May 2024 Archive: NatWest Banking App Outage Explained
Early in May 2024 NatWest’s mobile app and online banking portal stopped working for thousands of users. If you tried to log in that morning, you probably saw an error message or a blank screen. The glitch hit both Android and iOS, and the website was down too, meaning you couldn’t check balances, transfer money, or pay bills.
What Went Wrong?
NatWest said a technical fault in its backend systems caused the disruption. The issue appeared around 6 am GMT and spread quickly as more customers tried to access their accounts. By mid‑morning, the bank’s social media channels were flooded with complaints, screenshots, and frantic tweets. NatWest acknowledged the problem, posted an apology, and promised a fix within a few hours.
How to Deal With an App Outage
If you ever find yourself locked out of a banking app, here are a few steps that can help:
1. Check official channels. Look at the bank’s Twitter feed, status page, or app store notices. Banks usually post updates as they work on a solution.
2. Use alternative access. Try the web version on a desktop computer or call the customer‑service hotline. Some banks keep a limited phone service running even when digital channels fail.
3. Plan ahead. Keep a backup payment method—like a debit card or cash—so you can cover urgent bills if online payments are unavailable.
4. Secure your info. Don’t share passwords or personal data with anyone claiming to fix the issue. Scammers love outage chaos.
5. Stay patient. Most outages are resolved within a few hours, but keep an eye on official updates for the expected resolution time.
The NatWest incident was resolved by early afternoon, and the app was back to normal. However, the event reminded us how dependent we are on digital banking and why having a fallback plan matters.
For the rest of May 2024, our archive includes only this NatWest story. While it’s not football‑related, we believe keeping you informed about major disruptions—whether on the pitch or in your pocket—fits our mission to buzz about everything that matters to you.
Got questions about the outage or want tips on handling future tech hiccups? Drop a comment below. We’re here to chat, share advice, and keep you in the loop.
