BANK BRANCHES SET FOR 25 ACMES

DENISE ZIMMERMAN

MALVERN, Pa. -- Acme Markets is making room for bank branches in 25 of its stores in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The first bank branch, which will be operated by Mellon Bank Corp., Pittsburgh, is expected to open at an Acme Market in July, said Ed Spragg, vice president of sales and special projects at Acme Markets here.

Although he declined to identify the location of the first branch, Spragg did say 25 Acme Market stores would feature Mellon's full-service banking by year-end 1995. "We would expect to have more after that, primarily in our larger stores," he added.

Spragg said Acme locations of 54,000 square feet or more will easily accommodate the 400-square-foot bank branches without taking away floor space from other departments. The bank branches will be situated at the front of the stores, considered prime real estate.

"Banking is a very basic need and we thought it would be a great customer service to offer full banking services in our stores," he said.

The branches will be staffed by six full-time Mellon employees and maintain hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

Although Acme has offered limited banking options with automated teller machines at many stores, the arrangement with Mellon broadens shoppers' options. "They'll be able to apply for a mortgage, consumer loans, open a bank account," said Spragg.