11/20/2025
Citizens And New Jersey Devils Now Accepting Applications For Jersey Shops Presented By Citizens
FOUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO RECEIVE $5,000 DURING REMAINDER OF THE 2025-26 SEASON TO SUPPORT BUSINESS GROWTH
UP TO 50 ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES TO RECEIVE FREE PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Newark, NJ – November 20, 2025 – New Jersey small businesses have another avenue for funding, promotional support, and networking thanks to a partnership between Citizens and the New Jersey Devils. Applications are now open for the Jersey Shops presented by Citizens program for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season. Businesses can learn more and apply by visiting newjerseydevils.com/jerseyshops. Winners will be selected on a rolling basis through April. Winners will be selected on a rolling basis through April.
Again this year, Citizens will provide four selected businesses with $5,000 to support their small business growth, as well as one year of professional support and networking, through Luminary® valued at $2,500 each. The featured businesses will also receive a custom video vignette created by the Devils content team and amplified on Devils and Citizens channels, including in-arena features, website inclusions and social media to gain exposure throughout the state.
The 2024-2025 grand prize winners were:
- Bella Nail Lounge of Newark
- Fearvana Yoga of Kenilworth
- Pencilworks Studio of Little Falls
- Salon Concrete of Holmdel
Up to 50 additional spotlight businesses will also receive a dedicated listing on the Jersey Shops official webpage and a Jersey Shops promotional kit including “Made in Jersey” window decals, merchandise, and invitations to Devils networking events throughout the season.
“At Citizens, we know the important role that small businesses play as the heartbeat of our local communities,” said Mark Valentino, Head of Business Banking, Citizens. “We’re proud to support small businesses – in our everyday work and with programs like Jersey Shops – to help expand the positive impact they make in the region.”
The Jersey Shops presented by Citizens program is part of a multitude of Devils community initiatives that reflect the organization’s commitment to supporting small businesses throughout New Jersey.
“With the help of Citizens for the past four years, the Jersey Shops program has helped nearly 100 small businesses throughout the state,” said Ned Luke, Vice President, Partnerships Activation & Solutions, New Jersey Devils & Prudential Center. “Programs like this give local businesses a platform to shine and we are proud to continue in our support in providing the visibility and resources needed to grow.”
Citizens’ Commitment to New Jersey
Since expanding into the Tri-State metro area in 2022, through the acquisitions of HSBC’s East Coast branches and New Jersey-based Investors Bank, Citizens has grown its presence in the state across its business lines. The bank has 174 branches in the Tri-State Metro area and has seen top-quartile household and deposit growth in the most competitive market in the country.
Citizens is committed to becoming part of the states’ fabric and has established partnerships that expand economic opportunity, invest in workforce development, and celebrate the culture, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of New Jersey. As the official bank of the Prudential Center, the New Jersey Devils and New York Giants and through collaborations with community organizations like Junior Achievement New Jersey, LISC, and New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Citizens is dedicated to helping create a stronger, more vibrant future for New Jersey.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $222.7 billion in assets as of September 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 3,100 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.
About the New Jersey Devils:
The New Jersey Devils are part of the 32-team National Hockey League, with teams throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1982, they recently celebrated their 40th season in the Garden State. During that time, the team has won three Stanley Cup Championships: 1995, 2000 and 2003. Follow the Devils at NewJerseyDevils.com, on Facebook, X, and Instagram. The New Jersey Devils organization is a HBSE property.
