From fireworks to cash, Hong Kong banks vie for mainland new year visitors
Published: 1:30pm, 29 Jan 2025 Hong Kong lenders, intent on enticing visitors from mainland China to open new accounts during the Lunar New Year festive period, are offering a bevy of perks including cash rebates, lucky draws, afternoon tea vouchers, hotel stays and dinners overlooking the Lunar New Year fireworks or horse races.
As the Year of the Snake begins, the government expects the city to welcome about 1.43 million mainlanders during the 'golden week' holiday, spanning January 28 to February 4.
To compete for new clients during this prime opportunity, all of Hong Kong's major lenders, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China (Hong Kong), alongside digital banks such as ZA Bank, Mox Bank and WeLab Bank, have concocted special offers. HSBC , Hong Kong's largest lender, which turns 160 years old in March, is the title sponsor of the fireworks that start at 8pm on the second day of the Lunar New Year on Thursday.
'The Lunar New Year is an important festival and is set to draw many visitors to Hong Kong this year,' said Luanne Lim, CEO of HSBC Hong Kong. 'HSBC is excited to play a role in the celebrations by presenting a spectacular fireworks display for both residents and tourists alike.' HSBC will host a dinner with a view of the fireworks for certain clients at Hysan Place. Later in the week it will host a dinner overlooking the horse races at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Sha Tin and a wealth-investment dinner at the Cloud 39 rooftop ballroom in the city's newest skyscraper, The Henderson . All three will feature feng shui masters to discuss the outlook for the Year of the Snake. Those who open a new account at HSBC's recently opened retail banking centre at Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station – the terminal for high-speed trains from the mainland – will get a HK$1,000 (US$128) gift card for spending at Rosewood Hotel. There will also be a lucky draw for anyone who visits the centre.
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