HSBC bank has told dozens of foreign missions in London that will close their bank accounts, an official said Sunday, news that has sent diplomats across the capital scrambling to find a new place to put their money.

Foreign missions traditionally deal in large amounts of cash, something which may have raised uncomfortable questions at a bank that has been buffeted by money laundering scandals. In 2012 HSBC was slapped with a record fine after U.S. officials revealed that its bankers had been handling assets belonging to Iran, Libya, and Mexico's murderous drug cartels. HSBC is still struggling to clear its name, including in one case revolving around a former employee who claims to have evidence showing "scandalous" levels of tax evasion and money-laundering at the company.http://news.yahoo.com/official-hsbc-drops-dozens-london-missions-14...