Remember the days when you knew everyone at the bank by their first name? Those were the days long before automated tellers and computer print-outs, credit card payments and "autosave", when your branch really was "your bank".

One look at television documents the competition banks are facing from finance houses, building societies and a wide range of other investment opportunities. The neighbourhood bank has turned to high power advertising to attract new customers.

Both the National Bank and the Bank of New Zealand

This distinctive teller system is adaptable to any BNZ branch whether modern or old-fashioned.

A large expanse of wool carpeting in this Auckland National Bank branch shows the colour scheme of teal, pink and grey.

are putting considerable planning into revamping their images. For both banks, this includes a national rejuvenation of branches in keeping with their location and customer profile. Your local bank branch may soon be not only the friendliest, but also the trendiest place in town.