Western Financial Group Increases Quarterly Dividend

High River, Alberta – August 11, 2008 (TSX - WES) - The Board of Directors of Western Financial Group has approved a 7 percent increase to the next quarterly dividend, payable on October 10, 2008 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2008.

"Our goal is to steadily but responsibly increase our dividend payment over the years to come," said Jim Dinning, Chairman of the Board. "As we enter our second year of paying dividends, this increase reflects our continuing confidence in the growth and profitability in the company."

Western Financial Group is a leader in providing insurance, financial services and banking services in over 90 communities, to more than 400,000 individuals and businesses in Western Canada through its WFG Agency 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:
Arlene Beggs, Assistant to the President
Western Financial Group
403-652-2663