Page 17 - 630578_IBAT-Jan-Feb2018

STEP ONE - MAKE THE CALL

Edith Snow
I ’ll admit, I was skeptical. 817-676-3316

James Walsh
281-794-0065
In mid-2017, a subset of the IBAT staff Some of the imagery in the logo is selves, that fact will always stand front
sat down with consultants to talk about obvious, while other parts are layered and center. The star in the new IBAT logo Celena Ivanitch
IBAT’s visual identity and logo. For 20 with meaning. Allow me to point out the is a nod to those logos that came before.
years the association has had a shooting thought that went into the elements of It is a connection to our history, tradition 512-787-2164
star logo and, we decided, it was time to IBAT’s new logo. and heritage.
explore other options. Richard Grimes
The Live Oak The Shield 469-543-9337
No one felt like the IBAT logo was
“broken.” It promoted the vision of an The first and most obvious element All this is encapsulated in the shape of
active association, rooted in the lone star of IBAT’s new logo is the tree standing a shield. While the tree and all its accom-
state. But it was time to freshen it up. prominently in the center. It is intend- panying imagery is meant to symbolize
ed to evoke the image of a Texas Live Texas community banks, the shield is
Sitting around the board room table Oak. Not only is the live oak native to meant to symbolize IBAT.
at IBAT headquarters, we began trying many parts of Texas, it is known for its
to help our consultants understand what almost-legendary durability and protec- IBAT is your protector and advocate,
the association aims to be for its mem- tive qualities. It is a generational tree, dis- carrying the message of communi-
bers. More importantly, we tried to help tinctively marking the landscape of Texas ty banking in the halls of the capitol in
them understand what our members are and defining the communities in which it Austin and on capitol hill in Washington,
for their communities. grows. The live oak is a symbol of Texas D.C.
“Without community banks, you don’t independent banks that we serve. When the branding consultants first
have Texas,” we said. “They are the foun- The wide canopy of the live oak is one showed us this logo, they said, “we want
dation upon which Texas was built.” of its distinctive elements. It offers shade you to think of this as less of a logo and
We waxed poetic about small business and protection, much the same way that more as a coat of arms.”
lending, agriculture, main street and all independent banks look out for their cus- The more I pondered that idea, the
the things that are so often associated tomers and care for them personally. more I liked it.
with community banking. Of course, what makes this tree dis- When an army walks onto the bat-
“IBAT is the community bank associa- tinctive is the Roman column that serves tlefield, it flies colors that represent the
tion,” we said. “We exist for exclusive ser- as its base. The column is a classic sym- nation standing behind it. When IBAT
vice of their interests.” bol of banking, but also one of the great- staff and volunteers advocate for the
As the consultants walked out that est symbols of strength and stability. industry, they’ll do so proudly under the
new IBAT logo, signifying the state full of
day, I turned to my coworkers and said, Spreading out from the column are community bankers like you who are out
“There’s just no way that they’ll be able roots that extend like rays to the out- there making all the difference.
to capture all we just shared in a logo.” side of the logo. The live oak derives its
Thank you for giving us such a pow-
Several months later, I admitted I was exceptional strength from its deep root erful story to tell. If you haven’t already
completely wrong. system. The roots serve as a sign of the noticed, we are passionate about you
deep connections that community bank-
In this issue of The Texas Independent ers enjoy in their communities. and the industry you represent. We hope
Banker magazine, we are pleased to share you come to love your new IBAT logo
the new logo of IBAT, which adorns the The Horizon and all it says about Texas community
cover of this issue. Behind the live oak is the distant hori- banking. 
We know it is different and change zon with its subtle peaks, valleys and
often takes time to appreciate. But the endless sky. This represents the vastness Christopher L. Williston, IV, CAE
more you know about what it means, of our state and the reach of the inde- ([email protected]) is Executive Vice
the more I think you’ll come to like it. pendent banks that we serve. President of IBAT.
Over time, we hope it will become sec-
ond nature to look at it as a statement of The Star
profound pride for what it says about the And, of course, you can’t have a Texas
community banking industry and IBAT association logo without incorporating
as the organization committed to your the lone star. We are from Texas, after all,
ongoing good. and no matter what we say about our-

January/February 2018 17