BSP in PNG. Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta
Papua New Guinea's main bank says its operations are back to normal after a glitch over the weekend.
On Sunday, Bank South Pacific (BSP) advised its customers it was rolling out a new system over the Easter weekend when a technical issue had occurred.
"Any new Banking System implementation is a complex undertaking," the bank said via a statement.
"Even with extensive planning, it is not uncommon for such projects to encounter technical issues during implementation."
Due to the technical error, customers' were seeing incorrect balances and some customers who had overdrawn money from their accounts would have to replay the bank.
"We are pleased to advise that all BSP banking services are now available following the implementation of our new Banking System," BSP said in statement on Tuesday.
"All customers available balances have now been updated and are correct," it said.
But some BSP customers were still having issues with the new system on Tuesday with their account balances incorrect and accessing internet banking.
"The new system is great, however I noted the mortgage balance on my internet banking is incorrect, should have a decreased amount. lease assist!!," Cynthia Kunato said on the BSP Facebook page.
Another customer, Delphine Surupe Aruga, said she was not able to sign in to internet banking account.
"Tried logging in. It asked for to enter a new [password] for security purposes and can't seem to get through after following all steps."
Meanwhile, the bank declined to reveal how much money customers' had overdrawn as a result of the glitch, according to the ABC.
One PNG resident, Rosemary, told the ABC that she overdrew her account by making a 600 kina online purchase last Friday, not knowing the funds had been incorrectly allocated to her BSP account.
"Worried about online harassment of people who overdrew from their BSP accounts", Rosemary, who only wanted her first name published, said
"It is a concern. If the technical issue did not happen, then I wouldn't [have made the purchase]," she said.
Rosemary said she could not get a refund on the items she purchased, but still intended to pay back the overdrawn money.
However she said she was considering switching banks after the debacle.
"I'm not going be blamed for that alone, because it's their issue. They should have tested the [upgrading] system, somehow, before it is applied to everyone," Rosemary said.
