Wachovia Corp. said Wednesday that it will put its automated teller machines in all the stores the British grocer Tesco PLC plans to open in the Southwest this fall.
The retailer, which is based in Hertfordshire, England, plans to open 62 Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market Inc. stores in southern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
Wachovia said the partnership suits its wider plan to expand in California. The Charlotte banking company, which bought Golden West Financial Corp. of Oakland last year, said it plans to build 40 to 50 branches in California in the next five years.
Wachovia said that it and Tesco are a "natural fit" because of their environmentally friendly policies. The banking company has said that it will open green financial centers in Southern California this year and that by the end of next year all new branches will be built in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
