The logo of Hanyang Securities is seen in this undated photo. Yonhap

Hanyang Securities, a decades-old Korean brokerage house, is a step away from being owned by private equity firm KCGI after it was put up for sale for the first time since its establishment in 1956.

According to industry sources on Thursday, the Hanyang University Foundation and KCGI are anticipated to finalize the acquisition of Hanyang Securities next week.

Hanyang University Foundation is the largest shareholder of the securities firm with a 16.29 percent stake, and the foundation's affiliated stakeholders own an additional 24.7 percent stake for a combined total of 40.99 percent stake.

They said KCGI, as the preferred bidder for the sale of Hanyang Securities, requested a weeklong extension to secure funding for the acquisition.

KCGI was named as the preferred bidder on Aug. 2 and was given five weeks to complete the acquisition.

“KCGI has been contacting 10 companies to discuss funding,” a source said, noting these companies included Daol Investment & Securities, Cape Investment & Securities and OK Financial Group.

The price per Hanyang Securities share was estimated at 65,000 won, and the sale price was about 244.85 billion won.

The sales of Hanyang Securities drew market attention as Woori Financial Group was also believed to be interested in buying Hanyang Securities to help its brokerage arm Woori Investment Securities grow fast as a newcomer in the industry.

The country's fourth largest financial holding company, Woori Financial Group, launched its brokerage arm in a bid to diversify non-banking portfolios.

Hanyang Securities was founded in March 1956. It was listed on the benchmark KOSPI in March 1988.