Lana Wood to Step Down as President, Western Financial Group (Network) Inc.

For Immediate Release

LANA WOOD TO STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT,
WESTERN FINANCIAL GROUP (NETWORK) INC.

High River, AB – November 8, 2011 –Western Financial Group (“Western”) President and CEO Scott Tannas announced today that Lana Wood, President of Western Financial Group (Network) Inc. (“Network”) has resigned from the company effective November 30th.

Mr. Tannas will assume Ms. Wood’s responsibilities on an interim basis. The company will be conducting an executive search both externally and internally in order to staff the position on a permanent basis.

In announcing Ms. Wood’s departure, Mr. Tannas stated, “Lana’s dedication, hard work and strategic insight have been central to Western Financial’s rapid growth. We could not have achieved our current level of success without Lana, and while I am saddened to see her leave I know Lana is looking forward to new challenges and opportunities.”

Ms. Wood, who joined Western Financial Group in 2004, stated, “It has been an honour and privilege for me to work for Western Financial over the past seven years. During my time here I have been proud to see our business more than double, and our network of office locations grow from 51 to more than 120. I wish the company, my valued colleagues, the many good friends I have made, and all of Western’s dedicated employees the very best for the future."

About Western Financial Group
Western Financial Group is a western Canada based, diversified, financial services company serving more than 550,000 customers. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta. Western provides insurance, banking and investment products and services through more than 120 office locations, and other distribution channels. With a skilled team of approximately 1,400 employees, and backed by the strong resources of its owners, Western is committed to building the strongest financial services company in western Canada. Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest in the world.

This press release is not for distribution to any United States news service or otherwise in the United States.

Contact:

James Savage
Executive Vice President
Corporate Communications and Brand Marketing
Western Financial Group
(403) 336 3653 - mobile
James.Savage@westernfg.ca