Expats In Spain Angry Over New Year's Day Online Banking Crash

Enraged British expats in Spain are venting on social media after their online banking services crashed early on New Year’s Day.

Expat customers of three major British banks took to social media to complain after their online banking services failed to respond. Lloyds, RBS and Halifax customers in Spain as well as those in the UK attempting to pay bills or purchase necessities were unable to use their cards or access their online banking services.

Many expats in Spain needing to draw cash from their accounts after the Christmas and New Year spend were unable to do so, or even pay for morning coffees or breakfasts in their local cafes. One Fuengirola expat posted she’d attempted to call her bank’s helpline without success,adding she was very embarrassed as the owner of the coffee shop seemed to think she was trying it on.

The Halifax and Lloyds Bank were quick to apologise on social media, saying they were working to reconnect the missing services, but the Royal Bank of Scotland didn’t make a statement or reply to any social media comments. The service was restored by early afternoon on New Year’s Day, reassuring those whose direct debits for rent as well as utilities are taken early in the month, although many are still worried about late payment charges. Others joked the Millennium Bug had arrived 20 years too late due to its oversleeping, or were concerned about repetitions after the UK leaves the EU at the end of the month.