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Alphabetized Style Guide
#
401(k)
No spaces.
-ly
Do not use a hyphen between adverbs ending in -ly and adjectives they modify: a hastily arranged meeting, a poorly planned party.
A
a, an
Use a before consonant sounds: a large event, a one-year term. Use an before vowel sounds: an honor, an energy depletion.
academic degrees
Use an apostrophe in bachelor's degree, a master's, etc., but there is no possessive in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Also: an associate degree (no possessive).
Use such abbreviations as B.A., M.A., LL.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name — never after just a last name.
Do not refer to someone as Dr. unless they have a medical degree (not a Ph.D.).
When used after a name, an academic abbreviation is set off by commas: John Snow, Ph.D., spoke.
Lowercase area of emphasis unless it is a proper noun: Bachelor of Arts in journalism; Bachelor of Arts in English. Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration: abbreviated M.A., M.S., and MBA. A master's degree or a master's is acceptable in any reference.
account holders
Two words. Lowercase both account and holders.
acronyms
Spell out financial terms on first reference and include the acronym in parentheses: Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP); Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC); The German Indicator of Economic Sentiment (ZEW).
Do not use acronyms for City National divisions, departments or products in client-facing materials, e.g., BATS, CBVS, CVI, ICS.
active vs. passive voice
Use active instead of passive voice. The subject of the sentence should perform the action instead of receiving the action. Tip: To check for passive voice, look for be verbs: am, is, will be, was.
Active voice: The elderly woman purchased the home.
Passive voice: The home was purchased by the elderly woman.
adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)
Hyphenate when used as a modifier: adjustable-rate mortgage. Do not hyphenate as a noun phrase: Adjustable rates are available for mortgages and other loans at City National.
advisor
Use advisor instead of adviser*.
Advisor may be used in relation to wealth planning but not other bank products or services. Do not use: within marketing materials when discussing the City National brand or in relation to a generic industry (i.e. Broadway). Consider alternatives such as banker, resource or Relationship Manager. Advisor may be used in unscripted client testimonials, but never in scripted testimonials.
*See the Retail Nondeposit Investment Products disclosure for the exception to this rule.
affect, effect
Affect is usually a verb, and effect is usually a noun. To affect something is to change or influence it, and an effect is something that happens due to a cause. The regulator has estimated that its new rule will affect thousands of borrowers. However, the effect of the rule will not be known for some time.
However, effect functions as a verb when it bears the sense to bring about. For instance, it is the correct word in phrases such as effect change and effect solutions.
affiliate, subsidiary
An affiliate is any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with another entity. A subsidiary is wholly* owned by another entity. When describing our relationship with RBC Wealth Management-U.S., RBC Capital Markets and RBC-Georgia, we are an affiliate: City National Bank is an affiliate of RBC Wealth Management-U.S. When describing our relationship with RBC, we are a subsidiary: City National Bank is a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada.
*See Retail Nondeposit Investment Products disclosure for the exception to this rule
AgilLink®
Use the registration mark on first reference.
allude, refer
You allude to something without mentioning it, but you refer to something specific.
allusion, illusion
An allusion is a statement in which you hint at something. An illusion is something that is not really there.
Am Law 200
Capital A and lowercase m. Separate Am and Law with spaces.
among, between
Two people talk between themselves, but you choose a favorite among three or more people.
ampersand
Use an ampersand when it’s part of an official name or title, such as Johnson & Watkins Legal Group or Ports & Logistics. Do not use an ampersand to replace and within your writing.
a.m., p.m.
Write them lowercase with periods.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Spell out Annual Percentage Yield on first reference. After the first mention, APY is an acceptable abbreviation to use. APY is the figure used by consumers to comparison shop for interest-bearing deposit products.
award, Award
Capitalize when referencing an Award or Awards for which clients can redeem City National Rewards® Points. Otherwise, do not capitalize.
B
backward
Not backwards.
bank and division names
Always capitalize City National Bank’s division titles and write them out completely: Private Banking. If a title includes an ampersand (&), do not change to and. Do not use City National before the division name unless you are referring to City National Preferred Banking®. All other divisions stand alone: Commercial Banking, Entertainment Banking, etc. If you are introducing the division, you may use the possessive form: City National’s Private Banking team. In marketing materials, use group or team after the division name: the Entertainment Banking group, not the Entertainment Banking division. Group or team can be used interchangeably based on each division’s preference.
bankwide
One word, no hyphen.
benefits
Do not use the word perks when referring to credit card benefits.
bitcoin
Lowercase in all uses except at the start of a sentence.
bold
Use judiciously. Avoid overuse when writing marketing materials, informational articles, etc.
Book2Bank®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
BrokerCheck®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
business line of credit, Business Line of Credit
Initial cap when referencing a specific offer: a 1.99% Business Line of Credit. Otherwise, use lowercase: open a business line of credit.
business’s
Singular common nouns ending in s; Add ’s for possessive.
C
California’s Premier Private and Business Bank®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
capitalization
Avoid unnecessary capital letters; they make writing look unprofessional and self-important. Capitalize names and proper nouns: City National Bank is headquartered in Los Angeles; the bank was founded in 1954.
Use initial caps for corporate and functional titles in all marketing materials and most internal communications (e.g., Product Update emails, Marketing Campaign Spotlight emails, Points of Interest newsletter). For example: Reach out to your City National® Private Banker for more information.
For non-marketing materials such as press releases, news articles and websites, capitalize titles before a person’s name: Senior Vice President Joanna L. Smithson. Do not capitalize the title when it follows a name: Joanna L. Smithson, senior vice president.
Lowercase and spell out titles when they are not used with an individual's name. The vice president sent an email or She was the senior vice president at City National. Lowercase and spell out titles in constructions that set them off from a name by commas. John A. Jacobson, senior vice president, spoke with all of the Relationship Managers.
While this is our preferred style, it may be subject to changed based on the style guide of a sponsorship or partner. Additional capitalization rules can be found in the AP stylebook.
capitalization, in currency
The country is capitalized, but the currency is not: Japanese yen, Canadian dollar, U.S. dollar, South African rand, British pound.
cardholders
One word when used without the word credit; two words when used with the word credit: credit card holders.
cash flow
Do not hyphenate.
cashier’s check
Use cashier’s, not cashiers.
Certificate of Deposit (CD)
Spell out Certificate of Deposit on first reference. After the first mention, please use CD.
While certificate of deposit can be spelled using lowercase letters, our stylistic preference is to capitalize it as Certificate of Deposit. Use Certificates of Deposit (CDs) for plural. CD’s for possessive.
City National®
Use the registered mark on first reference, but never before product or division names: City National Crystal Card® Experiences. Do not apply the registered mark when using the possessive: City National’s. Do not include in colleague bios or on owned media where the City National logo and copyright are visible. This includes cnb.com, bank social media channels, sales enablement materials, City National Insights and in-branch marketing material.
City National Bank
Refer to City National Bank or City National®. Use the registered mark on first reference. Do not use references to City or CNB.
City National Bank App®
Initial cap in all instances. Use the registered mark for App on first reference.
City National Business Suite®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
City National Cash Back Visa Signature® Credit Card
Use the registered mark after Signature on first reference. No registered mark for Visa. Acceptable to use Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card or Cash Back Visa Signature Card after first use. Do not use the CBVS acronym in client-facing materials.
City National Crystal Card® Experiences
Initial cap in all instances. Use the registered mark for Card on first reference.
City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card
Use full name and both registered marks on first reference. Acceptable to use Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card or Crystal Visa Infinite Card after first reference. Do not use other variations such as CVI, Crystal Card, etc.
City National Insights
City National Bank’s digital content hub.
City National Ladder Up℠
Use the service mark after Ladder Up on first reference. Do not use City National's Ladder Up programs.
For example: City National Ladder Up℠ Home Loan Grant and City National Small Business Ladder Up℠ Program.
City National Online®
Use the registered mark on first reference. Do not reference CNO in client-facing materials.
City National Preferred Banking®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
City National Preferred Banking® tag line
For the most important stages of your financial life.
City National pronouns
Whenever possible, use we and our in place of its or they. For example: City National is proud to help you and your business succeed. With our tailored solutions, we will meet you wherever you are in your financial life cycle.
City National Rewards®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
City National Rewards® account
Account is lowercase.
City National Rewards® Points
Points is capitalized.
City National Rewards® program
Program is lowercase.
City National Rochdale®, City National Rochdale® LLC
Use the registered mark on first reference. The official reference to the wholly owned subsidiary is City National Rochdale® LLC. CNR can be used as an acronym externally.
City National Rochdale® Funds
Use the registered mark after Rochdale and before Funds. Capitalize Funds.
City National Securities, City National Securities, Inc.
No registered mark.
City National Treasury Net®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
City National Visa® Award Card
Always use the registered mark after Visa on first reference. Acceptable to use Award Card after first reference.
City National Visa® Check Cards
Always use the registered mark after Visa on first reference.
City National Visa® Credit Cards
Always use the registered mark after Visa on first reference.
City National Visa® Crystal Commercial Credit Card
Use full name and both trademarks on first reference. Acceptable to use Crystal Commercial Credit Card or Crystal Commercial Card after first reference.
City National Visa® Platinum Credit Card with City National Rewards®
Always use the registered mark after Visa on first reference. (No trademark for Platinum.) Use a trademark after Rewards. It is acceptable to use Visa Platinum Credit Card with Rewards or Visa Platinum Card with Rewards after first reference.
City National Visa Signature® Credit Card with City National Rewards®
Always use the registered marks after Signature and Rewards on first reference. It is acceptable to use Visa Signature Credit Card with Rewards or Visa Signature Card with Rewards after first reference.
client, clients
City National uses client or clients when referring to anyone who banks with us. Do not use customer or customers.
CN Bank
Per Legal, City National will generally do business as CN Bank in connection with new physical locations in Florida and marketing and promotional activities that are exclusively directed to the State of Florida. Do not use CN Bank in any other contexts.
CNB®
Do not use the CNB acronym in any client-facing materials unless referencing the website URL, cnb.com.
cnb.com
Lowercase.
colleague(s), team member(s)
Use colleagues and team members when referring to fellow bank employees. Do not use coworkers.
colon
Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence: He promised this: The company will make good all the losses. But: There were three considerations: expense, time and feasibility.
EMPHASIS: The colon often can be effective in giving emphasis: He had only one hobby: eating.
LISTS: A frequent use of a colon is at the end of a sentence or phrase to introduce lists, tabulations, texts, etc.
Q&A: The colon is used for question-and-answer interviews:
Q: Did you strike him?
A: Indeed I did.
PLACEMENT WITH QUOTATION MARKS: Colons go outside quotation marks unless they are part of the quotation itself.
combined loan-to-value (CLTV)
Hyphenate loan-to-value. Add parenthetical acronym (CLTV) after first use and use CLTV thereafter as appropriate.
comma
Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: We serve entrepreneurs, professionals, businesses and families. Use a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series (Oxford comma) if a break is necessary for clarity.
Commercial Banking tag line
Recognized for Excellence in Business Banking
commodity terms
Consider your audience’s sophistication when choosing between Oil is $30 a barrel and Oil is $30/bbl. Write clearly to avoid confusion without insulting anyone’s intelligence.
company names and abbreviations
Write out the full name of a company followed by a parenthetical citation for the abbreviation that you will use throughout the piece: American Broadcasting Company (ABC).
compose, comprise, constitute
Things compose the whole, but the whole comprises the things. They are not interchangeable. These words are best used in the active voice, not with of attached. If you are confused about which word to use in a sentence, try replacing with constitute.
composition titles
Capitalize an article (the, a, an) or words of fewer than four letters if it’s the first or last word of a title. Italicize titles of books, plays, movies, etc.
concierge
Capitalize when referencing Crystal Card Concierge; lowercase all other instances.
continual, continuous
Continual means steady repetition, while continuous means nonstop and uninterrupted.
credit card
Capitalize when used in conjunction with a branded card name or in reference to a particular City National card: City National Visa® Platinum Credit Card; Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card. Lowercase when used alone for general credit card references: Access your credit card balance online.
Credit Card account holder(s)
Capitalize credit and card only when referencing a specific card: Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card account holder. Always lowercase account holder.
cryptocurrency
A type of digital money that uses encryption technology to make it secure. Avoid using the shorthand crypto, which can be confused with cryptography. Cryptocurrency is not the same as virtual currency, which is used in virtual worlds, such as online games.
Crystal Card® Concierge
Always use initial caps; use the registered mark after Crystal Card and before Concierge.
Crystal Card® Experiences tag line
Entertainment Reimagined™. Use the trademark on first reference.
Crystal® Visa Infinite®
Use both registered marks on first reference to City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card.
Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card tag line
See the World Through Crystal
currency codes
Currency codes may be used parenthetically after the currency name: Canadian dollar (CAD), British pound (GBP), South African rand (ZAR). In some publications, such as the City National Foreign Exchange Morning Commentary, currency codes may be used instead of the full currency name: USD instead of U.S. dollar. Do not use a mix of currency names and currency codes: Canadian dollar, GBP, ZAR, Swiss franc. See entry for euro; euro is never capitalized.
custom, customize
Be aware that these are sensitive words for compliance. If the product or service is not actually customizable, replace with words like tailored.
cyber-, cyberspace, cyber
Follow the general rule for prefixes and do not use a hyphen: cyberattack, cyberbullying, cybercafe, cybersecurity. Exceptions: Cyber Monday (n.) and cyber (adj.) as a separate modifier: cyber shopping, cyber liability insurance.
D
Datafaction®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
datelines
The city should be written in all capital letters for press releases. No state reference is required for major American cities, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville and New York City.
dates
Write dates in this format when they appear within a sentence or phrase: month day (comma) year: April 15, 2019. Write them as numerals without nd, rd, st or th.
Spell out the month unless it is used with a date. When used with a date, abbreviate only the following months: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.
Event invitations are an exception to this guidance. The date on CNB's event invitations will always show the month spelled out, to reflect the upscale nature of our client and prospect events.
different from
Use different from, not different than.
discreet, discrete
Discreet means prudent, circumspect. Discrete means distinct, individually separate.
division names
Always capitalize City National Bank’s division titles and write them out: Private Banking. If a title includes an ampersand (&), do not change to and.
Do not use City National before the division name unless you are referring to City National Preferred Banking®. All other divisions stand alone: Commercial Banking, Entertainment Banking, etc. If you are introducing the division, you may use the possessive form: City National’s Private Banking team.
In marketing materials, use group or team after the division name: the Entertainment Banking group, not the Entertainment Banking division. Group or team can be used interchangeably based on each division’s preference.
Dollars + Sense
Initial cap in all instances. Always use the plus sign between Dollars and Sense.
down payment
Two words; no hyphen.
E
e-signature
each other, one another
Two people look at each other. More than two look at one another. Use either phrase when the number is indefinite.
EASI Link®
Use the registered mark on first reference. Use a space between EASI and Link.
ecommerce
Lowercase, no hyphens for the generic term, similar to email.
E-Deposit
This entry no longer uses a service mark.
Lowercase; no hyphen.
emojis
Emojis are used to provide non-verbal cues with rich emotional meanings. Emojis should be treated similarly to exclamation points and used in social media channels sparingly, judiciously and only when relevant. Avoid emojis that convey an emergency, such as a siren (🚨), help (🆘), or alert (⚠) symbol.
em dashes
Em dashes are used to signal abrupt change, as one option to set off a series within a phrase, and before attribution to an author or composer in some formats. They can also be used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence.
Upon discovering the errors — all 124 of them — the publisher immediately recalled the books.
He listed the qualities — intelligence, humor, conservatism, independence — that he liked in an executive.
"Who steals my purse steals trash." — Shakespeare
After three weeks on set, the cast was fed up with his direction — or, rather, lack of direction.
Add a space on both sides of an em dash in all uses. An em dash is approximately the width of a capital letter M in the typeface being used.
emphasis
Avoid unnecessary emphasis using bold, italics or both; they make writing look unprofessional and self-important.
Entertainment Banking
However, do not capitalize entertainment industry.
Entertainment Banking tag line
Proudly serving the entertainment industry for more than 65 years.
Or: Serving the entertainment industry for more than 65 years.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
Spell out on first reference. ESG is a framework that helps stakeholders understand how an organization is managing risks and opportunities related to environmental, social, and governance criteria.
etc. vs. et al.
Etc. is short for et cetera, meaning and the rest. Et al. is short for et alii, meaning and others. Use etc. when writing a list of things. Use et al. when writing a list of people.
I closed that deal with Allison, Peter, Thomas, et al.
I’m making pulled pork for the party, so I’ll need apple wood, dry rub, homemade sauce, etc.
Both terms require a period at the end.
euro
Instead of Euro.
eurozone
Instead of Eurozone or Euro Zone.
Exactuals®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
exclamation point
Use judiciously. Avoid overuse when writing marketing materials, informational articles, etc. If you use an exclamation point in a quote, do not use a comma. Wrong: “Stop!”, the officer shouted. Right: “Stop!” the officer shouted.
Experience the City National Difference®
Use the registered mark and italics on first reference.
F
farther, further
Farther refers to physical distance: He traveled farther west after fixing the flat. Further refers to an extension of time or degree: We agreed to table the discussion so we can look further into the issue.
FASTdeposit®
Italicize FAST. Use the registered mark on first reference.
federal funds, federal funds rate
Federal Reserve
Use Federal Reserve on first reference, the Fed on second reference.
fewer, less
Generally, use fewer for individual items and less for bulk or quantity. Fewer than five people responded to my request. I had less money yesterday because I had fewer than three $10 bills.
FilmTrack®
One word. Capitalize F and T. Use the registered mark on first reference.
financial education
The process by which financial consumers/investors improve their understanding of financial products, concepts and risks and, through information, instruction and/or objective advice, develop the skills and confidence to become more aware of financial risks and opportunities, to make informed choices, to know where to go for help, and to take other effective actions to improve their financial well-being (OECD, 2005).
Avoid the use of financial literacy.
FINRA
All caps; this is the proper format when referring to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
fintech
Lowercase when used as a generic term.
First American Equipment Finance
Use First American Equipment Finance on first reference. First American is acceptable on second reference. Do not use FAEF in client-facing materials.
First-Time Homebuyer
When referring to someone purchasing a home for the first time, include a hyphen between 'first' and 'time.' Note that homebuyer is also one word. See the Homebuyer entry for more information.
fixed-rate mortgage
Hyphenate when used as a modifier: fixed-rate mortgage/loan/line of credit. Do not hyphenate as a noun phrase: Fixed rates are available for mortgages and other loans at City National.
Food & Beverage group
However, do not capitalize food and beverage industry.
for-profit
Hyphenate when using this term: Counties, cities, tribes, nonprofits and for-profit companies will all be eligible to apply for funding.
foreign currency
Following the amount, spell out the name of the currency and add the U.S. dollar equivalent in parentheses: Japan approved a 1.8 trillion yen ($18 billion) extra budget.
foreign exchange, Foreign Exchange
Do not capitalize unless it is a proper noun: City National’s Foreign Exchange group specializes in foreign exchange services. Do not use FX in client-facing materials.
G
Global Relationship Management®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
good, well
Good is an adjective that means something is as it should be or is better than average. Well, when used as an adjective, means suitable, proper and healthy. When used as an adverb, well means skillfully or in a satisfactory manner: Did you do well on your exams? Do not use good as an adverb. It remains an adjective in a sentence such as I feel good. Writing I feel well could be interpreted as meaning your sense of touch is good.
group
In marketing materials only, use group or team — not division — after a division’s name: Private Banking group.
Group Executive (GE)
Group Executive (GE) means any employee of the Group including any Executive Director (Group) and any Parent Group Executive who meets the relevant criteria. Mostly used outside of the United States.
group titles
Always capitalize City National Bank’s group titles and write them out: Private Banking or Executive Council. If a title includes an ampersand (&), do not change to and.
Do not use City National before the division name unless you are referring to City National Preferred Banking®. All other divisions stand alone: Commercial Banking, Entertainment Banking, etc. If you are introducing the division, you may use the possessive form: City National’s Private Banking team.
In marketing materials, use group or team after the division name: the Entertainment Banking group, not the Entertainment Banking division. Group or team can be used interchangeably based on each division’s preference.
H
headlines, capitalization in
Capitalize an article (the, a, an) or words of fewer than four letters only if it’s the first or last word of a title. Capitalize all other words of four letters or more.
headlines, punctuation in
Maintain consistency with the below guidelines when writing marketing copy:
- Hero headlines: These headlines are complete sentences or big-message statements, are set in all caps and get punctuated. Example: IT PAYS TO BE PREFERRED.
- Hero subcopy/subheads: The supporting line under hero headlines should be a complete sentence, with proper capitalization and traditional punctuation. Example: Concierge-style banking from City National®.
- Non-hero headlines: When a piece has additional sections with other headlines below the hero, like on a webpage or in long-form print, headlines can be sentence-case style with punctuation. This ensures there isn’t an overwhelming amount of all-caps messaging. Example: Evaluate your cashflow needs.
- Non-hero subcopy/subheads: Subheads are still treated the same throughout, with full sentences and traditional punctuation. Example: You don't want more than is needed, and you don't want to come up short.
- Category labels/headers: Functioning more as labels than advertising messaging, these types of headers can adopt title case and don’t require punctuation. They aren’t making statements and aren’t complete sentences. Example: Personal Banking Products & Services
headlines, writing guidelines
When writing headlines, our main goal is clarity. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Use jargon or "marketing speak" with caution, such as the following: ensure, leverage, monetize, optimize
- Try to use action verbs as much as possible (as opposed to passive verbs or verbs with -ing endings).
- Avoid yes or no questions in headlines.
healthcare
Healthcare is one word. This differs from AP style.
high-net-worth, ultra-high-net-worth
Use hyphens for all. Do not use acronyms HNW or UHNW.
high-profile
Hyphenate when used as a modifier: high-profile business deal.
historic, historical
Events that are important and stand out in history are historic. Anything that happened in the past is historical.
home equity line of credit (HELOC)
Do not use the HELOC acronym without first establishing home equity line of credit (HELOC).
homebuyer, homebuying
The AP Stylebook advises homebuyer as one word, so by extension, it would be homebuying process. However, there may be contexts in which home-buying or home buying would be clearer, such as a small-home buying process. Our general rule of thumb is to spell out as one word.
Homeowner, Homeownership
Spell as one word. Avoid home owner, home-owner, home ownership, or home-ownership.
homepage
Not home page.
hyphens
Use hyphens as joiners, such as for compound modifiers. There should be no spaces surrounding a hyphen: in-flight drinks.
Here are some instances when you do NOT need a hyphen for a compound modifier:
- Commonly used terms where the meaning is clear, such as sixth grade teacher, or climate change bill.
- If there are more than three words modifying a noun. After that, hyphens can often muddy the waters rather than add clarity.
- Any adverb that includes “very” or a word ending in “ly.”
- For words that describe dual heritage, like African American or Asian American.
I
i.e., e.g.
The abbreviation i.e. represents the Latin phrase id est, meaning that is. It is used to add clarification.
Teams with a deep bench, i.e., substitute players who contribute regularly, often are successful in the long postseason. The abbreviation e.g. represents the Latin phrase exempli gratia, meaning for example. It is used to introduce a list of specific information. Fish tacos are better with a quality hot sauce, e.g., Cholula’s or La Siesta’s house salsa. Use a comma following both abbreviations.
Inc., LLC (comma use)
Write as XYZ Inc. or XYZ LLC. Do not use commas to offset the corporate name.
in-flight
hyphenate in-flight (beverages or Wi-Fi that is enjoyed during a flight) unless you are referring to the Gogo® Inflight Wi-Fi Pass Visa Benefit. Do not hyphenate in flight when used as follows: The airplane is in flight.
in, into, in to
When you use in, you’re indicating position. When you use into, you’re indicating movement (an action is happening). Into is a preposition that generally relates to direction and motion. His phone was in his pocket. My laptop is in the living room. The dog’s toys are in that box. She stuffed a book into her backpack. He walked into the room. Please step into my office.
Sometimes in and to end up next to each other in a sentence, but this should not be confused with into.
The robbers broke in to the house. Broke in is a phrasal verb; in belongs with broke, not to. Tammy walked in to hear us discussing her surprise party. To is part of the infinitive verb to hear, so keep it separate from in.
InfoLink
Please follow the below capitalization and format on the site and in all corporate communication materials:
InfoLink News
InfoLink (site)
international phone numbers
The leading plus (+) serves as an international prefix symbol, and is immediately followed by the country code. Spaces should separate the country code, area code and local number: +22 607 123 4567.
internet
Lowercase.
investable
use investable, not investible.
italics
City National follows AP Style, which does not generally use italics. Titles of books, movies, songs, works of art, etc. should be placed in quote marks.
its, it’s
Its is a possessive. The company lost its assets. It’s is a contraction for it is or it has. It’s up to you; it’s been a long time.
J
K
L
lay vs. lie
The action word is lay. It takes a direct object: I will lay the book on the table. The prosecutor tried to lay the blame on him. Laid is the form for its past tense and its past participle: I laid the book on the table. The prosecutor has laid the blame on him. Its present participle is laying: I am laying the book on the table. The prosecutor is laying the blame on him.
Lie also has various other meanings, including to recline, to be situated or to exist. It does not take a direct object: He lies on the beach all day. I will lie down. The village lies beyond the hills. The answer lies in the stars. Its past tense is lay: He lay on the beach all day. I lay down. The secret lay in the fermentation process. Its past participle is lain: He has lain on the beach all day. I have lain down. Its present participle is lying: He is lying on the beach. I am lying down.
When lie means to make an untrue statement, the verb forms are lie, lied, lying.
LGBTQI+
Acceptable in all references for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning, plus other sexual and gender minorities. Use of LGBTQI+ is best used as a collective adjective: Walters joined the LGBTQI+ business association. Avoid using LGBTQI+ to describe individuals, and don't default to LGBTQI+ if discussing a more specific population: a bisexual advocacy group, a transgender health program.
City National's Small Business Special Purpose Credit Program legal documents have been filed with LBTQI+ as the terminology used to define this specific community.
life cycle
Two words: financial life cycle.
Line of Business (LOB)
Upon first reference, spell out line of business (LOB). The plural form of "line of business” is "lines of business." Avoid using “lines of businesses" or "line of businesses."
Two
LLC, Inc. (comma use)
Write as XYZ Inc. or XYZ LLC. Do not use commas to offset the corporate name.
loan-to-value
Should always be hyphenated. Add a parenthetical acronym (LTV) after the first use and use LTV thereafter as appropriate.
log off (verb), logoff (noun and adjective)
Log off by clicking the logoff button. Do you know where the logoff is located?
log in (verb), login (noun and adjective)
Log in by clicking the login button. Do you know where the login is located?
Los Angeles
Spell out on first reference. It’s acceptable to use LA (no periods) on subsequent references.
M
magazine
Capitalize the initial letters of the name but do not place it in quotes. Lowercase "magazine" unless
it is part of the publication's formal title: Harper's Magazine, Newsweek magazine, Time magazine.
This also includes journals, newspapers, and trade publications. Check the masthead if in doubt.
me, myself, I
Put others' names before I or me. Use the I pronoun for the subject and the me pronoun for the object in a sentence. If confused when using compound subjects and objects, remove the other names and see which pronoun makes the sentence correct. Jorge and I walked the dog. (correct) Jorge and me walked the dog. (incorrect) Removing Jorge and from the sentence makes it clear which pronoun is correct. She gave the necklace to Jane, Kelly and me. (correct) She gave the necklace to Jane, Kelly and I. (incorrect) Removing Jane, Kelly and from the sentence makes it clear which pronoun is correct.
Myself refers back to the subject of the sentence: I gave myself the day off. Do not use myself as a substitute for I or me. For instance, don’t say: Please send this to myself. (incorrect) She gave the necklace to Jane, Kelly and myself. (incorrect)
Member FDIC disclosure
The correct format is City National Bank Member FDIC. This is how the disclosure should appear on all applicable materials.
Mergers and Acquisition (M&A)
Spell it out on first reference. Use M&A on second reference. Plural form M&A's
Millennial
Capitalize when referencing this generation.
million and billion
Spell out million and billion in sentences. In headlines, abbreviate as M or B.
Mobile Banking app
Do not capitalize app when generally referring to the Mobile Banking app.
Mobile Banking with FASTdeposit®
Capitalize Mobile Banking.
money market
Lowercase in sentences.
moot, mute
Moot means irrelevant; mute means silent. The borrower’s loan paid off, making moot the need to complete a new form. Please put the volume on mute.
myriad
Used interchangeably with many or innumerable. Use myriad on its own, not a myriad of. We have myriad options for our meeting location.
N
Nevada’s Premier Private and Business Bank®
Use the registered mark on first reference.
newsletter
One word; no hyphen.
New York City
Spell out on first reference. It’s acceptable to use NYC (no periods) or New York on subsequent references.
Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS)
Acceptable to use acronym on first reference. Use # followed by the Unique ID number: NMLS #1234.
nonalcoholic
One word; no hyphen.
nonprofit
One word; no hyphen.
numbers, numerals
Spell out one through nine, use numerals for 10 and above, unless connected to a percentage (see rule for percent) or unless numbers are part of a headline and require emphasis: No Interest First 6 Months.
Use numerals for ages under 10 when part of a hyphenated string: 3-year-old.
Word-numeral doublets (“four (4)”) should never be used.
Generally, use figures but spell out ordinal numbers ninth and under.
Capitalize the first letter for a single designation: Act 3, Exit 2, Game 3, Phase 1, Room 6, Size 12, Stage 3, Category 4, Type 2.
Use lowercase for plurals: sizes 6 and 8, exits 4 and 5, acts 1 and 2, verses 2 and 9. It's Verse 1 but the first verse; Game 4 but the fourth game.
O
Official Bank title usage
When referring to the bank's official partnership or sponsorship with entities such as events or venues, the following standardized format should be used: The Official Bank of [Entity Name]
This format should be applied uniformly across all communications to maintain consistency and uphold the bank's professional image. Exceptions may be made if the entity has its own style guide or branding requirements.
When referring to exclusive banking partnerships with events, the event name should be in its complete and official form (i.e. The Official Bank of the 76th Annual Tony Awards®).
For sponsorships or partnerships with venues, use the venue's full and proper name (i.e. The Official Bank of the Kia Forum).
Do not use punctuation when used as a headline or subhead in marketing materials.
on-site, off-site
Hyphenate.
Operation Lift-Off
This is the proper format for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike program.
over, more than
Use over when making a spatial reference and more than for quantities: He shot more than seven basketballs over the backboard.
owner-occupied
Hyphenate.
P
partner/partnership
Implies shared liability; do not use when discussing banking products. Partner or partnership may be used: in reference to nonprofits, community or charitable work; within marketing materials when discussing the City National brand; in relation to a generic industry (i.e. Broadway); or within an unscripted client testimonial. Do not use in a scripted client testimonial.
percent
Use % sign when paired with a numeral, no space. About 60% of Americans agreed.
When quoting a specific rate, use the symbol, %, and not the word. This is particularly important in client-facing marketing materials and associated disclosures. Use two decimal places when quoting a specific rate: 0.85%, 0.80%.
Do not place additional zeroes at the end (not 0.50%), UNLESS it is a product rate (see above). Her mortgage rate is 4.70%.
Personal & Business Banking
Always use the ampersand when referencing the division.
phone numbers
For domestic numbers, use parentheses around the area code followed by the local number separated by a hyphen: (800) 773-7100.
For international numbers, the leading plus (+) serves as an international prefix symbol, and is immediately followed by the country code. Spaces should separate the country code, area code and local number: +22 607 123 4567.
plural acronyms
Add a lowercase s with no apostrophe: IOUs, IRAs, etc., not IOU’s, IRA’s. If the acronym ends in s and the extra s looks awkward, consider writing out the acronym or reconstructing your sentence.
Points
Capitalize when specifically referencing City National Rewards® Points.
pour, pore
You pour bourbon in a glass before you pore over data.
pre-approval, pre-approved
When referencing the terms above, use a hyphen between 'pre' and 'approval' as well as 'pre' and 'approved.'
prefixes
As a general rule, do not hyphenate when using a prefix with a word that starts with a consonant. These are three constant rules:
Except for cooperate and coordinate, use a hyphen if the prefix ends in a vowel and the word that follows begins with the same vowel: anti-intellectual.
Use a hyphen if the word that follows is capitalized: un-American.
Use a hyphen to join doubled prefixes: sub-subparagraph.
pre-qualify
Hyphenate.
PRIDE values
Used as an acronym for People, Relationships, Integrity, Dedication, Entrepreneurs & Excellence to describe City National values. Not P.R.I.D.E. values.
Prime interest rate
Always capitalize Prime.
principal, principle
Principal means someone or something first in rank, authority, importance or degree. Principle is a fundamental trust, law, doctrine or motivating force.
Private Banker
Initial caps in all marketing materials and most internal communications (e.g., Product Update emails, Marketing Campaign Spotlight emails, Points of Interest newsletter). Lowercase for news articles and press releases, including InfoLink Headlines articles. For example: Reach out to your City National® Private Banker for more information. Jane Smith, a private banker, understands the unique needs of her entertainment clients.
Private Banking
Capitalize when used as a proper noun.
pronouns
When using pronouns for City National, use we and our in place of its or they. For example: City National is proud to help you and your business succeed. With our tailored solutions, we will meet you wherever you are in your financial life cycle.
punctuation
Always use proper punctuation in complete sentences, including in marketing headline copy. Do not punctuate URLs in print or digital out of home (DOOH). For example: Discover The way up® at cnb.com
See also headlines, punctuation in.
Q
R
RBC Banking Solutions
RBC Capital Markets
RBC Capital Markets in the U.S.
Can also be referred to as RBC’s U.S. Capital business. If using within text, use periods in the abbreviation, U.S. In headlines, it's US (no periods).
RBC Investor & Treasury Services
RBC Personal & Commercial Banking
RBC Wealth Management-U.S.
Not RBC U.S. Wealth Management or RBC USWM.
RBC Wealth Management & Insurance
Reading is The way up
Use the registered mark on first reference. Italicize The way up.
Real Estate Banking
Capitalize when used as a proper noun. Otherwise use lowercase.
REALTOR®
Capitalize all mentions of the word REALTOR®. The term real estate agent is preferred. Avoid using REALTOR® unless there is a reason to indicate that the individual is a member of the National Association of Realtors.
Referrals campaign tag line
The people you trust, trust City National®. Use the registered mark on first reference.
Relationship Manager
Initial caps in all marketing materials and most internal communications (e.g., Product Update emails, Marketing Campaign Spotlight emails, Points of Interest newsletter). Lowercase for news articles and press releases, including InfoLink Headlines articles. For example: Reach out to your City National® Relationship Manager for more information. Jane Smith, a relationship manager, helps clients reach their financial goals.
Retail Nondeposit Investment Products disclosure
This is how the disclosure should appear on all applicable materials:
City National Rochdale, LLC is a SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of City National
Bank. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or expertise.
City National Bank is a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Canada. City National Bank provides investment management services through its subadvisory relationship with City National Rochdale. Brokerage services are provided through City National Securities, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of City National Bank and Member FINRA/SIPC.
Rewards
Capitalize when specifically referencing City National Rewards®.
Royal Bank of Canada
In marketing materials such as event invitations or emails, you may use RBC on first reference. In press releases and news articles, spell out Royal Bank of Canada on first reference.
S
said, says
Always use said instead of says.
semicolon
Use a semicolon when you want to separate two thoughts more emphatically than a comma allows, but less than a period indicates: The package was due last week; it arrived today. Also, use a semicolon to clarify and separate a series of lengthy items: He is survived by a son, John Smith, of Chicago; three daughters, Jane Smith, of Wichita, Kansas, Mary Smith, of Denver, and Susan, of Boston; and a sister, Martha, of Omaha, Nebraska.
small business owner
No hyphens.
smartphone
One word, not two; no hyphen.
spacing
Use only one space after a period before starting a new sentence.
Specialty Banking
state names
Spell out the entire state name when used alone. Either spell out completely or use the approved postal code when paired with a city. Separate the city and state with a comma while adding a comma after the state reference, unless ending a sentence: He was traveling from Memphis, Tennessee, to Austin, Texas, en route to his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Strategy & Planning (S&P) committee
Upon first use, spell out Strategy & Planning (S&P) committee. After the first mention, S&P is an appropriate shorthand for Strategy & Planning committee.
T
tax-deductible
This is always hyphenated; tax deduction should not be hyphenated.
telephone numbers
Write them in this form: (555) 555-5555. Use dashes, not periods.
If writing an international telephone number, lead with a plus (+) symbol immediately followed by the country code:
+55 555 555 5555. Use spaces, not dashes.
that, which
Both are used when referring to inanimate objects. Use that for essential clauses (clauses that, if removed, would change the meaning of the sentence) and without commas: Here is the apple that I picked. Use which for nonessential clauses (clauses that, if removed, would not change the meaning of a sentence) and with commas: The band, which toured Europe this summer, is playing several stateside shows beginning in February.
theater
Use theatre only if it is part of a formal title: The Los Angeles Theatre Center. Otherwise use theater.
The City National Difference℠
Use the service mark on first reference.
their, there, they’re
Their is a possessive adjective. It sits before another word, usually a noun or a pronoun, to demonstrate ownership.
Their car is new.
They left their keys on the table.
There is an adverb that means in or at that place. It is also used as a pronoun introducing a sentence or clause.
He is there now.
They’re is a contraction of the words they are. There are no other uses.
They’re going to the beach today.
The people you trust, trust City National.
Referrals campaign tag line. No registered mark after City National.
The way up®
Italicize; use the registered mark on first reference.
time
Do not include minutes if both times fall on the hour: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Include minutes when at least one time does not fall on the hour: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
time zones
Do not include time zones unless necessary and relevant to a particular audience. Capitalize the full name of the time in force within a particular zone. For example, Eastern Standard Time, Eastern Daylight Time. Lowercase all but the region in short forms. For example, the Eastern time zone, Mountain time. Spell out time zone in references not accompanied by a clock reading. For example, Chicago is in the Central time zone.
Use abbreviations EST, PST, etc., on first reference for zones used within the continental United States, Canada and Mexico if the abbreviation is linked with a clock reading. For example, noon EST or 9 a.m. PST. Do not set off the abbreviations with commas.
The difference between Standard Time and Daylight Time is one hour. Daylight Time is used in the spring and summer months (when clocks “spring ahead”), while Standard Time is used in the fall and winter months, when clocks are set one hour earlier (“fall back”).
titles
Use a person’s full title on first reference and then use a more informal title on second reference. Deputy Commissioner of Wealth Management on first reference; deputy commissioner on second reference.
Do not capitalize a job title that is not official, e.g., investment officer, financial advisor, accountant and tax professional.
Capitalize bank titles in all marketing materials: Call your Relationship Manager.
For press releases and news articles, capitalize titles when they come before a person’s name: Relationship Manager Joanna L. Smithson. But do not capitalize the title when it follows a name: Joanna L. Smithson, relationship manager.
Titles of books, movies, plays and similar works are set off in quotation marks, with all principal words capitalized.
(stacked)
First and Last Name
Corporate Title
Department Name
Company Name
toward
Not towards.
trademarks
See Registered Marks, Service Marks and Trademarks Trademarks glossary.
Place punctuation after trademarks and registered marks, i.e., on The way up®.
treasury
Lowercase unless referencing Treasury bills (T-bills).
treasury management, Treasury Management
Use initial caps for the division name. Lowercase when used to describe the management of a company’s cash holdings. Use treasury management for commercial banking. Use cash management for small business.
Treasury Management tag line
Your business, optimized.
Treasury Net®
Use the registered mark on first reference. No hyphen. Do not use T-Net, T-NET or Treasury-Net.
Treasury Services Deposits
Treasury Services Deposits tag line
The strength of experience. The convenience of control.
tweet
You tweet to someone when using Twitter. As a result, you sent a tweet.
U
underserved
One word, no hyphen.
underrepresented
One word, no hyphen.
United States
Use periods in the abbreviation, U.S., within texts. In headlines, it’s US (no periods).
URL
Use lowercase when referencing CNB within the domain name. Use lowercase for file paths except for proper nouns, i.e. cnb.com/Buckhead or cnb.com/mobileapp
Do not punctuate URLs in print or digital out of home (DOOH). For example: Discover The way up® at cnb.com
username
Not user name.
V
Visa
Always capitalize Visa. Do not use VISA. See specific Visa product names for appropriate placement of the registered mark.
Visa trademark attribution
Visa is a registered trademark owned by Visa International Service Association and is used under license.
Visa Signature is a registered trademark owned by Visa International Service Association and is used under license.
Visa Infinite is a registered trademark owned by Visa International Service Association and is used under license.
When referring to multiple trademarked Visa products (in this example, Visa Platinum, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite): Visa, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite are registered trademarks owned by Visa International Service Association and are used under license.
W
Washington, D.C.
Spell out on first reference. Use a comma after Washington. It’s acceptable to use DC (no periods) on subsequent references. DC (no periods) in postal addresses.
Wealth Management
web
Do not capitalize when referring to the world wide web.
website
Not Web site or web site.
whitepaper
One word; no hyphen.
wholly owned
No hyphen: City National Rochdale® LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of City National Bank.
who’s, whose
Who’s is a contraction for who is or who has. Who’s knocking at my door? Who’s been eating all the leftovers? Whose is the possessive form of who. A noun or pronoun typically follows it. Whose socks are on the couch? Lauren knows whose bike was stolen.
who, whom
Who is the pronoun used for references to human beings and to animals with a name. Write, the person who is in charge not the person that is in charge. Who is grammatically the subject (never the object) of a sentence, clause or phrase: The woman who rented the room left the window open. Who is there? Whom is used when someone is the object of a verb or preposition: The woman to whom the room was rented left the window open. Whom do you wish to see?
Wi-Fi
Capitalize and hyphenate.
X
Y
your, you’re
Your is a possessive adjective. It sits before another word, usually a noun or a pronoun, to demonstrate ownership. Your baby is adorable. He liked your joke. You’re is a contraction of the words you are. There are no other uses. Kelly thinks you’re funny.
Z