DHAKA: British bank HSBC has issued an apology to customers who were not allowed to withdraw large amounts of cash from branches in Britain.

Customers had told a British radio station, BBC Radio 4, that they were prevented from taking money out of their accounts because they could not provide evidence of what they wanted the cash for.

Radio 4 reported on Saturday that some HSBC customers were stopped from withdrawing amounts ranging from 5,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds in cash.

They were told that they had to show proof of what the money was being used for.

The bank apologised on Sunday, according to a report by the New York Times, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1545 HRS, JAN 27, 2014