HSBC App Crash: Thousands of HSBC customers across the UK have been left frustrated after the bank’s mobile app stopped working on Friday morning. Instead of seeing their account balances, many were greeted with error messages such as “err03” or “Sorry, your information isn’t available right now. Please try again later.”
The outage, which began around 11am UK time, has caused widespread disruption on a critical day — for many, payday. The banking crash is also affecting First Direct, HSBC’s digital-first banking brand, which runs on the same system.
What Went Wrong?
The bank has not yet issued a full explanation for the outage, but tracking site DownDetector recorded a surge in complaints nationwide. Users reported being unable to check balances, transfer funds, or pay bills.
For workers who rely on instant access to their wages, the timing could not have been worse. With rising inflation and higher energy bills, payday is already a sensitive moment for many households — and today’s crash has added to that stress.
Topics
Frustration Mounts on Social Media
Social media platforms quickly filled with complaints from affected customers. Many expressed concern about missing urgent payments, while others worried about standing orders and direct debits failing.
One user wrote:
> “It’s payday, and HSBC decides to take the day off. Can’t access my money at all — disgraceful.
”Another added:>
“I’ve just been hit with err03 over and over. How are we supposed to pay bills when the bank’s system goes down?”
Impact Beyond the App
Although HSBC’s website appears to remain functional, most customers now rely on the mobile app for quick banking. The outage therefore highlights the risks of the UK’s increasing shift to digital banking, where physical branches have been steadily disappearing.
First Direct customers, who do not have access to high street branches, are particularly affected.
Wider Financial Context: Inflation, Savings, and Rising Costs
The HSBC app crash comes at a turbulent time for UK households. Just last week, inflation surprised economists by rising to 3.8%, pushing the Bank of England to consider delaying an interest rate cut.
For savers, that has meant slightly higher fixed-term bond and ISA rates, but easy-access savings accounts remain weak. Many experts are warning that choosing the wrong account could cost consumers over £1,300 a year in lost value, once inflation is taken into account.
Example:
- Barclays Everyday Saver: pays 1.11% — meaning £50,000 earns less than £450 after tax.
- Top fixed-term accounts: paying 4.5% — closer to £1,800 return after tax.
- With inflation still at 3.8%, even the best accounts struggle to keep up, but they do protect more purchasing power than low-interest options.
The Bigger Question: Can We Rely on Digital Banking?
Today’s HSBC outage raises an uncomfortable question: how resilient is digital banking? With fewer people using cash and branches closing rapidly, outages like this leave millions temporarily unable to manage their money.
Consumer groups have called on banks to:
- Improve system reliability
- Offer better real-time updates during outages
- Ensure customers are not penalised with late fees due to downtime
What Should HSBC Customers Do Right Now?
If you’re locked out of the HSBC or First Direct app, here are some steps you can take:
1. Try alternative access – Use online banking via a web browser, which may still work.
2. Use telephone banking – HSBC and First Direct customer support lines remain open.
3. ATM access – Most ATMs still allow balance checks and withdrawals.
4. Monitor direct debits – Keep an eye on bills due today; HSBC has historically refunded customers affected by failed payments during outages.
When Will the Issue Be Fixed?
As of early afternoon on Friday, HSBC has acknowledged the outage and said engineers are working to resolve the issue. However, no official timeline has been given.
Previous banking app crashes in the UK have typically lasted a few hours, but during peak times like payday, even short outages cause significant disruption.
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FAQs
Q1. Why is HSBC App Crash not working today?
Customers are seeing error codes such as err03 due to a technical outage affecting HSBC and First Direct systems.
Q2. Is HSBC down for everyone?
Reports suggest customers across the UK are impacted, though not all users are experiencing the same issues.
Q3. Can I still withdraw money if the app is down?
Yes. ATMs and some online banking services remain functional, though account balances may not update in real time.
Q4. Will direct debits and standing orders go through?
Yes, most automated payments should still process. If they fail, HSBC is likely to reimburse affected customers.
Q5. How long will HSBC App Crash?
The bank has not given a timeline but has confirmed they are working on a fix.
Conclusion
HSBC’s unexpected outage has left thousands of UK customers unable to access their money on payday, sparking frustration and raising concerns about the fragility of digital banking.
With inflation high, energy bills rising, and households under pressure, the last thing people need is to be locked out of their bank accounts. As HSBC scrambles to restore services, customers are demanding not just a fix — but greater reliability and accountability in the future.