Western Financial Group Completes Acquisition of Winnipeg-Based HED

For Immediate Release

High River, Alberta – October 1, 2009 (TSX - WES). Western Financial Group (“the Company” or “Western”) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Hayhurst Elias Dudek Inc. (“HED”) and its subsidiaries including SecuriCan General Insurance Company (“SecuriCan”). Details of the transaction were announced in a previous press release on September 8, 2009.

Western Financial Group is a leader in providing insurance, financial services and banking services in over 90 communities, to more than 500,000 individuals and businesses in Western Canada through its Network locations, its affiliated insurance brokers, Western Life Assurance Company and Bank West.

The Common Shares of Western Financial Group are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WES”.

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

For further information, please contact:
Western Financial Group
403-652-2663
info@westernfg.ca