LONDON. July 6: The dramatic closing of the Bank of Credit and Commerce Internationa] (BCCI) SA by authorities of seven countries came as a nasty shock to some of the bank's employees and customers on Friday, reports AP.

At the bank's Regent Street branch in London, bewildered customers stood reading a notice in the window explaining what-had happened.

Ahmed Abdullah, a businessman from Kenya, said; "1 should have known. I had a feeling things weren't going all that well, but I didn't know it would come to this."

Another man, who refused to give his name, said: It's terrible — al) my money. That's it I'm going for a drink now."

A 50-year-old Pakistani accountant, who had come to make a withdrawal, said: "I

think the Bank of England should let us withdraw money. Mine is a very small account. My salary goes into it."

A clerk from the bank, who asked not to be identified, said he had no hint of the action until liquidators arrived at about 1.15 pm (1215 GMT).

That Just came In, told everyone 'stop working' and gathered us together and explained what had happened. They would close the bank down and they told us to pick up our personal belongings and

Ue said not only was he now out of a Job but all his savings were with the bank.

The note in the window held out the hope to small investors that they might eventually get back three-quarters of their money up to 15,000 Pounds (Dollars 24,000) through the Bank of England's Deposit Protection Fund.