"Exclusive: 'Shameless' HSBC shuts Syrian refugees' bank accounts in Britain", 8 Aug 2014

HSBC has been accused of “shamelessly profiling” its customers by ethnicity after it closed bank accounts belonging to Syrian refugees and students in the UK…HSBC…sent letters to Syrian clients living in the UK telling them their accounts would be closed…It cited “increased requirements for compliance with international obligations concerning payments to and from sanctioned countries”…HSBC’s actions have been criticised as discriminatory by the human rights group[s]…Denying its practice was discriminatory, a spokesperson for the bank said: “HSBC is committed to adopting and enforcing the most effective standards to combat financial crime across its operations globally…This applies to customers with links to a country that is subject to international financial sanctions. In certain cases, an assessment of the risks involved may require ending a customer relationship.”…[Also refers to BNP Paribas]