In 1998, the high-profile Texas financing firm had joined forces with NorthMarq Capital Inc., a Minneapolis-based investment banking firm then known as Northland Marquette. For nearly three years, the operation has held onto a moniker that's recognized across Texas. That has changed; the principals have not. William Jackson remains senior managing director of the Dallas office. Ken Stockton is still executive vice president of Texas and William Luedemann is still senior director in Houston.

It might take some getting used to since Stockton, Luedemann, French/Jackson & West is so well known in Texas financial circuits and has operated under that banner since 1985 when Stockton, Luedemann, Kerry French and Dan West, all working for Wells Fargo had bought the operation from their employer.

Stockton doesn't foresee an identity problem since the firm has been promoting itself as a NorthMarq division in recent years. Foremost, he says, "in this business people deal with individuals as much as they do with companies." Jackson, who joined the team in 1995, explains to GlobeSt.com that "it's one of those choices we made when we sold our company."

There are plans afoot to beef up the 12-member Dallas office to 20 or more, says Jackson. In Houston, the 18-member staff might see some additions, but that will be through acquisitions or mergers that could come down the pike this year, Stockton tells GlobeSt.com. Without tipping his hand, Stockton says NorthMarq has its eye on some Texas takeovers. Just nine months ago, the parent firm had taken over San Francisco's Trowbridge, Kieselhorst & Co.

The firm is an intermediary between capital sources and real estate owner for debt and equity financing. The Houston office, founded in 1949 under a different banner, had completed financing transactions last year for $493 million in projects. Its year 2000 big ticket had been a $41-million loan for Weingarten Realty's financing of it entire industrial portfolio, says Stockton. The Houston office also had sealed $20-million loans for Midway Development Co. for an industrial portfolio and 2200 W. Loop Office Building. The Dallas office counts among its big-ticket transactions Palladium USA financing packages for The Verona, a luxury high-rise near the Galleria, Las Colinas' Grand Treviso and The Plaza at Turtle Creek I and II, a project of Plaza Residences Phase I Ltd. and Plaza Apartments Phase II Ltd.