Town bank unsafe

BNZ Martinborough will be working out of a temporary prefab building after the current building was found to be unsafe.

The business will be relocating to a purpose-built structure on the same site in early September.

The bank had been shut since the 6.5 magnitude Cook Strait earthquake, forcing customers to go to the BNZ in Carterton.

A survey conducted by engineers discovered the building was not up to scratch, said Callum Gillespie, BNZ head of retail distribution.

"The building needs remedial work if it is to be brought up to today's building standards," he said.

A structural survey of BNZ's Martinborough store is part of a national programme the bank is undertaking to ensure the safety of staff and customers after the Wellington and Christchurch earthquakes.

Mr Gillespie said the bank understood it was inconvenient for customers.

"We are working to re-establish full banking services in the town as quickly as possible."

The BNZ ATM will remain available for customers and will take envelope deposits from August 9.