James N. Chatham II, Ameri-First president, has signed buyoutdeals for Hampton Securities' offices in Los Angeles and PalmBeach, Market Trend Securities in Long Island, NY and Ramada Hotelsin Burlington and Davenport, IA and Rolla, MO. He told GlobeSt.comthat a take-over pact is pending for a securities firm inScottsdale, AZ. The securities deals will be finalized by year'send.

"The beautiful thins is the hotels' incredible asset base has acash flow that enables the financial purchases," he toldGlobeSt.com as he was en route to Toronto to possibly negotiateyet-another takeover.

Chatham and his partner CEO Jeffrey Bruteyn have been activelybeefing up their hotel portfolio for the past 1 1/2 years sincethey decided to team on Ameri-First. Chatham says the three Ramadashave added another $22 million to Ameri-First's bottom line. Thesecurities' buyouts will increase Ameri-First's assets undermanagement to $250 million, according to Chatham. The employee basemeans 85 to 100 new brokers for the Dallas-based operation, whichpresently has 50 brokers in its hierarchy.