金价大涨，银行保管箱“一箱难求”

Core Viewpoint - The demand for bank safe deposit boxes has surged, leading to a situation where they are difficult to obtain, particularly in major cities like Shenzhen, due to increased interest in precious metal investments and a lack of supply [1][11]. Group 1: Demand and Supply Dynamics - The phenomenon of "one box hard to find" has become prominent in the past year, driven primarily by a surge in demand for precious metals [11]. - In Shenzhen, many banks are experiencing a shortage of safe deposit boxes, with some locations having waiting lists of hundreds of people and wait times extending to several years [2][10]. - The price of gold has been rising, with spot gold reaching approximately $4,635 per ounce, marking a year-to-date increase of about 6.5% [11]. Group 2: Customer Insights and Usage - Many customers seeking safe deposit boxes are looking to store investment gold bars, important documents, and sentimental items, reflecting a shift in the types of valuables being stored [10][12]. - The rental fees for safe deposit boxes vary, with the minimum annual fee starting at 300 RMB for standard boxes, while larger boxes can cost up to 550,000 RMB per year [4][5]. Group 3: Supply Constraints and Bank Responses - The supply of safe deposit boxes has not expanded to meet the rising demand, with many banks opting to maintain or reduce their services due to high operational costs and limited physical space [12][13]. - Banks are exploring strategies such as upgrading existing facilities and implementing smart storage solutions to improve space utilization and meet customer needs [13][14]. - The nature of items stored in safe deposit boxes is evolving, with a growing emphasis on asset security and emotional value, necessitating banks to refine their service offerings [14].