Long queues at ATMs as most people prefer fresh CNY notes over fit-for-gifting type

SINGAPORE – A long queue, comprising mostly seniors who want to get their hands on new notes ahead of Chinese New Year, formed at two pop-up ATMs at Ci Yuan Community Club in Hougang on Thursday (Jan 5).

The majority of people there opted for new notes instead of used notes that are fit-for-gifting, which local banks are issuing for the first time for the festive period this year in a bid to reduce carbon emissions generated from issuing new notes.

As at 10am, about 60 people were queueing for the new notes, while 14 people waited in line to get fit-for-gifting notes.

Housewife Florence Tang, who was first in line to get the new notes from the DBS/POSB pop-up ATMs at Ci Yuan, said she prefers the new notes due to tradition.

“It has always been tradition for us to give new notes during Chinese New Year, because new notes signify a new start to the new year,” said the 60-year-old, who began queueing from 8.15am.

The pop-up ATMs started operating from Thursday till Jan 20 between 10am and 10pm daily, as well as on Jan 21 from 10am to 1pm.

New and fit-for-gifting notes can be withdrawn without any prior booking at pop-up ATMs offered by DBS Bank and selected UOB ATMs.

There are 72 POSB pop-up ATMs disbursing fit-for-gifting and new notes, up from the 64 ATMs in 2022. UOB has 17 ATMs dispensing new and fit-for-gifting notes, up from 10 ATMs in 2022.

DBS and UOB will also provide $2 and $10 in larger quantities, as well as $50 notes, for withdrawal from selected pop-up and branch ATMs.

Walk-in exchanges at DBS, OCBC and UOB branches are available for those aged 60 and above and people with disabilities.

Housewife Jenny Tan was among those who queued for new notes at the community club.

“It has always been a tradition to give new notes to people during Chinese New Year. It will be strange to give people old or used notes,” said the 57-year-old.

But Ms Yvonne Leong, 44, who is self-employed, decided to try the new option.

She said: “There is no harm trying fit-for-gifting notes, because they seem quite new. I feel these notes are acceptable to give during Chinese New Year.”

Likewise, sales merchandiser Winna Ho said she finds the note acceptable for the festive season.

“It doesn’t matter because the value of the money is the same regardless of whether they are new or used notes,” said the 48-year-old.

Fit-for-gifting notes are notes that are generally clean and of suitable quality for recirculation, including for festive gifting.

The condition of these notes has been verified by banknote processing machines. The notes are similar in quality to those dispensed by ATMs.

From Thursday, the public can make appointments to exchange their cash for fit-for-gifting or new notes for Chinese New Year.

Those who wish to do so must pre-book through the online reservation systems of DBS, OCBC and UOB to minimise the likelihood of overcrowding at bank branches.

UOB’s first reservation window period opened on Thursday, with collection from Jan 10 to Jan 14.

UOB managing director of group channels and digitalisation Benny Chan said booking slots for new notes and fit-for-gifting notes exchange at the bank’s branches were fully booked by about 8.30am and 12.40pm, respectively, on Thursday.

OCBC Bank’s head of branch service and risk management, Ms Jean Oh, said the bank’s booking window from Jan 10 to Jan 13 opened at 8am on Thursday.

As at 11am, 25 per cent of the available slots have been taken up. Most of the slots that have been booked are for new notes.

The booking window for this first tranche will close on Saturday or when all slots have been taken up, said Ms Oh.

“For walk-in for elderly and those with disabilities, our branches have met their quota of available new and fit-for-gifting notes today. A quota will be set aside each day,” said Ms Oh, adding that the quota will depend on each branch.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore had previously encouraged people to adopt more environmentally friendly options, as issuing new notes to meet the demand for festive gifting generates unnecessary carbon emissions and is a waste of resources.

Apart from fit-for-gifting notes, people are also urged to use digital red packets, or e-hongbao.

The central bank will also cease the issuance of good-as-new $2 notes from the upcoming Chinese New Year. These notes were issued during Chinese New Year and deposited back to MAS shortly thereafter by the banks.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.