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As we approach the start of the new Lunar New Year, finews.asia once again presents the private banking industry’s red packet catalog for 2025.

Under the Chinese lunar calendar, January 29 will mark the start of the new year in 2025. Each year, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac will be featured in a 12-year cycle under the following order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This will be further classified by five elements – gold, wood, water, fire and earth – to form an overall cycle over 60 years.

2025 marks the Year of the Wood Snake. While predictions may vary, some believe that industries linked to wood, fire and water (such as banking!) are poised for success.

Industry Custom

Customs during the Chinese New Year period include reunion dinners, making offerings to ancestors, setting off firecrackers and, most notably, passing out red packets – decorative envelopes that contain money for good luck.

And within the region's financial sector, it has become a staple custom of its own to share elaborately designed red packets (also known as lai sees or hongbaos) with clients to give to their family members and loved ones. Returning once again due to popular demand, finews.asia presents the private banking industry’s catalog of red packets for 2025.

Bank of Singapore

Red packets from the private banking arm of OCBC feature exquisite artwork depicting peacocks and vibrant flowers, symbolizing timeless beauty, enduring prosperity and thriving through adversity.

Created by Eugene Soh, an impressionist artist from ART:DIS, the latter symbol is especially apt. This is because of Soh’s inspiring journey to becoming an artist after recovering from an abnormal growth on his spine that caused him to be unable to move freely.

Started in 1993 by Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh, ART:DIS is a non-profit entity that organizes art programs, projects, collaborations, exhibitions and performances for persons with disabilities to reach for excellence and be relevant in the future. ART:DIS further establishes pathways in the arts for persons with disabilities to express themselves, gain confidence and be part of a community.

 

BNP Paribas Wealth Management

BNP Paribas has been present in China for more than 160 years with its predecessor unit, Comptoir National d’Escompte de Paris (CNEP), opening its first Shanghai office in 1860 during the country’s final imperial rulership under the Qing. This year, BNP Paribas Wealth Management pays homage to history with a pair of red packets inspired by the Qing Dynasty.

The envelopes include a design of the dragon and phoenix which are symbols of prosperity and harmony. They have silk-like backgrounds, evoking traditional elegance, further enhanced with gloss gold stamping for a stunning, classy finish.