Banks in HK match last year's generous red packets for employees

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Every year, on the first day of work after Chinese New Year, employers hand out lai see (red packets) to employees to wish them good luck for the rest of the year. While the meaning of the lai see ritual prevails over the amount of money, it's always interesting to see how much employers are giving.

This year, compared with chief secretary for administration, Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who handed out lai see with chocolate gold coins inside to airport employees, commercial businesses have been far more generous. 

Matching last year's effort, virtual bank Za Bank kicked off the year by e-gifting all employees in Hong Kong HK$1,000 on the eve of Chinese New Year, and HSBC digitally transferred HK$500 to all their employees, including international assignees. 

Meanwhile, Bank of China and Standard Chartered Hong Kong handed out HK$500 and HK$100 respectively. On top of the HK$100, employees of Standard Chartered can enroll in a lucky draw to get an extra lucky lai see with amount ranging from HK$50 to HK$2,000.