02/16/2011
Citizens Bank conducts Money Smart training in Philadelphia
Additional 20 branch and regional managers certified as part of ongoing commitment to financial literacy
PHILADELPHIA (February 16, 2011) - Citizens Bank announced today that it has certified an additional 20 branch and regional managers to deliver Money Smart financial literacy training as part of the bank’s continuing commitment to educate the public about topics such as checking and savings accounts, how to obtain credit, and knowing your rights as a consumer. More than 100 Citizens Bank colleagues are trained and certified in the FDIC’s Money Smart curriculum so that they can teach and educate consumers about money matters.
“Financial literacy is a crucial life skill that many people, especially adults, were never taught in school or by their parents,” said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank President and CEO for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. “Money Smart courses can help people of all ages to become more self-sufficient by teaching them how to manage their personal finances, understand their rights and options, and fully comprehend the benefits and consequences of financial decisions.”
The certification training process, which includes six hours of classroom work, was conducted on February 15, when 20 key Citizens Bank colleagues received specialized training. The training demonstrated how each subject matter can be modified and used to teach audiences ranging from elementary school children to adults.
The Money Smart curriculum, developed by the FDIC, includes 11 education modules on topics such as:
• Bank On It, an introduction to bank services.
• Check It Out, how to choose and keep a checking account.
• Borrowing Basics, an introduction to credit.
• Money Matters, how to keep track of your money.
• Pay Yourself First, why you should save, save, save.
• Keep It Safe, your rights as a consumer.
• To Your Credit, how your credit history will affect your credit future.
• Charge It Right, how to make a credit card work for you.
• Loan to Own, know what you’re borrowing before you buy.
• Your Own Home, what homeownership is all about.
• Financial Recovery, evaluating your financial situation and developing a recovery plan.
“Citizens Bank has a long history of educating the public about financial matters,” said Fitzpatrick. “By continuing to train additional Citizens Bank colleagues, we believe that every branch manager and other senior leaders will be even better prepared to share their knowledge with local schools, churches, community groups and employees at area businesses.”
In 2009 and 2010, Citizens Bank provided financial education to more than 4,200 people throughout eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Citizens Bank colleagues are available to teach Money Smart classes in a variety of foreign languages including Spanish and Chinese. Citizens Bank can also provide a Braille version of the program.
Anyone interested in financial literacy programs offered through Citizens Bank should contact William A. Smith, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investments by calling 267-671-1053. The seminars are free and are applicable to any age group.
About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has 385 branches and 959 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 15 retail branches and 104 ATMs in southern New Jersey and a commercial loan office in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $136 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I.
Citizens Financial Group, through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,500 branches, approximately 3,800 ATMs and approximately 22,600 employees. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 12-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
