Banks are working on plans to help women whose husbands use money to bully them.

One in five adults in Britain have experienced financial abuse at the hands of a partner, according to charity Refuge. The majority are women.

Banks are investigating how they can offer better support, and aim to introduce a code of practice by the end of next year.

This could include guidelines on how quickly a bank should freeze an account if needed and mandatory training for staff on how to recognise and help customers who may be experiencing abuse.

Victims: One in five adults in Britain have experienced financial abuse at the hands of a partner, according to charity Refuge

Banks could even introduce a panic button victims can press to alert them that something is wrong when using a mobile phone or online banking app.

This type of alarm system exists on some cash machines in the U.S. as a way of alerting banks to suspicious behaviour.

Co-operative Bank is retraining more than 3,000 staff and its financial guide to help victims is being handed out at shelters run by Refuge.

One 23-year-old victim, Kaylin, told Money Mail how easy it is for financial abuse to go undetected.

For her, it started when her partner asked how much she earned. Then he wanted her online banking password.

Before long, he was monitoring her spending. He took out secret loans in her name and would even check her wage slips to make sure she was at work when she said she was.

'It was all about control. Victims should remember that it's their money,' says Kaylin.

If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit refuge for advice.