The merger of United Overseas Bank (UOB) and Chung Khiaw Bank led to the creation of this new corporate symbol. It was based on the five-barred gate system of counting in five, a modern yet oriental way of symbolising security and unity. Different colours were used for the companies' various subsidiaries: banks (red), finance (turquoise), nominees (purple), insurance (green) and realty (brown).

The design was by the London design firm group Omnific, which worked with Singapore firm Architects Team 3, the designer of the bank's new building in Raffles Place. Local design agency Yuen, Wong Associates were later commissioned to carry out all the follow-up work for UOB's corporate symbol.