The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word LEVEE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
L
E
V
E
E
More clues leading to the result LEVEE
- General keeping odd characters in view from riverside embankment
- Gathering at Embankment
- French student heading off to join English bank
- Left first lover at end of the quay
- Quay providing shelter around mid-section of Severn
- This bank would hold student event for influence
- First woman to enter the French bank
- Embankment’s raised railway rejected, a sign of victory
- Knievel flipped 180 degrees over earth embankment
- The first woman to occupy a position in the French bank
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "bank" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case bank = levee.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 LEVEE mean?
LEVEE noun- An embankment to prevent inundation; as, the levees along the Mississippi.
- The steep bank of a river.
- The border of an irrigated field.
- A pier or other landing place on a river.
- To keep within a channel by means of levees.
- The act of rising; getting up, especially in the morning after rest.
- A reception of visitors held after getting up.
- A formal reception, especially one given by royalty or other leaders.
- To attend the levee or levees of.