22 FEBRUARY 1986, Page 23

Banker, tailor . . .

LLOYDS has successfully followed the Midland in selling its tiresome bank in California. What a pity the two of them didn't ask the Russians. A ripe tale coming out of Washington says that the KGB put up the Moscow Narodny Bank to buying three small Californian banks, thus gaining access to the West's financial secrets. The intermediary is said to be Amos Dawe, whose Mosbert company's misfortunes cer- tainly cost the Moscow Narodny more rou- bles than you could shake a knout at. But, we are told, the CIA spotted the KGB's game, and blocked it. Are they all of them double agents? Whose sides are they sup- posed to be on?