HSBC Malta warns customers ‘routine maintenance’ will bring debit card outage on Sunday night

HSBC Malta has announced that due to routine system maintenance, customers will be unable to use their debit cards at its ATMs and for purchases for three hours on Monday 14th March, from 1am to 4am.

Taking to social media to announce the outage, HSBC Malta stated that customers using its credit cards would still be able access its services during the period.

“Customers will be able to use HSBC credit cards for withdrawals from our ATMs and also from other banks’ ATMs (charges may apply) and to effect purchases from outlets including online stores.”

The bank stated: “This is a required upgrade to make sure we provide you with the best possible service. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The announcement will no doubt spark concern among some HSBC Malta customers, affected by another period of scheduled maintenance in February, which saw some customers unable to make card transactions days after the maintenance was supposed to have been completed.

The upgrade paved the way for HSBC’s new card management system, offering additional services from this month, such as contactless cards, changing PIN numbers to any four-digits chosen by the customer and activating or replacing cards more easily and conveniently.