Standard Chartered, an esteemed British multinational bank, has been serving clients since 1853. Formed through the merger of Standard Bank and Chartered Bank in 1969, it operates over 1,000 branches in 70 countries, delivering a wide array of financial services. The bank's branding has evolved to reflect its values of reliability, innovation, and global reach.

Evolution of the Standard Chartered Logo

1969–1975
The initial logo featured a distinctive spiral emblem in black, housed within a white box with a thin black border. Accompanying the symbol was the brand name in a sans-serif typeface that laid the foundation for the current typography.

1975–2002
The spirals were moved to a central position between the words “Standard” and “Chartered,” discarding the boxed design. The font became slightly bolder, and a horizontal line was added beneath the wordmark, emphasizing stability and professionalism.

2002–2021
The logo underwent a significant redesign, placing the emblem to the right of the wordmark, with “Standard” stacked above “Chartered.” The spirals were transformed into interwoven 3D shapes, using blue and green to symbolize a strong, symbiotic partnership between the bank and its clients.

• Blue Spiral: Represents trust, professionalism, and responsibility.
• Green Spiral: Symbolizes energy, growth, and loyalty.

The spirals cleverly formed the initials “S” and “C” of the bank's name, making the logo both functional and visually appealing.

2021–Today
In its most recent redesign, Standard Chartered modernized its logo with simpler, rounded shapes and updated the color palette.

• Emblem: The interwoven spirals were simplified into abstract forms in light blue and lime green, maintaining the essence of the original design while reflecting a fresh, contemporary approach.
• Wordmark: Transitioning to all lowercase, the font adopted a more approachable and modern aesthetic in gray. Notable changes included single drop-like bars for the letters “t,” adding a unique character to the logo.

Meaning Behind the Logo

The Standard Chartered logo embodies the bank's commitment to trust, growth, and innovation. Its enduring spirals convey partnership and balance, while the calming color palette of blue and green projects professionalism, loyalty, and vitality.

A Modest Yet Iconic Identity

The simplicity and strength of the Standard Chartered logo make it instantly recognizable. Its evolution over decades mirrors the bank’s journey, highlighting its adaptability and steadfast commitment to serving clients worldwide with excellence and integrity.