Dear Intersango Users,

We have been experiencing difficulties with the online banking for our UK based Lloyds account. They recently re-structured their systems, which has only exasperated the problems. The changes have made it effectively impossible to process transactions without massive amount of time. Incoming transactions over a certain number require an amount of work that is unmanageable. We will cease using the account.

In expectation of this we have been looking for a new bank for several weeks. We have found a bank who we expect to be able to deliver the performance our users demand. Our new account will be opening within the next week. The bank has reviewed Intersango and are surprisingly supportive of bitcoin. They are the first bankers who have taken the time to look at bitcoin and we are very pleased with them. We will be discontinuing the receipt of funds until this account is open. Do not worry if you have already sent funds. Transfers which do not bounce back will be processed.

We do not know exactly how long it will take us to integrate with our new bank but they seem very capable. We are simply waiting on the processing of our documents and have been told to expect the account open either on Saturday or early next week.

This effects UK-GBP customers only. USD, EUR, and PLN are not affected at all.

Intersango

Just wanted to say I sent some money to intersango--into their new Metro Bank account--on thursday, and it showed up at intersango just fine an saturday. That's a little longer than it took with transfers using the old Lloyds account, but maybe this little delay was just an instance of teething troubles...? Anyhow one trade later, and I'm a btc or two to the good now, so thanks intersango peeps!

There was an unexpected technical hurdle which delayed metro transfers.

Currently all transfers to metro are being manually reviewed.

In the very near future funds will be available within 1 hour.

Everything I'm reading about Metrobank is fantastic.

As a way of supporting them further,

 be aware that they offer free cash withdrawals abroad on current accounts. They also support cash deposits at branches with coin machines. In general they're trying to be a normal, honest and simple bank and they seem to be doing well.

A shame you need to get to London and be UK resident to use them as far as I know but still great news for all from knock-on market effects.

I am still searching for a bank account that protects me from debt risk though.

Great news! This will make you the exchange of choice for many UK people.