It was supposed to be a relaxing Christmas Eve, but for Bendigo Bank customers, it turned into a stressful scramble.
The bank’s phone app and e-banking services went down, leaving users unable to access their accounts just one day before the big day.
When Did the Outage Happen?
The outage was reported just after 9:30 am on Tuesday, with Bendigo Bank confirming the issue in a statement. “Our teams are working to restore service,” they said, reassuring customers that cards, ATMs, branch services, and incoming payments were still functioning normally.
The Reaction: Frustration and Anger
But for many customers, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Reports on Down Detector peaked just before 10:30 am, with over 1,050 people reporting issues. Social media erupted with frustrated customers venting their anger and disappointment.
“This is an Absolute Disgrace”
“I am so over your bloody app. I have a business to run,” one business owner wrote, still unable to access their e-banking account even after the bank claimed the issue was resolved.
Others were devastated that their Christmas Eve traditions were ruined. “I am literally going to cry, this has ruined our Christmas Eve tradition,” one person said, while another added, “Oi Bendigo maybe you should get your stuff together on CHRISTMAS EVE, what a joke.”
The Inconvenience Factor
The outage happened on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, leaving many customers who were trying to get last-minute presents or stock up on food for Christmas Day in the lurch.
Calls for Compensation
Some customers are now calling for the bank to reimburse them for the harm caused by the three-hour outage. “By your own words, you are a community bank. You just cost a lot of community their Christmas. Compensate,” one user wrote.
A Case for Cash?
The outage has also reignited the debate about the importance of cash in an increasingly digital world. “Was always going to happen. Exhibit A why cash is still important,” one commenter said, while another wrote, “This is why we should never go cashless. Always keep some cash on hand.”
ANZ Also Reports Issues
Interestingly, ANZ bank also reported issues with its internet banking services, although these appear to have been resolved. The government has recently proposed measures to ensure businesses accept both cash and digital payments.
The Bottom Line
Bendigo Bank eventually restored its services just after 12:30 pm, but the damage had already been done. The bank apologized for the inconvenience and thanked customers for their patience, but for many, the experience has left a sour taste.