Retailers are launching action against NAB for losses blamed on glitches with its auto-teller network. Picture: Chris Pavlich Source: The Australian

The beleaguered bank is ploughing through more than 6500 compensation claims from customers demanding refunds of bank fees, interest and late payment charges.

The United Retail Federation, representing small businesses, is seeking legal advice on a class action against the bank for losses blamed on glitches with the NAB's auto-teller network, eftpos system and credit cards over the past week.

Federation president Scott Driscoll said yesterday the timing of the NAB's IT troubles was "horrendous" as it had interfered with Christmas sales. Some customers had been unable to buy goods because they were not paid on time and could not access cash, while others could not use their credit or eftpos cards.

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"The United Retail Federation is in discussion with law firms to see if there is the basis for retailers to take a class action," he said. "At this time of year, when retailers are relying on a pick-up, we certainly did not want to see one of the major banks drop the ball."

Mr Driscoll said any legal action would focus on whether payment failures breached retailers' eftpos contracts.

The rival Australian Retailers Association, whose executive director Russell Zimmerman heads the Australian Merchant Payments Forum, said it had not received complaints of problems processing payments.

The NAB said it had fixed most accounts rendered inaccurate by the system failure, but some still displayed wrong or duplicate transactions: "Some customers may still be experiencing inconsistencies, and NAB is working to address this issue as soon as possible."

NAB spokesman George Wright said 6500 customers had lodged compensation claims through the website on Tuesday, but he would not say how many more were lodged yesterday.

He said the bank would process customers' requests for a reversal of incorrect charges such as interest or overdraw fees.

Read more about public, shops hit NAB for compo at The Australian