Montreal, Quebec, June 15, 2005 – Canadian credit unions will have access to an all-inclusive portfolio of technology solutions, financial products and services thus providing the industry with a wider range of options. This offering is being provided through a strategic alliance between Desjardins Group, the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, and CGI Group Inc. (TSX: GIB.SV.A; NYSE: GIB), one of the largest independent information technology firms in the world. Canada�s network of cooperative financial institutions represents more than 10 million members and over $167 billion in assets.
In welcoming the announcement, Alban D�Amours, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, stated: �This alliance is perfectly aligned to our development strategy for the Canadian market. Moreover, it allows us to concretely contribute to strengthening the country�s network of cooperative financial institutions while helping to position this network as an alternative to banks.�
In April 2005, Desjardins announced a service agreement with L�Alliance des caisses populaires de l�Ontario, through which Northern Ontario�s 13 caisses committed to the implementation of Desjardins’ IT solution. In addition, Desjardins Credit Union, an Ontario financial cooperative, also selected the Desjardins information system to accelerate its development. �It is through partnerships such as these, which are respectful of the needs of the organizations, that we have created a foothold outside Quebec and can continue to build upon our presence moving forward,� added Mr. D�Amours.
According to Serge Godin, chairman and CEO of CGI, �Through many years of serving the cooperative industry, CGI has gained extensive knowledge of the unique needs of over 200 credit unions and their members across Canada. We are very pleased about being able to bring our clients a wider range of state-of-the-art, IT solutions giving them new options to further enable them to broaden their offering. We are dedicated to helping our credit union clients win and grow and look forward to continued collaboration.�
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, with overall assets of more than $106 billion. It comprises a network of caisses, credit unions and Corporate Financial Centres in Qu�bec and Ontario, and some twenty subsidiary companies in life and general insurance, securities brokerage, venture capital and asset management, many of which are active across the country. Drawing on the expertise of its 39,000 employees and the commitment of 7,660 elected officers, Desjardins offers its 5.5 million individual and corporate members and clients a full range of financial products and services. Its physical distribution network is complemented by leading-edge virtual access methods. Website: www.desjardins.com.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in North America. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in Canada, the US, Europe and India. CGI�s annualized revenue run-rate is currently CDN$3.8 billion (US$3.0 billion) and at March 31, 2005, CGI�s order backlog was CDN$12.9 billion (US$10 billion). CGI�s shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.SV.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices. Website: www.cgi.com.
