Van Kasper buys Portland brokerage.(Brief Article)

Flush with the resources of its parent of less than a year, First Security Van Kasper pulled off the first major acquisition in its 22-year history, purchasing Portland, Ore.-based Black & Co. for an undisclosed amount.

Black & Co. has reportedly lost money for the last three years, but remains one of the most prominent independent brokerage houses in the Pacific Northwest, a region First Security Van Kasper believes can be fruitful ground with its store of young high tech companies.

Despite losing a number of people in recent years, Black & Co. still has 50 employees in Portland, and a client list of 20,000.

"This acquisition will provide us with a …