Barney & Barney Merges With Oakland Brokerage

The owners of Barney & Barney LLC decided to expand two years ago, opening an Orange County office to complement the San Diego headquarters within months.

But when it came time to move into the Northern California market, the decision-makers of the industrial-strength insurance brokerage decided a merger - with Oakland-based Saylor & Hill Co. - would be their best solution, according to a Jan. 24 announcement.

Terms of the deal, expected to close March 31, were not disclosed.

Because both brokerages have established names in the insurance industry - Barney & Barney...