Because the Chinese language New 12 months approaches, the Hong Kong Financial Authority (HKMA) has introduced measures to facilitate the trade of latest 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 keeping 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 cut back the consumption of bodily purple packets and paper banknotes. Numerous banks and digital cost operators are anticipated to launch promotional packages to incentivize using digital lai-see.
Preparations for Observe Alternate
The note-issuing banks have carried out a number of measures to make sure a clean notice trade course of. These embrace:
- Extending banking hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. completely for notice trade in the course of the first three days of the service interval, beginning January 14, 2025.
- Providing on-line reserving companies for brand spanking new and good-as-new notes, with particulars to be introduced quickly by particular person banks.
- Implementing crowd administration methods, reminiscent of distributing bodily tickets and managing queues when mandatory.
Advisory for Money Customers
The HKMA advises these preferring money for lai-see to examine their current inventory of latest or good-as-new notes at house earlier than visiting a financial institution. There is no such thing as a urgency to trade notes in the beginning of the service interval, as banks are dedicated to sustaining an sufficient provide all through.
The HKMA’s efforts to encourage digital lai-see align with broader sustainability targets, providing a contemporary, eco-friendly choice for conventional cultural practices in the course of the Chinese language New 12 months.
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