The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word GNOMES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
G
N
O
M
E
S
More clues leading to the result GNOMES
- The writer inspired by ditty about bankers?
- Pithy sayings conveying no message when unwrapped
- Outside of garden houses headless statues
- Little people in air flying round to entertain me
- Saws for fellers in the garden?
- Leave note in Middle English with leading scholar found in Zurich?
- Secret bankers backing number protecting me
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Secret bankers" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case secret bankers = gnomes.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does GNOMES mean?
GNOMES noun- A brief reflection or maxim; a pithy saying.
- (magic, Rosicrucianism) An elemental (spirit or corporeal creature associated with a classical element) associated with earth.
- (fantasy literature) One of a race of imaginary human-like beings, usually depicted as short and typically bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc.; in modern fantasy literature, when distinguished from dwarves, gnomes are usually even smaller than dwarves and more focussed on engineering than mining.
- A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.
- The northern pygmy owl, Glaucidium gnoma, a small owl of the western United States.
- A small statue of a dwarf-like character, often bearded, placed in a garden.
- An upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms, a compact blue starter.
- A banker, especially a secretive international one.