New acquisition makes Alpine the largest personal lines insurance brokerage in Red Deer

Red Deer, October 5, 2005 - Alpine Insurance and Financial President and CEO Ken Hughes announced today that Alpine Insurance & Financial has acquired a longstanding Red Deer business, The Insurance Outlet.

The announcement comes on the same day that established Red Deer insurance provider Wiseman Coupland, which was purchased by Alpine in 2004, opens its doors at its new location, 2250 - 50 Ave (just north of Chapters), under the name Alpine Insurance and Financial.

"We are very excited about these announcements," said Hughes. "We are now able to serve the needs of Red Deer insurance and financial customers from two locations. Red Deer is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. We know this community and we are in a position to meet its distinct needs. No other insurance group has a business model that is exclusively interested in the unique needs of the expanding Alberta economy. Alpine Insurance and Financial is completely focused on serving the economic heartland of Alberta."

This purchase means Alpine Insurance and Financial is now the largest personal lines insurance brokerage in Red Deer.

Wiseman Coupland's satellite branch in Delburne is also a part of the Alpine Insurance and Financial Group.

"We have changed our name and location to better serve our clients," said Manager Barb Stone. "We are the same committed people offering the best insurance and financial products in Red Deer with the highest standard of personal service that our customers have come to know and expect from us."

Alpine purchased The Insurance Outlet from Cheryl Davis, owner of One Stop License Shop, who in turn has acquired the registry business formerly operated by Wiseman Coupland. To serve clients better, One Stop License Shop is also opening a second location right next door to Alpine Insurance and Financial's new location on 50 Ave. The co-location of these two independent businesses will give consumers the convenience of doing their insurance, financial and registry business in one handy location in either north or south Red Deer.

The Insurance Outlet is the fifth brokerage to join the Alpine Insurance and Financial Group. Other locations include Canmore, Lethbridge, Edmonton, and Calgary. Alpine Insurance and Financial started in Canmore in 2001, and has now grown to be one of the top 40 insurance brokers in Canada. Alpine Insurance and Financial operates only in Alberta and is owned by Albertans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Ken Hughes - (403) 714-1724