Poole is actually composed to two separate entities, Poole &Co. and a wholly owned subsidiary, Poole Financial Services. Thelatter oversees a loan portfolio of more than $1 billion, and Poole& Co.'s annual transactional activity is in the $300 millionrange. The terms of the acquisition were not released.

NorthMarq has an existing regional office here as a result ofits deal with Legg Mason last year, and Poole's offices are alsosituated here. The two locations are about four miles apart, butcompany officials have not released information on whether andwhere the offices might be physically combined.

"We have long admired the Poole organization for the experienceand professionalism of its ownership and staff," says NorthMarq CEOEdward Padilla. "We share the same philosophies of the importanceof building solid, long-lasting relationships and alwaysmaintaining a strong concentration of client service. The companyand its people perfectly complement NorthMarq."