Archive for lawsuits
One Bank’s $1 Million Naming Mistake
Alliance Bank has prevailed in a trademark lawsuit against Customers 1st Bank who must now destroy all materials containing the Customer 1st name and find a replacement. Immediately. Only a few months ago, Customers 1st
Credit Union Sues Bank Over Trademarked Scarlet Letter
Trademarked red ‘M’ triggers lawsuit Two Pennsylvania financial institutions will square off in court over who can — and can’t — use a big, red “M” in their logo. In a court filing, Members 1st
Advanta Forces Avanta to Become ‘Altana’
Bank trademark trumps credit union The erstwhile Laurel Federal Credit Union is being forced to spend more than $80,000 changing names — again — five years after becoming Avanta FCU. Last year, Advanta Bank in
Snapshots: Great stories you might have missed
Here’s what’s been making the news in the financial industry lately. Click on the hotlinked summaries to read the full story. Actions or Words? Ads say “Strong Bank, Powerful Leaders,” but the president quits Hospital
Texas-Sized Trademark Trouble Brewing Over Name
Last week, The Financial Brand reported that Arp State Bank in East Texas was changing its name to American State Bank. The article noted a number of other financial institutions who already use American State
Naming SNAFUs Plague Multiple Commerce Banks
Okay, sorry, this gets a little complicated. There was a Commerce Bank in New Jersey. But earlier this year, TD Banknorth took them over. That merger created a huge naming hassle — including a lawsuit
Will the real ‘Vista Bank’ in Texas please step forward
Fight looms, confusion inevitable as two Texas banks now share ‘Vista’ name “We changed our name to soar above the crowd…to set ourselves apart.” – Security State Bank A new website for Security State Bank
Don’t Use Orange Circles Or ING May Sue You
Consider yourself on notice: If you are a bank or credit union using anything resembling this orange dot… …look out. Orange circles may be enough for ING to take you to court next. Last Wednesday,
Update: Battle over ‘Commerce’ name heats up
Massachusetts bank puts Canada’s TD in a tough spot A U.S. District judge has issued a preliminary injuction barring TD Banknorth from using the TD Commerce name in all or parts of Massachusetts. TD Banknorth
Merger creates naming hassles for TD
TD merger triggers lawsuit; landmark stadium needs renaming Renaming Boston’s Garden The merger between TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank means the name of ‘TD Banknorth Garden’ will probably have to change. “For sure the ‘Garden’
‘Alabama CU’ sues ‘The Credit Union of Alabama FCU’ over name
This 23-page PDF from the U.S. District Court of Alabama should serve as a cautionary tale about what can happen if you choose a new name that’s too similar to someone else’s – especially when
Judge blocks use of bank’s ‘Citizens’ name
Citizens First is apparently the second ‘Citizens Something’ in Michigan. An article in Crain’s Detroit Business reported that Flint-based Citizens Republic won a preliminary injunction barring Citizens First from using the “Citizens” name at its
