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Customers ‘feel the pinch’ as Commonwealth Bank struggles to process backlog of pay

Commonwealth Bank customers are in the red this weekend after a system outage halted the pay to thousands of Australians, and the situation might not be fixed for some time.

Commonwealth Bank hit with major outage

FURIOUS Commonwealth Bank customers are without cash this weekend after a system outage two days ago affected payments.

The nation’s largest bank is working to process pay to the accounts of thousands of Australians.

Commonwealth Bank customers who were due to get paid on Thursday or Friday are frustrated they are spending this weekend without cash.

Redcliffe mother Emma Joan cancelled her children’s medical appointments yesterday after her scheduled pay failed to appear on Thursday night.

“We had to cancel their NDIS therapy sessions and we’ll have to pay a cancellation fee for that,” she said.

Ms Joan, a business manager in the health industry, slammed the bank’s lack of communication with customers.

“On Friday I went to our payroll officer who was getting inundated with calls... we called Commonwealth Bank and were on hold for three hours,” she said.

“I’ve got a whole lot of staff who haven’t been paid, I haven’t been paid.

“We’re treading water now waiting for money to go in and all the Aussies who live pay-to-pay are really going to feel the pinch.

Commonwealth Bank has struggled to process payments for customers across Australia since Thursday. (AAP IMAGE / Carmela Roche)
Commonwealth Bank has struggled to process payments for customers across Australia since Thursday. (AAP IMAGE / Carmela Roche)

The bank confirmed this morning it was still working on the situation.

“We have worked through the night to process most of the backlog of payments, but some payments have not been able to be completed,” it said.

“As a result some customers still have not received their payments.

“Our teams continue to work to resolve these outstanding payments.

“Call centre teams are available to assist and there are facilities available to provide funds to customers facing hardship.”

The saga has prompted an outpouring of anger on social media over how the bank has handled the situation.

Ms Joan said her two years as a customer would soon end.

“We’ve got a home loan with them which won’t be there on Monday because I’ve already spoken to another bank about moving it across,” she said.

The 32-year old, who is due to fly to Sydney tomorrow, said the bank should have halted scheduled debits to make life easier for people feeling the pinch this weekend.

Originally published as Customers ‘feel the pinch’ as Commonwealth Bank struggles to process backlog of pay

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/customers-feel-the-pinch-as-commonwealth-bank-struggles-to-process-backlog-of-pay/news-story/eca3cf91f196cb596703ab15ce897b25