Yahoo Finance RBS Apology As Customers Hit By New IT Glitch
RBS (LSE: RBS.L - news) is under pressure to explain why customers were unable to use their accounts online or withdraw cash for several hours.
The technical problems, which started on Wednesday evening, come less than a year after RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank customers were hit by a computer meltdown that left millions of people unable to access their money .
In a message on its online banking website, Natwest said the issue was "in no way" related to the summer's problems.
"We're sorry that, due to a systems failure, some customers faced disruption to banking services for a short period yesterday evening," it said.
"We apologise to any customers who have been inconvenienced and can confirm that a full service is now available."
The banks said their systems were back to normal around three hours after they admitted there was a problem - but not before hundreds took to Twitter to voice their frustration.
Many said they had difficulties using cash machines or logging into online banking, while others complained their cards had been declined.
Steve Ireland, who lives in London, told Sky News he discovered the problem when he tried to pay with his card at a supermarket.
"I was out shopping after a night out with my partner to celebrate a birthday," he said. "I went into a very big chain supermarket and got to the cash desk with all my shopping, only to be told the card was declined.
"It was a really bad experience and very embarrassing. You get evil looks from the cashier when you can't pay."
Stuart Keel, from Cornwall, said he tried to use a cash machine but it was not working.
"We went to the supermarket thinking we could use our cards in there, no problem," he said.
"While we were walking around I was using my NatWest (smartphone) app and it wasn't working at all."
He said his card was then declined at the checkout.
"I thought, 'There's something not right here'," he added.
In June last year, millions of people were affected when a software update failed at the banks.
Customers were unable to view up-to-date balances, while payments such as direct debits for bills were not made and some wages were not received.
Stephen Hester, the chief executive of the banks' parent company RBS Group, which is 80% state-owned, was forced to apologise for the problems at the time and £100m was put aside to compensate customers.
It is unclear whether those affected by the latest systems outage will receive compensation but it is understood the matter is under consideration on a 'case by case' basis.
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