Nationwide customers complain of delays to incoming payments

Nationwide Building Society has apologised after customers complained of incoming payments being delayed.

The society took the decision to temporarily queue some payments just after 7am on Tuesday due to the volume coming in on what was the first working day of 2022.

It said the previously queued payments were being processed as it worked through the backlog.

The issues did not affect bulk payments and direct debits and standing orders were working normally, Nationwide added.

We’re sorry, due to volume of inbound payments today, we have taken the decision to queue those while we resolve the issue. All payments will be processed as soon as possible. You can continue to use your cards, access the Internet Bank and Banking App and withdraw cash from ATMs

— Nationwide Building Society (@AskNationwide) January 4, 2022

People expressed their frustration on Twitter, with one writing: “I’ve been waiting since 9.30 this morning for my money to be transferred from another bank account. Not really on is it.”

Another wrote: “After 11 years I think I need to change banks.”

The delays follow some other issues affecting the society over the festive season.

Another Twitter user wrote: “I can’t believe this has happened again.”

I’ve been waiting since 9.30 this morning for my money to be transferred from another bank account. Not really on is it. I stopped using natwest for the same reason 😡

— annmarie thomson (@ann80marie) January 4, 2022

An update posted on Nationwide’s website on Tuesday afternoon said customers waiting for inbound payments did not need to do anything and the payments “would arrive ASAP”.

A Nationwide Building Society spokesperson said: “As a result of extremely high volumes of transactions on the first working day of the year we took the decision to temporarily queue inbound faster payments.

“Queued payments are now being processed and we would ask members to bear with us as we work through the backlog.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Members do not need to resend any payments as they will be processed as soon as possible.

“All other services are working normally. Members can continue to use their cards to pay for goods and services, access the internet bank and banking app and withdraw cash from ATMs. Transactions such as direct debits, Bacs, Chaps and standing orders are also not affected.”