Thousands of HSBC customers faced the embarrassment of having their cards declined this afternoon as the bank's UK systems crashed potentially affecting millions of customers.
Reports on social media suggest the bank's cash machines, branches, HSBC debit cards, and internet banking services are all out of action.
A Twitter storm erupted with worried customers saying they could not withdraw money from HSBC cash machines and their cards had been declined in shops.
Other customers Tweeted to say branch staff told them the bank's services 'had gone down across the nation'.
Other reports suggested the problem could extend worldwide. The bank operates in 47 countries.
HSBC is one of the 'Big Four' banks in the UK, serving more than 15million customers, and is the largest UK bank by market size.
It has also been considered one of the strongest during the financial crisis and did not require a taxpayer-funded bailout.
The internet service went down at 2.45pm, causing cards to also be declined at tills and ATMs. But the services are being restored over the course of the afternoon.
Mark Hemingway, head of UK Retail Banking told MailOnline: 'At a quarter to two our UK-based online services went down.
'All services are being introduced over the course of the afternoon.
'Of course, with it being a Friday afternoon, it was a very busy time and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
He added the problems began at 2.45pm and only affect customers in the UK.
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