OCBC has observed a significant increase in the number of seniors embracing digital red packets, known as e-Ang Baos, during the Lunar New Year celebrations in 2025. The bank reported that the number of seniors aged over 64 sending e-Ang Baos rose by over 40% compared to 2024, with nearly 80% of these seniors being first-time users. This trend highlights a growing comfort with digital transactions among older generations.
The popularity of e-Ang Baos is further underscored by a nearly 50% year-on-year increase in the total number sent by seniors. Additionally, there was a notable rise in the value of these digital gifts, with a 40% increase in seniors sending e-Ang Baos worth S$100 or more. The S$100 e-Ang Bao emerged as the most popular choice among seniors, with 1 in 10 opting for this amount.
Overall, the acceptance of e-Ang Baos has been on the rise in Singapore, with the total value sent increasing by close to 40% in 2025 from the previous year. The trend also saw more than 80% of e-Ang Baos being sent outside the first two days of the Lunar New Year. Popular amounts included S$10 and auspicious numbers like S$8, S$18, S$28, and S$88.
Ng Lee Peng, OCBC’s Head of Digital Business Singapore, remarked, “It is heartening to see how digital technology enables traditions to flourish across generations. e-Ang Baos enable seniors to send blessings of luck and good fortune to their relatives in a way that preserves the meaning of the custom, whilst remaining convenient and sustainable.”
The shift towards e-Ang Baos has been gaining momentum since the post-COVID era, with the number of customers sending them increasing nearly fivefold from 2022 to 2025. OCBC plans to continue this trend by offering refreshed e-Ang Bao designs featuring popular cartoon characters to enhance the gifting experience. The e-Ang Baos will be available on the OCBC app from 3 February 2026.
