credit their accounts with salaries.

Angry customers -- including a host of Government employees -- who were paid at the end of the month could not access their cash through ATM machines -- some for up to two days -- after Bank of Bermuda computers stuck on last Tuesday's balances.

That meant salaries paid in and usually accessible from Wednesday were not available.

Charline Asphall, vice-president in charge of retail delivery services, said: "Unfortunately, we experienced a software malfunction and the system was using the account balances applicable on Tuesday night.

"Customers who were expecting a large deposit into their account noticed it, particularly those who were paid their salary on Wednesday.'' She added that the bank had a contingency plan which allowed back-up procedures to give the true balances of accounts.

Ms Asphall said: "As we became aware which companies were affected, we notified them so that they could notify their staff that they could withdraw money from their accounts in our branches.'' A spokesman for the bank confirmed all the affected customers could use the ATM machines as normal by Thursday evening.

And she added: "The bank apologises for any inconvenience caused to our customers.''