Abbey National opens branch in Safeway

Abbey National is to open its first in-store bank branch in a Safeway supermarket as part of the cooperation deal between the two companies. A branch of Abbey National would be opened in Safeway's Leicester store on 15 July for a one-year trial period, and would offer a wide range of personal financial services, the two companies said.

In March, Abbey National and Safeway launched the ABC Bonus Account as a debit account for Safeway shoppers. "The two companies are working together to provide an integrated package of jointly-branded financial services, from personal loans to household insurance, as well as developing technology to provide further in-store financial facilities," they said.