Barclays customers are grappling with a second consecutive day of disruptions following a significant IT outage that began on Friday. Despite the bank’s assurances that the issue had been resolved, numerous clients continue to report missing payments and inaccessible online services.
Timeline of the Outage
The technical problems commenced on Friday, coinciding with the HM Revenue and Customs deadline for self-assessment tax submissions and a common payday for many workers. Customers found themselves unable to access mobile and online banking services, preventing them from checking account balances or processing payments. Barclays announced on Sunday that the technical issue had been resolved; however, many customers continue to experience problems with incorrect balances and missing payments.
Customer Impact
The outage has had widespread repercussions. Many customers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with some entering overdrafts or missing bill payments. Barclays has encouraged affected customers to contact their support center and promised that no one would face financial loss due to the issue.
Barclays’ Response
In response to the ongoing issues, Barclays has extended call center hours to assist affected customers. The bank has assured clients that all delayed payments will be processed and that no customer will suffer financial loss due to the incident. Additionally, Barclays has committed to compensating customers for any losses incurred and has advised those affected to contact their support center for assistance.
Expert Insights
Financial analysts emphasize the critical importance of robust IT infrastructure in banking. Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell, noted, “Countless industries, from airlines and trains to banks and media, face disruption to earnings if they cannot do their job. Workers cannot get from A to B and that will have a knock-on effect for industries across the board if staff aren’t there to perform important functions or systems are offline.”
As Barclays works to fully restore its services, customers are advised to monitor their accounts closely and report any discrepancies to the bank promptly. The incident underscores the need for continuous investment in IT systems to prevent future disruptions and maintain customer trust.