Show What Excel Can't. Investment Firm Needs Artist Eye for Logo

Cedar Bay Capital

A start-up investment firm that focuses on smaller companies to invest in. Small firm with a small staff that will need every available tool to compete with the big boys in the field. We invest in entrepreneurial companies that others ignore but we need a logo that shows we need to be taken seriously, and have put considerable effort into everything we do, right down to our logo.

The name was chosen for sentimental reasons as well as the notion that cedars convey stability, serenity, and a strong foundation.

Wealthy Individuals, larger investment firms, pension funds and charities, both domestic and international. This will mostly be targeted at older, more experienced professionals who meet with many other investment firms in their line of business so needs to strike the right balance between standing out and too flashy.

We want it to convey integrity, professionalism, trust, and stability. This is the first thing many potential clients will see and we need it to strike the right cord.

Regarding the logo, we want it to be memorable, and come across as something from a much more established firm

The entire name must be used

White background is preferable as this will be the face of the firm on the internet as well, but not absolutely necessary...if it's great we will consider it
The logo must be usable when translated to black and white

-Typeface should Clear and bold but feel free to experiment with colors but no red
-Capitalization can be ALL Caps or only the first letter of each word
-NO Dollar Signs, flashy colors, fancy script, or movement in the logo
-Nothing tacky or whimsical

If Tree icon is used, a specific type of cedar is desired and the pictures are included below to give an idea of what this cedar looks like.
Also, feel free to experiment with using an image of a bay if it fits

The logo will probably be used on business cards as well which will probably be a follow-up project

No stock images or clip art in the logo