Desjardins Group is launching the SocieTerra socially responsible investment portfolios, co-operative financial group announced Thursday.

The SocieTerra portfolios, which have been added to Desjardins Funds’ product offeringl were developed in partnership with The Ethical Funds Co. Desjardins holds a 50% ownership stake in Ethical Funds through its subsidiary Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.

The new portfolios, which comprise the Desjardins Environment Fund and eight Ethical Funds are named: SocieTerra Secure Market; SocieTerra Balanced; SocieTerra Growth; and SocieTerra Growth Plus.

The portfolios, which have no front-end load fees, are now available to Desjardins members and their clients through the Desjardins’ caisse/branch network across Quebec and Ontario.

“Quebecers are more and more sensitive to the individual and collective benefits related to socially responsible investment. Desjardins Group is proud to play a leadership role in this sector and promote this type of investment for the benefit of its members and the community as a whole,” said Normand Paquin, Desjardins’ senior vp, investment funds and trust services.

With some $10 billion in assets, Desjardins Funds is among the largest mutual fund families in Canada.

IE