How We Protect the Brand
We are required to use the registered trademark symbol (®), trademark disclosures, and relevant disclaimers in accordance with this document. This helps to reinforce our ownership of the Zelle® brand across all channels.
The Registered Trademark Symbol ®
All mentions of Zelle® and the Zelle® network within copy should have a registered trademark. Zelle Network® is also a registered trademark.
The registered trademark ® identifies Early Warning Services, LLC as the brand owner of the digital payments network associated with the mark Zelle®.
The ® should be on the logo every time it is used.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMAIL SUBJECT LINE EXCEPTION
We understand that use of special characters (like the ®) in social media post copy or email subject lines can present challenges. You may forego using the mark in these instances. However, any images accompanying social media post copy that contain Zelle® must include the mark.
We understand that use of special characters (like the ®) in social media post copy or email subject lines can present challenges. You may forego using the mark in these instances. However, any images accompanying social media post copy that contain Zelle® must include the mark.
Trademark regulations stipulate that registered trademarks (such as Zelle®):
- Should never be used as plurals or in the possessive form unless the mark is plural or possessive as registered
- Should never be used as a verb or noun (i.e., “Zelle® me the money”)
- Should never be used as part of a fabricated word (i.e., ”Zelle-abration”)
Zelle® Trademark Disclosures
The trademark notice needs to appear where the Zelle® brand appears.
Zelle, the Zelle related marks, and the color purple are registered trademarks or otherwise claimed by Early Warning Services, LLC.
If a third party’s trademarked names or logos are used, check with the Early Warning Intellectual Property team and follow the owner’s disclaimer requirements. At a minimum, the following should appear:
Other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
A copyright notice is not generally needed on marketing and advertising assets. However, if we have heavily invested in the asset or if it is an elaborate work, then include the following copyright notice.
If unsure, please email brandgovernance@earlywarning.com.
©2026 Early Warning Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
Zelle® P2P and Small Business Zelle® Trademark Disclosure
The trademark disclosure needs to appear where the Zelle® brand appears in partner materials.
Include it in website, in-branch materials, etc. It does not need to appear on ATM receipts, or on other very small spaces such as digital banners, so long as it can be found “oneclick” away from the asset.
FULL-DISCLOSURE CLICKABLE ASSETS:
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
FULL-DISCLOSURE NON-CLICKABLE ASSETS:
Terms and conditions apply. Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
Abbreviated trademark disclosure.
Approved for use in video, television and bank statements
Terms and conditions apply. The Zelle® related marks are used under license from Early Warning Services, LLC.
VIDEO GUIDELINES
- If a video is going to be used exclusively on social media and is clickable to your Zelle® landing page, we will not require the Zelle® trademark disclosure.
- If a video is for television (or is static and not clickable) the abbreviated trademark disclosure must be included.
- If any video is 6 seconds or less, we will not require a Zelle® trademark disclosure.
Be very clear when submitting video assets which category the video fits into so we can provide accurate feedback.
We no longer require a trademark disclosure statement; however, we do require you state that terms and conditions apply.
RADIO/PODCAST DISCLOSURE, AUDIO ASSETS:
Terms and conditions apply.
Zelle® Trademark Disclosures Web and Mobile
Our web and mobile disclosures are reviewed annually and contain standard information about the Zelle® brand mark and its relationship with Early Warning Services, LLC.
Zelle® consumer marketing assets (other than website content) created for use exclusively by Early Warning only do not typically include a trademark disclosure unless deemed necessary during review by the Early Warning Legal team.
STANDARD COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK DISCLOSURE
©2026 Early Warning Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Zelle, the Zelle related marks, and the color purple are registered trademarks property of Early Warning Services, LLC.
WEB FOOTER DISCLOSURE
©2026 Early Warning Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Zelle, the Zelle related marks, and the color purple are registered trademarks property of Early Warning Services, LLC. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
Zelle® P2P and Small Business Disclaimers Availability
When making claims about who can use Zelle®, it should always be clear there are eligibility requirements – i.e., an eligible checking or savings account is required.
Zelle® does not market that it is in “most banking apps” or “all banking apps” – but you may say that Zelle® is in “most people’s banking app.”
As of March 31, 2025, you can no longer market that Zelle® is “available to anyone” or that you can “send money to people, wherever they bank.”
MESSAGING EXAMPLES:
- Zelle® is a great way to send money to friends and family, even if they bank somewhere different than you do.¹
- Zelle® is a fast and easy way to send and receive money with friends, family and others you trust, even if they don’t bank with [Financial Institution Name].¹
DISCLAIMER TO BE USED:
- ¹ To send or receive money with Zelle®, both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account.
WANT TO AVOID USING AN AVAILABILITY DISCLAIMER?
Avoid referencing where recipients bank.
For example:
- Zelle® is a great way to send money to friends and family.
Use a statement that provides substantiation as part of the claim.
For example:
- Zelle® is already in over 2,300 banking apps, probably yours!
Zelle® P2P and Small Business Disclaimers Timing
Any time there’s a mention of “minutes” (or any measurable unit of time) associated with a Zelle® transaction, a timing disclaimer must be attached. This includes any type of implied timing– i.e., animation in a video showing a completed transaction happening quickly.
MESSAGING EXAMPLES:
- Money goes straight into your account and is available to use in minutes.¹
- Receive money directly into your [Financial Institution Name] account in minutes.¹
- Money sent with Zelle® is available to use in minutes.¹
DISCLAIMER TO BE USED:
- ¹ Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes.
WANT TO AVOID USING A TIMING DISCLAIMER?
Provide additional context (i.e., sending money to enrolled users).
For example:
- Send money in minutes between enrolled users.
Use a statement that provides substantiation as part of the claim.
For example:
- Zelle® is a fast way to send money.
Zelle® P2P and Small Business Disclaimers Consolidated
When creating assets containing marketing claims related to both measurable timing and availability, we recommend use of the consolidated disclaimer here, or an approved legal disclaimer previously-submitted and approved by Early Warning for use by your financial institution.
CONSOLIDATED DISCLAIMER:
- To send or receive money with Zelle®, both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes.
Zelle® P2P and Small Business Disclaimers Request/Split
Request and Split functionality are essentially the same. Request is used when requesting money from one person. Split is used when requesting money from multiple parties at the same time. For example, to chip in on the cost of a gift or other expense.
If you are only mentioning the Request or Split feature, no legal disclaimer is required. For example:
Request money with Zelle®.
Split the cost of the bill with Zelle®.
However, if you are going into more detail, you must use a footnote to direct the consumer to a disclaimer letting them know they cannot send any payment requests to unenrolled recipients. For example:
To request money using Zelle®, choose “Request,” select the individual from whom you’d like to request money, enter the amount you'd like to request, include an optional note, review and hit “Request”.¹
DISCLAIMER TO BE USED:
- ¹ Payment requests can only be sent to enrolled Zelle® users.
”Split the cost of the bill“
Use ”split the cost of the bill“ in broad references to split functionality so it is clear you are not unintentionally implying that Zelle® can be used at the point-of-sale to pay a business directly.
”Split the bill“
If there is additional/sufficient context in your messaging that Zelle® is being used in your app to split the cost of a bill/tab by sending payment requests to a group of friends for reimbursement of their share of that expense—and not to pay a business directly—you may use ”split the bill.“ However, we strongly recommend consulting with the Early Warning Brand Governance team to help you correctly use ”split the bill“ in your messaging.
HOW TO AVOID USING REQUEST DISCLAIMER
If you wish to avoid using the request disclaimer, add context to your copy. For example:
To request money using Zelle®, choose “Request,” enter the enrolled email address, U.S. mobile number or Zelle® tag, enter the amount and tap “Request.”
Zelle® Disclaimers Promotions, Out-of-Home & ATMS Screens
PROMOTIONS
When creating content, rules and messaging for sweepstakes, incentive promotions or giveaways that include the use of Zelle®, it must be clear that neither Early Warning Services, LLC nor Zelle® are sponsors.
DISCLAIMER TO BE USED:
- This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Early Warning Services, LLC or Zelle®.
PRINTED ASSETS, OUT-OF-HOME ADVERTISING AND ATM SCREENS
When a marketing asset contains no opportunity for a consumer to click to learn more at your website (i.e., outdoor advertising, printed media, ATM screens), you should always include copy saying:
- “Learn more at www.FIName.com/ Zelle web address“
and add “Terms and conditions apply” adjacent to the Zelle® trademark disclosure.
Disbursements Trademark Disclosures and Disclaimers
For use in consumer facing materials that promote the disbursements capability only.
Asset Guidance Television and Video
On-screen legal disclaimers must be used whenever a claim that requires a disclaimer is spoken or visually implied in a video ad. Disclaimers should appear onscreen as a footnote at the bottom of the screen at the time the claim is being made or implied. Please provide the expected duration of on-screen disclaimers, if possible, with brand review submissions. Best practice is at least four seconds.
ABBREVIATED TRADEMARK FOR TELEVISION AND VIDEO:
Terms and conditions apply. The Zelle® related marks are used under license from Early Warning Services, LLC.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR VIDEO ASSETS:
Be clear when submitting video assets for review which category it fits into so we can provide accurate feedback.
- If a video is going to be used exclusively on social media and is clickable to your Zelle® product overview page, we will not require the Zelle® trademark disclosure.
- If a video is for television (or is static and not clickable) the abbreviated disclosure must be included.
- If any video is six seconds or less, we will not require a Zelle® trademark disclosure.
When a television or video asset is developed with messaging that is primarily digital payment functionality within a partner’s experience, or if you are creating a video asset that primarily advertises your mobile app or online banking experience and there is a mention of sending money within the experience, a balanced representation of the two brands is required.
Given that video assets will vary in length, screen size and composition, here are some examples of the ways this can be achieved:
- The Zelle® logo should be shown long enough and prominently enough to be legible and understood by the viewer.
- Onscreen voiceover clearly identifies the Zelle® brand and P2P functionality as Zelle®.
- Display the UX long enough and prominently enough to be legible and understood by the viewer that the Zelle® brand is present.
- Displaying the Zelle® logo or partner logo lockup on the end card.
When creating television or video assets, we highly suggest submitting a storyboard and/or script for pre-approval. Doing so will help expedite final approvals once produced, and help you avoid the potential of costly post-production edits.
In-Language Assets and Translations
Create in-language assets using approved English language versions. Early Warning does not review translations. It is the responsibility of each partner to ensure correct translation of the approved English version.
REQUIREMENTS WHEN SUBMITTING IN-LANGUAGE SCRIPTS FOR VIDEO OR AUDIO ASSETS:
- Scripts should be formatted into three side-by-side columns: English copy | Translated copy | Back translation copy (copy translated back into English)
- Final produced assets from scripts should be submitted for final approval.
NOTE: Since context can change with the addition of visual elements, your produced video is subject to additional feedback based on visual context before final approval can be issued and video can be used.
REQUIREMENTS WHEN SUBMITTING IN-LANGUAGE ASSETS FOR ALL OTHER ASSET TYPES:
- Submit the APPROVED English language asset along with the translated version.
Check with your legal department to see if you need Terms and Conditions translated.
Terminology Spanish Translations
The following disclaimers and messaging have been translated into Spanish.
