Westpac customers are outraged after waking to negative funds in their bank accounts following a technical glitch during some of the year's busiest shopping days.
The sudden transaction withdrawals have many customers saying they can no longer afford to buy essential items.
"Some Mastercard debit and credit card payments made by customers on December 22 and 23 were not processed correctly," Westpac told Newshub.
"They've now been processed and were visible in accounts from yesterday. We're very sorry for this delay and any confusion.
The bank said any overdraft fees and interest incurred as a result of this error will be automatically waived.
However, customers are fuming that without warning money was deducted from their accounts, with some saying they are now hundreds of dollars in overdraft.
Westpac's Facebook post advising customers of the glitch has over 1000 comments from angry customers.
"Seriously you couldn't of advised us of this F Up before putting most of your clients in the RED… this is not good enough!" one person commented.
"Once I've dealt with this overdraft issue I'm gracefully bowing out!!" another person commented.
Some Kiwis said the late transactions have meant they are struggling to afford necessities.
"That puts so many people in awful positions. To the point I can't even get my kids nappies," one person commented.
"Down nearly $700. As if this time of year wasn't stressful enough! School holiday programs to pay, school uniform and books to buy, groceries to be bought and already sitting on basically nothing after Christmas. Where was the communication about all of this?" another person said.
Westpac would not say how many customers were affected by the glitch.
