diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_c_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_c_base_vect_mod.F90
index b27ed160..cd970162 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_c_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_c_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -2677,7 +2677,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine c_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -2958,23 +2958,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.czero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -2982,8 +2985,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_c_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_c_vect_mod.F90
index db1d346d..b418a30e 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_c_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_c_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1660,19 +1660,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine c_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine c_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine c_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_c_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_c_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_c_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine c_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -2153,3 +2154,4 @@ contains
 !!$  end function c_mvect_asum
 
 end module psb_c_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_d_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_d_base_vect_mod.F90
index ad1f5867..fa2c4866 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_d_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_d_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -2189,6 +2189,10 @@ contains
       res = min(res,abs(x%v(i)))
     end do
 #else
+    !
+    ! From M&R: if the array is of size zero, MINVAL
+    !           returns the largest positive value
+    !
     res =  minval(x%v(1:n))
 #endif
   end function d_base_min
@@ -2856,7 +2860,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine d_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -3137,23 +3141,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.dzero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -3161,8 +3168,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_d_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_d_vect_mod.F90
index a47595b4..57d66d5b 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_d_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_d_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1739,19 +1739,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine d_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine d_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine d_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_d_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_d_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_d_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine d_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -2232,3 +2233,4 @@ contains
 !!$  end function d_mvect_asum
 
 end module psb_d_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_base_vect_mod.F90
index 290ab1eb..b90db989 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1603,7 +1603,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine i2_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -1884,23 +1884,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.i2zero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -1908,8 +1911,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_vect_mod.F90
index db3e4318..136d9329 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_i2_vect_mod.F90
@@ -984,19 +984,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine i2_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine i2_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine i2_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_i2_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_i2_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_i2_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine i2_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -1269,3 +1270,4 @@ contains
 
 
 end module psb_i2_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_i_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_i_base_vect_mod.F90
index 704da920..31cd5f92 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_i_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_i_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1602,7 +1602,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine i_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -1883,23 +1883,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.izero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -1907,8 +1910,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_i_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_i_vect_mod.F90
index bdaf82f8..aa8646ee 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_i_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_i_vect_mod.F90
@@ -983,19 +983,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine i_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine i_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine i_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_i_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_i_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_i_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine i_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -1268,3 +1269,4 @@ contains
 
 
 end module psb_i_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_l_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_l_base_vect_mod.F90
index afa690ed..5be178a5 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_l_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_l_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1603,7 +1603,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine l_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -1884,23 +1884,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.lzero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -1908,8 +1911,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_l_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_l_vect_mod.F90
index cfdc4cf9..d876d21e 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_l_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_l_vect_mod.F90
@@ -984,19 +984,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine l_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine l_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine l_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_l_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_l_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_l_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine l_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -1269,3 +1270,4 @@ contains
 
 
 end module psb_l_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_s_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_s_base_vect_mod.F90
index 797cc490..e6248aae 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_s_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_s_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -2189,6 +2189,10 @@ contains
       res = min(res,abs(x%v(i)))
     end do
 #else
+    !
+    ! From M&R: if the array is of size zero, MINVAL
+    !           returns the largest positive value
+    !
     res =  minval(x%v(1:n))
 #endif
   end function s_base_min
@@ -2856,7 +2860,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine s_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -3137,23 +3141,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.szero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -3161,8 +3168,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_s_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_s_vect_mod.F90
index 137f3663..8c5841a7 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_s_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_s_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1739,19 +1739,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine s_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine s_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine s_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_s_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_s_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_s_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine s_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -2232,3 +2233,4 @@ contains
 !!$  end function s_mvect_asum
 
 end module psb_s_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_z_base_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_z_base_vect_mod.F90
index ff01e363..87d911e7 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_z_base_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_z_base_vect_mod.F90
@@ -2677,7 +2677,7 @@ contains
     logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
 
     call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch)
+    call x%asb(m,n,info,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine z_base_mlv_bld_n
 
@@ -2958,23 +2958,26 @@ contains
         case(psb_dupl_err_)
           do i=1,ncfs
             if (any(vv(x%iv(i),:).ne.zzero)) then
-              call psb_errpush(psb_err_duplicate_coo,'vect-asb')
+              info = psb_err_duplicate_coo
+              call psb_errpush(info,'mvect-asb')
               return
             else
               vv(x%iv(i),:) = x%v(i,:)
             end if
           end do
         case default
-          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in vect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
+          write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error in mvect_asb: unsafe dupl',x%get_dupl()
           info =-7
         end select
         call psb_move_alloc(vv,x%v,info)
         if (allocated(x%iv)) deallocate(x%iv,stat=info)
       else if (x%is_upd().or.x%is_asb().or.scratch_) then
-        if (x%get_nrows() < m) &
+        if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
              & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-        if (info /= 0) &
-             & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+        if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
       else
         info = psb_err_invalid_vect_state_        
         call psb_errpush(info,'vect_asb')
@@ -2982,8 +2985,10 @@ contains
     else
       if ((x%get_nrows() < m).or.(x%get_ncols()<n)) &
            & call psb_realloc(m,n,x%v,info)
-      if (info /= 0) &
-           & call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'vect_asb')
+      if (info /= 0) then
+          info = psb_err_alloc_dealloc_
+          call psb_errpush(psb_err_alloc_dealloc_,'mvect_asb')
+        end if
     end if
     call x%set_host()
     call x%set_asb()
diff --git a/base/modules/serial/psb_z_vect_mod.F90 b/base/modules/serial/psb_z_vect_mod.F90
index 6dc3755c..082b62ea 100644
--- a/base/modules/serial/psb_z_vect_mod.F90
+++ b/base/modules/serial/psb_z_vect_mod.F90
@@ -1660,19 +1660,20 @@ contains
   end subroutine z_mvect_bld_x
 
 
-  subroutine z_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold)
+  subroutine z_mvect_bld_n(x,m,n,mold,scratch)
     integer(psb_ipk_), intent(in) :: m,n
     class(psb_z_multivect_type), intent(out) :: x
     class(psb_z_base_multivect_type), intent(in), optional :: mold
     integer(psb_ipk_) :: info
-
+    logical, intent(in), optional        :: scratch
+    
     info = psb_success_
     if (present(mold)) then
       allocate(x%v,stat=info,mold=mold)
     else
       allocate(x%v,stat=info, mold=psb_z_get_base_multivect_default())
     endif
-    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n)
+    if (info == psb_success_) call x%v%bld(m,n,scratch=scratch)
 
   end subroutine z_mvect_bld_n
 
@@ -2153,3 +2154,4 @@ contains
 !!$  end function z_mvect_asum
 
 end module psb_z_multivect_mod
+
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_casb.f90 b/base/tools/psb_casb.f90
index 3b3782fc..c72a43d3 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_casb.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_casb.f90
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ subroutine psb_casb_multivect(x, desc_a, info, mold, scratch,n)
   dupl_ = x%get_dupl()
   if (scratch_) then 
     call x%free(info)
-    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold)
+    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold,scratch=.true.)
   else
     call x%asb(ncol,n_,info)
     ! ..update halo elements..
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_dasb.f90 b/base/tools/psb_dasb.f90
index 38323a92..a4b5a3e3 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_dasb.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_dasb.f90
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ subroutine psb_dasb_multivect(x, desc_a, info, mold, scratch,n)
   dupl_ = x%get_dupl()
   if (scratch_) then 
     call x%free(info)
-    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold)
+    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold,scratch=.true.)
   else
     call x%asb(ncol,n_,info)
     ! ..update halo elements..
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_iasb.f90 b/base/tools/psb_iasb.f90
index 9cae9b47..b962b28e 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_iasb.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_iasb.f90
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ subroutine psb_iasb_multivect(x, desc_a, info, mold, scratch,n)
   dupl_ = x%get_dupl()
   if (scratch_) then 
     call x%free(info)
-    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold)
+    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold,scratch=.true.)
   else
     call x%asb(ncol,n_,info)
     ! ..update halo elements..
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_lasb.f90 b/base/tools/psb_lasb.f90
index 1a0c2964..c9dba3ab 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_lasb.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_lasb.f90
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ subroutine psb_lasb_multivect(x, desc_a, info, mold, scratch,n)
   dupl_ = x%get_dupl()
   if (scratch_) then 
     call x%free(info)
-    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold)
+    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold,scratch=.true.)
   else
     call x%asb(ncol,n_,info)
     ! ..update halo elements..
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_sasb.f90 b/base/tools/psb_sasb.f90
index fb1593f2..24670a0e 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_sasb.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_sasb.f90
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ subroutine psb_sasb_multivect(x, desc_a, info, mold, scratch,n)
   dupl_ = x%get_dupl()
   if (scratch_) then 
     call x%free(info)
-    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold)
+    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold,scratch=.true.)
   else
     call x%asb(ncol,n_,info)
     ! ..update halo elements..
diff --git a/base/tools/psb_zasb.f90 b/base/tools/psb_zasb.f90
index b0cb8b89..9e516dbc 100644
--- a/base/tools/psb_zasb.f90
+++ b/base/tools/psb_zasb.f90
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ subroutine psb_zasb_multivect(x, desc_a, info, mold, scratch,n)
   dupl_ = x%get_dupl()
   if (scratch_) then 
     call x%free(info)
-    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold)
+    call x%bld(ncol,n_,mold=mold,scratch=.true.)
   else
     call x%asb(ncol,n_,info)
     ! ..update halo elements..