Like many of our age-old traditions, the custom of giving physical angbaos may very well gradually become a thing of the past.
In 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was still running rampant and house visitations were strictly limited to eight people per household, the concept of e-angbaos was introduced by local banks as a replacement for relatives to still continue practising Lunar New Year customs while social distancing.
Even after the circuit restrictions are lifted, these e-angbaos still serve as a convenient means for people to express their affection and bless their good fortune to their loved ones from far away.
Not only that, the switch from physical notes to digital cash also serves as a more environmentally friendly option.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) estimates that some 330 tonnes of carbon emissions are generated by the production of new notes each Chinese New Year, which is “equivalent to emissions from charging 5.7 million smartphones or one smartphone for every Singaporean resident for five days,” said MAS’ assistant managing director of finance, risk and currency Bernard Wee.
MAS also encourages e-gifting to prevent bank crowding during the Chinese New Year, a time when people swap old notes for new ones.
Though it does not hit the same as opening a tangible red envelope and pulling out the sweet, sweet cash inside, our local banks do make a point to make the process of receiving e-angbaos as fun and engaging as possible.
Over the last three years, users of DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB and Maybank’s digital mobile applications can send their loved ones digital red packets along with adorable well wishes to ring in the new lunar year.
So let’s take a look and see what our digital banking apps have in store for us in the Year of the Dragon!
DBS Bank
This year, DBS Bank is rolling out their new DBS QR Ang Baos whereby users can choose between gifting a physical QR Ang Bao, or sending personalised digital well-wishes via eGift.
Additionally, they can stand a chance to win up to S$88,888 when using DBS QR Ang Baos or eGift and keeping cash withdrawals below S$600.
Interested parties can purchase their QR Ang Baos at any DBS/POSB branches or pop-up ATMs at selected community centres.
Users can load up to 10 different QR codes with different amounts of money on their DBS PayLah! application, and recipients can seamlessly scan their respective QR Ang Baos to receive the money.
Plus, with customisable messages and festive GIFs to choose from, every Ang Bao you make gets a personalised touch!
OCBC Bank
OCBC Bank is also inviting users to celebrate festive traditions in a more eco-conscious way this Lunar New Year by switching to e-Ang Baos or Fit-for-gifting notes (Fit Notes).
(Fit notes are currency notes verified by banknote processing machines, suitable for recirculation and festive gifting. They’re akin in quality to ATM dispensed notes.)
OCBC Bank mobile application users can simply log into their app, select “Transfer & Payments”, and click the “Send Ang Bao Now” option.
From there, you can select your intended recipient to give your ang bao to. You can even schedule your ang baos to arrive on a specific date!
For recipients, you would be greeted with an adorable message stating that you have received an ang bao, and from there, you can even choose to respond to them with a personalised thank you message!
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered Bank invites their users to explore a more sustainable way of giving angbaos via their e-Angbao feature!
After logging into their application, users can navigate to their e-Angbao banner, where they can select their recipient and transaction details.
You can then choose from three different angbao designs, as well as add personalised well-wishes!
UOB
Similarly, through the use of UOB’s mobile application UOB TMRW, you can send their customizable e-Hongbaos to your loved ones.
You can do so by selecting the PayNow option, choosing the recipient and desired amount of money, then clicking on “Share” to add red packet skins as well as prosperous messages before sharing it to your recipient via your preferred messaging application.
That’s not all! From now till 29 Feb 2024, send e-hongbaos with PayNow on UOB TMRW and you stand a chance to win S$8,888 cash!
Every e-hongbao sent (min. S$10) via PayNow on UOB TMRW, grants you an additional chance to win.
Plus, you can double your chances when you make a PromptPay or DuitNow transfer (min. S$10). There is no cap on the number of chances you can win!
e-Hongbao recipients, be sure to check in with the senders with a wink and a nudge to see if you can get a small cut of the winnings.
Maybank
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with e-angbaos on Maybank2u SG (Lite) app.
Users can send modern e-angbaos with festive designs and animations. You can even add personalised photos and messages!
From 25 January to 29 February 2024, Maybank users can win up to S$1,188 by sending the highest accumulated value of e-angbaos! The second prize is at S$888 while the third prize stands at S$688.
Additionally, if you are among the first 388 customers to send at least one e-angbao per day (min. S$10) for any 5 days during the promotion period, you can win up to S$88!
So, skip the queues and also contribute to less waste by opting for the wide array of e-angbao choices, and all of its accompanied benefits in the Year of the Wood Dragon!
Bless the younger generation (and prove that you’re indeed tech-savvy!) with their very own customized virtual angbao with your preferred digital banking app this year!
