Bank assistance — pounds I will withdraw (4)
I believe the answer is:
reef
'pounds i will withdraw' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'bank assistance' is the wordplay.
'bank' suggests removing the centre (I've seen 'banks of' mean this (the banks are the sides of the word)).
'assistance' becomes 'relief' (relief is a kind of assistance).
'relief' with its centre removed is 'REEF'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reef that I've seen before include "Reduce a sail's surface - shipping hazard" , "bar" , "sailors consider dangerous" , "Rock in shallow water" , "Shorten sail" .)