Desjardins Financial Security has boosted its annual premiums by $4.5 million with the signing of two major group insurance contracts to provide coverage to more than 2,200 workers and retirees.

The life and health insurer, a subsidiary of the Levis, Que.-based Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, said Monday the two new policyholders are the Société de transport de Montréal and Christina Amérique inc. in Montreal.

The company will provide life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short and long-term disability, health and dental coverage to the 1,557 non-unionized employees and professionals of the STM. The contract will take effect July 1, 2004.

Coverage for the 658 employees of Christina Amérique inc. includes life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, health and dental care. That contract will take effect June 1, 2004.

Desjardins Financial premiums in force totalled $1.34 billion last year.