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Galloping into the Year of the Fire Horse, the race continues among private banks and asset managers to see who can distribute the most spectacular red packets to clients.
More than just traditional gifts for family and friends, these laisee, or hongbao, have morphed into cult collectables, often trading on secondary markets for prices that rival the currency inside.
Horses symbolise vitality, speed, as well as enduring stamina — indispensable qualities for every private banker navigating high stakes and ever-changing markets.
Here, APB highlights some of the most exquisite custom red packets from Asia’s largest private banks, wealth managers, and asset managers. As part of the tradition, we invite our readers to judge the best design.
Previously, Julius Baer was crowned the winner for the best red packets among all financial firms for The Year of the Snake and for The Year of the Dragon. This year, in light of the growing number of entries, we split the poll between private banks and asset managers.
Can anyone dethrone Julius Baer? We will announce the results shortly after the Chinese New Year. Cast your vote below and gung hei faat choi!
Inspired by the traditional pinwheel, symbolising movement, vitality, and continuous good fortune, each blade carries different greetings, expressing the idea that every rotation brings new blessings. Together with the background, the design conveys joy and celebration.
Apollo
Bank of Singapore
The horses in motion symbolise vitality, resilience, and the drive to forge ahead. The illustrations are created by Nichole Koo, an artist from ART:DIS, a non-profit dedicated to creating learning and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts.
Bank J. Safra Sarasin
Barclays Private Bank
The gift box features an artistic portrayal of the horse in motion, symbolising freedom and progress. The bank also presented clients with a gold leather pouch and a set of coasters alongside their red packets.
Blackstone
BNY Investments
BNP Paribas Wealth Management
The set features a horse adorned with floral patterns, symbolising strength, speed, and blossoming success. With the horse representing perseverance, progress, and vitality in Chinese culture, it encourages recipients to charge into the new year with luck, ambition, and flourishing opportunities.
Centaline Family Office
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
At the heart of the design is a delicate flower charm, positioned above a circular die-cut motif that invites interaction. When pulled, the charm unveils a layered, three-dimensional lantern-like structure. At its centre is a butterfly, symbolising transformation, prosperity, and the unfolding of new beginnings.
Citi Private Bank
With flowers and gold coins in its design, the bank hopes to invite good fortune and success, as well as inspire resilience and courage, a reminder to face upcoming challenges with confidence and positivity.
DBS Private Bank
The collection is themed “Dance of the Fortune” to celebrate prosperity, harmony, and togetherness. The set is complimented with carriers, designed for home visits during Chinese new year, as well as a limited edition glass plate that is designed as a centrepiece for traditional Yu Sheng tossing ceremonies.
Deutsche Bank Private Bank
The tapestry of symbols honours tradition and represents blessings for the year ahead. The bloom of peonies, swallows in flight, and greeting come together to celebrate prosperity and new beginnings.
EFG International
The Swiss private bank’s red packets see a leaping horse that symbolises momentum and ambition for the year ahead, while the plum blossoms represent prosperity blooming even in challenging conditions.
Endowus
Fidelity International
First Sentier
Franklin Templeton
HarbourVest
HSBC Private Bank
To celebrate the year of the horse and the upcoming 40th anniversary of the forth generation of HSBC’s Main Building, the design highlights the façade and pillars of the Main Building as its centrepiece, accompanied by peonies in full bloom to symbolise fortune and prosperity.
Indosuez Wealth Management
The design embodies energy, progress, and forward momentum, with the nature-inspired motifs representing the vibrancy of spring and themes of harmony, growth, and prosperity.
Janus Henderson
J. P. Morgan Asset Management
J. P. Morgan Private Bank
The gold fire horse symbolises energy, progress, and leadership, while Chinese coins inspired patterns woven into the horse represent enduring wealth and prosperity. The bank hopes the design of tradition with modern elegance reflects its commitment to help clients gallop confidently into a prosperous new year.
Julius Baer
With the theme Eternal Bliss from the Double Spirits, the peacock represents prosperity, beauty, and dignity, while the crane symbolises longevity and wisdom. The Chinese ink-wash style pays homage to classical artistry with a touch of elegance and minimalism.
KGI
L&G
LGT
LGT has been partnering with Liechtenstein Post to produce its annual limited edition Chinese Zodiac red packets and Lunar New Year stamps for the past ten years. The design aims to combine precision, artistry, and a sense of heritage.
Lombard Odier
The peonies, also known as the “king of flowers,” are set against Lombard Odier’s fleuron, inspired by the main door of its old historic headquarters in Geneva that pays homage to its longstanding heritage since 1796. The red packets are printed on premium matte art paper.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Nomura International Wealth Management
Pictet
PineBridge Investments
RBC Wealth Management Asia
Standard Chartered Global Private Bank
Inspired by the legend of the Eight Horses of King Mu, the design represents energy, progress, and forward momentum.
StashAway
T. Rowe Price
UBP
In celebration of elegance and tradition, the design features a pair of rising phoenixes, which symbolise renewal and vitality. They are surrounded by colourful blooms reflecting prosperity and abundance. Together, they embody hope, growth, and success for the year ahead.
UBS Global Wealth Management
The packets, when pieced together, form an artwork, with gold and crimson horses symbolising unstoppable drive, while the cloud motifs in turquoise evoke renewal and adaptability. The box set features 88 packets to symbolise infinite fortune.
UOB Private Bank
The design is inspired by the bonsai trees surrounding UOB Plaza and the Plaza Atrium, symbolising careful and purposeful long-term support for clients. The design aligns with UOB’s multi-year design director, while the red packets are printed on environmentally friendly paper with reduced non-plastic packaging.
Vontobel
WRISE
2026 Red Packets Poll
Results will be announced shortly after Chinese New Year.
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