July 22, 2011

The Monetary Authority and the three banknote-issuing banks today unveiled the designs for the remaining Hong Kong 2010 series of new banknotes.
 
The $100, $50 and $20 notes incorporate the same state-of-the-art security features as the new $1,000 and $500 notes which are already in circulation, and help the visually impaired differentiate between the denominations.
 
Monetary Authority Chief Executive Norman Chan said the new notes will be phased in from November, after which the entire Hong Kong 2010 series will be in circulation.
 
“The new $1,000 and $500 banknotes, which have been in circulation since December and February, have received a very positive response from the public. I am confident the new $100, $50 and $20 banknotes will be equally well received.”
 
They were designed by the respective note-issuing banks – Standard Chartered Bank, Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, and Bank of China (Hong Kong) - and approved by the Financial Secretary.
 
They are printed by Hong Kong Note Printing.
 
The authority will launch an extensive education programme to raise public awareness of the new notes. It will arrange seminars for banks, retailers and moneychangers, and special outreach seminars for centres for the elderly and people with visual impairment. It will also hold exhibitions.
 
The interactive online-learning programme on the authority's website has been updated to include the new banknotes' design and security features. Education leaflets are available.
 
All existing banknotes continue to be legal tender. They will circulate along with the new banknotes and be gradually withdrawn from circulation when they become physically unfit for circulation.