HSBC to Issue New Banknote in Hong KongThe Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Monday, December 11, unveiled the new security features of HSBC's 1,000-HK-dollar banknote.The new notes bearing three new security features in addition to the existing ones will begin circulation next Monday. The new features are a clearly visible holographic windowed thread, a highlight watermark showing the number "1000," fluorescent fibers in red, blue and green embedded in the banknote paper, visible under ultraviolet light. "The new security features will play an important part in our fight against counterfeiting," said Joseph Yam, chief executive of the HKMA. Although still low by international standards, the rate of discovery of counterfeit notes in Hong Kong increased earlier this year, said Yam. The new security features will also be applied to the 1,000-HK-dollar notes of Hong Kong's other two note-issuing banks, he said. Raymond Or, general manager of the HSBC, said, "There is no need for the public to rush to swap their existing notes with HSBC's newly printed 1,000-HK-dollar notes as both will continue to be legal tender in Hong Kong." The enhanced 1,000-HK-dollar note, which bears the issue date of September 1, 2000, retains the basic layout and color scheme of the existing series from the HSBC. |
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