Desjardins Financial Security

Products and Services

Segregated Funds New Era Millennia III Contract offers one of best capital guarantees in Canada (10/27/2000)
Launch of Millennia III Portfolio Funds with Talvest, Millennia III puts maximum diversification in the reach of all investors (10/27/2000)
Imperial Life Financial Services and Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance launch a new interactive Website for their group retirement savings clients (08/16/2000)
Ten New Millennia III Segregated Funds (04/12/2000)
Segregated Funds Millennia III New Era Contract (04/12/2000)
A safe and high-performance investment during a period of market correction: it is possible! (02/17/2000)

Finactive

Social Commitment

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance Invites Quebec Companies to Hold an Alzheimer Coffee-Break T (02/18/2000)

Miscellaneous

Alain Thauvette Appointed Executive Vice-President of the Group Network (5/9/2000)

Segregated Funds New Era Millennia III Contract offers one of best capital guarantees in Canada

Montreal, October 27, 2000 - The Segregated Funds New Era Millennia III contract is the only one of its kind in Canada that automatically protects the sums invested against inflation. Better yet, it guarantees the best capital preservation by automatically resetting the guaranteed amount each year. The new guaranteed value is the higher of the inflation-adjusted value, the market value or the guaranteed value at the last reset.

1. Automatic resets of the guaranteed capital
The New Era contract includes annual automatic resets. When markets climb, the guaranteed value increases since it follows the market value. When markets are down, the contract resets the value of the deposits on an inflation-adjusted basis or will give you the value at the last reset.

2. Unequalled purchasing power protection
To prevent the erosion of the investor's purchasing power, the New Era contract protects the capital against inflation-related risks. The example below shows the undeniable advantage that this guarantee provides.

Initial amount deposited at the beginning of 2000: $10,000

Amount accumulated at the end of 2025:

adjusted for annual inflation of 5%: $35,557
adjusted for annual inflation of 2%: $16,734
no inflation adjustment: $10,000*

*Equivalent to $5,975 in terms of 2000 purchasing power.

3. Protection against market downturns
When markets are down, the inflation-adjusted value picks up the slack and increases the guaranteed value. However, the value from the previous year is kept if it is higher than the current market value or the inflation-adjusted value.

The Guarantees

At death: Up to age 80, the death benefit will be equal to at least 100% of the deposits made during the term of the contract. However, with the automatic annual capital reset, it is very likely that the death benefit will be higher.
At maturity: The New era contract matures when the client reaches age 105. The capital guarantee then corresponds to either the market value or the death benefit amount, whichever is highest.

Safety nets
The New Age contract also offers safety nets that offer protection against extreme circumstances at three stages of the contract.

If, at the end of the first 10 years, the market undergoes a correction of more than 25%, the guaranteed value equals 75% of the deposits.
If, at the end of the first 20 years, there has been no capital growth, the guaranteed value equals 100% of the deposits.
If, at the end of any period of 10 consecutive years where no reset is made, there is a drop in markets of over 25%, which is not reabsorbed, the guaranteed value is 75% of the death benefit.

Several investment options
The New Era contract offers several investment options that cover the main asset classes and various investment styles. A new partnership with Talvest means that there are now four fund managers that share the management of the 26 Millennia Segregated Funds. In addition to Talvest, the fund managers include Bissett & Associates, Elantis (formerly Canagex) and McLean Budden. Lastly, keep in mind that through an exclusive partnership agreement with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., a world leader in investment management, Elantis has access to this firm's research service, one of the most respected in the industry, along with its solid expertise in international investment management.

Millennia III segregated funds are established by the Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada. They are available in Quebec through more than 2,000 financial security advisors of Laurentian Financial services and in Desjardins caisses. In other Canadian provinces, they are offered by more than 1,000 representatives of the Connexus and Laurentian Financial Services networks, as well as by Imperial Life's Finactive virtual network.

Launch of Millennia III Portfolio Funds with Talvest, Millennia III puts maximum diversification in the reach of all investors

Montreal, October 27, 2000 - Thanks to three new Millennia III Portfolio Funds managed by TAL, the parent company of Talvest, it is now possible to take full advantage of the benefits of diversification in a single investment product. Each portfolio - conservative, balanced and growth - includes several funds, the composition of which varies based on the investor profile. They all offer an optimum fund composition, diversified asset classes and management styles and a specialized manager for each asset class.

" The originality of Millennia III Portfolio Funds lies in its asset allocation process, one of the strong points of TAL. At least once a year, the composition of the fund is adjusted to respect the long-term goals of investors. " Better yet, the Talvest Global Asset Allocation RSP Fund, which is included in each portfolio in proportions of between 20% and 40%, ensures appropriate positioning at all times," states Barry Teichroeb, Vice-President, Segregated Funds, at Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance and the Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada.

Managed by Jean-Guy Desjardins, President of TAL, the Talvest Global Asset Allocation RSP Fund is set up both to react quickly to market fluctuations and to take advantage of market imbalances.

Three new Talvest Global Funds
The Millennia III family of segregated funds now includes three new global funds, also managed by TAL:

Talvest Global Bond RSP Fund
Talvest Global Asset Allocation RSP Fund
Talvest Global Equity Fund

These new options offered under Millennia III now allow investors to choose either the "turnkey" option, by selecting the Millennia III Portfolio Fund that matches their profile, or the "à la carte" option, by selecting among the 23 other Millennia III segregated funds, including three new global funds.

Four experienced fund managers
Founded in 1972 in Montreal, TAL currently manages over $50 billion in assets and more than 100 mutual and investment funds. TAL is backed by a team of portfolio managers specialized in Canadian and international securities, and by more than 20 external investment firms offering a variety of management styles and philosophies. With this structure, investors have access to the skills of investment managers from around the world.

This new partnership with Talvest means that there are now four fund managers that share the management of the 26 Millennia Segregated Funds. In addition to Talvest, the fund managers include Bissett & Associates, Elantis (formerly Canagex) and McLean Budden. Lastly, keep in mind that through an exclusive partnership agreement with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., a world leader in investment management, Elantis has access to this firm's research service, one of the most respected in the industry, along with its solid expertise in international investment management.

Millennia III segregated funds are established by the Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada. They are available in Quebec through more than 2,000 financial security advisors of Laurentian Financial Services and in Desjardins caisses. In other Canadian provinces, they are offered by more than 1,000 representatives of the Connexus and Laurentian Financial Services networks, as well as by Imperial Life's Finactive virtual network.

Imperial Life Financial Services and Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance launch a new interactive Website for their group retirement savings clients - our Personal Teller"

Montreal, August 16, 2000 - Group retirement savings clients of Imperial Life Financial Services and Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance can now get all the details they need on the value of their accounts and perform a series of operations on an interactive site designed especially for them.

"The interactive site was recently upgraded to allow clients to manage their investments on-line. At any time, they can get details on their account by investment fund and by type of contribution, change investment instructions and transfer sums from one fund to another," says Paola Pasquale, Vice-President, Sales Strategies, Group Network.

The site, called "My Personal Teller," also offers other possibilities to clients:

Viewing previous transactions
Obtaining statements
Printing forms
Making address changes
Viewing current account information before making changes

Since the site boasts the highest Internet level of security in North America, clients have easy and secure access to information on their account. Clients can access the site seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to midnight inclusively. Outside this time period, clients may get a message informing them that the site is unavailable, given that certain time slots are reserved for system processing.

To use this new service, clients are given a user code and personal password directly on site or by calling the Imperial Life or DLLA group retirement savings call centre.

Accessible to Intermediaries
The "Your Personal Teller" site is also accessible to intermediaries offering Imperial Life or DLLA group retirement savings products. They can view the participants' funds accumulated in the plans which they are handling as intermediaries as well as consult their investment instructions. This service enables them to provide consulting services more efficiently and help their clients with their financial retirement plan.

Other Services Available on the Web
Group retirement savings clients can also find a great deal of information on the Imperial Life and DLLA Websites updated on a regular basis: services available, types of plans, investment options, how to choose a retirement savings plan, how to identify their investor profile, etc. They can also consult unit values, returns and assets in each available fund.

They can also download the "Setting Sail for the Future" software, which they can use to evaluate the savings needed to meet their financial objectives at retirement, taking their current retirement plan into account, other sources of income and their investor profile. Finally, an asset allocation model is available to help them select a combination of funds that corresponds best to their financial situation and their level of tolerance to risk.

Group Retirement Savings, A Practical and Advantageous Way to Save
Imperial Life and DLLA would like to point out that group retirement savings is a practical way for employees to save by deduction at source. The key advantages of group retirement savings compared to individual retirement savings are the following: management fees generally lower than those that apply to mutual funds, greater overall return, immediate tax reduction on their salary, which increases their net salary, and a savings discipline.

Imperial Life Financial Services and Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance administer 1,800 group retirement savings plans for a total of $5 billion in assets.

Ten New Millennia III Segregated Funds among the best performers on the market

Montreal, April 12, 2000 - On April 17, 2000, ten new funds managed by McLean Budden and Bissett & Associates, two top-rated portfolio managers, will be added to the Millennia III group of Segregated Funds.

"We are very proud of this alliance with these two portfolio managers who have a remarkable track record for the excellence and consistency of the rates of return of their funds," specifies Louise Turgeon, Director of Merchandising for Segregated Funds at Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance and the Imperial Life Assurance Company.

McLean Budden
Opening its doors in Montreal in 1947, McLean Budden is one of the oldest investment consulting firms in Canada. It manages $20 billion in pension, endowment, institutional investment, mutual fund, and private client assets.

The New McLean Budden Millennia III Funds
Six funds managed by McLean Budden will be added to the Millennia III family of funds on April 17:

Fixed Income Fund
Balanced Growth Fund
Canadian Equity Value Fund
Canadian Equity Growth Fund
American Equity Growth Fund
International Equity Growth Fund

Over the last ten years, in contrast to many funds in the same category, the six funds selected by McLean Budden have yielded consistent and above-average returns. For example, with an annual compound return of 17.9% for the 10-year period ending on December 31, 1999, McLean Budden's American Equity Fund was described by financial industry observers as being "the best fund in its class available to the Canadian public." This fund, like the Fixed Income Fund and the Balanced Growth Fund, ranks among the top 100 funds for the year 2000 according to analysts.

Bissett & Associates
Bissett & Associates was founded in Calgary in 1982. Today, it is one of the most prominent portfolio managers in Canada and has $5.7 billion dollars in assets under management.

New Bissett & Associates Millennia III Funds

Bond Fund
Dividend Income Fund
Canadian Equity Fund
Small Cap Fund

Bissett & Associates has developed a disciplined approach to portfolio construction and management. Its funds rank among the highest performers over investment horizons of more than 5 years. Among the funds selected, the Canadian Equity Fund ranks among the six best funds, with an above-average return for 11 of the past 15 years. This fund obtained an average compound annual return of 12.4% over 15 years for the period ending December 31, 1999, compared with a 10.6% average for funds in its category.

Increased Diversification and Complementary Management Styles
By doubling the number of its funds, for a total of 20, the Millennia III family offers investors even greater diversification among different categories of assets. It also complements the existing range of funds by increasing the number of portfolio managers to three, for management of the Millennia III Segregated Funds.

Millennia III Funds are established by Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada, a sister company of Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance. They are available in Quebec through more than 2000 financial security advisors of Laurentian Financial Services and in Desjardins caisses. In other Canadian provinces, they are offered by more than 1000 representatives of Connexus and Imperial Financial Services networks, as well as by Imperial Life's Finactive virtual network.

Segregated Funds Millennia III New Era Contract: Inflation-adjusted Value that is a First in Canada

Montreal, April 12, 2000 - The Segregated Funds Millennia III New Era contract is the only one of its kind in Canada to eliminate inflation-related risks and preserve the clients' purchasing power. It is also the only one of its kind to offer a combination of guarantees or "safety nets" at various stages of the contract.

"The New Era contract is unique in Canada because it recognizes that true capital protection requires more than a 100 % guarantee - it requires a guarantee adjusted for inflation. Better still, it offers the best value guarantee possible by automatically adjusting the guaranteed value annually. The new guaranteed value is the higher of the inflation-adjusted value, the market value or the guaranteed value of the preceding adjustment," specifies Barry Teichroeb, Vice-President of Segregated Funds at Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance and the Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada.

Unequalled Purchasing Power Protection
The higher the inflation rate, the faster savings and income are eaten up. Purchasing power is rapidly whittled away. As shown below, the guaranteed inflation-adjusted value affords more protection than a 100% guarantee on deposits.

Value in 2025 of an initial amount of $10,000 deposited in 2000,with a 2% rate of inflation and 0% return

inflation-adjusted value: $16,734
without inflation-adjusted value: $10,000(1)

(1) Equal to purchasing power of $5,914 in 2000

Safety Nets at Various Stages of the Contract
The New Era contract is unique in that, instead of being a 10-year term contract like most others, it is a lifetime contract with a combination of guarantees that offer protection against extreme circumstances at various stages of the contract. Thus, clients can benefit from a capital guarantee by buying back deposits after the 10th or 20th anniversary date. New Era provides a 5-day period for consultation and consideration of the various options available.

Three-fold Protection:

End of first 10 years
- Situation: Market undergoes correction of over 25%
- Guaranteed value: 75% of initial investment
End of first 20 years
- Situation: No capital growth
- Guaranteed value: 100% of initial investment
End of any period of 10 years
- Situation: Drop in markets of over 25% which is not reabsorbed
- Guaranteed value: 75% of guaranteed capital

Death Benefit Guarantees
For deposits made before age 80, the guarantees are the following:

100% of the value of each deposit; or
The guaranteed value at the last automatic adjustment (to age 75), plus 100% of the value of subsequent deposits; or
The inflation-adjusted value for all deposits; each year, the value of each deposit is adjusted according to inflation on a compound basis (to age 75); or
The market-share value up to 130% of the guaranteed value at the last automatic adjustment, plus 100% of the value of subsequent deposits.

Plus
For deposits made as of age 80, the New Era contract offers a growing guarantee during the first ten years following the deposit date (from 80% for the first five years to 100% the tenth year and subsequent years).

Maturity Guarantee
The New Era contract matures when the client reaches age 105. The guarantee corresponds to the greater of the market value and the death benefit amount.

A safe and high-performance investment during a period of market correction: it is possible!

Toronto, February 17th, 2000 - We are likely to see a deceleration in the market upsurge of the last few years. Indeed, if the U.S. economy overheats to any extent, the result could be a slight increase in interest rates, checking the soaring rise of the stock markets. Investors will therefore be advised to be on the lookout for investment vehicles that can counter interest rate and market fluctuations, thanks to a management style that takes advantage of market highs and lows. Sounds utopian? Think again!

Until recently, this type of investment vehicle was, unfortunately, the preserve of institutional or large private investors. Since the arrival of Strategic Index Plus, offered by representatives of Imperial Life Financial, this is no longer the case. Initially designed to optimize the management of company assets, Strategic Index Plus today represents the only product of its type available to individuals. It appeals both to conservative investors in search of peace of mind and to aggressive investors whose sights are set on portfolio growth.

Active management = flexibility and swift adaptability
Strategic Index Plus' active management approach attracts superior returns regardless of market conditions. Strategic Index Plus is a guaranteed capital deposit certificate whose return reflects the active management of 28 international securities (12 market indices, 7 bond indices, 9 foreign currencies and around 100 bonds and stocks of the G7 countries), providing an optimum balance between stability and return. Active management also ensures a level of flexibility and an ability to adapt rapidly to market fluctuation, features which no other mutual fund manager can claim to match.
The pioneering nature of Strategic Index Plus distinguishes it from other investment vehicles:

A hedge fund to maximize performance
In addition to guaranteeing the initial deposit at maturity or upon the client's death, this term investment (3, 5½ or 8 years) uses a hedge fund portfolio to obtain the best possible returns. The hedge fund portfolio is managed by some 90 managers who work closely with Strategic Index Plus designer, Jacques Lussier, "the manager's manager." Together with his team of derivatives specialists, Jacques Lussier masterminds the allocation of hedge funds worth $1 billion.

Unequalled Diversification
Despite many attempts, no manager or financial institution has been able to develop and market such a financial product whose unique method of diversification makes the best possible use of several factors:
1. The personal skills and investment philosophies of the various fund managers;
2. A range of diverse asset classes (indices, currencies and commodities);
3. The multitude of securities within each asset class;
4. Exposure to domestic and international markets alike.

Less volatile than a bond fund
More than 95% of the hedge funds in which Strategic Index Plus invests comprise only minimal risks. Unlike some hedge funds which take risks in order to beat returns, the Strategic Index Plus investment policy is to manage risk while earning optimum returns. With a 2% level of volatility, Strategic Index Plus carries far less risk than bond funds, which have a 5 to 6% volatility.

Returns match those of an equity fund
Strategic Index Plus easily outperforms many bond funds. Its returns compare to those of equity funds, while avoiding the associated level of risk.

For example, when the ScotiaMcLeod bond index posted an annual negative return of 1.4% on December 31, 1999, the December 1998 issue of Strategic Index Plus (8-year term) earned an annual return of 10.37%. In the same period, the average return for Canadian equity funds was 16.6%.

You could be forgiven for thinking that such sophisticated management would be relatively costly. And yet, Strategic Index Plus management fees are lower than those for mutual funds. Indeed, they can never exceed 2.5% per year. What is more, Strategic Index Plus is not subject to the 20% foreign content limit on assets held in a registered retirement savings plan.

Strategic Index Plus remains a unique investment vehicle. Despite numerous cloning attempts, no other institution has been able to market a comparable product. Strategic Index Plus has a head start on the competition thanks to a well-established network of contacts and numerous rigid risk-control mechanisms.

Finactive Earns Two Prestigious LCA Awards - www.finactive.com Receive Top Marks

Toronto, October 19, 2000 - Finactive, the on-line financial services centre of The Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada, has recently been awarded two Awards of Excellence from the Life Communicators Association (LCA) - one for its Website and the other for its corporate promotional brochure. The LCA Awards recognize excellence in the financial and insurance sectors across North America.

"We are very proud of these awards. They reinforce our team's commitment to excellence," said Constance Lemieux, Executive Vice President, Finactive. "Our team is dedicated to providing a unique offering to our customers in equally unique packaging. Our web site was designed with the consumer in mind, and this award, combined with positive feedback from our clients, confirms that we met our objective."

Finactive's work was reviewed by a panel of industry judges and beat out 675 other submissions. The LCA Awards is a well-established annual peer competition in the communications arts, which began in 1933.

"The feedback from the judges was very positive and encouraging," said Ms. Lemieux. "The overriding comment was that our information was 'easy to understand'."

The LCA has 750 members from 225 insurance and financial services companies across North America, including most of the 50 largest insurance companies. This year, over 120 companies were vying for recognition in 40 different categories.

Finactive, launched in October 1999, offers Ontarians a comprehensive, financial resource centre and the ability to purchase a full range of investment, and life and health insurance products directly. Finactive also offers calculator programs, to make it easy for clients to define their financial objectives, and obtain complete and objective information on investments, retirement, taxation, insurance and health. Information is compiled from a broad network of contributing partners. In addition, Finactive offers its clients access to salaried licensed advisors either on-line, via the telephone, or in person at 95 St. Clair West, Toronto, for explanations, advices or financial recommendations.

Imperial Life is a part of a financial group of companies with over $70-billion in assets and has served Canadians for more than 100 years.

Finactive Out to Beat Competition on Rates 24-Month GIC now yielding 6.25 %

Toronto, June 8, 2000 - Finactive, the virtual financial centre of The Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada, announced it is now offering investors a 24-month Guaranteed Investment Certificate with an annual interest rate of 6.25 per cent.

"This special offer will be hard to beat," said Constance Lemieux, Executive Vice President, Imperial Life. "It's a great way to lock in a good real rate of return with total security and peace of mind. And even for the more aggressive investor, this GIC is the perfect way to balance a portfolio."

The offer is available with the Imperial Select Accumulator, an in-house savings product that allows investors to accumulate funds for retirement or other purposes. Investors can learn more about it and other investment alternatives by visiting the Finactive Website, or by calling
1-888-777-0700.

Product Features

Highly competitive interest rate of 6.25 per cent per annum for 24 months
Available for RRSPs, LIRAs (locked-in accounts) and non-registered accounts
Offered at no cost - the investor pays no administration fees.
minimum deposit of $500
Redeemable before maturity
Creditor proof (under certain circumstances)

In addition to the special two-year GIC, Imperial Life also offers GICs with terms ranging from 3 months to 20 years. For deposits over $25,000, Imperial pays a premium on the basic interest rate - and for the purpose of determining the rate to be earned, investors can combine the value of their guaranteed interest deposits, even if some are registered and others are not.

Finactive, the virtual financial centre launched by The Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada in October 1999, offers Ontarians a comprehensive, one-stop financial resource centre and the ability to purchase on line or by phone a full range of investment and life and health insurance products. Finactive also -more- offers calculator programs that make it easy for clients to determine their financial goals. It also offers complete and objective information on investments, retirement, taxation, insurance and health. Information is compiled from a broad network of contributing partners.

As part of a group ranked seventh in the Canadian life insurance industry, Imperial has served Canadians for more than 100 years. It is a member of the Canadian Life & Health Insurance Compensation Corporation (CompCorp). CompCorp administers the Consumer Protection Plan, which was instituted to provide protection to the policyholders of member companies.

Finactive Travel Insurance "Summer package" $ 5 Million of Travel Insurance Over 4 Months For a Little as $ 30

Toronto, May 24, 2000 - From now until September 15, 2000, Finactive, the virtual financial centre of The Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada, is offering travellers the most affordable travel insurance on the market. For just $30 for persons aged 60 or under, and $45 for persons aged 61 to 75, the Summer Package reimburses up to $5 million in hospital, medical and paramedical expenses in the event of an accident or sudden illness while travelling - regardless of the number of trips.

"Travellers are covered for the entire summer simply by paying a single low premium - which in many cases is no more than the cost of coverage for a single trip," said Constance Lemieux, Executive Vice President, Imperial Life. "In effect, coverage for the second and subsequent trips is free."

The Summer Package applies to trips of 23 days or less taken outside the insured's province of residence, in Canada and the United States (except Hawaii). It is provided by Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance Company.

The Summer Package is ideal for travelers making several short trips across the border this summer. "The cost of even a single visit to a US emergency ward is expensive," said Ms. Lemieux, "and accidents happen in the blink of an eye."

Ideal for families
The Summer Package is also available to cover the whole family. The family premium is calculated by adding the premiums of the two eldest family members. For example, a couple in their forties with two children will pay only $60 for coverage for up to $5 million in hospital, medical and paramedical coverage for each family member.

Finactive's Summer Package also provides access to a travel assistance service. A team of professionals handles emergency calls 24 hours a day in any language.

More extensive benefits available
The complete range of options is available for travellers who want, for example, trip cancellation insurance or baggage insurance. Consumers can get quotations and purchase online at Imperial Life's Finactive Website - the first virtual financial centre in Canada launched by an insurance company or on the phone. Information and advice from professional advisors are also available by telephone at 1-888-777-0700.

Imperial advises travellers to check whether their group insurance plan or credit card offers travel coverage to avoid paying for coverage they already have.

Finactive, launched in October 1999, offers Ontarians a comprehensive, one-stop financial resource centre and the ability to purchase a full range of investment and life and health insurance products directly. Finactive also offers calculator programs, in order to make it easy for clients to define their financial objectives, and complete and objective information on investments, retirement, taxation, insurance and health. Information is compiled from a broad network of contributing partners. At last, consumers can benefit from a professional advisor's expertise at a time that is convenient to the consumer.

As part of a group ranked seventh in the Canadian life insurance industry, Imperial has served Canadians for more than 100 years.

Bonus Offer and Competitive Rates Yeld Value for On-Line Investors

Toronto, February 15, 2000 - Now, just in time for the RRSP season, Finactive, the virtual financial centre launched by The Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada in October 1999, again offers consumers a great opportunity to get a higher return on their investments as well as all the information, tools and advice they need to make informed financial planning decisions.

Diversification is one of the cornerstones of any RRSP portfolio. Investors who purchase any back end load mutual fund available through Finactive with one of a choice of Finactive savings and investment products, will receive, from Finactive's partner Optifund Investments Inc., a 3.5% bonus on their new mutual fund investment. Investors can combine their mutual fund purchase with a Finactive GIC for terms from 1 to 20 years (an 18 month term is available for a limited time at 6.3%), a Millennia Segregated Fund or the unique Strategic Index Plus product that is tied to 28 international securities.

Before choosing which products suit their financial goals, investors will find at Finactive a comprehensive information centre which features, among other things, a special Question and Answer section hosted by well-known mutual funds expert Gordon Pape. The Website also features a unique retirement planning tool developed for Ontario consumers by Dr. Jacques Lussier, a noted expert in portfolio management.

While many planning calculators make portfolio recommendations based on the investor's tolerance for risk, evaluated with the help of a questionnaire, the Finactive approach is based on an investor's desired rate of return. Finactive assumes each individual is the best person to judge their level of risk aversion, when provided with sufficient information. The Finactive system analyzes the investor's portfolio as to whether the expected rate of return can be achieved. It also measures the risk level and gives recommendations based on six portfolios-each offering a different risk-and-return trade-off. Finally, products including specific mutual funds suited to the investor's goals are identified.

Furthermore, if investors require personalized assistance, or more information on the financial solutions available, Finactive's professional on-line advisors can be easily reached at
1-888-877-0700.

"Finactive offers the best of both worlds-autonomy for the informed decision maker or professional advice-from financial services specialists", says Constance Lemieux, Executive Vice President, Direct Network.

Since its successful launch, Finactive has been offering the most competitive Daily Interest Savings Account on the market, currently at 5.5%.

Finactive is a division of The Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada. Serving Canadians for over one hundred years, Imperial is the first Canadian life insurance company to launch a completely virtual financial services network offering a complete range of savings, investments and life and health insurance products.

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance Invites Quebec Companies to Hold an Alzheimer Coffee-BreakT

Levis, September 18, 2000 - As a partner of the Alzheimer Coffee-BreakTM activity for the fifth consecutive year, Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance (DLLA) is inviting all Quebec companies to actively participate in this fundraiser by organizing an Alzheimer Coffee-BreakTM next September 21.

This sponsorship is in line with DLLA's social commitment, with the promotion of health and wellness issues. The funds collected will help support the efforts of local Alzheimer associations and assist some of the 75,000 Quebeckers who suffer from this terrible disease or related dementia.

According to the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, one Canadian in 13 over age 65 currently suffers from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, representing more than 316,000 people.

An Aging Population
In 1951, people aged 65 or over represented approximately 8% of the entire population, that is, a little more than one million Canadians. In 1996, these figures increased to 3.5 million people or 12% of the population, while over 750,000 people were over 80 years old. By 2031, one person in five could be over age 65 and the number of Canadians suffering from Alzheimer's or related dementia is expected to surpass 750,000.

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance is the leading life and health insurance carrier in Quebec, where it markets mainly individual and group insurance and annuities. It provides direct distribution and other specialized services to financial institutions across Canada, including Desjardins caisses.

Profile
Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance is the leading life and health insurance carrier in Quebec, where it markets its individual and group insurance and annuity products. It accounts for 15.7% of the province's direct premiums paid. It offers direct distribution and other specialized services to financial institutions across Canada, including Desjardins caisses.

Its mission is to meet the financial security needs of individuals and groups by providing the best products and services in the field and by favouring access to a full range of innovative products and financial advice.

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance is constantly adapting to social trends by offering leading-edge products that meet the population's needs in terms of savings, health insurance and assistance services.

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance is the life and health insurance carrier with the greatest variety of distribution networks in Canada. Its services are offered by more than 2,000 financial security advisers, at car dealers, in schools, by mail and telephone and over the Internet. Employee benefit advisers, actuarial advisers, and group retirement savings representatives also offer its products to groups of all sizes. A pioneer in caissassurance, also known as bankassurance, Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance also offers its services in deposit institutions, including Desjardins caisses.

Products and Services Offered
Life insurance-disability insurance-health insurance-business insurance-dental insurance-travel insurance-group insurance-accident insurance-annuities-RRIFs-segregated funds-mutual funds

Alain Thauvette Appointed Executive Vice-President of the Group Network

Levis, September 5, 2000 - Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance (DLLA) and Imperial Life wish to announce the appointment of Alain Thauvette to the position of Executive Vice-President of the Group Network.

Mr. Thauvette is a chartered accountant and has worked in a variety of management positions within both organizations since 1992. At the time of his appointment, he was Senior Vice-President of Finance. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for all DLLA and Imperial Life Group Network operations across Canada.

The Group Network's mission is to provide a range of competitive group insurance and retirement savings services in partnership with its intermediaries. In Canada, DLLA and Imperial Life hold approximately 4.6% of the group insurance market, 3.2% of the group pensions market and 6% of the overall market. In Quebec, they dominate the group insurance market with 32.1%, are ranked 4th in group pensions with 11.4% and are first overall with 16.1%.

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance and Imperial Life are two life and health insurance subsidiaries of the Desjardins-Laurentian Financial Corporation. They market, the first in Quebec and the second in the rest of Canada and the Bahamas, individual and group insurance and annuities and investment funds.

Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance Invites Quebec Companies to Hold an Alzheimer Coffee-BreakT

According to the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, one Canadian in 13 over age 65 currently suffers from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, representing more than 316,000 people.

Profile
Desjardins-Laurentian Life Assurance is the leading life and health insurance carrier in Quebec, where it markets its individual and group insurance and annuity products. It accounts for 15.7% of the province's direct premiums paid. It offers direct distribution and other specialized services to financial institutions across Canada, including Desjardins caisses.

Alain Thauvette Appointed Executive Vice-President of the Group Network