If you’re having issues sending money to friends and family through your bank, you’re not alone.
Zelle, the payment service that powers instant transfers for major banks like Chase, Bank of America, and TD Bank, is currently experiencing a significant outage.
This disruption is affecting many users, leading to a spike in outage reports on platforms like Down Detector and social media.
The Appeal of Zelle
Zelle has become a popular option for sending money quickly and without extra fees. Unlike services such as Venmo or PayPal, Zelle’s main appeal lies in its instant transfers, allowing users to send money between banks without delays.
However, this outage is a reminder that even the most reliable services can face technical issues, disrupting the smooth experience that Zelle users are accustomed to.
The Current Outage
The outage began to gain attention around 1 PM ET, when more than 1,000 users reported issues on Down Detector.
As of the latest update, the number of outage reports remains high, hovering around 720.
Users have taken to social media and Down Detector to express frustration over the issues they’re facing with Zelle, with many transactions being marked as “payment pending” instead of completing.
Zelle’s Official Response
Zelle has confirmed the ongoing outage and provided a statement addressing the situation.
According to a spokesperson, the problem is linked to an independent third-party provider that serves certain financial institutions.
Zelle is actively working with its partners to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
While the company has not provided a specific timeline for a fix, they have assured users that the issue is being handled.
In the meantime, users who are impacted by the outage may notice that their transactions remain in a “payment pending” status, leaving many waiting for their funds to clear.
Which Banks Are Affected?
Interestingly, not all banks seem to be experiencing issues with Zelle.
For example, users of Chase have reported being able to send money through the platform without any problems.
However, institutions like Ally Bank, Old National Bank, and others have seen the most significant disruptions.
Reports from users of these banks suggest that failed payments or pending transaction statuses are widespread.
Zelle’s Partner Fiserv Identified as the Culprit
As the outage continued, it was revealed that the problem might be related to Fiserv, a third-party service provider that supports Zelle transactions for various financial institutions.
According to CNN’s Matt Egan, Fiserv has been linked to the outages impacting users on platforms like Down Detector.
While the issue affected a variety of banks, Fiserv’s involvement appears to be at the heart of the disruption.
Social Media Reactions
Users affected by the outage have taken to platforms like Twitter to voice their frustration.
One user tweeted about Navy Federal’s failure to send alerts, leaving them unable to access their money due to Zelle’s issues.
Another user from Citizens Bank shared their disappointment, calling the situation an “epic fail.”
Fiserv Provides an Update
Later in the day, Fiserv provided an update regarding the outage.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed that the internal issue causing the disruption had been identified and resolved.
However, the backlog caused by the outage means that processing payments will take some time.
While Fiserv has assured users that they are working on resolving the backlog, the company has not disclosed the specifics of what caused the problem.
Recovery Signs and Remaining Issues
By 5:45 PM ET, reports of outages on Down Detector had decreased to under 500, indicating that Zelle was slowly recovering from the outage.
However, the situation is not fully resolved, and some users may continue to experience issues as the backlog is processed.
Zelle and Fiserv have promised to take steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future, but for now, users are advised to remain patient as the issue is worked through.
Conclusion
Zelle users are currently experiencing significant disruptions due to an outage linked to Fiserv, the third-party service provider that supports transactions for various banks.
While the issue is being resolved, many users are still facing problems with pending payments.
Zelle has acknowledged the situation and is working with its partners to restore full service.
As the company processes the backlog and continues to address the outage, users can expect gradual improvements in the coming hours.