Western Financial Group Declares Dividends

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HIGH RIVER, AB, March 16 /CNW/ - (TSX - WES, WES.PR.A, WES.PR.B, WES.PR.C, WES.PR.D) - 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 April 15, 2010 to the shareholders of record as of March 31, 2010.

First Preferred Shares Series 5: (WES.PR.C): A dividend of $5.1781 per share to be payable on April 15, 2010 to the shareholders of record as of March 31, 2010.

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". The First Preferred Shares Series 5 are traded under the symbol "WES.PR.C".

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