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HIGH RIVER, AB, July 23, 2012 /CNW/ – Western Financial Group (Western)
is proud to announce the July 1^st acquisition of BC Yacht Insurance Brokers Inc. (BC Yacht), Sidney’s
only specialized marine insurance brokerage. BC Yacht is headquartered
in Sidney, British Columbia and is Western Financial Group’s second
acquisition on Vancouver Island this year.

“We have developed specialized expertise and underwriting agreements
with respect to watercraft and marine insurance which we will now bring
to Western’s expanding network,” said Robert (Bob) Raymond, founder and
owner of BC Yacht. “This allows us to continue strongly growing our
business right here in Sidney, and it means we can offer our excellent
products and services right across western Canada.”

BC Yacht was founded in 2006 when Bob Raymond, a very experienced
yachtsman, decided to sell his general insurance brokerage and
primarily pursue specialized watercraft and marine insurance. BC Yacht
is a leader in this type of coverage. The Sidney office, now under the
Western Financial Group banner, will continue to operate with the same
knowledgeable and friendly staff out of its same location at #105 –
2506 Beacon Avenue.

Western will expand BC Yacht’s reach to customers across western Canada,
while building on its reputation for superior marine insurance and
customer satisfaction. BC Yacht’s customers will over time benefit from
the wide range of insurance products Western provides including home,
auto, life, business, farm and specialty insurance products.

“This is a great fit for Western and for BC Yacht,” said Scott Tannas,
president and CEO of Western Financial Group. “Gaining BC Yacht’s
expertise in watercraft insurance will immediately benefit our
customers and brokers across our network. We are excited to welcome
Robert to the team.”

About Western Financial Group

Western Financial Group is a western Canada based, diversified,
financial services company serving more than 600,000 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, the Internet (www.westernfinancialgroup.ca) and other distribution channels. With a skilled team of approximately
1,500 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.

SOURCE Western Financial Group