Today, a video circulating online showed that the ATM center of Shanghai Commercial Bank's North Point branch had been locked by a homeless elderly man who spent the night there after the bank closed late at night. Upon revisiting the site in the morning, it was observed that the homeless man had left, and the ATM center had resumed normal operations, allowing customers to use the ATM service again.
The elderly man, who was captured in a video posted by netizens, was found sleeping inside the ATM center after the bank closed for the night. He had locked the glass door from the inside, preventing others from accessing the ATMs. The man appeared content, leaving personal items and a green rubber mat in the space. Prior to this incident, the bank had issued a notice in July warning of illegal vending activities in front of the branch, which obstructed customers from using the ATMs. The notice stated that the area was private property and that the bank reserved the right to take appropriate action, including asking the individuals to leave immediately or to hand over the matter to law enforcement.
The ATM center's closure and the controversial sleeping incident initiated a debate among social media users regarding the well-being of homeless individuals and the security of the financial institution. It highlighted the complex challenges faced by local authorities and banks in managing such situations while maintaining customer service and public safety. The incident also brought attention to the growing problem of homelessness in urban areas and the need for adequate support systems for vulnerable individuals.