Western Financial to offer hog farming insurance

Western Financial Group (TSX – WES, WES.DB.A) has acquired Leroy Agencies in Leroy, Saskatchewan, which offers an insurance program in the hog farming industry.<br>
The Company also acquired Coronation Alberta-based NHI Agencies, which is a oil and gas and farming centre as well as B.C.-based Pender Island Agencies, which is a growing tourism and retirement area in the Gulf Islands. Future plans for additional acquisitions in fast growing centers with strong local economies, are set to close by the end of 2005.<br>
In addition to Western Financial’s recent acquisitions, the Company says it has sold one of its two operations in Red Deer, Alberta because it intends to focus more of its resources in the community. WFG Commercial Insurance was purchased by Platinum Insurance and Western Financial Group continues to operate in Red Deer through Kenmex Agencies.<br>
Western Financial Group has offices in towns and small cities across Western Canada where it and its affiliates provide more than 250,000 customers with insurance products as well as investment and banking products.