Because the Chinese language New 12 months approaches, the Hong Kong Financial Authority (HKMA) has introduced measures to facilitate the change of recent and good-as-new notes for the festive season. In collaboration with three note-issuing banks—The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Company Restricted, Normal Chartered Financial institution (Hong Kong) Restricted, and Financial institution of China (Hong Kong) Restricted—the HKMA will provide these notes from January 14 to January 28, 2025, in accordance with the Hong Kong Financial Authority.
Encouraging Digital Lai-see
To advertise sustainable practices, the HKMA is urging the general public to think about using digital channels such because the Quicker Fee System, on-line banking, or e-wallet companies for giving lai-see. This initiative goals to scale back the consumption of bodily crimson packets and paper banknotes. Numerous banks and digital fee operators are anticipated to launch promotional applications to incentivize the usage of digital lai-see.
Preparations for Be aware Alternate
The note-issuing banks have carried out a number of measures to make sure a clean observe change course of. These embody:
- Extending banking hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. completely for observe change in the course of the first three days of the service interval, beginning January 14, 2025.
- Providing on-line reserving companies for brand new and good-as-new notes, with particulars to be introduced quickly by particular person banks.
- Implementing crowd administration methods, corresponding to distributing bodily tickets and managing queues when vital.
Advisory for Money Customers
The HKMA advises these preferring money for lai-see to test their current inventory of recent or good-as-new notes at dwelling earlier than visiting a financial institution. There isn’t any urgency to change notes in the beginning of the service interval, as banks are dedicated to sustaining an ample provide all through.
The HKMA’s efforts to encourage digital lai-see align with broader sustainability targets, providing a contemporary, eco-friendly possibility for conventional cultural practices in the course of the Chinese language New 12 months.
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