DFIN Logo – Brand Identity

DFIN Logo
 

Gary Lewis Evans
LinkedIn Bio; https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyevans/
  



The US Trademark Is In Place
Don’t Underestimate The Value of a Trademark
and a Matching 4 Letter Domain



Dfin.com is The Foundation Domain of a very unique
11 Asset Branding Package 

   1996 DFIN Logo
Gold to Paper to Digits

  1996 Digital Financier
:     “Before the metaverse, before DeFi — there was DFIN.
The original digital financier.”



DFIN.com Logo

Where Digital Financial Foresight Meets Institutional Vision

DFIN.Com brand story is rooted in the Pioneering early days of Digital Finance, evolving from a scholarly resource into a strategic symbol of economic foresight. Originally conceived as the online continuation of The Financial Institutions Internet Source Book, DFIN.com was built to help universities curate and contextualize financial innovation. Over time, it expanded beyond domain-first digital real estate into a multidimensional platform—blending early internet banking, macroeconomic insight, and digital asset strategy into a cohesive institutional identity. Today, DFIN.com stands as a legacy brand at the intersection of technology, finance, and academia.

As part of DFIN research and development efforts, two businesses were created in DFIN and spun out. DigitU an online financial training site for banks and credit unions.  Bank of Internet USA was also created and opened on July 4, 2000. BofI changed its name to AXOS Bank in 2018.

·       DigitU =  Digital University Financial Training  Feb 1999

·       Bank of Internet =  An early website of AXOS  Bank    October 2002

·     Pioneered Internet Bank = La Jolla Bank Pioneered Internet Banking      1994

Since 1996, DFIN.com has pioneered the belief that domain names are the real estate of the future—where financial foresight starts with strategic naming, digital positioning, and ownership. Today, DFIN.com extends that vision into the evolving frontier of NFTs and the Metaverse, redefining digital property for the next generation.

Articles, videos, and other media have been curated for their relevance and quality,

Here is a breakdown of the brand story and symbolism for DFIN.com since 1996.

  • 1996–2016: Digital Finance Pioneer
     
    • DFIN originally stood for Digital Finance and Digital Financier, reflecting its early embrace of internet banking and domain-based branding.
    • Tailored to University student’s introduction to Digital Finance
    • Founded by Gary Lewis Evans, a pioneer in online banking and former founder and founding CEO of AXOS Bank, the brand emphasized macro-economic insight, digital asset foresight, and digital first strategy.
    • The site positioned domain names as digital real estate, a metaphor that framed them as appreciating, scarce, and brand-defining assets—akin to prime physical property.
  • 2016–Present: Strategic Repositioning
     
    • DFIN.com evolved into a thought leadership platform focused on macroeconomics, digital transformation, and asset valuation.
    • It now serves as a knowledge hub for investors, bankers, and entrepreneurs navigating the intersection of traditional finance, DeFi, and Web3.
    • Built Blockchain payment Network to replace high cost Vica and Mastercard Networks.
    • The brand’s voice is shaped by decades of banking experience, economic cycles, and a contrarian, data-driven worldview.
  • Digital Real Estate as Core Metaphor
     
    • Domains are framed as scarce, appreciating assets hedge against inflation and a branding tool.
    • This metaphor extends to the metaverse and NFTs, reinforcing the idea that ownership and naming rights are central to digital sovereignty.
  • Macro-Economic Lens
     
    • The brand frequently references Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, and historical economic cycles to ground its insights.
    • It emphasizes value investing, contrarian thinking, and preparation for downturns, aligning with a long-term, risk-aware philosophy.
  • Legacy and Institutional Credibility
     
    • The founder’s background in bank receiverships, complex loan pool purchases, loan workouts, and regulatory navigation lends the brand a tone of institutional gravitas.
    • This positions DFIN.com as both a market commentator and a strategic advisor for navigating economic uncertainty.

Brand Personality and Voice

  • Contrarian yet grounded: Challenges mainstream narratives with data-backed analysis.
  • Institutional yet entrepreneurial: Speaks to both regulators and risk-takers.
  • Legacy-driven: Focused on long-term value, not hype cycles.
  • Digital Real Estate is Foundational: Domains are not just addresses — they are brand anchors, investment vehicles, and strategic assets.
  • Macro Matters: Asset values are shaped by political, economic, and technological forces. DFIN tracks these with precision and contrarian clarity.
  • Legacy is Built, Not Bought: Institutional credibility comes from decades of hands-on leadership, not trend-chasing.
  • Preparation Beats Prediction: In volatile cycles, readiness and rationality outperform speculation.

Brand Voice

  • Wise, not flashy — grounded in historical cycles and Buffett-style value thinking.
  • Contrarian, not cynical — challenges mainstream narratives with data and experience.
  • Institutional, yet entrepreneurial — speaks to regulators, investors, and innovators alike.

Strategic Applications

  • Homepage Narrative: “Since 1996, DFIN has tracked the forces that shape all asset values — including domain names and digital Metaverse economies.”
  • SEO Positioning: Keywords like “digital real estate,” “domain-first branding,” “macro asset strategy,” “receivership expertise,” “Buffett investing principles.”
  • Themes: “From banking to blockchain: 30 years of asset foresight”; “Domains as legacy anchors in the digital economy.”
  • Near Term  2026 DFIN Targets are Socialism and Ai





 

The DFIN Brand Was Introduced on January 1 1997

DFIN.com was the first Domain representing Digital Finance. The Financial Institutions Internet Sourcebook is a strategic guide from 1997 that explores how financial institutions can leverage the Internet for marketing, customer engagement, and operational innovation.

  • Authors: Gary Lewis Evans and Dr. Kenneth J. Thygerson
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill
  • Length: 150 pages
  • Published: January 1, 1997
  • Focus: Helping financial professionals understand and utilize the Internet as a
    transformative tool for their institutions Amazon
    Catalogue : Library : The University of Melbourne.

Key Themes and Chapters

  • Internet Fundamentals: Explains the basics of the Internet and the World Wide Web, tailored for financial professionals.
  • Strategic Uses: Offers guidance on how banks and financial service providers can develop and implement effective web strategies.
  • Web Design and Maintenance: Covers what makes a quality financial website and how to build and sustain one.
  • Customer Behavior: Analyzes why customers use financial websites and what features attract them.
  • Case Studies: Includes examples like La Jolla Bank’s early web adoption and a small Internet bank’s rapid IPO success.
  • Security and Regulation: Discusses web security issues and how regulatory agencies operate online.
  • Electronic Money: Introduces concepts of digital currency and its implications for financial services.
  • Web Services for Staff: Lists valuable online tools for different roles within financial institutions.
  • Economic Data Access: Highlights web-based sources for financial and economic information Catalogue : Library : The University of Melbourne.

Why It Mattered

At the time of publication, the Internet was still emerging as a business tool. This sourcebook:

  • Bridged the gap between tech and finance for non-technical managers.
  • Forecasted trends like online banking, digital marketing, and web-based customer service.
  • Encouraged innovation by showing how early adopters gained competitive advantages.

This book offers a rich snapshot of the industry's mindset in the late '90s.

How BofI Holding, Inc. Revolutionized the Banking Industry Almost 20 Years Ago

 https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/22/how-bofi-holding-revolutionized-the-banking-indust.aspx

Gary Lewis Evans                Internet Sourcebook
               

Gary Lewis Evans, Early 90s Photo











Contact: Gary Lewis Evans; GLE@DFIN.com; 858.210.0486

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LinkedIn Bio; https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyevans/

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