If we have balloons with the Bank's name on them to put up at various functions inside and outside of the bank, do we have to put the FDIC logo on them? Seems to me they fall into the category of items such as calendars that are specifically listed as being exempt.

The calendars exclusion is in a sentence describing items on which it would be "impractical to include thereon the official advertising statement." I guess that might apply to wallet calendars, but not to larger (day at a time, month at a time) formats. One could even question whether it's impractical to print "Member FDIC" on a wallet calendar.

Whether it's "impractical" to print "Member FDIC" on a balloon while it's being imprinted with your bank's name is a judgment call. I think you should include it, just to ensure your decision, like a cheap balloon, doesn't blow up in your face.

Also, to be in full compliance, you may wish to include instructions on each balloon that the user should inflate until the official advertising statement is "of such size to be clearly legible."

Now I suppose you could tell an examiner that the FDIC is only seen when it is full of hot air, but that could be taken out of context.

KarenSue - please read my tag line after you read my response, but if your balloons are just stating your bank name, I would bet you are plenty safe leaving off "member FDIC"