A power failure disrupted branch computer systems at
Halifax and Bank of Scotland and left customers unable to
access cash point machines and online banking services.
An external power failure at a datacentre used by HBOS in
Yorkshire left customers unable to access banking services on
Saturday morning.
HBOS, which apologised to customers, said it managed to restore
all banking services by 14:30 on Saturday, while internet banking
was fully restored by 18:30.
"Due to external power disruption in Yorkshire, which impacted
one of our IT centres there, some Halifax and Bank of Scotland
systems were affected on Saturday morning. Power was restored to
the centre via our back-up generators in the late morning and all
systems, including cash machines, were running normally as of
14.30," a spokesman said.
Bank branches opened as normal on Saturday morning, but it was
only possible to withdraw money at the counter service, according
to a
report on
the BBC. Customers were limited to a maximum withdrawal of £200
as staff were unable to check the balance of customers' accounts
and had to write transactions down on paper.
HBOS cash machines were out of action, and customers said their
cash point cards were rejected by cash machines belonging to other
banks, and by some shops.
"We continued to experience some problems with internet banking,
but these were resolved by 18.30 on Saturday. We apologise to
customers for the disruption and inconvenience caused," HBOS
said.