The offices will be phased out in January 2001. Wachovia customers in Atlanta can use any of the 90 branch offices in the Metro area. Customers also can use Wachovia Phone Access, Wachovia On-Call or Internet banking services. Wachovia’s current plans are to keep its ATMs inside the Harris Teeter stores.
"Wachovia opened its first Harris Teeter location here in 1997," said Bonnie Carlson, retail banking manager for Georgia Banking. "Having gained experience with these types of banking locations, Wachovia has determined that in-store banking will not be a part of our long-term strategy for serving customers in Wachovia’s Atlanta market."
The decision was made after consulting with Harris Teeter Inc. Harris Teeter employees will not be affected by the decision. Wachovia anticipates that most affected employees will transfer to other Wachovia locations in Metro Atlanta and Fayetteville.
"We understand Wachovia’s desire to exit the in-store strategy in Atlanta and Fayetteville," said Wylie Fox, director of business development for Harris Teeter. "We continue to receive positive comments from our customers on in-store banking services and will assess the best use for this space, preferably another banking partner."
Wachovia Bank, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation, a financial holding company with assets of $70.8 billion as of June 30, 2000. Member companies offer consumer and commercial banking, bank card, asset and wealth management, capital markets and investment banking, brokerage and insurance services. Wachovia Bank operates nearly 700 offices and 1,400 ATMs in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
