Intimidated fake banking partners getting deals (5)
I believe the answer is:
cowed
'intimidated' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'fake banking partners getting deals' is the wordplay.
'fake' becomes 'cod' (cod can mean false or inauthentic).
'banking' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'partners getting deals' becomes 'WE' (West and East are dealt cards in bridge).
'cod' enclosing 'we' is 'COWED'.
(Other definitions for cowed that I've seen before include "Browbeaten" , "Subdued, kept under" , "Subdued in bovine way?" , "Overawed" , "Intimidated, subdued" .)