BANKING/FINANCE

Geneva Cos. in Irvine is benefiting from the continued strong pace in mergers and acquisitions of small and middle-market companies.

For the first six months this year, Geneva initiated and closed more deals than any firm in the country, according to Corporate Financing Week, an industry newsletter. Geneva was credited with 37 deals in the first half. In the same period last year, Geneva led the pack with 26 deals.

“It’s Geneva’s view that the current sellers’ market should continue at near record levels for the coming 12 to 15 months,” said Richard Rodnick, the company’s chairman.

A year ago, the company concurred with other economic forecasts that the U.S. economy would slow down, possibly go into a recession by the end of this year. Now the general view is that the slowdown isn’t close yet, and that means continued mergers and acquisitions.

While the major deals have subsided somewhat, the middle market is still strong, according to Geneva. The middle market are firms valued at $1 million to $150 million.

Corporate Financing compiles its list from so-called tombstone advertisements placed in the Wall Street Journal. M&A; companies advertise nearly every deal. The newsletter’s list does not include those involving defense-related activities, nor does it take into account the size, complexity and profitability of the deals, according to the newsletter.