Celebrating half a century: Unveiling our revamped logo!
In 1972, German graphic designer Anton Stankowski won a logo design competition for Deutsche Bank, marking the beginning of an enduring symbol of the bank's commitment to excellence and stability. The winning design, known as the "Slash in a Square" logo, was officially introduced to the public in 1974.
Before the introduction of the iconic logo, Deutsche Bank, founded in 1870, used eagle symbols and letter marks as its visual representation. The need for a globally usable logo, regardless of type and language, prompted the bank to commission a competition.
The minimalist Slash in a Square logo features a blue square outlined with a thick border and a diagonal slash running through its center at a 53-degree angle. The diagonal slash symbolizes Deutsche Bank’s forward-thinking approach, innovation, and adaptability, making the emblem a visual metaphor for the bank’s strength and expertise.
The choice of blue represents loyalty and trust, while white accents symbolize transparency and reliability. This design has become a powerful and enduring symbol of Deutsche Bank, embodying the bank's evolution into a globally trusted financial institution.
The logo was first presented to the public at an annual press conference, prior to its appearance in the advert on April 25, 1974, in several major daily newspapers. The Slash in a Square logo has been unchanged for half a century, standing as a globally unmistakable trademark of Deutsche Bank.
Anton Stankowski, the designer of the logo, was a pioneer of graphic design and a master of constructivism. He passed away in 1998, but his legacy lives on in the form of the Slash in a Square logo, which has been interpreted as a symbol of dynamic growth in a secure environment.
As Deutsche Bank continued to build its international presence in the 1970s, the need to evolve its public presentation became increasingly important. The employees of the bank proposed names for the new logo, and "Wegweiser" (signpost) was the most popular. Despite not being chosen as the official name, the symbolism behind the name remains relevant today, as the logo continues to guide Deutsche Bank and its customers towards a future of growth and success.
Deutsche Bank, in its pursuit of a globally usable logo, expanded its visual representation beyond eagle symbols and letter marks, venturing into the realm of fashion-and-beauty with the minimalist design of the Slash in a Square logo. This modern logo, a symbol of the bank's adaptability and forward-thinking approach, serves as a classic example of home-and-garden aesthetic minimalism, embodying loyalty, trust, and transparency.
