What is the standard punctuation used in the salutation of a business letter?

In a business letter, the standard punctuation used in the salutation is a colon. This choice is based on formal writing conventions that enhance clarity and professionalism.

Using a colon following the salutation indicates a formal tone, which is essential in business communication. For instance, in a salutation like "Dear Mr. Smith:", the colon signifies that the letter is addressing the recipient directly and is set to present information or a message that follows. This is in line with traditional business practices.

Other punctuation marks such as commas, periods, and semicolons do not align with the standard expectations for formal letters. A comma might be found in less formal contexts or personal letters but does not project the same level of professionalism as a colon. Similarly, periods and semicolons are not used in salutations for business correspondence, as they can disrupt the expected structure and clarity of the greeting.