In a city known for its unique stories, Patna has managed to produce one of the most bizarre viral moments of 2026. For months, residents of the Danapur area were baffled by a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM that seemed to offer haircuts instead of cash.The "ATM Salon," as it came to be known, became a social media sensation, leading to an awkward intervention by bank officials this Monday.The Mystery of the "Haircut ATM"Imagine walking into an ATM booth, debit card in hand, only to be greeted by a barber chair, mirrors, and the smell of hair spray. That was the daily reality for many confused customers in Danapur.Despite the prominent "State Bank of India ATM" signboard, there was no machine in sight—just a fully functioning salon. The situation became so well-known locally that residents started jokingly calling it the "Hair Cut ATM."Why Was There a Salon in a Bank Booth?The story behind this strange setup is a classic case of a rental dispute and a lack of communication. According to the landlord of the property:Unpaid Rent: The bank reportedly hadn't paid rent for the space for nearly six months.Broken Machinery: The original ATM machine had been out of order for a long time.The Swap: After the bank eventually removed the non-functional machine but failed to provide updates on a replacement or settle dues, the landlord decided to repurpose the vacant space by renting it out to a barber.The only problem? The bank’s official blue-and-white SBI signboard was left behind, leading hundreds of unsuspecting people to walk in expecting a withdrawal and leaving with a trim instead.SBI Swings Into ActionAfter a video of the "ATM Salon" garnered millions of views and sparked a wave of memes, SBI officials finally took notice. On Monday, a bank team arrived at the Danapur site to officially remove the signage.While the board is now gone, the salon remains, and the video continues to draw hilarious comments from netizens across India, with many calling it a prime example of "Jugaad" in Bihar.The TakeawayBeyond the laughs, the incident has highlighted the importance of proper decommissioning of bank branches and ATM centers. For the people of Danapur, it was a source of daily entertainment, but for the bank, it became a viral lesson in brand management.
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