Selects Morningstar as Independent Provider of Research, Data, and Portfolio Construction

TORONTO - Desjardins Financial Security announced the launch of Foresight(TM), a group retirement savings/investment solution that combines the flexible and tailored group retirement savings solutions with independent expertise in investment research and analysis. Each fund in a Foresight portfolio is carefully researched, selected and monitored by Morningstar Research Inc., the Canadian subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. This is the first program of its kind in Canada and is truly a turnkey solution for small- to medium-sized businesses.

"Foresight is ideal for retirement plan sponsors and their employee participants because it provides accurate research and information about their funds. In this market, this type of investor information is empowering and reassuring," said Gil McGowan, regional vice president of group retirement sales and development for Desjardins Financial Security. "Foresight is also well-suited for small- to medium-sized businesses because it takes the thinking out of retirement plan management. Instead of concentrating on their employees' retirement portfolios, they're able to concentrate on their businesses."

Morningstar has performed extensive research and due diligence on each of the funds on the Foresight platform, and the portfolios have been carefully constructed to ensure diversification and appropriate risk management. In total, plan participants can choose from 12 funds, six lifecycle portfolios, and three retirement paths.

"We're pleased that Desjardins Financial Security has selected Morningstar for our independent research and analysis," said Scott Mackenzie, president and chief executive officer of Morningstar Research Inc. "Our goal is to help investors make informed decisions, and plan participants will have peace of mind knowing they have clear investment choices based on Morningstar's research and portfolio construction."

Another key advantage of the Foresight solution is that it meets with Capital Accumulation Plan (CAP) guidelines. Desjardins Financial Security will assume responsibility for the entire plan implementation process and employee support, which includes training, communications, information, transaction tools, statements and reports. Morningstar is responsible for ongoing monitoring of the Foresight portfolios as well as the individual funds in the portfolios.