Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, Desjardins is implementing a number of measures to ensure the safety of its members and clients.
The financial services company offered a reminder in a release that its over 320 service centres remain accessible to the public – but the company also highly recommended that since the caisses typically see high traffic, it would be better to conduct banking services remotely. Of the nearly 300 types of transactions the service centres offer, Desjardins said that more than 290 of them can be accomplished without actually visiting a caisse, and instead done online.
Desjardins has also recommended that members and clients sign up to receive their government benefits by direct deposit instead of cheque.
“As a leader in socio-economic development, Desjardins has to be there to support Quebec’s and Canada’s economy,” said Desjardins president and CEO Guy Cormier. “Since March 16, we’ve announced several measures that would give our members and clients some financial flexibility should they find themselves in a tough spot because of COVID-19.”
The company also announced that it will refund members charged for going over their plan’s monthly transaction limit, starting in April. Charges will be refunded automatically, so members do not have to take any additional steps.
For members and clients who are still abroad and have travel insurance with Desjardins, the company will provide support – in the form of booking tickets for return flights, new accommodation, organizing translation services, and even coordinating steps with the government. Desjardins will also offer aid to those members and clients unable to come home by their scheduled return date, in the form of coverage for temporary living expenses and emergency healthcare coverage extensions.
Desjardins is also offering complimentary, free-of-charge liability coverage to auto insurance policyholders returning from the US in a rental car. This frees them from having to purchase insurance from the rental company if they need to leave their vehicle in the US for the long term. It will continue to be covered at no extra charge.
