banking & finance
psst: do you know the above blue bull is from which company?
hint: there are also two other great bulls...
hint: there are also two other great bulls...
My beautiful floral passion takes on another collection series this oxen year. I am extremely pleased and delighted to be able to trade a set of the gorgeous Sedgwick as well as QBE, both carrying the color of happiness; The turquoise, a color that balances blue, green and yellow has healing properties that affects the mind and the body. This refreshing look continues to radiate with Kenanga sweet and calming pair. There is another bank that is also using this peaceful color, a single piece that will surely catch your attention below,
Next is a favorite of many collectors, the Deutsche Bank (DB) series and this year I am truly lucky to have found a willing collector to trade me a pair. A simple comparison between the two years where we can see that they have inverted the colors of the horizontal and landscape pieces. I am a pink fan, this is my sweet beauty!
Citibank gave us a set of beautiful vibrant floral of four that many fell in love with last year. While their Citigold set comes in a golden box as compared to the normal red box previously, this year both boxes are the same with the same wording difference of Citigold and the Citi logo on the flaps. Some like the design, some not so but I am a fan of the traditional Chinese bowl motif so it's a yay. Only managed to get the normal Citibank SDR for both 2020 & 2021, guess that'll have to do > <
Maybank presented us a beautiful private pair of the Chinese knot and Koi. The flaps are gorgeous and are the same for the Premier version as well. I still prefer their last year design that is sweeter as compared to this year bolder prints but the flaps are definitely nicer this year. Their Raya edition has been consistently golden yellow since many years ago. Both their 2020 & 2021 premier pieces are thick, shining and royalty looking.
AmBank once again stood out especially with their private crane pair while their signature version has reduced from 4pcs last year to 2pcs. They have however managed to include the zodiac on the flap which is meaningful for us collectors. Do you remember their zodiac series since 2014? Check out my 2015-2018 (missing the horsey yes). 2019 was just a single design but marked the beginning of their floral journey.
CIMB this year was kind of a let down for me with their change of floral motif to CNY dishes and snacks which is a rather familiar design from the past. Any idea? It's 2019 Family Mart the smaller size version (hmm). Just look back at their purple perennials and pink blossoms, a true beauty, blooming lusciously among the other bankers. The normal, preferred and private comes in different sizes, and they stacked up nicely in a 3 tier cake form, interesting... Adding on the late arrival of their Singapore counterpart, we have the preferred in the same designed box as the private for Malaysia while the mass market edition served an additional crab dish. Raya is another let down with more toning down on the colors and design. My father in law also didn't manage to get me their pink private edition as his banking manager said it was out of stock, sad.
The blue birdie from HSBC is next. I do like the design but not so on the paper quality. Many couldn't tell that the design is actually a pair, yes they come in two different shades of red, one is darker and the other lighter but the more easier differentiation would be the leafs on the reverse side of the bird. If you look closely enough you will find one is white line and the other is black. If only they just use a yellow background instead. Their Raya lantern pair makes a nice 2P though and definitely is apparent in the colors this round.
Standard Chartered Priority & Priority Private charges in with their golden and ruby bulls while their mass market takes the goal with the Liverpool Football Club. I have mix feelings with the jerseys but I guess they definitely qualify as a collector edition this year. I finally got the red box from Singapore thus completing the bull series. The single floral piece is even though simple but much better quality in terms of the paper and printing.
OCBC has been consistently giving us quite lovely designs year after year. This year they have the brightest set among the bankers with a meaningful theme of OCBC Cares featuring little houses with floral background. Their Raya design was released in Singapore last year and only this year for Malaysia. There is a premier design as well, single design, but sadly my source is unable to get through during MCO 3.0
RHB continued with their premier box set since 2018 while that was still their best trio since, this year crane is just as shimmery as last year but still unable to capture the collector hearts. Raya "shrunk" in size but the weaving motif comes with a nice texture feel while their premier took on the same blue shades standing tall with the crescent moon in four different background. I didn't manage to collect their 2020 Raya but you can still find their previous design over at my 2018 and 2019 banking sector.
UOB carries on with their color themed packets and moved the zodiac from the front to the inner flap. A little hard to notice as it is quite tiny and well hidden under the flap. Adding on the Singapore bulls which seems to be the same as Malaysia but the scanned image looks darker and brighter. I have not been able to collect their private version since last year and probably won't be able to for this year too... Nevertheless the collection must continueヽ(ヅ)ノ
Hong Leong bank is rather simple this year with the same design for both mass market and priority banking. Unlike previous years the difference are quite apparent with different paper and printing effect, this year's only difference is the gold embossing and even that is quite minimal. Raya has also taken a step back this year, from their 4pcs set in 2020 to a single piece. Their Raya piece for the mass market is looking really green this round while Priority goes horizontal in blue.
I personally like the change of Affin bank's design this year, very different from their past years; Simple but bigger floral illustration with the fluttering butterflies. Their rubbery premier version Affin Invikta charmed me even more with those golden embossed petals, giving it an elegant finishing look.
Affin Hwang Capital continued with their signature red and yellow shades with gold and ruby hot-stamping while their Raya series this year is even more appealing to me, the beautiful brown packet filled with orange floral. The horizontal CNY layout is similar to their 2019 design but instead of butterflies, they have chosen the golden birdie. Unfortunately I did not manage to complete their 2020 fish set, while the only other complete year in my collection is 2018.
Above we have Principal a joint venture between Principal Financial Group®️ and CIMB Group Holdings Berhad. I prefer their lantern rat piece that also features sweet floral while this year golden bulls is much simpler with just a plain red background. Also in red is Baker Tilly and their line drawn bull that is well matched with felt material flowers, such a lovely touch and feel.
Next is the peaceful and calming teal piece from BSN, just loving the happy color. The deep blue sea of PNB is another tranquil color piece while Bank Islam went with pink, matching it's blue and green Kelab pair, making a lovely trio, very different from last year single neon in black.
Floral theme will never fail to capture my attention hence the love for SMBC Raya duo, unfortunately I am still hunting for their CNY edition. Bank Muamalat also has a sweet floral piece paired with a dark color partner. Bank Rakyat has given collectors a five color set, simple design, I like. Bangkok Bank and Al-Rajhi both are more elegant and beautiful than before. Their Raya edition however did not have the same matching theme.
Credit and Financing is up next and we have the singles from Elk-Desa and Danajamin both took on the floral motif, the formal is quite elegant using just red and gold while the latter is sweeter with the white peonies. Chailease Berjaya Credit is just as elegant with it's lovely 4pcs set of the gold fish, bird and butterflies, even though not as colorful and bright like the next pair by Kuwait Finance House. Only the flap carries the ocean waves, unlike their 2020 picturesque 山水画 (shān shuǐ huà), the breathtaking landscape painting! Raya came in a different flap design, single in a bright green tone.
If you liked Nomura gold fish from CNY and their cranes from Hari Raya last year, check out yet another new look for their 2021 edition below. Featuring Japan's signature scenery of the great Mount Fuji in two different shades, purple and yellow, the 2021 pair is definitely a fresh look for them. Fun fact: Nomura was a moneychanger in Osaka, Japan dealing with gold, silver, and copper coins during the 1870's which later grew and evolved into stock trading. Today Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network connecting markets East & West, through three business divisions: Retail, Wholesale and Investment Management.
The crane a symbol of noble character, represents longevity as well as long-lasting love and loyalty in marriage, as the bird is monogamous and stays with one partner until death. I love these legendary birds, the prince of all feathered creature on earth. The Nomura Raya edition above is absolutely one of my favorite and so is this unique trio from China Construction Bank. The traditional Chinese roof top design is definitely one of it's kind and even though just red and gold, these are nothing short of charm and elegance. Continuing the Chinese bank series we have Bank of China pair with a soft floral touch used to highlight their logo while ICBC has the floral spread across their two cream and red pair.
From the Japanese banks we have MUFG blossom pair in a much lighter cream and red is beautiful and obviously more vibrant compared to their 4pcs lake set last year. Both beautiful but I would definitely go for colors. Just the birdies alone is already enough to get my vote. Mizuho cut back the colors as well as from pair to a single design. Nothing can match what they have given us back in 2019, another favorite of mine is their 2019/2018 2P. Adding on the Raya packets and Mizuho definitely captured the collectors heart with their beautiful 4pcs tradtional musical instruments while MUFG has given us a pair, a change from their previous single horizontal designs.
Alliance floral journey continues yet another year but with an additional limited edition of the PinkFong series that comes in an envelope casing.
I first saw Public Bank shorty right before CNY and went ya, that's the same old Public Bank. I was still missing the long version and was like I will probably get it easily after CNY. Then the VIP set came into picture. Well that's probably not going to happen for me cause they were really nice and naturally in high demand. Thanks to Mei Fern who came to the rescue and got me not only the VIP set but the long version in hot gold stamping of the character Fu. The design is elegant especially with the soft lavender and minty color as compared to their usual red and yellow. I am missing the normal long piece but I am content with what I have already. Hari Raya edition is in green with a little gold, consistent layout and flap, unfortunately I do not have their gold stamping nor their VIP edition, bummer!
Eastspring Investment is also cutting back on their colors. Even though maintaining the paper quality, the design seems to be less appealing. Their 2019 crane is still my favorite.
I N s u R a n c e ( 2 0 2 1 / 2 0 2 0 )
I love the cheongsam pair from AXA Affin last year. This year they have given collectors a bright and rubbery set of four featuring auspicious charms and Chinese characters. Do you recall that Singapore had a similar design, only bigger and taller in size? Yes all the way back in 2017!
Tokio Marine is next with their charging bull pair vs the mice trio last year, maintaining the zodiac theme as well as the rubbery paper quality for the Life division. General insurance took a leap from a single design back to what they used to give us in the past, 4pcs set and this is their first kids themed set too. Hop over to my Facebook link to see the previous 4pcs set designs: 2019, 2017, 2016
Maybank Etiqa is definitely my cup of tea this year, butterflies and birdies! I only realized that I am missing their 2020 after scanning these but at least I managed to get both their 2021 Raya blue-beauty as well as their bright floral duo from last year (find them over at my 2020 Banking page)
Public Mutual didn't look that appealing to me when I saw them on Facebook but once in my hands they gave me a total different look and feel. The same rubbery paper like last year but in much brighter shades, this time round really gave this mother-child set an uplifted finishing look. I am glad to have traded them back. Hop over to my Facebook album for a quick look at their previous years design 2015 2017 & 2016 2018-2020.
Public Mutual didn't look that appealing to me when I saw them on Facebook but once in my hands they gave me a total different look and feel. The same rubbery paper like last year but in much brighter shades, this time round really gave this mother-child set an uplifted finishing look. I am glad to have traded them back. Hop over to my Facebook album for a quick look at their previous years design 2015 2017 & 2016 2018-2020.
Manulife simple Chinese knot pair from last year took a step back with a single golden bull piece, thinner paper and lower print quality. Having said that their collaboration with Alliance came back in a brighter red, bigger zodiac and thicker paper. My favorite from them so far is their 2018 twelve zodiac piece, check it out! Dream Union has one of my favorite motif, cheongsam and that golden crane just made it even more lovely.
Zurich also went from 4pcs down to a single design. The golden crane is lovely and I do like it but wished that they had at least maintain a pair.
Here comes the big colorful bulls from Great Eastern and not just the twins but the triplets as well, all ready to charge into the NIU (牛) year. Like the triplets, there is another 3pcs set that also comes in a box that I do not have. Special thanks to my Uncle Seng Huat as well as Kelly Bong for getting me these special lucky bulls!
Here is my Prudential BSN Takaful Raya series since 2017, a colorful and catchy continuation year after year. I don't believe they have printed any for 2021 though. Back to CNY and I am loving the rice bowl motif more each year especially after seeing what Prudential has chosen for both their normal pair and prestige set of four. It's the illustration of those fine arts on the bowls that appeals to me and each of this ceramic pieces feature intricately detailed, traditional floral motifs. Print quality is good this year too so these are definitely a keeper for us collectors.
MPI Generali took on a pair design this oxen year, a glossy finishing for it's peonies and gold fishes backed by fine hot stamping prints of the clouds and waves respectively. Don't let my scanner fool you, they are lovely!
AIA has definitely arrived in a bang this year with their long and colorful firecrackers. The use of the longer flap gives the perfect extension to those delightful crackers and I am a true fan although oddly my pal Apryl doesn't feel the same way. Compared to their previous year designs, this year is a winner. Their Ketupat has finally made it to the public this Raya unlike previous year, their Raya edition didn't reach us even though there was a sneak peek by one of the collectors. Their Raya MDRT is another sweet pair that can be joined to form a bigger set, total 8pcs in a light blue box. Come back for their CNY MDRT set this year, gorgeous!
MCIS geometric mice pair gave way to this year the mighty golden floral bull, standing high above like the king of the jungle!
Allianz on the other hand toned down from their long flowing feathered tails to a sweet and graceful butterfly tale. During the olden days, maidens would use a traditional silk round fan or tuánshàn to dance with the butterflies. Favored by young women in the imperial palace, the silk fans were round to resemble the moon with the full moon itself being the symbol of happiness and union in China. Allianz has finally released their 2020 Raya design, one year later (due to the pandemic) hence both 2020 & 2021 shares the same design. Their 2P will be a little out of balance but still looking good collectively with their 2019 designs. Follow the link to their previous 2P, all a favorite of mine especially with the felt floral: 2018, 2017, 2016.
Allianz on the other hand toned down from their long flowing feathered tails to a sweet and graceful butterfly tale. During the olden days, maidens would use a traditional silk round fan or tuánshàn to dance with the butterflies. Favored by young women in the imperial palace, the silk fans were round to resemble the moon with the full moon itself being the symbol of happiness and union in China. Allianz has finally released their 2020 Raya design, one year later (due to the pandemic) hence both 2020 & 2021 shares the same design. Their 2P will be a little out of balance but still looking good collectively with their 2019 designs. Follow the link to their previous 2P, all a favorite of mine especially with the felt floral: 2018, 2017, 2016.
Next we have the Investment companies from Manulife Investment Management, Hong Leong Investment Bank, Fundsupermart, Buffalo Investment, Public Gold and the most adorable set in the Finance series Stockaholics. I have got to say they are all beautiful in their own way, from simple embossing elegance to the traditional customary Cheongsam beauty, the mighty charging bulls and finally the four adorable calves. Which one is your favorite? I love them all, don't you?
For more of my latest collection, please visit my facebook page or get the links to my collection by years via my facebook album here. (๑‵●‿●‵๑)
View the complete red packet albums in facebook by years:
2021 (MY), 2021 (SG), 2020 (MY), 2020 (SG), 2019 (SG), 2019 (MY), 2018 (MY), 2018 (SG),
2017 (MY) , 2017 (SG), 2016 (MY), 2016 (SG), 2015 (MY), 2015 (SG), 2015/2016 (HK),
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2000-2004, 1990s
2021 (MY), 2021 (SG), 2020 (MY), 2020 (SG), 2019 (SG), 2019 (MY), 2018 (MY), 2018 (SG),
2017 (MY) , 2017 (SG), 2016 (MY), 2016 (SG), 2015 (MY), 2015 (SG), 2015/2016 (HK),
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2000-2004, 1990s