Hi-Alta spreads wings with more acquisitions

Broker consolidator Hi-Alta Capital Inc. is once more growing its Western Insurance Network (WIN) through acquisition, as well as the establishment of a new office in southeastern Alberta. Six new agencies have been added to WIN with the purchase of Prairie West Financial Group, Gateway Agencies and Chase Canada.Hi-Alta is buying the insurance, investment and agency banking operations of Saskatchewan-based Prairie West Financial, which has offices in Swift Current, Shaunavon, Gull Lake and Ponteix. This coincides with Hi-Alta’s “one-stop financial services shopping” strategy, says Hi-Alta president Scott Tannas. “Prairie West demonstrates the enormous potential of the concept we’re pursuing, by successfully cross-selling insurance, investments and agency banking products.” The investment and banking services of Prairie West bring Hi-Alta’s assets under management to more than $200 million.Chase Canada Insurance Brokers, in the Shuswap region of B.C., will retain its original staff as it joins WIN.Gateway Agencies is being established by Hi-Alta to serve the Medicine Hat, Alberta area.The new offices bring the total number of communities served by Hi-Alta to 44.