CGI Group Inc. (CGI) (TSX: GIB.A; NYSE: GIB;) and the National Bank of Canada (TSX: NA) announced today the signing of a two-year extension on a 10-year IT outsourcing contract originally signed with Cognicase in June 2000.
While the original contract extended until June 2010, CGI's contract will last until June 2012 and is valued at approximately CDN$60 million per year. As part of this agreement, CGI is managing such functions as application maintenance and support as well as the development and support of new application projects.
"We are pleased with the value that CGI is bringing to this partnership. Having access to professionals world-wide via our partnership with CGI, better enables us to reach the goals plotted out in our business plan and strategy moving forward," said Mr. Michel Labonté, senior vice-president, finance and technology for the National Bank.
Michael Roach, president and chief operating officer for CGI said: "We are very pleased about serving the National Bank for the next decade and helping them win and grow. We feel strongly that the experience and talent of our merged teams coupled with our understanding of the banking industry make for a winning formula."
About the National Bank
National Bank of Canada is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its customers elsewhere in the world. The National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management, as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. The National Bank has approximately $75 billion in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs over 17,000 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA: TSX). For more information, visit the Bank's website at
www.nbc.ca.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is the fourth largest independent information technology services firm in North America, based on its headcount. CGI and its affiliated companies employ 20,000 professionals. CGI's annualised revenue run-rate is currently CDN$2.9 billion (US$1.9 billion) and at March 31, 2003, CGI's order backlog was CDN$11.2 billion (US$7.6 billion). CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to more than 3,500 clients worldwide from offices in Canada, United States and Europe. CGI's shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the TSX 100 Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Canadian Information Technology and Canadian MidCap Indices. Website: www.cgi.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements represent CGI Group Inc.'s intentions, plans, expectations, and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.
These factors include and are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in the rapidly-evolving information technology industry; general economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in CGI Group Inc.'s Annual Report or Form 40-F filed with the SEC, the Company's Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities, as well as assumptions regarding the foregoing. The words "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", and similar expressions and variations thereof, identify certain of such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future revenue from outsourcing contracts are forward-looking statements. CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
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For more information:
National Bank:
Denis Dubé
Public Relations Manager
Tel: (514) 394-8644
CGI
Investor relations
Julie Creed
Tel: (312) 201-4803
Ronald White
Tel: (514) 841-3230
Media relations
Eileen Murphy
Tel: (514) 841-3430
