Because the Chinese language New 12 months approaches, the Hong Kong Financial Authority (HKMA) has introduced measures to facilitate the alternate 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 supply 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 providers for giving lai-see. This initiative goals to cut back the consumption of bodily pink packets and paper banknotes. Varied banks and digital fee operators are anticipated to launch promotional packages to incentivize the usage of digital lai-see.
Preparations for Notice Alternate
The note-issuing banks have applied a number of measures to make sure a clean observe alternate course of. These embrace:
Extending banking hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. solely for observe alternate in the course of the first three days of the service interval, beginning January 14, 2025.
Providing on-line reserving providers for brand new and good-as-new notes, with particulars to be introduced quickly by particular person banks.
Implementing crowd administration methods, akin to distributing bodily tickets and managing queues when crucial.
Advisory for Money Customers
The HKMA advises these preferring money for lai-see to examine their present inventory of recent or good-as-new notes at house earlier than visiting a financial institution. There is no such thing as a urgency to alternate notes initially of the service interval, as banks are dedicated to sustaining an enough provide all through.
The HKMA’s efforts to encourage digital lai-see align with broader sustainability objectives, providing a contemporary, eco-friendly possibility for conventional cultural practices in the course of the Chinese language New 12 months.
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