After almost 20,000 votes, Asian Private Banker’s readers have decided which private bank offers the best red packets in the Year of the Snake amid fierce competition.
Here, APB reveals the winners of this year’s poll, as well as the meaning and messages behind the designs.
Julius Baer won the poll again, with 38% of the votes. The Swiss bank also topped the poll last year in the Year of the Dragon with 31%. In second place is DBS Private Bank with 26% of the votes, while Bank of Singapore came third with 10% of the votes.
Julius Baer: Enchanting Artistry of Nature
Adhering to the theme “Enchanting Artistry of Nature,” Julius Baer hopes to illustrate its commitment to long-term relationships and wish clients prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Snake with its design.
To Julius Baer, the hummingbirds and goldfish symbolise happiness, good luck, wealth, prosperity, and good fortune, while the mountains and water in the traditional Chinese ink painting style represent stability, longevity, and prosperity.
The paper-cutting patterns highlight traditional Chinese craftsmanship, which serves as a metaphor for longevity and the heritage that passes across generations.
DBS: Elegance in Bloom
With the collection “Elegance in Bloom,” DBS Private Bank wishes clients the beauty and grace of flourishing success, the joy of enduring relationships, and the prosperity that grows with each new chapter.
Inspired by floral and bird pairings that represent good fortune, vitality, and the promise of new beginnings, the two red packets create a visual tableau when placed together.
With the peacock and magnolia symbolising beauty, grace, and prosperity, DBS hopes this captures the essence of a flourishing life and the boundless potential of the year ahead. The crane and peony depict longevity and nobility, symbolising the endurance and preciousness of time.
Printed on environmentally friendly paper, the bank hopes to foster a mindful and sustainable way to celebrate the Lunar New Year while maintaining tradition.
Bank of Singapore: Abundance in Bloom
Featuring artwork depicting peacocks and vibrant flowers, Bank of Singapore hopes to symbolise timeless beauty, enduring prosperity, and thriving through adversity with its red packets.
The illustrations on the red packets are created by Eugene Soh, an impressionist artist from ART:DIS, formerly known as Very Special Arts Singapore, a non-profit organisation creating learning and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts.
Soh suffers from abnormal spine growth inhibiting his ability to move freely. His works are highly sought after for their ethereal beauty and rich texture.
