The acquisition closed last week, which means Quantum First is now effectively operating under the Grandbridge Brand name. "This is a rounding out of our Texas strategy," explains Thomas Dennard Grandbridge's CEO. Dennard tells GlobeSt.com that as Grandbridge was striking a deal with Quantum First Capital, Branch Banking and Trust Co., of which Grandbridge is a wholly-owned subsidiary, was also entering Texas, courtesy of its recent acquisition of Colonial BancGroup. "BB&T has large operation there now, and it'll be a nice balance to what we're doing," Dennard remarks. "They see Texas as the next frontier."

Stuart Wernick launched Quantum Financial in 1998, and joins Grandbridge as senior vice president. He says Grandbridge approached him with the idea of a possible acquisition, and he was willing to listen. "We've had a good working relationship in the past with them, and we felt it would be a good fit," Wernick tells GlobeSt.com. "They're very much focused on independent, entrepreneurial types of operations."

Grandbridge also brings goodies to Quantum Financial including an agency platform, funding and potential life company correspondent lenders. Furthermore, "with BB&T's recent acquisition of Colonial, there's the ability to tap into their core banking services as BB&T expands their footprint in North Texas," he adds.

Grandbridge had a presence in Dallas prior to the acquisition. When the company acquired Collateral Real Estate Capital LLC a couple of years ago, Grandbridge obtained a Dallas office dedicated to affordable housing. Dennard says that niche, overseen by Phil Melton, is not impacted by the acquisition of Quantum First Capital.