HSBC banking breakdown affects customers

Customers of HSBC and first direct were hindered in their bank holiday shopping yesterday as a computer glitch left millions unable to use their credit and debit cards.

The problem affected all of the banks customer channels, from ATM machines to customer services, but is now resolved.

"All the channels are now up and running," an HSBC spokesperson told MyFinances.co.uk this morning.

Glitches were traced to a hardware failure that hit internet banking, credit card, ATM and call centre services.

"Problems started around midday yesterday, and services have been progressively recovered since then," the spokesperson added.

"We apologise for and inconvenience caused as a result," the bank added.

HSBC has said that there may be some slowness in accessing its internet banking services, but this was put down to an anticipated record usage as people return to work following the holiday season. "It is not problematic, just slow," the spokesperson explained.