LONG hours of planning and several layers of approval often go into deciding what motif to put on a corporate hongbao (red packet) for the Chinese New Year. Widely regarded as the year's golden opportunity to showcase branding and generate goodwill, nice hongbao are sometimes kept long after the festive season.

Standard Chartered chose to feature Singapore's national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim. On the reverse is the SG50 motif with the words commemorating Singapore's golden jubilee. Pamela Tan, head, brand and marketing, Singapore and Asean said: "Standard Chartered has been part of the Singapore story for over 150 years. We chose this iconic flower because it is resilient and blooms throughout the year, symbolic of the bank's well wishes to Singapore and our clients this Lunar New Year."

DBS opted to showcase its adorable DBS Girl and Boy, Xing and Jaan, in more varieties. POSB red packets will feature Singapore's well-loved mascot, Smiley, on its front and centre and also depict multiple generations of Singaporeans celebrating the festive season in our heartlands and around Marina Bay.