Gold is expensive; Fearing robbers, people are looking for bank lockers Kochi bank lockers demand | gold safety storage India | robbery spike leads to locker rush | secure gold storage options

Kochi: With the rise in gold prices and the increase in robberies, there is a demand for lockers in banks in the city. With only four or five members in big houses and increasing number of family trips where the house is locked, people feel that ‘why leave the gold at home’. Only a few bank lockers of major banks including SBI are empty. A leading bank has only 480 lockers lying vacant out of 7100 lockers in the district.

93 percent lockers are booked. Most of the people keep the jewelery bought for marriage in lockers. Small bank branches have an average of 200 lockers and large branches have about a thousand lockers. Locker demand has increased in commercial banks in the wake of problems in co-operative banks. Lockers are in high demand in urban areas. If there are not enough lockers in the branch, the bank authorities will arrange locker facility in the nearest branch.

Bank officials say that those who once take the locker facility do not abandon it later. Locker facilities are mostly abandoned by those who move abroad. The rate also varies depending on the size of the locker. Bank officials say that most people prefer medium size lockers. Some banks also run campaigns to create awareness among customers about lockers.

English Summary:

Secure Your Gold: Soaring Demand for Bank Lockers in Kochi Amid Rising Thefts and Price Hikes