Western Financial Group Declares Dividends

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HIGH RIVER, AB, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - (TSX - WES, WES.PR.A, WES.PR.B, WES.PR.C) - Western Financial Group ("the Company") announced today that it will provide the following dividends:

    
    Common Shares (WES): A dividend of $0.0107 per share to be payable on
    January 15, 2010 to the shareholders of record as of December 30, 2009.

    Preferred Series 2: A dividend of $3.375 per share to be payable on
    January 15, 2010 to the shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.

    Preferred Series 3 (WES.PR.A): A dividend of $3.375 per share to be
    payable on December 16, 2009, to the shareholders of record as of
    December 1, 2009.

    Preferred Series 4 (WES.PR.B): A dividend of $3.375 per share to be
    payable on December 16, 2009 to the shareholders of record as of
    December 1, 2009.
    

All dividends are designated as "eligible" dividends for the purposes of the Income Tax Act ( Canada ) and any similar provincial and territorial legislation.

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, Bank West and SecuriCan General Insurance.

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

For further information: Arlene Beggs, Assistant to the President, Western Financial Group, [phone], [email protected]