09/29/2025

Citizens Commits More Than $5 Million to Workforce Development in New York City Metro

This investment will bring Citizens’ total commitment to the Tri-State Metro to more than $18 million since 2022

New York – September 29, 2025 – Citizens today pledged more than $5 million over the next three years to support workforce development programs in New York Metro that are dedicated to helping workers meet the evolving economic demands of New York.

“New York’s workforce is one of the most dynamic in the country, and at Citizens, we’re committed to helping people gain the future-ready skills and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Rebecca O’Connell, New York Metro Market President at Citizens. “With these investments, we’re helping to build stronger and more resilient communities across the New York metro region.”

This funding, part of Citizens recently announced $20 million national investment, will support nonprofits that enhance educational and career opportunities and promote economic mobility while addressing the affordability crisis. The initiative, supported by the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, enhances the bank's efforts in neighborhood revitalization and economic development throughout the metro, including:

  • Futures and Options’ internship program which provides career development programming and paid early work experience to high school students while connecting the NYC business community to a diverse and motivated pool of young workers.
  • St. Nick’s Alliance workforce development program which provides in-demand skills training and credentials to help participants secure high-wage career-track jobs.
  • Hot Bread Kitchen which creates economic opportunity by helping develop the technical and professional skills needed for the food industry.

Since Citizens' market entry in 2022, the bank has invested more than $13 million in philanthropic giving across the Tri-State Metro, and local Citizens colleagues have volunteered more than 70,000 hours to support nonprofits across the region.

As part of Citizens previous $10 million national investment for 2024-2025, the bank is on track for $3.75 million in investments in the New York market and surpassed expectations by significantly expanding access to upskilling, reskilling, and career advancement opportunities. Below is a recap of some of the workforce programs funded by Citizens in New York City.

 2022
Citizens committed $350,000 to workforce development in Queens through partnerships with Pursuit ($250,000), Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation ($50,000), and Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation ($50,000). The initiative focused on technical skills training and career counseling in IT and telecommunications.

2023
Citizens invested an additional $400,000 in the Education Design Lab's Community College Growth Engine to support four CUNY Community Colleges. This brought Citizens' total EDL investment to $1 million, helping develop career "micro-pathways" with local employers to address skills gaps.

2024
America On Tech received $50,000 in unrestricted funding as a Citizens 2024 Champion in Action for preparing students and workers for NYC technology jobs. The nonprofit focuses on in-demand tech skills including Web Development, UX Design, Data Science, and Cyber Security.

The Citizens Philanthropic Foundation committed $600,000 over two years for the Brooklyn Youth Offshore Wind Workforce Program, preparing 160 underserved youth from Brownsville for careers in offshore wind with safety certification, training, and paid internships with the potential for high paying jobs.

Citizens provided $500,000 to fund high-speed internet access at affordable housing projects and establish digital learning centers, including a computer center at RiseBoro Youth Center in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

To learn more about Citizens’ Sustainability and Impact strategy and the bank’s efforts to empower the communities it serves, visit here.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $218.3 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025. 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 full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,000 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.