Savings Institutions was a monthly trade magazine for the U.S. savings and loan industry, published by the United States League of Savings Institutions in Chicago from 1983 to 1992. It continued the numbering of its predecessor, Savings and Loan News, beginning with volume 104, issue 7 in July 1983, and merged with Bottomline in 1992 to form Savings & Community Banker.[1][2]
Design and History
The magazine’s identity was designed by Chicago-based graphic designer Jim Lienhart, who is credited with designing award-winning publications including Savings Institutions, Healthcare Financial Management, and Success Magazine.[3] Lienhart was a member of the Chicago design collective 27 Chicago Designers from 1971 to 1991 and received more than 300 awards from major national design shows during his career.[4]
The United States League of Savings Institutions filed two trademark applications in 1983 covering the magazine’s branding. The word mark “SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS” was filed on August 15, 1983, and registered on February 12, 1985, for a “monthly magazine for savings associations and other financial institutions.”[5] A separate application for the “SI” monogram was filed on September 8, 1983, and registered on June 12, 1984, covering the same goods and services.[6] Both marks were later cancelled.[5][6]
Meaning and Symbolism
The “SI” monogram served as a compact visual shorthand for the magazine’s full name, appearing alongside the complete “Savings Institutions” wordmark in the publication’s branding. The trademark registration for the “SI” mark describes it as a drawing or design that includes letters, indicating the monogram was the magazine’s primary graphic device.[6]
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