hsbc was ordered to pay them compensation after the banking industry watchdog found it ` relied on untested assumptions , stereotypes or generalisations in respect of age ' in the case .
the banking giant was criticised for refusing to grant the £ 250,000 loan because it deemed the husband to be too old .
in the first case of its kind , the financial ombudsman said : ` the bank relied on untested assumptions , stereotypes or generalisations in respect of age .