In a tragic incident in Zhuzhou, Hunan, a critically ill resident was in urgent need of 50,000 yuan for medical treatment. His daughter went to the bank with both of their identification cards to withdraw the money. Despite being informed about the situation, bank staff insisted that the account holder must be present at the bank. The ailing person was carried into the bank but unfortunately passed away during the process of withdrawing the money. This incident has sparked widespread outrage and extensive discussions. Following the event, the Agricultural Bank of China urgently closed its comment section.
On May 14, a nephew claiming to be the deceased person’s relative posted a video on a short video platform, stating, “My aunt has been plagued by illness for many years. Recently, she broke her leg due to a stroke and was hospitalized at the Tianxin Hospital. On May 14, my cousin wanted to take my aunt to another hospital for treatment. My aunt asked her daughter to withdraw their final fixed-term deposit of 50,000 yuan at the China Agricultural Bank branch in Tianxin, Zhuzhou, using their identification cards and deposit slips. However, the bank staff informed my cousin that it was necessary for my aunt to be present at the bank. Despite my cousin clearly informing the bank staff that her mother was seriously ill and unable to come to the bank, they insisted on the account holder’s presence, even though the depositor’s health condition was known. The bank did not proactively offer the option of home service that could have been provided. Finally, my cousin had to contact her husband to carry my aunt in a wheelchair to the bank for the withdrawal procedure. The process, which started around 4 p.m., continued until after 5 p.m. when the aunt collapsed and passed away at the bank entrance.”
The internet user questioned in sorrow: “Bank executives, where is your touted ‘serving the people’? Why is it so difficult to access life-saving money stored with you? Where is the promise of financial freedom? Must one risk their life to access their own money?”
The three videos posted by this user have garnered attention from numerous netizens.
According to reports by Jímù News, several residents near the China Agricultural Bank branch in Tianxin, Zhuzhou, confirmed that on the afternoon of May 14, a woman was indeed brought to the bank in a wheelchair, leading to a dispute during a withdrawal. At that time, 120 emergency personnel, police, and others arrived, and later in the evening, a funeral home vehicle came to take someone away.
“I passed by the entrance of the China Agricultural Bank branch in Tianxin, Zhuzhou just now and saw security guards inside…” around 8:50 a.m. on May 15, a resident living nearby stated that many people were discussing the withdrawal incident within local WeChat groups in Zhuzhou.
The report mentioned that on the morning of May 15, calls to the China Agricultural Bank branch in Tianxin, Zhuzhou went unanswered.
On the same day, government officials from the Shifeng District of Zhuzhou city responded by stating that according to the judicial police report, the elderly person died of a sudden illness, and the matter has been reported to the city for further handling. Employees from the Shifeng Sub-bureau of the Zhuzhou Public Security Bureau stated that they are currently dealing with the situation and cannot disclose specific details.
Through inquiries to the China Agricultural Bank customer service hotline at 95599, it was revealed that if an elderly person is immobile or unwell, a representative can withdraw funds from their current or fixed-term deposits on their behalf. This requires the provision of valid identification cards, original deposit certificates, and representation paperwork. Home service can also be requested from the branch, but the availability of this service needs to be confirmed with the specific bank location.
This incident has incited public outrage, with many criticizing the involved bank for its indifference. Following the event, the Agricultural Bank took the immediate step of closing its comment section.
“Flames and Ice Talk About Life”: Banks should be a place to alleviate customers’ worries and difficulties, especially in the face of special circumstances where flexibility should be key. When a customer is seriously ill and immobile, the bank’s rigid enforcement of regulations is contradictory to its service mission.
“Aunt Ding Tells Stories”: This incident directly challenges the core of bank services – when cold regulations clash with a vibrant life, which holds more weight? We often hear about banks providing home service options for special customers. Why did this service seem to be ‘hidden’ when it was desperately needed for this elderly person in urgent need of life-saving funds? Shouldn’t the final line of defense in the system be human warmth?
Is this kind of incident an isolated case? Probably not. Just search online, and you’ll find numerous similar complaints and pleas for help. Some elderly individuals, due to mobility issues, have to be carried by family members to the bank to withdraw their pension. Others, due to illness, find themselves repeatedly questioned at bank windows, stripping them of their dignity. These banks, usually welcoming with smiles to encourage deposits, seem eager to absorb every penny you have. But when you actually need to withdraw your money, especially in larger amounts, the obstacles become overwhelming. It’s as if once your money enters their pockets, it becomes their hostage. They have ten thousand regulations waiting for you, a thousand procedures to go through.
“Happy Videos Together”: This story tells us that when we get old, we shouldn’t keep money in the bank, lest we end up dying trying to withdraw it in emergencies.
“Green Luos Fighting in Tongcheng”: Don’t store money in the bank, just keep it at home.
“Dragon Roar Across the Seas”: They never make it difficult when depositing large sums of money, but it’s a whole different story when it comes to withdrawals.
“Happy Little Waves”: The response from the Shifeng District government in Zhuzhou tells us that the elderly person passed away from a sudden illness, which cannot be blamed on the bank. However, it was the bank that required the elderly person to personally come to the bank to withdraw cash!
“09250590733”: Do not let them delete the surveillance footage from the time of the incident.