Bandhan Bank, a universal bank headquartered in Kolkata, India, unveiled its visual identity in July 2015, ahead of commencing operations in August of that year. The logo, designed by the advertising agency Ogilvy and Mather, features an image of a traditional Indian diya, an oil lamp commonly associated with auspicious occasions.[1][2]
Design and History
Bandhan Bank’s logo was introduced on July 9, 2015, when the bank announced its board of directors and unveiled its new visual identity.[2] The mark was designed by Ogilvy and Mather, with Piyush Pandey, then Executive Chairman and Creative Director, South Asia, speaking publicly about the design’s intent.[1][2]
The bank traces its roots to Bandhan-Konnagar, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 focused on microfinance and women’s empowerment. After becoming a Non-Banking Financial Company in 2009, the entity received a universal banking license from the Reserve Bank of India in 2015, making it the first Indian microfinance institution to become a bank.[3]
Meaning and Symbolism
According to Piyush Pandey of Ogilvy and Mather, the logo makes extensive use of the color red, which is “associated with all that’s auspicious” in the Indian context. The flame of the diya, the other part of the visual identity, “symbolizes a ray of hope, a new morning.” Pandey further explained that “between the red colour and the flame, the Bandhan Bank logo holds the promise of good things to look forward to.”[2]
Typography and Design
In August 2023, on the occasion of its eighth foundation day, Bandhan Bank launched a sonic identity through a musical logo composed by Amit Trivedi. The musical piece, named “Call of Bandhan,” was described by the bank as a melody representative of what the institution stands for: empowerment, freedom, inclusivity and warmth.[4][5]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
