Caisse centrale Desjardins issues C$800 million in fixed-rate medium term notes on the Canadian market

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Caisse centrale Desjardins (CCD) announced today the issuance of C$800 million in fixed-rate medium term notes that will mature in four years. This represents Caisse centrale Desjardins's first debt issue on the Canadian market this year and its biggest to date.

The medium term notes are dated October 17, 2012, and will reach maturity on October 17, 2016. They will bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.281%, paid semi-annually.

The notes have been rated AA by DBRS Limited, Aa1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and AA- by Standard & Poor's, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The notes have been issued as part of an investment negotiated by a syndicate of agents led by Desjardins Securities.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws. These notes may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons except in transactions exempt from the registration requirements. Accordingly, this press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Caisse centrale Desjardins

Caisse centrale Desjardins acts as treasurer for Desjardins Group and as its financial agent on Canadian and international markets. As treasurer, Caisse centrale Desjardins also develops and implements liquidities and asset liability management strategies for the Group. Caisse centrale is also responsible for meeting the liquidity needs of the Group, as well as increasing and diversifying its sources of funds on national and international markets.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group www.desjardins.com is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets of $194 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Quebec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.6 million members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. "Best Corporate Citizen in Canada" for 2012 and among Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012^TM, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,645 employees and the commitment of nearly 5,400 elected officers. A new education and cooperation program is now available to Desjardins members and the general public. For more information, visit www.desjardins.com/co-opme.

SOURCE: DESJARDINS GROUP

(for journalists only):
André Chapleau
Media Relations, Desjardins Group
514-281-7229, 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7229
[email protected]