Hundreds queued outside banks for redesigned HK$20 and $100 banknotes which went into circulation yesterday, with many people wanting to put them in lai see packets for the Lunar New Year.
The new HK$20 notes, from all three note-issuing banks, have improved security features.
New designs feature local festivals, Chinese heritage and the city's scenic spots.
The HK$100 note was only from HSBC, to correct a flaw found in its new design in July: the five petals of the white bauhinia flower on the Hong Kong flag were pointing in the wrong direction. The notes were redesigned.
Law Ying-kuk, 71, who arrived at the HSBC branch in Yue Man Square, Kwun Tong, at 8.30am, said: 'It's tradition to have new notes for lai see. The design doesn't matter, but it's important the notes are new.'
The queue outside the branch began to form as early as 7am. The bank opened an hour earlier than usual, at 8am, but the queue continued to grow and by 9am about 200 people, mainly elderly, were in line.