Question 1

What is Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski?

Accepted Answer

Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski is a local credit union (caisse populaire) serving the city of Rimouski and surrounding areas in Quebec, Canada. As part of the Desjardins Group, the largest federation of credit unions in North America, it operates as a financial services cooperative owned and controlled by its members. The caisse provides comprehensive banking, lending, investment, and insurance services to individuals, families, and businesses in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of eastern Quebec.

With its headquarters located at 100, rue Julien-Réhel in Rimouski, the caisse serves a community of approximately 49,000 people in one of eastern Quebec's key economic and educational centers.

Question 2

When was Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski founded?

Accepted Answer

While the specific founding date of Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski is not publicly documented, it was established as part of the broader Desjardins movement that began in 1900. The Desjardins Group was founded by Alphonse Desjardins and his wife Dorimène in Lévis, Quebec, with the mission of providing accessible savings and credit services to working-class Quebecers who were underserved by traditional banks.

The first caisse populaire, Caisse Populaire de Lévis, opened in 1901 with just 12 members and $26.40 in shares. The movement spread rapidly across Quebec throughout the early 20th century, with local priests and community leaders establishing caisses in their parishes and towns. By 1932, regional unions joined together to create the Fédération de Québec des Unions Régionales des Caisse Populaires Desjardins, providing technical support and oversight for individual branches like Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski.

Question 3

Where is Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski is headquartered in Rimouski, Quebec, located at 100, rue Julien-Réhel, Rimouski (Québec) G5L 0G6. Rimouski is situated on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence Estuary in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, approximately 300 kilometers downstream from Quebec City.

The city serves as the regional capital of Bas-Saint-Laurent and is an important center for maritime industries, education (home to the Université du Québec à Rimouski), health services, and public administration in eastern Quebec.

Question 4

Where does Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski operate?

Accepted Answer

Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski operates primarily in the city of Rimouski and the surrounding Rimouski-Neigette regional county municipality (MRC) in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec. The caisse maintains multiple service points throughout Rimouski, including:
• Its main branch and transactional services center at 100, rue Julien-Réhel
• Seven ATM locations across the city, including at the Complexe sportif Desjardins, Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, and several commercial areas

The caisse serves a primarily French-speaking community, with 97.2% of the local population having French as their mother tongue. Members can access services in person during business hours, by phone (418-723-3368 or 1-888-880-9824), or through Desjardins' digital platforms 24/7.

Question 5

What services does Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski offer?

Accepted Answer

Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski provides a comprehensive range of financial services to individuals, families, and businesses in the region:

Personal Banking: Savings accounts, chequing accounts, term deposits, RRSPs, TFSAs, and other registered savings plans.

Lending Services: Personal loans, mortgages, lines of credit, and credit cards. Desjardins provides approximately 70% of Quebec's personal and home mortgage loans.

Business Services: Commercial accounts, business loans, commercial mortgages, and financing solutions for local enterprises.

Investment Services: Mutual funds, securities, investment advice, and retirement planning. The caisse offers access to Desjardins' socially responsible investment options.

Insurance Services: Property and casualty insurance, life insurance, and other coverage through Desjardins Insurance.

Digital Services: AccèsD online banking and mobile app for 24/7 account management, fund transfers, bill payments, cheque deposits, and investment monitoring. Members can also book appointments remotely via video or phone.

Question 6

What makes Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski unique?

Accepted Answer

Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski stands out for its cooperative ownership model and deep community roots. Unlike traditional banks, members are actual owners of the caisse, with each member holding at least one $5 share that grants voting rights in the institution's governance. Members elect directors who serve on the board of administration and participate in annual general meetings to vote on the distribution of surplus funds.

The caisse returns profits to members through patronage allocations (ristournes) based on their use of services, and reinvests in community development through donations, sponsorships, and scholarships. This cooperative structure means decisions are made locally to benefit members and the Rimouski community rather than distant shareholders.

As part of the Desjardins movement, the caisse contributes to a network that invests over $50 million annually in youth programs and supports Quebec's economic development. Members benefit from access to services across more than 579 points of service throughout Quebec and Ontario, while maintaining the personalized service of a local institution.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski?

Accepted Answer

Caisse Desjardins de Rimouski is a credit union (known as a "caisse populaire" in French Quebec terminology). More specifically, it operates as a financial services cooperative under Quebec's Act respecting financial services cooperatives.

As a credit union, it is a member-owned financial institution where account holders are also shareholders with voting rights. This distinguishes it from commercial banks that are owned by external shareholders. The caisse is part of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, which provides coordination, technical support, and financial services to member caisses while maintaining their cooperative nature.

The cooperative model emphasizes democratic governance (one member, one vote), community reinvestment, financial education, and serving members' needs rather than maximizing profits for external investors.

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