Several British bankers have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged tax-related criminal offences.
Britain's customs and revenue service said the investigation related to the actions of the people arrested in relation to their own financial affairs and was not connected to the business activities of the banks.
The arrests come as Britain's top banks are under attack from politicians over paying large salaries and bonuses while the rest of the country suffers in the UK's faltering economy, and for not lending enough to businesses.
The department did not identify the bankers nor the companies they worked for.
The Sunday Telegraph newspaper said four current and one former member of Royal Bank of Scotland had been arrested as part of the inquiry.
Last month, the chief executive and chairman of RBS, which is 83% owned by the British government after a state bailout during the 2008 credit crisis, gave up their £1m bonus packages following public anger.
