BMO (Bank of Montreal) Logo
The BMO logo speaks of monumentality, solidity, and reliability. The sign is as if imprinted on a granite slab. Any cataclysms will not move it. In the center of the emblem, a warm heart “beats,” and the ongoing processes of increasing money are seething.
The history of the Bank of Montreal began on June 23, 1817, when nine merchants in Montreal founded the Montreal Bank. It opened on November 3, 1817, with $150,000 in capital. The goal was to stabilize trade, which relied on a mix of British, American, and local currencies.
By 1818, the bank expanded to Quebec City and Upper Canada, including York (now Toronto), and opened a New York office. It soon became a financial agent for the government of Lower Canada. In 1822, it became a public company and adopted the name Bank of Montreal.
Through the 19th century, the bank acted as a de facto central bank, issuing notes until the creation of the Bank of Canada in 1935. It financed major projects, including the Canadian Pacific Railway, and expanded westward. In 1870, it opened its first international branch in London.
Growth continued through acquisitions, including Bank of British North America in 1918, reaching 669 branches by 1929. In the 1970s and 1980s, it introduced real-time systems and online ATMs. In 1984, BMO acquired Harris Bank in Chicago, entering the US retail market. It later expanded investment banking through Nesbitt Thomson and Burns Fry. Its main rival, Royal Bank of Canada, remained larger in assets.
In 2010, BMO acquired Marshall & Ilsley for $4.1 billion, forming BMO Harris Bank. In February 2023, it completed the $16.3 billion acquisition of Bank of the West from BNP Paribas, expanding its US presence.
Meaning and History
BMO has become famous for its high-profile advertising campaigns and unconventional approach to branding. It often changed slogans to fit the spirit of the times. It also had its mascot: a lion named Hubert. The unusual symbol appeared in 1911 but only made a splash in the late 1950s when the Leo Burnett Company’s designers created an original cartoon character based on it.
The bank also has an official coat of arms with a shield, a beaver, two Indians, and a ribbon with the inscription “CONCORDIA SALUS.” In the original version, the indigenous people were sitting with their elbows on a shield. However, the leaders demanded that “do everything right” because the supporting figures must follow the rules of heraldry.
The BMO name on the current logo was once the ticker of a financial institution on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges. Major shareholders are used to calling the bank “bee-mo,” so no one ever doubted that the merger should bear the name BMO Financial Group. Although the employees themselves sometimes abbreviated the phrase “Bank of Montreal” to “B of M.” This became especially noticeable when the post-war emblem appeared with the words “MY BANK TO A MILLION CANADIANS” (above) and “B of M” (below) on a black and white shield.
What is BMO?
This is a shortened version of the name of the Bank of Montreal. It is the oldest and one of the largest banks in Canada and has long been a financial market monopolist. It appeared in 1817 and grew quickly, buying up competing companies and expanding its services. Its network has more than 1,400 branches in the United States and at home.
1817 – 1822
At the moment, during this period of the company’s development, the brand’s logo and emblem are unknown.
1822 – 1920
One of the first logos contained the phrase “BANK OF MONTREAL,” written in thin letters with long serifs. Both “O” s looked like perfectly circular rings and were above the line. The base color was black, but sometimes gray and white shades appeared when the word mark served as the basis for the metal sign.
1920 – 1945
Thin and tall serif letters were retained, but there were also certain differences. For example, the font is now the same: the small “O” has disappeared, and in its place a full-fledged letter has appeared, matching the rest of the characters in size. At the bottom, the designers placed the year the bank was founded, “1817.” The inscription has been centered. The logo’s color is monochrome.
1937 – 1943
This period was dominated by the bold type logo, with each letter resembling a large block character. To maintain optimal readability, the developers have increased the inter-letter space. The wide geometric glyphs were provided with rectangular serifs and colored black. The lower inscription remained smaller than the upper one.
1945 – 1966
In 1945, there were dramatic changes in the identity: next to the full name of BANK OF MONTREAL, a message appeared that this was a real Canadian bank, and a semblance of a text shield was placed on the right. The inscription was arranged to form a pentagonal shield with a red base, where, for the first time, the abbreviated form “B of M.” was indicated. The fonts in all lines were different: italic with an imitation of personal handwriting, grotesque thin and bold, with needle serifs. There were no duplicates.
1959 – 1967
The emblem has become monolithic to emphasize the banking institution’s reliability, strength, safety, and longevity. To do this, the designers enlarged the letters, painted them white, and added a gray-yellow shadow on the right, which made the inscription appear three-dimensional. At the top, they placed a composition featuring two Indians seated to the right and left of the oval shield. He personified the benefits the bank provided to the indigenous population. At the bottom was a cornucopia, from which fruit fell.
1967 – 1997
In 1967, the CEO of Arnold Hart Bank introduced a new logo called M-Bar. Canadian Hans Kleefeld, who works for Stewart & Morrison, invented the original design. He created an unusual symbol consisting of a large letter “M” on a rectangle. Notably, the figure was clearly square, as indicated by the trimmed edges of the “M.” The blue icon complemented the same blue inscription, “Bank of Montreal.” The font had no serifs this time, and the lowercase “t” and “r” were connected at the top.
The M-Bar was supposed to be a banner of change because in 1967, a new Bank Act was enacted, allowing the organization to provide mortgage services to clients. This inspired management to launch an aggressive marketing campaign by redefining the Bank of Montreal’s strategy and identity. The reorganization coincided with the financial institution’s 150th anniversary.
1997 – today
The familiar M-Bar symbol was renewed when the bank’s subsidiaries merged under the BMO Financial Group brand. The designers made it white and placed it in a red circle. Individual BMO trademarks used this badge even earlier (at the end of the 20th century), but only became widespread in 2002 after the restructuring.
The Bank of Montreal logo is now light blue and has small, sharp serifs. The word “BMO” appears on the left to emphasize the overall history of all units. In the short version of the logo, the designers remove the bank’s old name, leaving only the main identifiers: the ticker and the symbol in the circle.
Font and Colors
The financial institution’s current logo is called the M-Bar roundel. It is based on the M-Bar symbol and dates back to 1967, when Hans Kleefeld (the famous creator of the logos for The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Johnson & Johnson, and Air Canada) created another masterpiece. He did not experiment with complex shapes but placed a stylized “M” on an elongated rectangle. In the early 21st century, designers depicted this icon inside a red circle to represent the brand’s transition to a new identity.
Both parts of the lettering (“BMO” and “Bank of Montreal”) are easy to read because they are in Emona SemiBold. This serif typeface, created by the French typographer Franko Lui, has long serifs and contrasting stroke thicknesses.
The rondel base is bright red (shade #ED1D24), and the text is light blue (Ocean Boat Blue #0079C1). Blue has been the bank’s official color since Hans Kleefeld designed the M-Bar. Striving to be the first in everything, BMO even began to call itself “First Bank Blue.”
FAQ
What is BMO’s slogan?
In 2014, BMO updated its brand promise to “Making money make sense.” This change was part of a campaign highlighting the human touch that makes the brand unique. The bank introduced the tagline “We’re here to help,” inspired by the 2006 Harris campaign and chosen with employee input.
The tagline reflects BMO’s commitment to providing personalized, supportive financial services. It reflects the bank’s dedication to helping customers navigate their financial journeys confidently. The brand builds trust and strong relationships by emphasizing human interaction and support.
The slogan reminds customers that the brand is a partner in achieving their financial goals.
Is BMO a Bank?
Yes, it is a bank. In particular, the Bank of Montreal is a leading financial institution in North America. The brand operates with a clear purpose: to “Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.” This purpose shapes its strategy, drives its goals, and reinforces its commitment to positively impacting society.
BMO focuses on three key areas:
- Thriving Economy
- Sustainable Future
- Inclusive Society
The company offers a range of financial products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and investment services. With a strong presence in Canada and the United States, the brand serves millions of customers and operates numerous branches and ATMs.
What is BMO known for?
The company is known for its innovative approach to personal finance. It offers digital products, tools, and resources to help customers make real financial progress. Because of these efforts, the brand is a leader in the Personal Finance category.
The brand has developed online and mobile banking tools that give customers easy access to their accounts. These tools include budgeting features, spending trackers, and personalized financial advice, helping users make informed financial decisions.
It provides resources to help customers understand financial concepts and manage their money. These resources include articles, videos, webinars, and interactive tools on budgeting, saving, investing, and credit management.
The company offers various financial services, including personal banking, commercial banking, wealth management, and investment. This allows banks to meet the needs of individuals, small businesses, and large corporations.
What does the BMO logo mean?
The logo, known as the M-Bar roundel, has a special meaning. The top part of the logo is shaped like a side-cut “M,” representing the first letter of “Montreal” in the bank’s full name, Bank of Montreal.
Below the “M” is a rectangle, symbolizing stability, durability, and constancy, which are essential for a financial institution. This design reflects BMO’s connection to its Montreal roots and commitment to providing reliable financial services.
The M-Bar roundel embodies the brand’s values and heritage. The “M” highlights the bank’s identity and origin, while the rectangle represents BMO’s promise of stability and reliability.
What is the font of the BMO logo?
The logo’s font is Emona SemiBold, which is used for both inscriptions. Franko Lui designed it with a geometric shape, high contrast, and long, thin serifs.
Emona SemiBold gives the logo a modern and professional look. The high-contrast font enhances readability and makes the logo stand out.
Franko Lui designed Emona SemiBold to balance elegance with modernity. This balance aligns with the bank’s values and mission to provide reliable financial services. The font’s clean lines and precise shapes convey stability and trustworthiness.