The Desjardins Group is the largest bank in Quebec and the sixth largest in
Canada.  it has 3,500 ATM's.

Kelly


Press Release



    Desjardins presents its new automated teller machines featuring voice
assistance

MONTREAL, Sept. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Group is pleased
to present, on the occasion of the 2004 TechnoVision conference, organized
by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), its new
generation of ATMs, now including a voice assistance function. Visually
impaired, illiterate and elderly people can carry out regular transactions
securely at the Desjardins ATMs by following voice instructions. Since
Desjardins Group is currently replacing or upgrading its 2,900 ATMs in
Québec, it is also equipping them with the voice assistance function. In
so doing, Desjardins is becoming the only financial institution in Canada
to make voice assistance accessible throughout its entire ATM network.
"From now until the end of 2006, half of our ATMs will be upgraded and the
other half will be completely replaced by brand new machines, but all
Desjardins ATMs will offer the voice assistance function," stated Mr.
Roger Tessier, Manager, Sales and Automated Services at Desjardins. "We
are very happy that Desjardins has taken this initiative. The visually
impaired population will greatly appreciate it, since it allows them
access to information and technologies," said Mrs. Susan Vida,
Communications and Technology Coordinator at CNIB. "The Regroupement des
aveugles et amblyopes du Québec (RAAQ) is very excited to be working with
Desjardins to make Desjardins ATMs accessible to people with visual
disabilities. We participated enthusiastically in the decision-making,
implementation and assessment of the project," added Mrs. Nathalie Fex,
Development Officer of the RAAQ. To use voice assistance, users need only
connect standard headphones into an audio jack located near the keypad or
the screen, and then enter their debit card. The voice assistance function
will start automatically, with instructions given in English or in French,
depending on the member's preferences.

    About Desjardins

    Desjardins Group is an integrated cooperative financial group. With
over 5 million members and clients and overall assets of more than $100
billion, it is the largest financial institution in Québec and the
sixth-largest in Canada. It comprises a network of caisses and corporate
financial centres in Québec and Ontario, as well as twenty subsidiary
companies, many of which are active across the country. Having pioneered
the integrated offer of products and services in Canada, Desjardins
provides its members and clients, both individuals and businesses, with a
full range of financial products and services. Desjardins' physical
distribution network is supported by virtual access modes like
www.desjardins.ca, the most frequently visited financial Web site in the
province, and the third-most visited in Canada. Desjardins' strength lies
in the skill and commitment of more than 38,000 employees and close to
7,500 elected officers.

    For further information: André Cajolais, Media Relations Advisor,
(514) 281-7275, 1 866 866-7000, ext. 7275, [log in to unmask]


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