kyron.regis@guardian.co.tt
First Citizens has confirmed that it encountered a disruption in its system on September 10, 2019 but assures it is not as a result of a cyber attack.
In response to questions posed by Guardian Media, the bank issued a statement saying: “I can confirm that a short service interruption was experienced by some First Citizens customers yesterday (Monday) which has been investigated.”
Guardian Media was made to understand that on Monday, September 10, customers were experiencing difficulties in accessing cash and problems with the Linx cards. First has since confirmed that the system interference was not an attack or a collapse in the system safeguards.
First noted: “We can confirm also that it was not the result of a cyberattack or system security failure.” It continued: “We have ascertained the source of the information communications interruption and have put measures in place to prevent its recurrence going forward.”
The First Group recently announced in its nine month financial statements ended June 30, 2019 that it had generated $815.8 million in profit before tax. This profit represents an increase of 16.2% when compared to June 2018. Profit after tax for the nine months amounted to $553 million which represents an increase of 14.3% when compared to June 2018.
The Groups total assets as at June 2019 stood at $43.3 billion which represents an increase of 2.96% when compared to September 2018.