About Us
The CISI
Coat of Arms

CISI Coat of Arms

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment was granted a ‘patent of arms’ by the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England on 11 March 2010. This is the design that is now registered with the College of Arms.

CISI Crest

The Arms refer to the shield and are formally described in old court French and English as:

Argent a Griffin segreant contourny vert holding in the sinister fore claws a closed book gules leaved proper on a chief embattled vert three bezants.

Which translates as:

On a silver background (Argent) a Griffin standing with one paw raised (sergeant) facing right (contourny) in green (vert) holding in its left (sinister) fore claw a red (gules) book with pages in the usual colour (leaved proper). Across the top edge of the shield a band (on a chief) in green (vert) which has its lower edge shaped like battlements (embattled) three coins (bezants).

Each of the elements, even the colours, have a particular heraldic meaning.

Silver or white represents sincerity and gold represents elevation of the mind. Green represents hope and has also been the colour associated with the Institute.

a 23 points on the wings represent the fact that the original resolution to form the SI was taken on the 23rd floor of the Stock Exchange.
b Book represents learning. (If the book were open it would represent a university.)
c Sword represents the City of London.
d Griffins represent strength, intelligence and the protection of treasure.
e Bezants represent the original sixpence charged for a days trading in the coffee houses. The fact that they are gold suggests ‘worthy of trust’.
f Scales represents Justice and through that Integrity and Ethical Behaviour.
g Scroll suggests achievement and is intended to portray the Institute’s examinations.
h The Ship represents the international aspects of the Institutes work.
i Mural Crowns represents the ‘Royal’ nature of the Charter whilst also alluding to our work abroad. Mural crowns represent cities but also the seven blocks represent the continents. (Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica)
j Motto ‘My Word is My Bond’ the English translation of the Stock Exchange’s motto ‘Dictum Meam Pactum’ – showing our shared history and some common values.