In a heartwarming display of empathy and dedication, a Chinese bank has captured the nation’s attention.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in Kunming undertook a monumental task when a woman named Zhang brought in a substantial sum of money reduced to over 100,000 tiny fragments.
This money was a lifeline for Zhang’s brother, a widowed farmer struggling to raise four children in a poverty-stricken village.
The cash had been irreparably damaged years earlier by Zhang’s sister-in-law, who was battling mental health issues.
Despite regulations stipulating that banks must exchange damaged banknotes, several financial institutions had previously rejected Zhang’s brother’s plea, citing the overwhelming challenge of reconstructing the money.
Undeterred by the seemingly insurmountable task, Zhang decided to take matters into her own hands.
To her astonishment, the ICBC branch in Kunming embraced the challenge with unwavering compassion. Four dedicated employees committed themselves to the painstaking process of reassembling the fragmented banknotes.
The task was incredibly complex, given the sheer number of pieces, their minuscule size, and the varied denominations involved. Armed with magnifying glasses, the bank staff meticulously sorted and matched the fragments over a period of 22 days.
Their perseverance and meticulous attention to detail were instrumental in recovering a significant portion (32,000 yuan) of the damaged money.
Overwhelmed by gratitude, Zhang presented the bank with a silk banner expressing her sincere appreciation for their extraordinary efforts. The bank’s selfless act of kindness quickly went viral, sparking a wave of admiration and praise on social media.
Image—Baidu/SCMP
