistance services are an added value to travel insurance coverage because they provide travellers with the assurance that no matter what happens, someone will be able to help them in their own language anywhere in the world," says François Morel, Marketing Advisor at Desjardins Financial Security. "The results of the survey show that we need to continue to publicize and promote our assistance services to our insured clients. In fact, we need to intensify these efforts. That's why we will be taking advantage of every opportunity, with on-hold messages and product brochures for instance, to tell them about the free assistance services they are entitled to and, more importantly, not to hesitate to use these services," Morel adds.

Desjardins Financial Security has its own assistance services firm, Sigma Assistel, a Canadian industry leader since the mid-eighties. "Having our own firm ensures that the assistance services we provide to our insured clients are of the highest standards of quality, just like all our other services. This added value is our special gift to our insured clients, regardless of the insurance product they own. Naturally, we want them to use these services," concludes Morel.

The widest range of services in Canada

Unlike most of our competitors that have decided to concentrate on one specific type of assistance service, Sigma Assistel has opted for diversity in order to offer, through its corporate clients, services that cover all aspects of a person's life. Depending on the type of insurance or service the client has purchased, different telephone assistance services are offered, including travel assistance, roadside assistance, legal assistance, home assistance, identity theft assistance and a wide variety of health-related assistance services. For more information about the services available from Sigma Assistel visit www.assistel.com.
 
About Desjardins Financial Security
Desjardins Financial Security is a subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada that specializes in life and health insurance and retirement savings. Over 5 million Canadians depend on Desjardins Financial Security every day for their financial security.  It employs 3,628 people and manages assets of over $16 billion. Desjardins Financial Security has offices in several cities across the country including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec, Lévis and Halifax.

Desjardins Financial Security Adds Two New Segregated Funds to Its Millennia III Line Up

Toronto, December 21, 2005 - This RRSP season Desjardins Financial Security is giving Canadians an opportunity to invest in the Bissett Canadian Balanced Fund and the Jarislowsky Fraser Canadian Equity Fund as part of the Millennia III segregated funds line up.

These two new segregated funds in the Millennia III package offer investors a chance to invest with upside managers who have a proven capability to protect against the downslides of the market.

"The introduction of the Millennia III Bissett Canadian Balanced Fund and the Jarislowsky Fraser Canadian Equity Fund gives investors more choice to tailor investment solutions to their savings objectives," said Monique Tremblay, senior vice president of Desjardins Financial Security's Savings and Segregated Funds group. "The Millennia III Bissett Canadian Balanced Fund is a solid performer that includes the Bissett Small Cap and Bissett Microcap Funds.  The Millennia III Jarislowsky Fraser Canadian Equity Fund is a long-term performer with a great track record entirely invested in the Canadian market."

The new funds are ideal for a long-term investor.  The Millennia III Bissett Canadian Balanced Fund is suitable for those seeking a balance between current income and long-term capital appreciation.  For those Canadians who want to achieve long-term capital appreciation while controlling risk exposure, the Millennia III Jarislowsky Frazer Canadian Equity Fund is now available in the solutions offered by Desjardins Financial Security's Millennia III segregated funds.

About the main underlying features of Millennia III Bissett Canadian Balanced Fund
 

• The portfolio consists of seven Bissett fixed income and equity funds: Bissett Small Cap, Bissett Microcap, Bissett Bond, Bissett Canadian Equity, Bissett American Equity, Bissett International Equity and Bissett Multinational Growth Funds.
• The fund is invested in Canadian fixed income and equity securities.
• The investment objective: a balance of current income and long-term capital appreciation.

About the main underlying features of the Millennia III Jarislowsky Fraser Canadian Equity Fund
 

• The fund's portfolio comprises the stocks of companies that enjoy solid earnings growth, mainly leaders in non-cyclical industries.
• The management style of this Canadian equity (pure) fund is growth at a reasonable price.
• It has a diversified portfolio that achieves capital appreciation while controlling risk.
• The investment objective: annualized return higher than S&P/TSX over four-year moving periods.
   

About the Millennia III Family of Segregated Funds
The Millennia III Family of Segregated Funds - available from Desjardins Financial Security - offers investors inflation protection and a 100% principal guarantee at death.  These funds differ from others on the market in that the amount of capital guaranteed is automatically adjusted each year, eliminating the need to predict market direction. The amount of capital guaranteed increases with the value of the investment within each of these registered and non-registered funds.

About Desjardins Financial Security
Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, specializes in life and health insurance including retirement savings products.  More than 5 million Canadians count on Desjardins Financial Security every day for their financial security needs. It has 3,628 employees and more than $16 billion in assets. Desjardins Financial Security has offices in all major cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Levis and Halifax.

Easy does it when giving generous gifts of money this holiday season - you may need it in retirement!

Survey finds that inheritances are down ten per cent from last year

Toronto, December 5, 2005 - Wondering what to give your children as a gift during the holiday season?  Some parents and grandparents are unsure what to surprise their older children with - let alone each other, so they might resort to gifts of money or vacations at resorts in the sun as part of an early inheritance. But according to Desjardins Financial Security, some gift givers should think more like Scrooge than Santa. 

"While the holiday season is a time when many Canadians pull out all the stops to spoil one another, people must take a step back and look at the impact that this spending will have on their daily household budget and the long-term effect on their retirement lifestyle," said Monique Tremblay, senior vice president, Desjardins Financial Security.

For instance, one-third of Canadian retirees with good intentions and in good health are often keen to give family members some of their inheritance as a gift for a special occasion rather than waiting until they die, according to the fourth annual Desjardins Financial Security Retirement survey. And, the holiday season can constitute as one of these gifting occasions.

"While a great idea in principle," said Tremblay, "people need to know that increasing life expectancy, low interest rates, volatile financial markets and rising healthcare expenses creates the risk for people to outlive their assets. If giving generous financial gifts at holiday time or throughout the year is important as an early inheritance or just leaving one upon death, it must be part of the retirement plan so the investor is aware of the impact on that next egg."

According to the survey, over 36% of retirees have given or will give an inheritance - down from 45% from last year.  But 52% of the retirees surveyed said they plan to leave their inheritance only at the time of their death. This means those banking on an inheritance, let alone an early one in the form of a holiday gift, might just be out of luck.

Some interesting facts on inheritance from the 2005 retirement survey include:
 

• Over the next decade, only 26% of Canadian workers over 40 years expect an inheritance.  This is down from 29% in 2004.
   
• Of retirees who plan to give some form of inheritance, 21% have not made any decision when they will distribute their assets, 6% will transfer their wealth when it is needed by the other generations, another 5% have already passed it along, and, as mentioned earlier, 52% said they will wait until their death.
  
  
• Bequests of cash were the top choice for retirees who plan to give (62%), followed by real estate, investments and tangible goods such as furniture and jewelry.
  
  
• Of those planning on leaving an inheritance, nearly two thirds (60%) plan to leave their heirs the choice of how the cash will be used.  The second most popular answer was paying for a child's tuition (15%, down from 27% in 2004).
  
  
• Part of the desire to give is because 80% of retirees are optimistic that they will have enough money to outlast their lives.
  
  
• Retirees with assets of $100,000 or more are more likely than their peers to plan on leaving an inheritance (55% vs. 36%).
  
  
• Those beneficiaries who expect an inheritance, stated they are likely to plan on using the proceeds of the inheritances to invest in financial products (56%). Tied for second choice, 18% respectively, will pay off their mortgage or pay for children's education.  Less than 10% have their potential inheritance ear-marked for travel or real estate purchases.
  
  
• Of those respondents who expect to receive an inheritance, 12% said this bequest is "very important" to their savings plans for retirement.  Another 30% claimed it was "somewhat important" to funding their retirement.  However, 58% do not think it is an important consideration in their retirement planning.
  
  
• 19% of retirees said that they are going through their savings more quickly than they thought, citing the number one reason as the high cost of living (44%).
  
  
• Among those surveyed retirees who are going through their savings slower than expected (19%) a higher proportion of this group are residents of British Columbia (36%). 
  
  
• 53% of retired respondents are right on track with spending their retirement savings.
   

"The fact that 42% of respondents say they will rely on inheritance - to some degree - to finance their own retirement is a source of concern as the capacity of the older generation to transfer assets may not be there," concluded Tremblay

About the Survey
CROP and Environics conducted the survey on behalf of Desjardins Financial Security between June 29 and July 31, 2005.  In total, 1,500 interviews were conducted with a representative sample of Canadian adults. The sampling plan provides proportional estimates with a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 2.5% at a 95% confidence level (19 times out of 20).  The data was statistically weighted to accurately reflect the composition of Canadians by region, gender and age based on Statistics Canada's 2001 Census information.

About Desjardins Financial Security
Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, specializes in life and health insurance including retirement savings products.  More than 5 million Canadians count on Desjardins Financial Security every day for their financial security needs. It has 3,628 employees and more than $16 billion in assets. Desjardins Financial Security has offices in all major cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Levis and Halifax.
 
About CROP and Environics
Created in 1965, CROP was the first marketing research and opinion survey firm to be based in Quebec. It is recognized for having developed innovative research approaches.

For its part, the Environics Research Group, founded in 1970, is a Canadian leader in the field of opinion surveys and market studies. Environics has its head office in Ottawa and Calgary, and is affiliated to CROP in Montreal.

Desjardins Financial Security 2005 National Survey on Retirement - Section on inheritances
    18 pages - 250kb

ID Theft Assistance: A New Product From Sigma Assistel

Montreal, November 1, 2005 - Sigma Assistel, a groundbreaker in telephone assistance services in Canada, is launching its new telephone service called ID Theft Assistance. First of its kind in Canada, this product meets the growing need in terms of prevention, referrals and support with regards to identity theft. When enrolled, the client has access to a team of assistance coordinators, certified lawyers and psychologists who inform, provide support and accompany the client throughout the process he'll have to undertake to re-establish and re-build his personal and credit reputation. 

A service providing information, support and psychological assistance

With ID Theft Assistance, clients can learn more about identity theft, the places where this type of crime may be committed and the ways to protect themselves against the different forms this crime can take. Clients can also obtain references and consult Web sites of government organizations that provide information or fight against identity theft, both on a national as well as regional level. 

Lawyers support the clients and assist them in the process they must undertake to reclaim their identity. Mental health professionals are available at any time to help eligible users come to terms with the shock and the stress that inevitably occurs when their identity is stolen.

Being well-prepared

The client has access to a tool box in either an electronic or paper format, which contains a vast range of useful information, checklists, quizzes and even a logbook to keep track of his activities.

About Sigma Assistel
A Canadian leader in telephone assistance services, Sigma Assistel, a subsidiary of Desjardins Financial Security, serves more than three-and-a-half million Canadians today. It strives to respond to the needs of groups, companies and organizations concerned with the well-being of their employees, members or clients by pledging to provide appropriate and quality services at competitive rates, regardless of the time, location or nature of the call. Assistance services are accessible 24/7 and include medical assistance, legal assistance, home assistance, travel assistance as well as roadside assistance. Our products and services are not sold directly to individual clients but may be obtained through sponsoring employers, insurers, credit card issuers or through partnering product or service company providers.

Desjardins Financial Security Carries on Strong

With net earnings of $120.5 M after three quarters
 

• Net income of $37.5 M as at Q3
• Return on shareholder equity of 24.8%
• Profitability in all business sectors
• 25.5% increase in group insurance sales outside Quebec
• 71.3% growth in group savings sales
• Growth in individual insurance premiums in a market that's still stagnant.
   

Levis, November 22, 2005 - Desjardins Financial Security continues to forge ahead. Net income for the first nine months of 2005 rose 27.1% compared with the corresponding period in 2004 to stand at $120.5 M, of which $116.6 M come from operations. The portion of the net income attributable to the ultimate shareholders, the Desjardins caisses, was $116.2 M, $24.7 M higher than in 2004. At 24.8%, the rate of return on shareholder equity remains one of the best in the financial services industry. Insurance and annuities income, investment income and other income represented $2,313.9 M compared with $2,103.6 M at the same time last year. Assets under management rose to more than $16.0 B as at September 30, 2005, up 11.2% over the last 12 months.

For the period from July 1 to September 30, 2005, the leading life and health insurance carrier in Quebec and fourth in Canada registered a net income of $37.5 M, up 8.5% from the corresponding period in 2004.

Two non-recurring items, however, helped bolster the results of the first three quarters. First, the sale of the Imperial Life division in the Bahamas for $4.6 M, after accounting for certain revisions of estimates made in the third quarter. Secondly, a number of major non-performing mortgage loans were settled, which enabled the company to recover allowances for loss totalling $12.5 M. After taxes, these two items represented $13.0 M.

Thanks to this performance, Desjardins Financial Security contributes to the profitability of Desjardins Group that, as at September 30, 2005, reported a cumulative surplus of $835 M before patronage allocations, an amount comparable to that of the corresponding period last year.

Saying he was satisfied with these results, the president and CEO of Desjardins Group and CEO of Desjardins Financial Security, Alban D'Amours, declared: "Desjardins Financial Security continues to stand out not only in Quebec but also Canada-wide where it is making significant headway, notably in group insurance. Our subsidiary is thus making a tangible contribution to the growth of Desjardins Group and its notoriety across the country."

According to the president and COO, François Joly, "on the eve of the implementation of the next three-year strategic plan, the performance of the last few quarters is evidence of our employees' and managers' firm commitment to achieving our corporate goals. This augurs well for both Desjardins Financial Security and Desjardins Group over the coming years."

Performance by activity sector

Group Insurance - The group insurance sector, which includes group and business insurance plans as well as group life and disability loan insurance plans offered in financial institutions, including Desjardins Group, generated a net income of $79.1 M in the last nine months of 2005. This represents an increase of 7.3%, or $5.4 M compared with the same period in 2004. Group insurance premiums stood at $1,212.5 M, up 7.1% from the previous year. Group and business insurance sales were $78.4 M. Group insurance sales outside Quebec continued to climb, standing at $51.7 M, an increase of 25.5%, or $10.5 M higher than the result for the corresponding period in 2004.

Individual Insurance - Net income in individual insurance was $28.0 M, up 146.6% compared with the first nine months of 2004. The individual products marketed through direct distribution produced a net income of $4.6 M, or $1.6 M more than in 2004. Gross individual insurance premiums reached $322.5 M, continuing to post a slight increase despite a stagnant market. Sales rose to $25.2 M, $1 M up from September 30, 2004, thanks primarily to the success of Life 20, a new product launched in the last quarter of 2004.

Savings - Net income in Savings and Segregated Funds is $9.5 M, or $2.7 M higher than the result for the first nine months of 2004. In group savings, sales soared by $115.4 M to stand at $277.3 M, a rise of 71.3%. The signing of two major single-premium contracts as well as strong growth in accumulation product sales largely contributed to this result.

About Desjardins Financial Security
Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, specializes in life and health insurance as well as retirement savings. Over 5 million Canadians rely on it every day to ensure their financial security. Desjardins Financial Security employs 3,628 people and manages more than $16 billion in assets. The company has offices in a number of cities nation-wide: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Levis and Halifax.

Retirement Dreams Never Become Reality for Some Canadians

Cost of Living and Health Issues Overshadow Life-Long Dreams

Toronto, October 31, 2005 - Exotic travel during retirement is the most popular dream for nearly half of Canadian full-time and part-time workers (48%) over 40 years old. But workers should not plan on packing their suitcases too quickly when they finish working.

Once people retire, reality appears to set in as this number one dream evaporates and is replaced by "staying or being healthy" (26% of Canadian retirees) or "having no dreams at all" (26% of retirees vs. 6% for workers). Travel (24%) takes a definite backseat once people retire, according to the fourth annual Desjardins Financial Security Survey on Retirement conducted by CROP and Environics market research firms.

"No other dream has captured the imagination as much as travel for workers," says Monique Tremblay, senior vice-president of Savings and Segregated Funds for Desjardins Financial Security. "This survey tells us there is a disconnect between what workers want, plan and dream of and what retirees are telling us about their lifestyle. Travel might be nice in theory. But in retirement, being in good health is much more important as it is a prerequisite to realizing any dreams.

"Although 26% of retired-surveyed respondents say they have "no dreams", there are a large proportion of retirees who say they are achieving some (47%) or all (44%) of their dreams. In some cases the dreams are free, such as spending time with family, volunteering or relaxing (see Dreams Charts in backgrounder). Only a mere 8% of this subgroup say they haven't achieved their dreams and this is mainly the result of limited financial resources (26%) and health issues (16%).

"There is good news about retirement," says Tremblay. "Our survey indicates that retirees had fewer fears about retirement than workers.  Surprisingly only 38% of retirees stated they had 'no fears' at all, compared to 20% of workers." Adds Tremblay, "And, when it came to other concerns, only 17% of retired respondents list monetary issues as an area of apprehension, while 36% or workers thought that money could be an issue for them during retirement. Interestingly, boredom and loneliness was cited by only 6% of retirees while 15% of workers thought that this could be an issue."

Having a recipe for a solid financial plan is essential in helping to ensure that retirement dreams are realized. A good plan will incorporate solutions during the living years that outline investing style, credit management, insurance protection and cash management.  The plan must also anticipate all sources of retirement income, several years before someone leaves the workforce. Sources of income include RRIFs and annuities, group retirement plans, government pensions, Old Age Security and non-registered savings. The last planning element is estate planning, where the individual will ensure managing the finances up to the transfer to the next generation.

What Canadian Workers Think About Retirement and What Retirees Say are the Realities:
 

• Canadian workers over 40 recognize that they must plan for retirement and consider health as part of their retirement plan. Seventy-eight per cent of workers surveyed were confident that their retirement goals were attainable. Forty per cent of these workers claim that this success is the result of sound financial planning and another 27% credit their savings mentality.
  
  
• Nearly half of working Canadians seem optimistic that they will retire between ages of 56 and 65 years. The majority will have less than $25,000 in savings (51%). With an increasing debt load, few have taken into consideration the impact of healthcare costs, including care, on their retirement finances.
  
  
• 47% of workers feel they will need 70% or more of their current income in their retirement.
  
  
• Nearly one-fifth of retirees are going though their retirement savings faster than expected.
  
  
• 25% of retirees believe that is very or somewhat likely that they will have to make lifestyle changes as a result of health problems. Yet, 22% of retired respondents will never take into consideration the impact that worst-case health issues will have on their hard-earned retirement savings, and 26% of retired Canadians have no clue if they should even consider the bearing of an accident or illness.
   

"Taking health-related issues into account must be a top priority for workers and retirees," says Tremblay. "Here is something to ponder: actuarial statistics show that 50% of Canadians over 65 years old will need some sort of health-related care, beyond what the provincial healthcare system financially covers. People should take the opportunity to discuss these unforeseen circumstances with their financial advisors early on.

"Government plans and programs will contribute to basic needs in relation to retirement and health and some individuals will have help from their employers. But people need to realize that they have to rely on themselves to meet their retirement lifestyle needs and dreams," adds Tremblay. "There is a great deal of information, educational materials and solutions available today. It is imperative that going forward, people include in their portfolios the health and investment solutions they need so their dreams don't disappear into thin air because of the lack of money."

About the Survey
CROP and Environics conducted the survey on behalf of Desjardins Financial Security between June 29 and July 31, 2005. In total, 1,500 interviews were conducted with a representative sample of Canadian adults. The sampling plan provides proportional estimates with a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 2.5% at a 95% confidence level (19 times out of 20). The data was statistically weighted to accurately reflect the composition of Canadians by region, gender and age based on Statistics Canada's 2001 Census information.

About Desjardins Financial Security
Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, specializes in life and health insurance including retirement savings products. More than 5 million Canadians count on Desjardins Financial Security every day for their financial security needs. It has 3,628 employees and more than $15 billion in assets. Desjardins Financial Security has offices in all major cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Levis and Halifax.

About CROP and Environics
Created in 1965, CROP was the first marketing research and opinion survey firm to be based in Quebec. It is recognized for having developed innovative research approaches.

For its part, the Environics Research Group, founded in 1970, is a Canadian leader in the field of opinion surveys and market studies. Environics has its head office in Ottawa and Calgary, and is affiliated to CROP in Montreal.

Desjardins Financial Security 2005 National Survey on Retirement - Section on retirement dreams and fears
   18 pages - 245 kb 

Investing is Hot! - 2005 Survey on Canadians' Attitudes Toward Retirement Living
   16 pages - 396 kb

Retirement Dreams Chart
   1 page - 71 kb