Supermarket chain expands automated tellers

Californians who run short of cash while shopping at Safeway supermarkets now can haul out the plastic and obtain funds from their bank accounts through automated teller machines.

In a boost to off-site banking, 50 ATMs are scheduled to be in operation in Safeway stores statewide by the end of this month, up from 30 in early July. Safeway and National Transaction Systems, which have teamed to install the ATMs, say the system enables 2.5 million consumers with access cards from participating financial organizations to make banking transactions while grocery shopping.

Initial participants are two ATM networks - Instant Teller and Fastrac - Great Western Savings and Loan Association, Allstate Savings and Loan Association, Sumitomo Bank of California, Monarch Bank, and New York's Citibank.