RBS aware of debit card glitches for customers in Britain

[LONDON] Royal Bank of Scotland is aware some customers are experiencing problems using their debit cards across Britain, it said on Friday, in the latest apparent glitch to hit the bank's IT systems.

RBS is working to resolve the issue, which left some customers using the group's RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank brands in Britain and Northern Ireland unable to make pound sterling-denominated transactions, a spokeswoman for the bank said.

Customers of Ulster Bank in the Republic of Ireland are so far unaffected, the spokeswoman added.

Banks are increasingly sensitive to the brand damage caused by IT failings, perceiving customers to care just as deeply about security and stable service as loan or deposit rates.

RBS has been hit by a number of IT failings and glitches in recent years.

In December 2013 RBS and its retail banking unit Natwest's online systems and debit cards failed as customers were unable to process payments on so-called Cyber Monday, one of the busiest online shopping days.

Millions of customers across the United Kingdom were unable to withdraw cash, pay for goods or use telephone and online banking services.

In June last year RBS said a computer systems failure led to 600,000 payments not being processed, leaving thousands of customers waiting for payments such as wages and benefits.

RBS said it resolved that issue and no customers were left out of pocket.

The bank's former chief executive Stephen Hester waived his bonus in 2012 over a failed software update which caused chaos for thousands of bank customers.

REUTERS