Image from ZJOL.

This week's gripe comes from Hong Er:

Several years ago I was working for a Shanghai company in Guangzhou. My employer set up an account for me at Shanghai's Minsheng Bank. During that year, I think I did right by Mingsheng Bank - every time I made a withdrawal in Guangzhou, I had to pay "out-of-area withdrawal processing fees." I later moved and lost my card. I noted that there were not many Mingsheng Bank branches in Guangzhou, and my card didn't have much money on it anyway. Today I passed by a Minsheng Bank, so I took out my ID to check - it said I had 83 yuan left.

So how can I withdraw 83 yuan?

A Minsheng Bank teller told me with a smile: first I would have to go to Shanghai to report my card lost and then get a new card. Then I could withdraw 83 yuan. It would take seven business days to replace the card.

I've not been to Shanghai for quite some time. Doing the sums, I would need two round-trips - four tickets - to withdraw that 83 yuan, not even figuring in the time cost. Or I could send my ID to a friend in Shanghai and have him report the loss and apply for a new card, but that would at least require two express deliveries plus my pal's time standing in line, as well as the fees for replacing the card...

Think about it - if I had better things to do, then I'd just give the money to Minsheng Bank.

The girl at the bank heard this and corrected me: you can't say that! True, even if I wanted to give Minsheng Bank that 83 yuan, it wouldn't accept my contribution if I didn't follow this procedure, even though the money is lying in the Minsheng vault and is assessed small-balance maintenance fees every year.

According to Minsheng Bank regulations, only after waiting for the sum to be slowly eaten away would I'd realize my wish to give them 83 yuan.

I know, this regulation is not unique to Minsheng Bank. China's banks all seem to be like that. I remember one time when I wanted to withdraw the last 12 yuan remaining in a closed account at the Agriculture Bank. I waited in line all day, then obediently went to photocopy my ID at the copy-shop, then returned to pay the 5 yuan lost-card fee, and then waited several days until I could go to the Agriculture Bank that my account was opened at to withdraw 7 yuan. I couldn't do it - the bank I opened my account with was pretty far off, and the round trip bus fare was about 7 yuan.

We all know that China's banks are rich now. They're listing overseas, and foreigners have rushed to buy stock in them. Even so, if I'd like to give them 83 yuan, there's no way that'll happen.

So?

Suddenly I had an idea - I hereby declare, as a Chinese citizen and a smallest-of-the-small depositor, I voluntarily donate the 83 yuan left in my Minsheng account to Minsheng Bank!