Why is it important to seek federal registration of a bank's name and related trademarks? In the past century, by regulation, banks were for the most part creatures of one locality, with perhaps branches stationed a few miles away. Trademark law, the primary concern of which is avoiding consumer confusion, was not concerned with identical or very similar bank names so long as they were in different geographic markets. Thus, almost every town had a "First National Bank" without causing consumer confusion or running afoul of trademark law. With the whittling away of such regulations, nationwide and regionally, and with banking becoming so widespread, consumer confusion is increasing. Continue reading >