Roundup: Albertson's, 1st of America in Fla. Branch Deal

First of America Bank Florida has struck a deal with Albertson's Inc. to open 16 more in-store branches by the end of this year.

The full-service branches will be located at various Albertson's stores in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.

In the first half of this year, First of America opened full-service Albertson's branches in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Tampa, and South Pasadena.

"Part of First of America's strategy in Florida was to form an alliance with a strong supermarket chain to take advantage of business growth opportunities with nontraditional branches," said Lee Cieslak, chairman and chief executive of First of America Bank Florida.

Mr. Cieslak added that the added in-store branches will help to expand First of America's presence in Tampa.

The bank's Florida unit, based in Tampa, currently operates 50 branches along the state's west coast.

First of America Bank Florida is a unit of $22 billion-asset First of America Bank Corp., Kalamazoo, Mich. Albertson's is based in Boise, Idaho.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER