Updated again: Customers of Barclays Bank online service will be having a tough time accessing their accounts this morning.

Although the front page is available, any attempts to logon are met with an error message suggesting that the logon form has not been filled in correctly.

However, a quick call to Barclays' customer services line reveals that this is not, in fact, the case.

A recorded message informs the caller: We are currently experiencing systems problems that may lead to some customers having difficulties accessing the service. If this is the reason for your call please try to log on again later. Alternatively, please hold for the helpdesk.

We tried to hold for the helpdesk, but the number was engaged. ®

Update: It has been brought to our attention that HSBC is having similar, but wider ranging difficulties. Their whole network seems to be suffering and even some cash points aren't working properly, according to Reg readers.

A spokesman for HSBC said that there was indeed a problem, and that as yet, there was no clear picture of what had gone wrong.

Update 2: A spokeswoman from Barclays told The Register that there had been a "capacity issue" earlier in the day.

"The site wasn't accepting details from some customers," she told us. "But they took it down from 1:00 to 1:35 to fix the problem and it is back up and running again now."

Related Link

Barclays' online banking service.