Barclays Bank is currently facing severe IT issues impacting its app, online banking, and account transactions. Customers have voiced frustrations to the BBC, citing difficulties in conducting essential transactions, such as purchasing baby essentials or finalizing house moves. These problems coincide with payday for many in the UK and the self-assessment tax deadline.
Although Barclays has not detailed the cause or scope of the IT problems, the bank has issued apologies and expressed efforts to resolve the issue. One customer mentioned their card being declined despite having sufficient funds, while another noted their January wages mysteriously disappearing.
A family highlighted their inability to move into a new home due to the outage, labeling the situation as "ridiculous." Scott, along with his pregnant wife, shared their predicament of being effectively homeless, waiting in their car at a service station due to delayed house sale proceedings caused by the Barclays problem.
Moreover, customers like Ruth, a self-employed cleaner, have struggled to access funds for essential purchases like baby milk and food for multiple children in her care. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting challenges faced by those without alternative support.
Barclays, a major UK bank with a sizable customer base, acknowledged the disruption and promised to rectify any financial inconveniences caused by the incident. Despite concerns regarding the self-assessment tax deadline, HMRC reassured customers of the ability to file returns on time and waived penalties due to the technical issues.
The Chartered Institute for IT underlines the significance of resilient computer systems in light of Barclays' difficulties. Dan Card, a cyber-security expert, emphasized the integral role of cybersecurity and digital resilience in today's interconnected world.