Shareholders of Hi-Alta Capital Inc. approved changes to the company’s direction and a new name, Western Financial Group, at the company’s annual general meeting in Calgary Monday afternoon.

The company will commence trading under its new symbol (TSE: WES) within the next week to 10 days. The new name is intended to reflect both the company’s broader range of financial services and its coverage of British Columbia., Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The firm, which operates the largest western-based network of insurance agencies, is also expanding its range of services to include investments and agency banking. It currently provides insurance, investment and agent banking services to more than 140,000 customers in over 40 communities in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.

“This is truly an exciting day for us,” Scott Tannas, president and CEO said. “We have built up a truly western financial institution, and the new name symbolizes our move to a higher level of service with the addition of investments and agency banking to our existing insurance business.”