The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Bank of China (BOC) and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) today (Tuesday) announced the launch of enhanced $1,000 banknotes with three additional security features. The enhanced banknotes follow the inclusion of similar security features in The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) $1,000 note announced in December, 2000.
"Public confidence in the security of our currency is of vital importance to the economy," said Mr Tony Latter, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA. "To ensure high and consistent standards of banknote security in Hong Kong, the additional security features which were incorporated into the HSBC $1,000 note last December have now been added to the $1,000 notes issued by the Bank of China and Standard Chartered Bank."
Mr Latter added that the comprehensive review of the design and security features of all Hong Kong banknotes, currently being undertaken by the Bank Notes Issue Advisory Committee, was making good progress.
Although the incidence of banknote counterfeiting has subsided recently, Mr Latter said that the new security features for the BOC and SCB $1,000 notes could further deter such activities.
Mr Liu Jinbao, General Manager of the BOC Hong Kong Branch, said, "the three new security features we have just introduced will certainly increase the overall banknote security, obtain greater recognition and support from the public. As the HK$1,000 notes issued by the Bank of China in previous years will remain as valid legal tender, coupled with the abundant supply of the new HK$1,000 notes coming out tomorrow, there is no urgency for the public to swap for the new notes."
Mr Peter Wong, Chief Executive and General Manager of SCB Hong Kong, said, "Standard Chartered Bank which first issued banknotes in Hong Kong in 1862, has a history of close to 140 years in note issuance. With the longest history of issuing banknotes in Hong Kong, Standard Chartered is very concerned about counterfeiting. The new enhanced security features are added to help deter such activities. These features are easily identifiable. We hope that they will strengthen the public's confidence in using the banknotes."
The BOC and SCB $1,000 notes bearing the new security features will begin circulation tomorrow (20 June). As with the HSBC $1,000 notes, these notes will carry three additional security features. The new features are:
- a clearly visible holographic windowed thread
- a highlight watermark showing the number '1000'
- fluorescent fibres in red, blue and green embedded in the banknote paper, visible under ultraviolet light
The enhanced $1,000 notes, which bear the issue date of 1 January 2001, retain the same layouts and colour schemes of the existing HK$1,000 banknotes of the respective banks. All the security features of the existing $1,000 notes have been retained with some minor modifications: to provide more space for the inclusion of the new security features, the existing security metal thread of the BOC note has been moved to the left and the number of its fluorescent denomination blocks (visible only under ultraviolet light) has been increased from one to two. The new banknotes will be available at the Bank of China Hong Kong Branch, its sub-branches, and all the main offices of the BOC Group member banks (including the ATMs inside the banking offices). Subsequently, the new notes will soon be obtainable at other BOC Group member banks, including their ATMs, in order to meet the needs of our customers.
For the SCB note, the existing thread remains in the same position as before, but the number of fluorescent denomination blocks has been reduced from three to two. New Standard Chartered $1,000 banknote will be available at all SCB branches starting tomorrow (20 June 2001).
A leaflet explaining and illustrating the new security features is available from the three note-issuing banks and the HKMA.
The notes enhanced with their new security features are being produced by Hong Kong Note Printing Limited.
Media enquiries:
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Thomas Chan Tel: 2878 1480
Caitlin Wong Tel: 2878 1687
Bank of China
Angel Yip Tel: 2826 6159
Standard Chartered Bank
Eva Law Tel: 2820 3085
Denise Hui Tel: 2821 1199
Related documents:
- Leaflet (PDF File, 467K)
- The new HK$1,000 banknote from the Bank of China (JPEG File, 972KB)
- Security features of new HK$1,000 banknote from the Bank of China (JPEG File, 1,143KB)
- The new Standard Chartered HK$1,000 banknote (JPEG File, 93KB)
- Security features of new Standard Chartered HK$1,000 banknote (JPEG File, 78KB)
Other Information:
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Bank of China
Standard Chartered Bank
19 June 2001
