Bank Patron Perishes Externally Despite Instruction for Personal Withdrawal Sparks Outcry in China
In Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, a financial institution has come under scrutiny following the tragic death of an ailing elderly woman outside one of its branches. The events transpired on May 14 at the local Agricultural Bank of China branch.
The gravely ill woman, aged 62, suffered from diabetes and had recently been hospitalized following a fall and fractured leg. Her distraught daughter and son-in-law, seeking to cover the woman's mounting medical expenses, attempted to withdraw 50,000 yuan (approximately US$7,000) from the bank.
Initially, the daughter went to the bank during the afternoon with her mother's ID card and deposit book. However, her repeated incorrect entries of the password prevented the transaction from being completed. Despite expressing her mother's frail condition to the bank clerk, she was instructed that the elderly woman had to personally resolve the issue.
The daughter subsequently called her sister, who arrived with her husband to transport the wheelchair-bound woman to the bank. Despite spending an hour at the bank, they still could not withdraw the funds.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism on Chinese social media, with many voicing concerns over the banking sector's rigid practices and lack of empathy towards vulnerable customers. Local authorities have launched an investigation, with the bank cooperating fully.
The tragedy raises concerns about the need for more flexible and humane banking practices, particularly for elderly and ill individuals, in China. Several media outlets have reported on the case, although the specific bank involved is yet to be officially identified.
The tragic event has sparked discussions about the integration of health-and-wellness considerations in finance, specifically addressing the banking sector's response to medical-conditions in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province. Adopting science-based solutions that cater to the needs of vulnerable customers could potentially prevent such incidents in the future.
