Citizens Bank Announces $112K In Financial Literacy Contributions

PITTSBURGH, PA -- As part of its ongoing commitment to give consumers the confidence and tools they need to reach their potential, Citizens Bank has announced that seven nonprofit organizations in Greater Pittsburgh will receive $112,000 in contributions through the Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money financial literacy initiative.

The Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program is a yearly effort by the bank to teach financial literacy throughout the communities it serves. This year, the bank will provide more than $1.5 million in contributions to 80 nonprofits in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. The program will help people obtain a better understanding of financial topics ranging from the basics of checking accounts to the intricacies of household budgeting and long-term financial planning.

Citizens Bank also offers helpful tips on its website for consumers to learn how to budget and save as well as advice on how to save to buy a home, seek identity protection and more. The bank is also inviting those interested in learning more about money management to follow along on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to learn and share tips about topics such as goal-setting, saving, and managing credit. The bank’s Community Ambassadors will offer their real-world tips on saving and money management.

“At Citizens, we believe that becoming financially savvy is a skill that benefits everyone. Learning the basics is the first step in achieving your financial goals and getting on the path to financial security,” said Mark Latterner, President, Citizens Bank, Western Pennsylvania Market. “With Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money, Citizens Bank colleagues will provide members of our communities with the knowledge, confidence and resources they need to budget, save, invest and be fiscally healthy.”

Here are the funding recipients in Greater Pittsburgh and how the money will be used:

• Mon Valley Initiative – To provide pre-purchase housing counseling to low-to-moderate income individuals and families.
• East Liberty Development, Inc. – To support the high-impact Circles program that focuses on getting people out of poverty through weekly meetings and mentorships.
• Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania – To support the JA Financing the Future Initiative to provide students the opportunity to gain a strong financial grounding.
• Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. – To support the Financial Capability program to provide low-to-moderate income families with the skills to take control of their finances and build wealth.
• North Side Industrial Development Company– To support New Business New Beginnings 5.0, a workshop series for minorities, women, veterans and disadvantaged businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods to get on the pathway to success.
• Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group - To stabilize and revitalize distressed and transitional neighborhoods of low-to-moderate income residents through the creation of homeowners.
• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation - To offer financial literacy services to help low-to-moderate income residents identify and overcome barriers to homeownership.

Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money is part of the bank’s broader Citizens Helping Citizens program, which addresses three key areas: hunger, financial education and strengthening communities.

For additional information on Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money, visit Citizens’ website.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $153.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2018. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,300 ATMs and approximately 1,150 branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services, including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest rate products, and asset finance. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.