Barclays is working to update customer account balances after a major technical outage disrupted banking services for days. The outage, which began on Friday, left many customers unable to access mobile and online banking or make essential payments, creating significant financial stress.
The bank confirmed that the “technical issue” had been resolved, and delayed payments were processed. However, Barclays acknowledged that some customers were still facing balance discrepancies and stated that it was “addressing any outstanding issues.” The bank reassured affected customers that their balances would be fully updated by the end of Sunday.
The timing of the outage worsened the impact, as Friday marked payday for many UK workers and was also the deadline for self-assessment tax returns. Some customers reported difficulties making their payments to HMRC. In response, HMRC issued a statement confirming it was working with Barclays to minimize disruptions and assured that late payment penalties, which take effect from March 1, would not apply to those affected by the outage.
Many Barclays customers turned to social media to express frustration, with some demanding compensation for the inconvenience. Reports on Downdetector, a website that tracks outages, indicated nearly 5,000 issues reported with Barclays services on Saturday more than double the reports from Friday. Customers continued experiencing problems on Sunday, primarily with mobile and online banking, despite the bank’s assurances that services were back to normal.
In response, Barclays stated: “We are very sorry for any disruption and will ensure that no impacted customer is left out of pocket.” To assist affected customers, the bank extended call center hours over the weekend and promised proactive outreach to vulnerable individuals.
While Barclays confirmed that the outage was not the result of a cyberattack, it has yet to disclose the root cause of the issue or the number of customers affected. The disruption also extended to in-branch services, with Barclays warning customers that high street locations might not be able to resolve all banking queries due to the ongoing technical difficulties.
As one of the UK’s largest banks, serving over 20 million retail customers, Barclays faces mounting pressure to provide transparency and compensation for those impacted. While services are now operational, customers will be closely monitoring their accounts to ensure that all balances and payments have been accurately restored.
