Hong Kong (CNN Business) Two of the United Kingdom's leading financial institutions are being caught up in the political fallout from months of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

HSBC HBCYF this week and daubed red paint on a pair of bronze lions outside the bank's Hong Kong headquarters. HSBC, the largest bank in the city, has been accused of working with Chinese authorities to cut off funding for the protesters. Protesters in the former British colony attacked some branches ofthis weekand daubed red paint on a pair of bronze lions outside the bank's Hong Kong headquarters. HSBC, the largest bank in the city, has been accused of working with Chinese authorities to cut off funding for the protesters.

HSBC has denied those allegations and condemned what it described as repeated "acts of vandalism" against its branches. It said in a statement on Thursday that it was working to restore ATM and other banking services that had been suspended as a result of the attacks.

A protester sets fire to an ATM at an HSBC branch in Hong Kong following a pro-democracy march on January 1, 2020.

London Stock Exchange LDNXF Meanwhile, theis at risk of losing Chinese business because of Beijing's anger at Britain's stance on the protests in Hong Kong. Citing multiple sources, Reuters reported that a partnership between the London and Shanghai stock exchanges was being suspended because of political tension.

Neither the exchanges, nor Chinese financial regulators, responded to requests for comment. The Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates UK financial markets, declined to comment.

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