The Atlanta boutique broker provides asset management advisory, insurance, retail and institutional stock brokerage services. Its principals also are experienced in institutional investment banking as well as private placement and bridge loan deals to accredited individual investors. First Atlanta focuses on growth-oriented developing companies in the technology, telecommunications and biotechnology fields.

The acquisition will "position IEQC as one of the premier investment banking firms in the small to midcap capital formation arena," says Jim Steinkirchner, First Atlanta's president and CEO. The securities firm will hold a leadership role within the IEQC hierarchy and facilitate a plan for other acquisitions, according to Bob Shuey, IEQC chairman.