Client Results
BMO
Client Results
How Philadelphia Sign Supported BMO’s Branch Conversion and Rebrand Program
Philadelphia Sign, part of PSCO Sign Group, supported BMO with branch conversion and rebrand services including surveying, permitting, fabrication, and installation designed to keep the program coordinated, compliant, and consistent across multiple markets. The rollout included 96 Bank of the West branch conversions in a single weekend and 209 total branch rebrands across 7 states.
At a Glance
- 209 total branch conversions across 7 states
- 96 Bank of the West branches converted in a single weekend
- 113 additional legacy BMO locations rebranded across the Midwest and Florida
- Zero branch operation disruptions during installation
- Turnkey project support across surveying, permitting, fabrication, and installation
The Challenge
When BMO Bank acquired Bank of the West, it needed to convert active branch locations to a new brand identity quickly, across multiple states, and without disrupting branch operations or customer access.
The initial phase required 96 Bank of the West branches to be converted in a single weekend. Each location brought its own architectural conditions, municipal permitting requirements, and installation variables. To keep the project on schedule, every site had to be reviewed, planned, and coordinated in advance while maintaining consistent brand execution across multiple jurisdictions.
The Solution
Philadelphia Sign, part of PSCO Sign Group, was selected to support the rollout with a coordinated signage strategy designed for speed, compliance, and consistency. The program combined site surveys, permitting management, in-house fabrication, and coordinated installation planning before work began in the field.
Planning and Coordination
- Conducted site surveys across all 96 locations to document existing site conditions, structural requirements, and sign placement needs
- Managed permitting across municipalities and jurisdictions in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah
- Built a phased installation schedule to support a synchronized weekend conversion
Fabrication
- Produced signage in-house to maintain brand standards and color consistency
- Delivered a full signage package including exterior channel letters, blade signs, freestanding pylons, monument signs, ATM enclosures, vinyl graphics, directional signage, parking lot signs, and awnings
Installation
- Deployed coordinated crews across Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah
- Completed all 96 Bank of the West branch conversions within the designated weekend window
- Maintained branch continuity throughout the installation process
Why Permitting Matters in a Multi-State Bank Rebrand
Permitting is one of the most important factors in a large-scale bank signage rollout. Each municipality may have different requirements related to sign size, placement, illumination, engineering, and review timelines. Without a coordinated permitting strategy, delays in one market can affect the broader rollout schedule.
For this project, permitting was managed alongside surveying, fabrication, and installation planning so the conversion could proceed on time across multiple states.
What Signage Is Typically Included in a Bank Rebrand?
A large-scale bank rebrand often involves more than replacing a primary building sign. Programs like this may include exterior channel letters, monument and pylon signs, ATM surrounds or enclosures, directional signage, parking signs, vinyl graphics, blade signs, and awnings. Managing the full scope through one partner helps maintain brand consistency across all locations.
What Should Banks Look for in a Signage Partner During a Rebrand or Acquisition?
Banks planning a rebrand, acquisition conversion, or multi-location signage rollout typically need a partner that can manage more than fabrication or installation alone. The right partner should be able to coordinate site evaluation, permitting, manufacturing, logistics, and field execution while maintaining schedule control and brand standards across every location.
That is the role Philadelphia Sign was selected to fulfill for BMO’s conversion program.
An Ongoing Partnership
The Bank of the West conversion marked the beginning of an ongoing relationship. Following the success of the initial rollout, BMO and Philadelphia Sign continued rebranding additional locations across the Midwest and Florida using the same coordinated, turnkey approach.
For national banks, successful rebrands require more than installation capacity. They require planning, permitting expertise, manufacturing control, and the ability to deliver consistent brand standards across multiple locations on a demanding timeline.