CGI Group, an independent information technology and business process services firm, announced it has extended partnership with Canada’s Interac Association for three additional years.

The new agreement extends their decade long partnership for offering managed services until October 2013, company officials added.

Formed in 1984, Interac is a provider of debit card services. The company is responsible for the development and operations of the Inter-Member Network (IMN), a national payment network that allows Canadians to access their money through Automated Banking Machines and Point-of-Sale terminals across Canada.

CGI (News - Alert) takes care of the technology management and operations of the Interac Inter-Member Network, a national payments network for the processing of Interac Debit and Interac Shared Cash transactions.

The company also provides managed services in support of Interac e- Transfer and Interac Online. This service has been covered under a separate agreement.

“With Interac branded services, you have instant access to your money virtually anywhere in Canada 24/7 at the Point-of-Sale, Online or using Automated Banking Machines,” said Amanda Holden, vice president, Operations, Security and Technology, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation, in a statement.

“We chose to renew our technology management and operations agreement for Interac Debit and Interac Shared Cash network managed services based on CGI's demonstrated ability to provide high-quality and reliable services to the members of Interac Association,” Holden added.

“Canadians count on the safety, security and reliability of the Interac network nearly 4 billion times per year and CGI is proud to be part of delivering this essential service across Canada,” said Jamie Holland, senior vice-president, CGI, in a statement.

CGI provides managed IT and business process services and industry-leading business applications for banks. These solutions are proven to increase efficiencies, enhance service and help financial institutions exceed their performance and strategic goals, according to company officials.

Back in July the company signed a 7-year, multi-million dollar IT outsourcing contract with The Beer Store in Ontario, for supplying IT infrastructure to that company.