Capitalization

Note: Avoid using all uppercase in text and headings, unless it’s for design purposes.

Capitalization with Punctuation 

Capitalize the word following a colon only if it begins a complete sentence. If it doesn’t, keep it lowercase.

Capitalize the first letters of words that start bullets, even when the bulleted items are not complete sentences.

Board of Directors

Capitalize board of directors when it is part of a proper name, e.g., "the Arizona Chapter Board of Directors," and when it’s part of a heading.

Lowercase board of directors when used alone or before the proper title, e.g., "the board of directors of First National Bank." 

The same rules apply to board, board of trustees, board of managers, and board of regents.

Chair, Chairman, Chairwoman

In general, use chair instead of chairman or chairwoman, e.g., "the chapter chair."

Chairwoman or chairman may be used along with a name: "Chairwoman Sally Smith" or "Chairman Joe Smith." 

Capitalize chair, chairman, and chairwoman only when the title precedes a name; keep it lowercase elsewhere.

Chapter

Capitalize chapter when used as part of a specific name, e.g., the Arizona Chapter. Otherwise, chapter should be lowercase.

Colleges and Universities

Capitalize college or university when part of a proper name: "San Diego State College of Education, University of Illinois." Do not capitalize the word college or university when it’s used alone: "I attend the local university. “

Currency

In text, when spelled out, currencies are presented in lowercase, e.g., yen, dollar, euro. 

Currency abbreviations are always presented in uppercase.
  • Australian dollar – AUD
  • Canadian dollar – CAD
  • Swiss franc – CHF
  • Euro - EUR
  • British pound – GBP
  • Hong Kong dollar – HKD
  • Japanese yen – JPY 
  • Mexican peso – MXN
  • Norwegian krone – NOK
  • New Zealand dollar – NZD
  • Polish zloty – PLN
  • Swedish krona – SEK
  • Singapore dollar – SGD
  • Turkish lira – TRY
  • U.S. dollar – USD
  • Ounces of silver – XAG
  • South African rand – ZAR

Nouns

Capitalize people, places, and other proper nouns. When in doubt, use lowercase.
RMA Institutional Exceptions 

Capitalize “the” in The Risk Management Association. For all other organizations whose names begin with “the,” keep the "t" lowercase.

Capitalize “the” in  The RMA Journal. When writing “the Journal,” “the” is lowercase.

In text, capitalize the names of membership levels, but not the word membership: 
  • Professional membership
  • Institutional membership
  • Academic membership
  • Student membership
  • Associate membership
When referring to RMA members, capitalize:
  • Associate
  • Alternate Associate
  • Senior Associate

Capitalize “Association” when referring to RMA.

Capitalize the following RMA designations:
  • Annual Conference
  • Executive Committee
  • All RMA divisions and units
  • RMA Board of Directors

Capitalize RMA awards, e.g., Distinguished Service Award

Capitalize the name of a law or act when the full, official title is given or when using a title by which a law or act is most commonly known.
Examples:  Sherman Antitrust Act, Social Security Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
Do not capitalize an act when it stands alone or is shortened to a general description.
Example: the financial modernization act.
In Spreadsheets (e.g., financial statements)
Capitalize each word in column headings, but use sentence case in rows. 

Titles – Headings and Titles of Works

In headings and titles of works, use mixed case (upper/lowercase)—it’s more readable.
Avoid using all uppercase, unless it’s for design purposes.

In headings and titles of works, do not capitalize articles (the, a, an), prepositions (e.g., to, for, in, by, before, under), or conjunctions (e.g., and, or, but, so).  

Exception : The first and last words of a title are always capitalized. Example: It’s Time for the Medicine to Kick In.

Capitalize short verbs, such as is, are, and be.

Titles – Job Titles

In Text
Capitalize job titles when they precede a name, e.g., RMA President Bill Githens.

Lowercase job titles when they follow the name, e.g., Bill Githens, president of RMA.

If the last name only is used, do not capitalize the job title.
Example:
The bank made a recommendation based on a report by economist Smith. 

Titles used alone in place of a name should be lowercase.
Examples: 
  •    professor
  •    president
  •    chair
In biographies: 
Capitalize job titles when they precede a name, e.g., RMA President Githens.

Lowercase job titles when they follow the name, e.g., Bill Githens, president of RMA.
Lowercase job titles when they stand alone.

In Lists
Capitalize titles used in lists, even when they follow a name: 
Examples:
  •     Bill Githens, President/CEO
  •     Ed DeMarco, General Counsel

Titles – in Spreadsheets (e.g. financial statements)

Capitalize each word in column headings, but use sentence case in rows.