Bank of Montreal, operating as BMO Financial Group, is Canada’s oldest bank, established in 1817. Its visual identity has evolved through several distinct phases, from a heraldic coat of arms to the modern circular emblem known as the “BMO roundel” that appears on branches and materials today.
Design and History
BMO’s first corporate identifier appeared on its 1837 tokens, borrowing the coat of arms of the city of Montreal, which featured the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, and the shamrock of Ireland. In 1934, the bank registered an official coat of arms with the College of Arms, which required a redesign to meet heraldic standards. The supporting Indigenous figures were changed from a seated to a standing position, and a beaver replaced the fleur-de-lys within the shield, while the British heritage symbols were retained. The armorial bearing was granted on April 21, 1934.[1]
The most significant change came in 1967, when the bank introduced the “M-Bar” logo, designed by Hans Kleefeld of Stewart & Morrison Ltd in Toronto. Kleefeld was one of Canada’s leading graphic designers of his era, having created logographic identities for Air Canada, Molson, Seagram, and Johnson & Johnson. The logo was unveiled by Chairman and CEO Arnold Hart as “another major development being taken by the ‘new’ Bank of Montreal to advance our image of vitality and service.” The mark was rendered in “First Bank Blue,” a strong light shade that became the bank’s official colour, replacing green.[1]
In 2002, the bank consolidated its more than 30 lines of business, including Harris Bank and BMO Nesbitt Burns, under a unified BMO Financial Group brand. This move introduced what the bank calls the “BMO roundel,” which came into general use that year. The M-Bar logo was updated to include a red circle, and the BMO initials were added to existing branch signs and subsidiary company names.[1][2]
In 2016, BMO revealed a special bicentennial logo to mark its 200th year of operations throughout 2017. The celebratory logo acknowledged the bank’s original 1817 seal, which had been engraved onto the plates that printed its currency, one of Canada’s first. The bicentennial mark was integrated into the BMO logo and the logos of the bank’s core businesses for use on digital platforms and print publications during the anniversary year.[3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The 1967 M-Bar logo was explicitly tied to the bank’s stated goal of projecting “vitality and service.” The new look was intended to match a new outlook at the bank, as described by Chairman Arnold Hart at the launch.[1]
The 1934 coat of arms carried heraldic symbolism rooted in the bank’s British heritage: the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland, and the shamrock of Ireland, alongside a beaver within the shield. The redesign was driven by the College of Arms’ official standards rather than by a change in brand strategy.[1]
Typography and Design
The current BMO corporate logo pairs the red and white circular roundel with the letters “BMO” in white capital letters, as described in flag documentation of the bank’s corporate identity. A thin white horizontal line with the words “BMO Financial Group” in white sans serif letters appears beneath the logo on the bank’s flag.[4]
The M-Bar mark itself, designed by Hans Kleefeld, has remained in continuous use for over half a century. Designer Clair Stewart, commenting on the logo’s longevity, noted that a corporate logo lasts when “it has to be designed well, and the company must be absolutely convinced that the design that’s being presented to them is just the right one for them.”[1]
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.
