Online application opens for second batch of bicentennial S$20 notes
Two million pieces of the commemorative notes will be available this time around, similar to when the first batch of notes were released earlier in June.
SINGAPORE — The online application for the second batch of the bicentennial commemorative S$20 notes begins on Monday (Sept 16), and will run for four weeks until Oct 13.
In a press release on Monday, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said that successful applicants for the commemorative notes will be notified by Nov 3, and will be able to exchange for the notes at face value from early November 2019.
Two million pieces of the commemorative notes will be available this time around, similar to when the first batch of notes were released earlier in June.
MAS said that applicants will be assured of obtaining the notes during the exchange period and that “there is no need to rush to queue”.
Singaporeans rushed to get their hands on the commemorative notes when they were first made available in June. Two million pieces of the notes were snapped up within five days even though each applicant could obtain a maximum of 20 notes at each transaction.
This time around, MAS said that each applicant — who has to be a Singapore citizen or a permanent resident — can apply for up to 10 notes.
The central bank added that depending on the response, applicants might not receive the full number of notes they apply for.
“If demand is very strong, MAS will try to allocate at least one note to every applicant in order to give all applicants an opportunity to obtain the note, with priority given to Pioneer and Merdeka Generation applicants,” said MAS.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NOTES
Applications can be submitted only via the online portal.
Each applicant will be required to indicate his or her NRIC/birth certificate number and mobile number for verification and notification purposes.
Applicants will need to select the number of notes to be exchanged, as well as their preferred bank and branch to exchange for the notes from any of the nine major retail banks, including DBS, OCBC and UOB.
Applicants who do not have computer or internet access can seek assistance at the Citizen Connect Centres at 25 Community Clubs/Centres (CC) and Our Tampines Hub.
EXCHANGE OF NOTES
MAS said that successful applicants for the notes will have to exchange for them within a two-week period starting from early November.
“They will be able to make the exchange only at the bank branch selected in the online application form, as the notes will be distributed to bank branches according to the allocation results,” said MAS.
Successful applicants who are unable to exchange the notes in person can provide a copy of their NRIC or birth certificate to another person to make the exchange on their behalf.
The central bank added that commemorative notes that remain after the exchange period will be made available to the general public.
“No online application is necessary for the exchange of the remaining notes,” said MAS.
