Desjardins is expanding its service offering for businesses, which will enable it to better serve its clients on the international stage
MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Group (www.desjardins.com), the leading cooperative financial group in Canada, announces the opening of a European representation office in Paris.
The European representation office will enable Desjardins Group to expand its support offering to Canadian businesses by fostering development of their trade activities in Europe. As well, through this European office, Desjardins will open itself to a new international client base, by making available its support services to European businesses looking to break into the North American market.
Desjardins' presence in Paris will promote links with European banks in order to support its business members and clients in finding information on the markets and financial environment, business prospecting and the execution of potential trade missions.
Monique F. Leroux, Desjardins Group Chair of the Board, President and CEO, is thrilled that the institution is establishing itself in Europe. "We are very pleased to take this important step in Europe. At Desjardins, we are guided by the desire to constantly better meet the needs of our members and clients, through service and proximity. This objective is a key motivator behind our European representation office, as it will enable us to more effectively support businesses in their international business projects."
The opening of Desjardins' European representation office, located at the head office of Crédit Mutuel in Paris, was facilitated by the cooperative agreement reached last October with the French mutualist financial institution.
Appointment of Lucia Baldino
Desjardins Group also announces the appointment of Lucia Baldino as manager of the European representation office. Working in Paris, Ms. Baldino will act as an ambassador for Desjardins Group in Europe. In addition to supporting Desjardins business members and clients on the European market, she will guide local businesses looking to establish themselves in the North American market and direct them to the appropriate Desjardins Group teams to ensure business opportunities are seized.
Ms. Baldino will also work to develop and strengthen Desjardins' links with French, European and Canadian business institutions in the area to optimize Desjardins Group's influence across Europe.
Ms. Baldino has solid international experience and has held positions in Rome and Paris. Before joining Desjardins Group, she worked at a government organization where she was responsible for coordinating the prospecting of investments from the Americas and Asia.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group www.desjardins.com is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets of nearly $190 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario, and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8 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. As one of the largest employers in the country and among Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012TM, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 43,600 employees and the commitment of nearly 6,000 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.
(for journalists only):
Nathalie Genest
Spokesperson
Desjardins Group
514-281-7275 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275
[email protected]
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