Worried Swiss bankers get own advice hotline

[June 08, 2012]  GENEVA (AP) -- Swiss bankers worried they may be arrested abroad as part of tax evasion probes now have a special number to call for advice.

The Swiss Bank Employees Association SBPV says it has set up a hotline to counsel bankers who fear they could be targeted because of their clients' tax evasion.

The SBPV said Thursday that the service has been popular since it was first announced last week.

Several Swiss banks have recently caved to pressure from the United States to hand over the names of employees who dealt with foreign clients.

U.S. authorities are investigating thousands of Americans with offshore bank accounts for possible tax evasion and have previously detained visiting foreign bankers to obtain information on their clients.

[Associated Press]

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