From 25 January, DBS/POSB customers will be able to obtain new and good-as-new notes for Chinese New Year (CNY) at more locations across Singapore.
The bank is opening up more reservation slots for new notes exchange so customers can still access new notes services.
Branch walk-ins for new notes withdrawal and exchange services will be restricted to only customers aged 60 and above, and those with disabilities.
All other customers will need to secure a slot via DBS’ online reservation system prior to visiting a branch for these services.
This year, DBS/POSB is doubling the number of online reservation slots to accommodate more customers. Dedicated new notes collection hours for customers with reservation slots will also be extended to two hours per day, up from one hour per day.
The online reservation slots will be organised by two timing windows, with reservation periods commencing on 18 January for the first window and 24 January for the second.
Collection of new notes will then begin on 25 January and 1 February respectively. To ensure as many customers as possible are able to access the service, each customer will have a maximum of one reservation slot.
Customers will be able to choose from denominations of S$2, S$10 and S$50 via the online reservation system, as well as their preferred date, timing and branch from which to collect their new and good-as-new CNY notes.
To reserve a slot, you can visit https://go.dbs.com/sg-cny2021.
You Can Also Withdraw New Notes From ATMs
To prevent potential crowding during the new notes exchange period, DBS/POSB will further boost access to new notes withdrawal services.
This CNY, 61 ATMs disbursing new and good-as-new notes will be available across 41 locations islandwide. This includes 40 POSB new notes pop-up ATMs at community centres, which have become a mainstay since their introduction in 2015.
For the first time, DBS/POSB will also be converting 21 existing ATMs across select self-service branches to service customers’ needs for CNY new notes. These 21 self-service touchpoints will be dedicated to disbursing new and good-as-new notes this CNY.
From 25 January to 11 February (CNY eve), all 61 POSB new notes pop-up ATMs and self-service touchpoints will be operational from 10am to 10pm daily (10am to 1pm on 11 February).
Each customer is limited to three withdrawals throughout this period. Customers will be able to withdraw new notes in sums of S$100 (S$2 x 50), S$300 (S$10 x 30), S$500 (S$50 x 10) and S$600 (S$10 x 20 + S$50 x 8).
To help customers avoid crowded areas, DBS/POSB has revamped its new notes ATM map locator to include guidance on estimated wait times at each location.
You can view the full list of POSB new notes pop-up ATMs and self-service touchpoints here.
Alternatively, customers beat the queues for CNY new notes and exchange red packets through digital alternatives such as the DBS QR Gift and DBS eGift.
To use a DBS QR Gift card, customers simply need to scan its QR code via DBS PayLah! to load their desired cash value, then gift it to a recipient for redemption via DBS PayLah! or PayNow.
DBS QR Gift cards can be collected for free at all DBS/POSB full-service branches and DBS Treasures Centres starting 11 January, and at POSB new notes pop-up ATMs starting 25 January.
Customers can also send a virtual red packet from the safety and comfort of their homes by tapping on the ‘eGift’ icon in the DBS PayLah! app and indicating their preferred amount, along with their preferred message, photo, and animation.
“With the pandemic still posing a significant health risk, we continue to prioritise the health and well-being of our customers and will implement all necessary measures to ensure their safety,” said Jeremy Soo, head of Consumer Banking Group (Singapore) at DBS Bank.
“We are also mindful that CNY is a time of celebration and joy, and are committed to ensuring our customers enjoy a seamless and hassle-free new notes exchange experience with us by rolling out more new notes digital and physical access points, and stepping up on our digital gifting alternatives such as the DBS QR Gift and DBS eGift.”
Featured Image Credit: DBS