Calls for compensation for Natwest customers

Millions of NatWest and RBS customers woke up last Friday to continuing hiccups in the companies’ banking systems, leaving many unable to pay their bills or check up-to-date balances, and consumer groups are now calling for compensation.

According to a statement on NatWest’s online banking website, the company is “continuing to experience technical issues”, which are “impacting a large number of our customers. As a result, money credited to accounts overnight may not be appearing on balances today”.

The banks, which are part of the taxpayer-owned RBS Group, said that “technical issues” with its computers meant that payments in or out of accounts had not been made since Wednesday.

The banks extended opening hours and call centres were ready, to answer any questions and “help where they can”. But consumer groups have called for customers to be compensated, with Sarah Brooks, director of financial services at Consumer Focus, commenting: “We hope that the problem will be resolved quickly and doesn’t happen again.

“NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland should also look at providing appropriate compensation to any customer who loses out because of this failure.”

Customers have been inundating RBS Group’ websites to complain about the ongoing problems, and officials has advised those struggling to contact them directly.

This entry was posted on Monday 25th June, 2012. Edit this entry.