Hong Kong's major banks are pulling out all the stops to attract wealthy clients from the city and mainland China during the Lunar New Year holiday, which begins on Tuesday, offering everything from gold souvenirs to mahjong sets, fancy lai see packets, and dinners with fireworks views.
Hong Kong authorities have estimated that as many as 1.43 million mainland visitors will cross the border during the holiday period, marking a 6 per cent increase from the previous year, creating a prime opportunity for banks to court high-value customers amid the festive influx.
Gold has emerged as the standout incentive this year, with leading lenders such as HSBC, its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered, Citigroup, and DBS (Hong Kong) all providing the precious metal to select clients while prices hover near a record high.
HSBC is distributing gold souvenirs featuring the popular Chiikawa characters to certain customers, adding a playful touch to the traditional gift. Meanwhile, Hang Seng Bank is hosting a lucky draw for gold medals, available to selected customers through March.
Standard Chartered and Citibank are gifting gold coins emblazoned with a Year of the Horse design to specific wealthy clients, capitalizing on the zodiac theme of the upcoming holiday. DBS Hong Kong is similarly enticing participants with gold-plated Fortune Horse ornaments through its own lucky draw.
Beyond gold, banks are deploying a range of other lavish perks tailored to the Lunar New Year spirit, including mahjong sets for gaming enthusiasts, ornate lai see packets for red envelope traditions, and exclusive dinners offering prime views of fireworks displays.
These targeted promotions underscore the competitive drive among Hong Kong's financial institutions to retain and expand their affluent customer base during one of the busiest travel and celebration periods of the year.
