If you have a TV, computer, cell phone, newspaper, eyes, ears, or any of the five senses at all, you know that both Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers experienced an interesting turn of events over the past weekend. In case you don’t, Lehman Brothers, one of the world’s four major banks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In the very same weekend, Merrill Lynch, another large player in the world banking market, was bought out by Bank of America.

While I’m no Allen Greenspan, I know this is bad. I cannot even pretend to understand how all of these events unfolded. But I do a have a theory. A design theory. Even though Merrill Lynch was bought out, at least they were bought. Lehman Brothers on the other hand was not.

In the frame of reference of my expertise, one reason for all this failure stands out. Logos. Take a look at these two logos and the companies they represent.

Please do not get me wrong, I understand the industry, culture, and history of these two companies. Bright, colorful, or light hearted logos wouldn’t fit. As a logo enthusiast, I personally have to give Lehman Brothers an F for effort. I am only jesting of course by implying that boredom leads to bankruptcy. That being said, from a strictly visual perspective, Merrill Lynch is the only company I would pay any money for too.

Think this is a one time coincidence? Take a look at two other firms who have been bought out or gone under…

Bought out by J.P. Morgan

Bailed out by the U.S. Government

Coincidence? I don’t think so. Any other companies you’ve seen that went under possibly because of their snore of a logo? All I know is it seems like there may be something deeper here than it would seem.