Vuyo Mkize
STRANDED and frustrated. That’s how millions of Standard Bank clients were left feeling yesterday after scores of ATMs went down due to a technical glitch.
Debit and credit card purchases couldn’t be made and internet banking services were offline for most of the morning.
The bank’s spokesman, Ross Linstrom, said an initial investigation had determined that the breakdown had been caused by a hardwire failure.
“These services were restored within two hours following prompt action by Standard Bank’s internal technical team. We are investigating the root cause of the system failure,” he said.
The bank’s chief executive for personal and business banking, Funeka Montjane, said: “We would like to reassure our customers that their overall experience with Standard Bank and the services we offer remains our top priority and we regret any inconvenience caused.”
In Joburg, Botho Molosankwe said she suffered the shock of her life when she went to an ATM at a petrol station yesterday morning and found that her 32-day account reflected she had no funds.
The same thing happened when she approached a second ATM. She then went to a branch in Southgate where she found a long queue of people outside the closed bank.
While some clients saw the funny side of the glitch, others were less forgiving, venting their anger on Twitter.
@HlomlaDandala tweeted: “Between apps that don’t work, ATMs that r (sic) slow or don’t work and now today, #StandardBank has lost me. After yrs (sic) of patience.”
She also tweeted: “Tjo! Standard Bank! This type of problem at this time of the month!!? Now service providers&creditors think we are making things up”.
And @RediTlhabi tweeted: “I’m not perturbed by the standard bank glitch. These things happen.
“Our bodies, cars don’t always function optimally. But bank must inform asap”.
@thandomamaZA tweeted: “I hope #standardbank malfunctioning will directly result in my car repayments scrapped!”
The bank said it would continue monitoring the situation closely.