New Banknotes Exchange 2026 | HSBC, BOC, and STANCHART can exchange new banknotes starting from 2.3. Read this article for the latest arrangements. Online reservations available starting from 1.27

【New Banknotes/New Year/New Year’s Banknotes/New Year/New Year’s Eve/Bank/HSBC/BOC HONG KONG/STANCHART】 The Year of the Horse is approaching, and it is time for citizens to prepare for exchanging new banknotes. It is reported that the three issuing banks, HSBC, BOC HONG KONG, and STANCHART HONG KONG, plan to provide new banknotes for citizens to exchange for Lunar New Year red envelopes starting from February 3, and will jointly announce details with the Monetary Authority as soon as possible. However, the final announcement and date for exchanging new banknotes are subject to the official announcement. February 17 is the first day of the Lunar New Year. According to past practices, the three issuing banks usually start providing new banknote exchange services about two weeks before the Lunar New Year. It is reported that the three banks plan to offer new banknotes for exchange starting from the 3rd of next month, and it is estimated that, as in previous years, the exchange period should last until the 29th day of the Lunar New Year, which is February 16. New Banknotes 2026 | What Arrangements Do the Three Issuing Banks Have? To facilitate citizens in exchanging banknotes, the three issuing banks will take appropriate measures, including: 1 During the first 3 days of providing exchange services, from February 3 (Tuesday) to February 5 (Thursday), the opening hours will be advanced to 8 AM, and the specified additional business hours (from 8 AM to 9 AM) will be dedicated to providing exchange services; 2 Starting from January 27 (Tuesday), online appointment services for exchanging new banknotes and "New Year’s Banknotes" will be provided, and the issuing banks will announce details of the service within the next week; and 3 Implement crowd management measures, such as distributing tokens to citizens waiting in line and making diversion arrangements when necessary. To avoid long queues and excessive waiting times for citizens exchanging new banknotes or New Year’s banknotes at the bank, the three issuing banks have made special arrangements in recent years, including advancing business hours to 8 AM during the first three days of providing exchange services and dedicating the additional business hour from 8 AM to 9 AM specifically for exchange services; they also provide online appointment services for exchanging new banknotes and New Year’s banknotes, as well as implementing crowd management measures, such as distributing tokens to citizens waiting in line and making diversion arrangements when necessary. In addition, in previous years, HSBC has also provided withdrawal services for New Year’s banknotes in denominations of 20 and 50 at designated ATMs. New Banknotes 2026 | Encouraging Citizens to Exchange "New Year’s Banknotes" In response to environmental protection, the Monetary Authority and the three issuing banks have been actively encouraging citizens to exchange old banknotes, which are still new and referred to as "New Year’s Banknotes," for red envelopes, or to use Faster Payment System or electronic wallets to distribute electronic red envelopes. However, many citizens still prefer the traditional method of using new banknotes for red envelopes during the New Year, resulting in many citizens going to the bank to exchange for new banknotes every year, only opting for New Year’s banknotes when new banknotes are out of stock