Hamilton bank staff were left laughing after a bare-chested man demanded 50 cents from them, before crouching down then running away yesterday.

TSB manager Sandra Makein told the Waikato Times it was definitely one of the more unusual attempted robberies she had heard of.

"If you can call it a robbery," she said.

Police said the man, in his early 20s, entered the Victoria St bank with a bandana over his lower face and demanded $10.

When the teller said she didn't have any money he asked for 50c before crouching into the starting race position and running out of the bank.

A passing policeman gave chase and the man was caught in Ward St.

He was later assessed by medical and mental health staff.