The Westpac bank's Web site has been out of action for most of Tuesday, but the company has dismissed suggestions it is the result of a denial of service attack

Customers wishing to do their Internet banking are being directed to go to an alternate secure Web site: https://online.westpac.com.au.

A spokeswoman for the company said the problem is related to an internal systems error. "It is not an external issue; it is not related to any security threat," she said.

She said the online banking service was available throughout out the day to anybody that had it bookmarked in their browsers.

"The problem has been getting access to it through the homepage."

She said half the bank's 400,00 banking customers were able to access the internet banking page today.

The bank is seeking to put up a replacement homepage up by tonight. "Hopefully that will restore full accessibility and that is what we are focused on doing.

As of 8.30AM EST Wednesday, the site was still down. However, a temporary homepage has been erected by the bank allowing its customers to conduct online banking.