Frequently Asked Questions

To keep our brand consistent, clear and recognizable. When we all use the same guidelines, our materials look, sound and feel like City National—everywhere they appear.

Stick to the guidelines, use approved templates, and check existing materials for reference. If you’re unsure, reach out to the Creative Studio team at AskCreative@cnb.com.

Anyone creating content for City National—employees, contractors, vendors and agency partners.

Reach out to the Creative Studio before going rogue. We’re always happy to help.

Find them in the Logos section. Use only the approved logos. Absolutely no edits or DIY versions.

No. The City National Bank logo must not be stretched, recolored or altered.

Color and Typography guidelines are listed in the Visual Identity section. Stick to them—no substitutions.

Yes. It needs clear space around it and must be sized correctly. Check out the Logos section for specifics.

Yes, but only in approved ways. If you’re posting or presenting externally, make sure your design follows brand guidelines.

Our voice is confident, approachable and knowledgeable. We keep it clear, professional and human to avoid sounding robotic or overly corporate.

Avoid corporate jargon, overpromising language and outdated terms that don’t align with City National’s brand. For the full list of words and phrases to avoid, review the Voice Overview section of the Writing for the City National Brand Guide.

City National is an RBC company, but we have our own identity. Messaging should reflect that balance—check the Our Story section for details on our Brand Mission and Vision.

Yes. While our brand voice stays consistent, our tone adjusts based on the audience. We use a more conversational approach for social media, and a more professional, confident tone for executive or B2B messaging. Learn more about our audiences in Who We Serve and find tips on tone in the Writing for the City National Brand Guide.

Not unless you’re a designer using approved elements. Otherwise, work with the Creative Studio.

The Templates section has presentations and letterhead templates. 

For email signatures, use the standard format created by the Email Signature Generator available on InfoLink. Do not add personal flair. Order official business cards through Coupa in the Converge section.

Professional, high-quality, and authentic. No cheesy stock photos. Consult the Photography section for details.

Yes, but they need to fit our brand aesthetic. The Photography section includes examples.

Yes. See the Portrait Guidelines section for details.

Depends on the material. The Marketing Compliance Guidebook has the specifics.

Reach out to the Creative Studio team at AskCreative@cnb.com.

Rarely. Requests are reviewed case by case.

Periodically. This site always has the latest version. Find detailed updates on what’s new and what’s changed in the Change Log.

Be a friend and report it to the Creative Studio team at AskCreative@cnb.com.