The Evolution of the BNP Logo

On May 4, 1966, the French public learns of a landmark decision during the evening news. At 5:30 PM, an official statement is released: Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) will be formally established on July 1, 1966. The new bank is created to fulfill the public authorities’ objective of consolidating France’s banking sector.

With only two months until launch, an intense effort begins: the bank must define its name, shape its identity, and establish its credibility—all within a tight deadline.

The merger of the two banks now takes physical form—and time is running out. Every branch must undergo a complete overhaul: no detail is too small, and every day counts.

By July 1, new signage adorns the façades, while inside and out, posters in Banque Nationale de Paris colors replace the old ones. Even checks and customer documents must bear the new identity. From this date forward, no checkbook may leave a branch without the new bank’s mark.

All instructions are issued the week of June 27: branches in Paris and across France have just days to implement these changes. Everything must be ready by July 1.

See also:

The ‘BNP’ promotes itself in train stations in 1966
BNP shows its advertising campaign “I want your money”

Thus, the “B” logo is born—a bold, graphic design featuring a 19×19 grid, a subtle nod to precision, order, and the emerging digital era of screens and pixels. The double “B” serves as both the initial for BNP and Banque, a unique distinction since none of France’s three historic major banks included the word “Banque” in their names at the time.

The new “B” logo breaks free from rigid design constraints. It appears as a watermark on official documents, a decorative pattern on posters, or in outlined or high-contrast forms. This creative flexibility mirrors the spirit of the times—a bank embracing innovation.

See also:

Banking is our business: the BNP advertising campaign that conquers space

How Is the BNP Brand Perceived?

In this street interview, passersby attempt to guess which brand lies behind the “B” logo.

(BNP-produced film, 1987)

(Read the translation of the transcript)

To reflect its personality as a technology-driven bank, BNP seeks a fresh visual identity and partners with a design agency for this transformation.

The goal: retain the well-recognized BNP acronym while drawing inspiration from the existing “B” logo.

The agency develops two graphic design proposals, testing them with both customers and non-customers. After this phase, the final choice is made based on public feedback.

The result: a consistent graphic standard applied across all materials—façades, internal signage, and checkbooks—with a defined color palette of green and gray