The present invention is directed to a new bonding pad structure that includes a copper pad and a pad surface finish comprising multiple layers of solder. The multiple layers of solder include at least a layer of eutectic solder (or a layer of pure-Sn solder) covering the copper pad and a layer of high-Pb solder covering the layer of eutectic solder (or the layer of pure-Sn solder). Since the layer of high-Pb solder is significantly thicker than the eutectic solder layer (or the layer of pure-Sn solder), there is insufficient tin supply in the eutectic solder (or the layer of pure-Sn solder) for forming a thick Cu/Sn intermetallic layer on the copper pad. Instead, a thin Cu/Sn intermetallic layer is formed on the copper pad and there is less likelihood of forming a crack in the thin Cu/Sn intermetallic layer.