CI Investments Inc. today announced the launch of CI Protected Leverage Deposit Notes, Series 1.

The Notes, issued by Société Générale (Canada), offer a return, if any, linked to the performance of units of Series A of Signature Income & Growth Fund, a top income balanced fund from CI that uses active asset allocation to capitalize on changing market conditions.

CI says the notes’ “Protected Leverage structure ensures that it has continuous 200% exposure to the fund throughout its five-year life. The fund’s distributions are automatically reinvested into the note structure to maximize tax-deferred growth, while the principal amount is 100% guaranteed at maturity by Société Générale.”

“The notes are designed for investors who want growth but are concerned about market volatility,” says David McBain, CI senior vp. “The notes’ structure maximizes performance potential through leverage while controlling risk through principal protection and the fund’s broad diversification and active asset allocation.”

Signature Income & Growth Fund has a strong track record, placing in the first quartile of its category. As of October 31, 2007, the fund had a return of 6.4% over one year and average annual returns of 12.2% over three years, 12.4% over five years and 9.4% since inception in November 2000.

The fund’s portfolio is managed by CI’s Signature Advisors and invests in a broad range of asset classes, including government and corporate bonds, high-quality income trusts, preferred shares and dividend-paying common stocks. Lead portfolio managers are Eric Bushell, Signature’s Chief Investment Officer, and James Dutkiewicz.

CI Protected Leverage Deposit Notes, Series 1, are available for sale until December 7, through registered dealer representatives, and are eligible for registered plans. The minimum purchase is $5,000.

Société Générale is one of the largest financial services groups in the euro zone, and has a presence in 77 countries worldwide. Founded in 1864, the France-based institution serves 28 million retail banking customers, manages 450 billion euros of investment assets and has assets under custody of 2.6 trillion euros as of September 30.