Officials in northern Iraq say a bomb has exploded outside a bank in the city of Kirkuk, killing at least two people.

The officials said the explosion happened Thursday as policemen were collecting their paychecks at the bank, about 250 kilometers north of Baghdad. The blast also wounded at least 36 people.

Violence in Iraq is down from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but Iraqi military and police continue to be the target of attacks as the remaining U.S. forces prepare to withdraw by the end of the year.