KARACHI: Most of banks are facing serious connectivity problems that hold customers for hours to draw their money either through cheques or ATMs, it was observed on Tuesday.

There are frequent complaints against ATMs’ poor functioning. Either machines do not work, or remain out of cash or amount is deducted from card-holders accounts without providing them cash.

However, the complaint of link down or no connectivity with the server is so common that customers are made to wait for hours or they have to visit one ATM or the other to get the cash.

At a number of outlets, long queues are witnessed to get money. It was noticed that major banks, like National Bank and MCB Bank, remain a constant victim of server connectivity, particularly during the first week of every month when millions of people draw their salaries.

When contacted, the State Bank was caught unawares. A spokesman said that the central bank had been working on improvement of services.

He said the SBP would start an SMS service for complaints against any ATM. Customers can make complaint directly to the SBP.

The State Bank has also asked all banks to provide complete data of 24-hour functioning of ATMs to the State Bank. ‘This will enable the SBP to take a prompt action.’

The spokesman said the central bank would take immediate action against the bank if any one complains about non-functioning of three ATMs of a bank. It was observed that several branches of National Bank were also facing the server connectivity problem.

When contacted, the National Bank said that the problem would completely be removed by placing an alternative system.

“The National Bank is working on the system that will completely end severs connectivity problem,” said Ibn-e-Hassan, Divisional Head of Corporate Communications.

He said that installation of the alternative system has started that may take up to six months for completion.

Several MCB Bank branches were facing the same problem while a branch manager was found redirecting customers to other branches for withdrawal of cash.

However, the bank said there could be localised problem, not centralised since the bank migrated from old version to new version in the mid of last month.

“Millions of accounts were migrated from old to new version within two days and the entire system went live on March 17.

The problem may arise somewhere because of many reasons, like power supply, PTCL lines, UPS, etc,” said Imtiaz Mahmood, head of IT in MCB Bank.