金价飙升后银行里的“一尺铁柜”成了抢手货

Core Insights - The rising gold prices have led to increased demand for bank safe deposit boxes, resulting in a shortage of available boxes in Beijing [1][3] - Many banks are experiencing a significant influx of customers seeking to rent safe deposit boxes, with some reporting waiting lists of over 100 people [1][3] - The supply of safe deposit boxes has not kept pace with the growing demand, leading to a situation where many banks are fully booked [1][4] Summary by Category Demand for Safe Deposit Boxes - Residents are increasingly interested in gold investments, prompting a surge in demand for safe deposit boxes for secure storage [3][4] - Bank staff have noted a marked increase in inquiries about safe deposit box rentals since last year [3][4] - Customers express concerns about storing physical gold at home due to security risks, further driving the demand for bank storage solutions [3][4] Supply Constraints - Many banks, particularly smaller branches, do not have safe deposit boxes available, and customers are often directed to larger branches where they may face long wait times [1][4] - The limited availability of safe deposit boxes is exacerbated by banks' reluctance to expand their facilities due to high costs and space constraints [4][5] - Some banks have ceased offering safe deposit box services altogether, citing low profitability and high maintenance costs [5] Pricing and Features - Rental prices for safe deposit boxes vary significantly across banks, with some offering lower-cost traditional boxes and others providing more expensive automated options [2][4] - For example, Beijing Bank charges 800 yuan per month for a specific automated box, while other banks have a wide range of pricing based on box size and features [2] - Banks are exploring innovative solutions, such as smart upgrades and promotional offers, to attract customers and alleviate supply issues [6]