NatWest online banking hit by major outage, locking out scores of customers

NatWest's online banking system was down for hours. Credit: PA

Customers and businesses of banking giant NatWest were hit with problems using its online services.

Scores of people reported issues logging on to the website - although the bank said its mobile app was unaffected.

The issue was first reported at about 9am on DownDetector, a site that monitors website failures, and tweet from NatWest an hour later acknowledged the situation, saying: "Our website is currently unavailable.

"We're working hard getting it back up and running for you."

The tweet urged those with urgent problems to contact the bank.

At 3pm, some six hours later, online access was still disrupted.

Some customers were caught out trying to pay wages online.

One wrote on Twitter: "We are currently looking to pay our wages via Bank line, are we able to do this through attached link? Also we are a business customer can this be done?"

They were advised to contact the business team direct.

Another said the issue also appeared to be affecting standing orders not showing as being sent or received.

NatWest was directing business customers to its nwolb.com address but when ITV News checked that address, it also appeared down, though later we did get access.

One Twitter user wrote: "Can’t pay staff wages via nwolb as we need the bulk list on Bankline which is currently unavailable. Will the service be resumed today?"

After around eight hours of disruption, Natwest confirmed their website was working once again.

The bank tweeted: "Our website is now back up and running."Sorry for any problems this caused you and thanks for your patience while we fixed it."