Family needs to spend 500 yuan on notarization to withdraw 417 yuan of savings from the deceased's passbook

by lgfj10dt on 2009-12-06 10:59:49

Yin Shuyue, a reporter for the Yan Zhao Metropolis Daily, reported that Mr. Bao, a resident of Gaocheng City, passed away 5 years ago. Recently, his family accidentally discovered an old passbook with a balance of 417 yuan while tidying up his belongings. When Mr. Bao's family went to the bank to withdraw the money, the bank stated that after the depositor's death, a notarized certificate from the heirs is required to withdraw the funds. However, when Mr. Bao’s family inquired at the notary office, they were surprised to learn that the notary fee would be 500 yuan.

**■ Discovery of the Passbook Among the Elder's Belongings**

Mr. Bao was originally from Baojiazhuang Village in Zhangjiazhai Township of Gaocheng City. According to his family, he passed away five years ago and had never mentioned having any savings during his lifetime. Recently, while sorting through his clothes, they unexpectedly found a passbook in the inner pocket of one of his garments, showing a deposit amount of 417 yuan.

Since the account was opened at a branch of the Bank of China located in the urban area of Shijiazhuang, Mr. Bao's family took the passbook to this bank branch to withdraw the 417 yuan. However, the bank informed them that given Mr. Bao’s passing, his family must first obtain a notarized certificate before they can withdraw the funds from the passbook.

**■ Notary Fee Exceeds Deposit by Several Dozen Yuan**

Unexpectedly, Mr. Bao's family learned from the notary department that the deposit could indeed be notarized, but the fee would be 500 yuan. "This means that after notarization and withdrawing the money, we would still need to lose an additional 80 yuan," said Mr. Bao's family members, expressing confusion. However, the bank insisted that they were following relevant regulations: "Without a notarized certificate, the money cannot be withdrawn."

One of Mr. Bao's relatives told reporters that the Bao family was financially struggling, and the elder had been very frugal throughout his life. "We don’t know how hard he scrimped and saved to accumulate these 400-plus yuan. Now, it turns out we can't withdraw it. Should we just watch this money go to waste?"

**■ Bank: Try Entering the Password Multiple Times**

In response to this situation, on the afternoon of December 1st, I consulted with the Bank of China. Relevant staff members explained that Mr. Bao's passbook was set up for password-based withdrawals, and the bank has no authority to change the withdrawal method. If the password is forgotten, the depositor should personally handle the password reset; if the depositor has passed away, then the heir must present a notarized certificate to withdraw the funds.

Regarding the Bao family's complaint about "not breaking even" due to the high notary fees (417 yuan deposit versus a 500 yuan notary fee), the bank staff also expressed helplessness: "We are following the bank's regulations and have no other options. The only thing we can suggest is for the elderly man's family to try entering the password multiple times." The bank also stated that if the Bao family does not pursue notarization, the deposit will remain unwithdrawable. Nevertheless, "this money will always belong to him (Mr. Bao) and will not become part of our bank's assets."