USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 36 – Financial and Insurance Services

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we break down each trademark class to help businesses properly categorize and protect their brands.

In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 36, which includes financial services, insurance, real estate, and investment-related activities. If your business provides money management, payment processing, or property-related services, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my fintech platform name?” or “What class covers insurance and real estate brands?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is appropriate for your brand.

What is Trademark Class 36?

Trademark Class 36 covers a broad range of financial and monetary services, including services related to insurance, banking, credit, payment platforms, and real estate. Whether you operate a traditional financial institution or a modern digital finance tool, this class is designed to protect service-based financial offerings.

Some examples of services that might fall under Trademark Class 36 include:

• Banking and Financial Institutions: Personal banking, mobile banking, commercial lending

• Fintech Services: Peer-to-peer payments, mobile wallets, investment apps

• Insurance Services: Health, life, property, and business insurance providers

• Real Estate: Property management, real estate agencies, mortgage brokering

• Credit and Debt Services: Credit scoring, debt collection, financial consulting

• Crowdfunding and Fundraising: Online donation platforms, venture fundraising platforms

If your service involves managing, insuring, or transferring money or property, Trademark Class 36 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 36 Matters for Your Business

Registering a trademark under Class 36 helps protect your brand within the financial, insurance, and property services sectors, which are highly regulated and heavily dependent on trust. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:

1. Prevents brand confusion – Many financial and real estate companies use similar names, and a registered trademark ensures your brand is distinct.

2. Supports regulatory compliance – In financial and insurance industries, a clear and protected brand identity can help with marketing approvals and compliance processes.

3. Builds trust and credibility – Consumers associate financial and insurance brands with safety, security, and professionalism. A trademark enhances your authority.

4. Protects your long-term growth – If you plan to expand into new service offerings or markets, a trademark gives your brand the flexibility to grow.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 36

Many well-known financial institutions and fintech companies have registered trademarks under Class 36. Here are a few examples:

• PayPal® – Protects its brand for digital payments and peer-to-peer money transfers

• Chime® – Covers mobile banking and personal finance services

• State Farm® – Registered for insurance and financial services

These companies rely on trademarks to secure their apps, platforms, advertising, and customer experiences in competitive markets.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 36?

Yes. A comprehensive trademark search is strongly recommended before filing in Class 36. Financial and insurance brands often operate nationally or globally, increasing the chance of similar brand names and potential conflicts.

At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth searches and provide clearance opinions to help ensure your brand name is not only available but also legally protectable.

How to Determine if Class 36 is Right for Your Trademark

If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 36 is the correct category for your services, consider the following:

1. Do you provide financial, insurance, or real estate services?

   • If your business involves money, investment, property, or insurance, this class is likely appropriate.

2. Does your platform manage transactions or financial data?

   • Many fintech companies and apps belong in Class 36 due to the financial nature of their services.

3. Does your service overlap with other trademark classes?

   • Some financial services may require additional classifications. For example:

     • Financial software may also require Class 9 (Software)

     • Educational financial services like workshops or courses could also fall under Class 41

     • Consulting that focuses on business operations might require Class 35

   
   

If your service spans multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we assist banks, fintech startups, insurance companies, and real estate professionals with trademark protection tailored to their industries.

Whether you’re launching a personal finance app, starting an insurance agency, or developing a real estate brand, we provide:

• Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.

• Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 36 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.

• Application Filing & Management – Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.

• Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.

If you’re ready to protect your financial or insurance brand in Class 36, contact us today to get started.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 36: Financial and Insurance Services with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 37: Construction and Repair Services, where we’ll discuss trademarks for contractors, home improvement services, and mechanical repair providers.

Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!