Desjardins Group has announced a new structure in an attempt to “consolidate its position in the financial services market in Canada and be closer to its network of caisses and their members.”

This reorganization will also enable the group to save more than $150 million per year.

“The goal of the exercise is not to eliminate positions,” Desjardins spokesman André Chapleau, told Conseiller.ca, Advisor’s Montreal affiliate. “But when you team together and identify synergies and productivity gains, it has an effect on any posts.”

Specifically, Desjardins estimates that 300 jobs will disappear each year during the next three years. The company currently has more than 15,000 employees.

The impact on advisors and planners employed by the largest cooperative financial group in Canada is expected to be minimal.

“At Desjardins, we have every year 500 to 600 retirements or voluntary departures,” Chapleau pointed out, so any reduction in the number of advisors will likely come through attrition.

Clustering troops

Four new business sectors make up the new structure, including one dedicated to wealth management and life insurance division.

“This is one sector which is the fastest growing,” says Chapleau. “It will include all teams from the Federation des caisses Desjardins du Québec and its subsidiaries who, from near or far, are within the scope of the areas of wealth management and life insurance.”

This business unit includes the staff of Desjardins Financial Security and Desjardins Securities. Everything concerning investment funds, for example, will fall under this new business sector.

“They will all continue to work in their unit, they will relate to a big boss, who is managing the assets and life insurance,” said Chapleau.

Three other business sectors

The three other business sectors that are emerging, including individuals, businesses and general insurance, which will consist of all the teams of the Fédération des caisses and subsidiaries operating in these areas.

“Desjardins has drawn significant performance gains through synergies from this combination of expertise,” the company said.

Previously, Desjardins Financial Security, Desjardins Securities and other subsidiaries of Desjardins Group reported directly to president and CEO, Monique F. Leroux.

Before the restructuring, Desjardins Group also had four business units: Individuals and companies; insurance and securities; asset management; venture capital and others.

A dozen appointments

As part of the reorganization, Leroux announced a dozen appointments, including:

• Bruno Morin becomes senior vice-president and general manager of the wealth management and life insurance;

• Normand Desautels was promoted to first vice-president and general manager of the personal services;

• Stéphane Achard occupies the chair of senior vice-president and general manager of business services;

• Sylvie Paquette is appointed senior vice-president and general manager, general insurance.

(05/15/09)