Internet banking customers were faced with more problems in buying goods and services online on Friday afternoon, following major disruption to the iDEAL online payment system.

‘We are working hard to restore normal service,’ a spokesman for iDEAL operator Currence told the Financieele Dagblad. ‘Some of the problems have been solved but not all.’

Although the iDEAL failure has affected ING, Rabobank and SNS clients, ING users have also been hit by an internet breakdown and could not access their accounts for several hours, various media reported.

Direct debit

Earlier this week, ING was hit by a major internet banking breakdown which led to thousands of people being unable to use their direct debit cards.

A spokesman said today’s problems are not connected to the earlier failures.

Prime minister Mark Rutte said the cabinet is following problems with internet banking closely. However, it is the primary responsibility of banks themselves to ensure payment traffic proceeds smoothly, he said.