Commonwealth Bank Logo PNG
An amazing and graceful dance shows the Commonwealth Bank logo as a dancer performs a pas, so a bank with filigree skills knows how to manage finances. The emblem promises only pleasant emotions from cooperation.
Commonwealth Bank: Brand overview
Meaning and History
The financial institution has had five logos in its history, with the first based on the Australian coat of arms and the last two differing only in font and palette. The design change is because the company has updated its corporate identity several times—sometimes for marketing purposes and sometimes due to restructuring. The last major redesign came after the privatization of Commonwealth Bank. In 2020, experts only slightly corrected the logo, adding depth.
What is Commonwealth Bank?
Commonwealth Bank is a large financial conglomerate from Australia, a representative of the “Big Four” banks.
1911 – 1960
The Labor government created the CBA, so its early logo resembled Australia’s coat of arms. In the center was a heraldic shield divided into six parts. Each segment contained the emblem of one of the six states (from left to right): a cross, a Southern Cross with a crown, an eight-pointed Maltese cross, a shrike, a swan, and a lion. The Commonwealth Star was depicted above the shield. Its six rays represented the states, and the seventh represented the country’s entire territory.
Kangaroos and emu, traditional Australian animals, supported the shield. The bottom was decorated with two branches of blooming acacia and a ribbon with the inscription “OF AUSTRALIA.” The first half of the name (“COMMONWEALTH BANK”) was at the top and formed an arch. This logo existed until 1960. In 49 years, it changed only once: the designers slightly corrected it in 1926.
1950 – 1961
In the 1950s, CommBank had a round blue CBA badge. It never became the main emblem but was used informally on some facades and stationery. The main symbol was still a coat of arms with a shield.
1961 – 1991
In 1960, the financial organization was split into two structures. This is how a group of savings and merchant banks called the Commonwealth Banking Corporation was born. She received a new logo depicting the Australian continent. The white contour map was in a black circle, from which three rings diverged to the right. They personified three divisions of the corporation: CDB, CTB, and CSB.
All elements have been placed in a large dark gold circle. Its color symbolizes luxury and wealth. The Commonwealth Banking Corporation’s name formed a ring around the logo. The first two words were separated by a seven-sided star, which had the same meaning as on Australia’s coat of arms.
1991 – 2020
In 1991, the privatization of CommBank began. Shortly before that, he incorporated the State Bank of Victoria, which created a united group. The new owners decided to fundamentally change the CBA style, especially since, in 1987, it became clear that customers considered it old-fashioned. This is how the Diamond logo appeared – the result of Ken Cato’s long work. The designer made the dark yellow part resemble the constellation Southern Cross, and a small black corner gave the figure a diamond shape.
At the bottom was a compact inscription. There was no gap between the Commonwealth and the Bank. Only the font separated them: the first word was bolder than the second. Simultaneously, “mm” looked like one letter because they had a common horizontal line. All of this symbolized the community with which the community was associated.
2020 – today
In 2020, CBA updated its logo for the fifth time. A major rebranding was planned several years before the event, but executives were waiting for the right moment. They decided 2020 was the best time to change, so they contacted M&C Saatchi and Re for help. They needed to keep the diamond but make it more optimistic. The designers solved this problem by removing the black corner and using a bright yellow palette. The gradient added dynamics to the static image. The bank’s name began to be written separately and in one font.
Commonwealth Bank: Interesting Facts
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, or CBA or CommBank, is a major player in the Australian financial scene. Since 1911, by the government, it has grown significantly.
- From Government to Private: Initially government-owned, CommBank was fully privatized by 1996, becoming a publicly listed private entity on the Australian Securities Exchange.
- Tech Innovator: CommBank pioneered online banking in Australia, launching a comprehensive Internet banking system in 1997.
- First Australian Banknote: In 1913, it was tasked with issuing the first national Australian banknotes, a role that later shifted to the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1960.
- Going Global: In addition to its strong local network, CommBank has branches in New Zealand, Asia, the US, and the UK, helping to connect customers with international markets.
- A Financial Leader: The bank is a pioneer in offering various financial services, including retail and business banking, insurance, and investment, and is known for its robust business model.
- Sustainability Focus: CommBank is committed to responsible banking and aims to provide $70 billion in sustainable finance by 2030.
- Innovative Products: It created the CommBank app, which offers features like cardless cash and spending insights and is one of the top banking apps worldwide.
- Supporting Sports: CommBank has been involved in sports sponsorships, notably with Cricket Australia, to connect with communities and support local sports.
- Albert EFTPOS Device: In 2015, it launched “Albert,” a flexible touchscreen EFTPOS system for businesses, highlighting its support for Australian businesses with the latest technology.
- Economic Impact: CommBank has recorded high profits, underlining its important role in the Australian economy through its wide service range and customer trust.
CommBank’s growth from a government institution to a global banking leader reflects the evolution of banking, technological progress, and changes in the financial industry.
Font and Colors
The iconic diamond is so recognizable that the Commonwealth Bank often uses it in advertisements without mentioning its name. According to the designers, this geometric figure represents the constellation Southern Cross – one star for each of the five corners of the yellow polygon.
The financial institution owners are sure that the diamond-shaped emblem symbolizes only the Commonwealth Bank and has nothing to do with the Southern Cross. In their opinion, the shape of the diamond was chosen only because it was not associated with other banks.
The previous logo used two variants of the Helvetica font: plain and bold. In 2020, designers had unified typography by opting for just one custom typeface. Judging by the shape of the letters, it was created based on the Helvetica family.
The former orange-black diamond now has several shades of yellow because the bright color symbolizes optimism. The smooth gradient makes the image appear three-dimensional and dynamic, which aligns with the new CBA concept.
FAQ
What is the Commonwealth Bank symbol?
The brand’s symbol is a black and yellow diamond. Ken Cato designed this logo, which is well-known in Australia.
The shape and color of the diamond are easy to recognize. Black and yellow stand out and make the logo memorable. Its simple design has made it an effective symbol over time.
The diamond logo is central to the bank’s image and credibility in the financial world, helping people recognize and trust the bank.
Is it Commonwealth Bank or CBA?
The brand, CommBank, is a large multinational bank that operates in New Zealand, Asia, the US, and the UK.
The company is one of Australia’s leading financial institutions. It offers various services like retail, business, and institutional banking. It is known for its strong presence in local and international markets, focusing on customer service and building trust in the banking industry.
Using “CBA” or “CommBank” makes communication and branding easier. This helps customers and stakeholders recognize and remember the bank.
What does the Commonwealth Bank logo mean?
The logo represents the Southern Cross constellation, important in Australian culture. Each corner of the yellow diamond symbolizes one of the stars of the Southern Cross.
This choice connects the brand to Australia’s heritage. The logo’s bright and easily recognizable black and yellow colors and simple design provide a modern and durable look.
The logo’s connection to the Southern Cross shows the bank’s Australian roots. This symbol makes the brand memorable and credible to customers, strengthening its presence in the financial sector.
Why did CommBank change its logo?
The bank updated its logo to demonstrate its new strategy and signal a fresh start. The main change was transforming the black corner of the diamond into yellow. This made the logo more optimistic and bright. The refresh aligned the brand’s visual identity with its new goals.
The bank aimed to create a positive outlook and improve customer communication by changing the logo. This transformation has helped the brand remain relevant and attractive in a competitive market.
When did the Commonwealth Bank change its logo?
The brand changed its logo in 2020 as part of a global rebranding effort. The bank worked with Re Agency and M&C Saatchi to make these changes.
The rebranding aimed to update the bank’s identity and modernize its image. The brand wanted to reflect its new strategy and improve customer communication by updating the logo. The involvement of Re Agency and M&C Saatchi helped ensure a smooth and professional transformation of the brand’s visual identity.
How much did the Commonwealth Bank logo cost?
The bank spent a lot of money on its new logo. The brand considered this crucial to connect with customers and improve its image.
These expenses were part of a strategy to renew and modernize the bank’s presence in the market. By updating the logo, the brand sought to strengthen its connection with customers and show its new direction. This investment underscores the brand’s importance of visual uniqueness in attracting customers.
