The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the three note-issuing banks, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, announced that new notes and good-as-new notes will be available for exchange at their branches from 3 February to 16 February. Alongside the cash exchange arrangements, the HKMA encouraged the public to use electronic channels, including the Faster Payment System via online or mobile banking and other e-wallet services, for giving lai-see. To facilitate the notes exchange service, branches will open at 8:00 a.m. on 3 to 5 February and dedicate 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. exclusively to notes exchange, with additional crowd management measures such as physical tickets and queue management where needed. An online booking service for both new notes and good-as-new notes will start from 27 January, with details to be announced by individual note-issuing banks within the next week; major banks and electronic payment operators will also run promotional programmes for electronic lai-see. The HKMA also advised members of the public to check for any remaining stock of suitable notes at home before visiting a bank and noted there is no need to rush in the first few days, as banks will ensure supply throughout the service period.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority 2026-01-13
Hong Kong Monetary Authority sets 3 to 16 February Chinese New Year notes exchange period and promotes electronic lai-see
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and three note-issuing banks announced the availability of new and good-as-new notes for exchange from 3 to 16 February, encouraging the use of electronic channels for lai-see. Branches will open early for notes exchange, with online booking starting 27 January, and promotional programs for electronic lai-see will be offered.