B of A to Open Its Branches on Saturdays as of April 15

You have to wonder whether banks in California are destined to go the way of supermarkets and stay open 24 hours a day.

Bank of America, the state’s biggest bank, said Thursday that all of its 850 branches will be open on Saturdays beginning next month. It was the latest effort among the state’s big banks to woo customers with longer hours.

Earlier this month, Security Pacific said it would keep its branches open until 7 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. In February, Wells Fargo decided to keep its offices open every week night until 6 p.m.

But Bank of America, which has been enjoying a resurgence among consumers as its profits improve, went a bit further.

“Six-day banking throughout our entire branch system will give Bank of America customers the most widely convenient and most time-accommodating banking services available anywhere in the country,” said Richard M. Rosenberg, vice chairman and head of consumer banking at the San Francisco-based institution.

The change will also create a substantial increase in expenses for B of A and will up the pressure on its big competitors to follow suit.

Beginning Monday, April 10, B of A branches will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. on Fridays. Starting on Saturday, April 15, the branches will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Some other banks in California and elsewhere open selective branches on Saturdays, but industry observers knew of no major bank that opens all its branches on Saturdays.