The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Nov. 24, edition that Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services' IA Financial Group is moving ahead with expansion plans, acquiring three firms in less than one week. The Globe's Clare O'Hara writes that over the past several years IA Financial has been vocal on its plans to increase its distribution network across Canada. Within the past week, the firm has picked up a mutual fund dealer, a securities brokerage firm and an insurance agency. Ms. O'Hare notes that smaller firms are turning to larger players in an effort to survive against the increase of costs and compliance. On Monday, IA subsidiary Investia Financial Services said it is acquiring Les Services Financiers Planifax, an investment firm specializing in mutual-fund investments in Quebec. The news follows Investia last week announcing it will buy the operations of BBA Financial Group, a Quebec-based firm that is home to about 200 insurance representatives. Investia currently has more than 1,800 financial advisers across Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia.