Barclays has resolved the technical issue that affected payments and transactions for customers but is still in the process of updating bank balances for some customers. The bank stated that delayed payments have been processed, although it is still addressing any outstanding issues after several days of disruption.
When the outage commenced on Friday, customers experienced difficulties with mobile and online banking, as well as essential payments. The technical issues were not a result of a cyber attack, though the bank has not disclosed the cause or the extent of customer impact.
In an apology issued on Sunday, a Barclays spokesperson reassured customers that those affected would not suffer financial loss and emphasized extended call center availability to assist potentially vulnerable customers.
Barclays assured that all account balances would be updated by the end of Sunday, with services back to normal. Nevertheless, reports on downdetector on Sunday showed numerous ongoing issues, primarily related to mobile and online banking.
Some customers shared their experiences with BBC, such as Dave from Plymouth, who faced overdraft due to failed money transfers, and Michaela from Sheffield, who criticized the inadequate communication from Barclays.
Barclays, a major UK bank serving over 20 million retail customers, experienced a significant increase in reported issues on Saturday, impacting app and online banking services. The bank also informed customers of potential payment difficulties on Friday, affecting those submitting self-assessment tax returns.
HMRC confirmed cooperation with Barclays to mitigate the outage's impact on tax submissions, ensuring no penalties for late payments until March 1. Barclays advised customers facing financial difficulty to seek assistance from support networks, including food banks.
In a distressing account, Emily from Exeter shared her ordeal of being temporarily homeless with her children and pets due to the banking disruption, unable to move into her new home as planned. She highlighted the challenging situation she faced as a single parent striving for stability.