Roundup: Union Bank Expands Supermarket Branching

SAN FRANCISCO - Union Bank, one of the leading exponents of supermarket branching, announced a major expansion in California's Central Valley and in San Francisco's East Bay area.

The $18 billion-asset, Japanese-owned bank announced an agreement with Save Mart Supermarkets to open 24 in-store facilities starting in early 1996.

Of more than 200 branches, Union Bank, which began its in-store program in 1990, already has two branches in Bakersfield and Visalia Save Mart stores and 26 others throughout the state.

The latest deal will add full-service supermarket branches with extended hours seven days a week - from Vallejo in the north to Bakersfield in central California. Union Bank is working on the installations with the Atlanta-based consulting firm International Banking Technologies.

"Becoming a partner with Save Mart is a natural for us," said Union Bank vice chairman Richard Hartnack. "The chain is synonymous with service in the Central Valley."

Union Bank's high standard of customer service "parallels our commitment," said Art Patch, vice president of operations for Save Mart, which is based in Modesto and has 83 stores statewide.

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