While the pandemic has made things more challenging than ever, Goffstown, New Hampshire, Branch Manager, Melissa, still managed to step up in a big way for a customer who was going through a very challenging time.
In fact, she made such an impact that the customer wrote her a letter of gratitude.
“At the end of the day, when you didn’t really have to, you put on your superhuman cape and jumped right in. If I worked at Citizens Bank, I would start a Human Kindness campaign and have you be a part of the taskforce.”
We couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Melissa, for your dedication to our customers and your commitment to kindness! 💚
Cough medicine — check. Mask — check. Copay for doctor’s app — check. Lost wages — ? Getting sick can cost more than you think. Get an overview of the potential costs here.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
The Cost of Getting Sick
Raise your hand if you miss seeing local musicians at places like Paradise Rock Club , Brighton Music Hall, and Orpheum Theatre Boston! ✋
With the Citizens Bank Live & Local streaming series on Facebook Live, the music comes to you. Stop by for intimate concerts and conversations, with local favorites like STL GLD, Kay Hanley, and Tanya Donelly. Donations support Crew Nation – a global relief fund for live music crews impacted by COVID-19. ♥
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Stream Boston’s Favorite Musicians from the Comfort of Home
Back in June, we made a commitment to further social equity in our local communities. Today, we’ve taken our first step by awarding 100 small businesses each with a $15,000 grant through the Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant program. Click the link below to learn more about the $1.5 million grant program and to see the recipients.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Awarding Minority-Owned Small Businesses $1.5 million
Thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies and all their Phans for a great season!
We hope to see you at Citizens Bank Park in 2021!
Volunteering has been a huge part of Kingston Branch Manager Jane’s life since she was just a teenager.
For the past 20 years, she’s served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations, but for the last several years, she has concentrated her efforts on the Kingston NY Farmers Market, a year-round weekly event that has over 50 vendors who supply farm fresh food and goods to the local community.
People come from all over the tri-county area to purchase healthy food choices. On any given Saturday in the summer, the farmers market can have over 2,000 attendees, and in the winter months, the food bank sets up in a church hall to provide year-round service. The market accepts SNAP benefits, and children get tickets to buy free or discounted goods.
“It feels really good to know that you are contributing to the health and well-being of people in your community,” Jane says.
We’re beyond proud to have employees like Jane who dedicate their time and efforts to serving their communities. 💚
Read more about Citizens’ commitment to fighting hunger: http://spr.ly/6188GIsdm
How do you turn a generations-old family recipe into a product sold at a nationwide grocery store? Hard work, innovation, and perseverance.
La Dorita Dulce de Leche did just that by bottling its authentic Argentine dulce de leche. Then they launched its Kitchen Share Incubator Program to help other food entrepreneurs in the Pittsburgh area. La Dorita Cooks is one of 100 recipients of a $15,000 Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant.
“We love sharing our own food startup experiences with like-minded entrepreneurs within our shared kitchen and around Pittsburgh,” says Josephine Caminos Oria, president and founder of La Dorita Cooks. “I finally found success on my own terms, and better yet, I get to share it with my family.”
Learn how Oria turned her small business into a sweet success story for their whole community at the link below.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Grant Recipient: La Dorita Cooks
Today we launch College Bound Citizens, a digital education program for high school students to make smart decisions about financing higher education. The free digital course and online Family Resource Center we built with EVERFI covers a multitude of topics. Learn more below.
EVERFI
22 hrs ·
America’s growing student-loan debt crisis impacts more than 40 million people nationwide, making it one of the biggest issues facing Americans today.
This is why we teamed up with Citizens Bank to develop Pathways, a new digital course as part of the College Bound Citizens program. This program teaches students and families the basics around paying for college, like understanding student loans, budgeting, and calculating return on investment, so they are better prepared for the future!
Learn more about the College Bound Citizens program: https://everfi.com/press-releases/citizens-and-everfi-launch-course-to-help-educate-high-school-students-on-financing-higher-education/
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a perfect time to perform a cyber wellness check! The first tip? Set alerts on your debit and credit cards, so you know if there are any suspicious charges. Perform a full check at the link below.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Perform a Cyber Wellness Check | Citizens Bank
How do you mentor the women around you in the workplace? Jess, Head of Portfolio Management & Underwriting in Commercial Banking, believes that both formal and informal mentorship relationships are important.
“One of my first mentors drove me to take control of my career. I thought I had pigeonholed myself, but she helped me see that there were alternatives. She believed in my potential and showed me that I could transfer my skills to another industry. That’s why I participate in Business Resource Groups and why I mentor several women, both formally and informally. It’s a way for me to pay it forward.”
In fact, she earned the distinction as number 75 on Yahoo Finance’s 2020 list of HERoes Women Role Model Executives. This list celebrates 100 women who are leading by example and driving change to increase gender diversity in the workplace. Check out Jess’ story.
JOBS.CITIZENSBANK.COM
Women Mentoring Women
More and more employers are offering benefits to help their employees take care of themselves. Ergonomic workspaces, healthy snack choices, and fitness options are just a few. How does your employer support self-care?
CITIZENSBANK.COM
How Employers Support Self Care
On a scale from 1-10, how much do you miss live music? 🔟 With the Citizens Bank Live & Local streaming series, watch live, unfiltered performances from amazing artists like songwriter and musician Chris Trapper, best known as the singer and guitarist of The Push Stars and for his song “This Time” from the film “August Rush”! RSVP below to catch his performance live on Crossroads Presents' Facebook page on Tuesday, October 27, at 7 pm.
Learn more about Citizens Bank Live & Local here: http://spr.ly/CitizensBankLL
TUE, OCT 27 AT 7:00 PM EDT
Citizens Bank Live & Local: Chris Trapper
It’s been four years since retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant John Blizinski was awarded a fully renovated and furnished home through our partnership with Military Warriors Support Foundation. Once the surprise wore off, he had to settle into not only civilian life, but homeownership as well. How’s he doing? What lessons has he learned through his three-year mentorship program?
“I’m in a good position now, blessed with a good job, and I’m building my savings up. I’m blessed,” said John.
To read the full interview with John, visit the link below.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Putting down roots
We believe that the success of the communities we serve is critical to our success, and our employees believe it, too. Over the past five years, the amount of volunteer time they’ve logged has increased by 144%. Our colleagues serve on the boards or committees of more than 1,200 community groups, lending their expertise to organizations that provide vital services across our footprint.
Learn more about our colleague volunteerism in our latest Corporate Responsibility Report. ⬇️
CITIZENSBANK.COM
How Citizens employees are giving back
“We have one of the best adoption benefits programs – it’s very impressive,” says our colleague, Jared.
Jared and his family have been having lots of fun making new memories. Their adopted son is now in pre-school, about to turn 3. He has a passion for trucks, Paw Patrol, and following his older brother around. Despite spending many weeks at multiple hospitals after he was born and undergoing open heart surgery at 2 months old, he has no lingering effects and is a ball of energy!
Check out his story below. 👇
JOBS.CITIZENSBANK.COM
Our Colleagues Adoption Journeys
Sharon, a colleague for over 30 years, is making a difference inside and outside of work by helping drive social equity efforts in her community. Sharon volunteers her time with the Greater Bridgeport NAACP – the largest civil rights organization in the country. To read about how Sharon is helping in the journey to equality, click the link below.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Colleagues Drive Inclusion Efforts
They’ve served us – and now we’re ready to serve them. 🇺🇸
Welcoming them home
Meet our worthy veterans
Home sweet home
Getting a fresh start
Ready to aid our veterans
Ready to work with us?
See more at
citizensbank.com
How can one small business attempt to restore an entire city? One property at a time.
Motor City Preservation, a Detroit-based property preservation company, takes vacant, blighted properties and makes them safe and sound for future occupants. Motor City Preservation is one of 100 recipients of a $15,000 Citizens Minority-Owned Small Business Grant.
“My grandmother has told me about Detroit in the ‘50s, when there were millions of people living here and the houses were new,” shares owner and founder Darnell Jackson. “I look at old photos of some of the houses we are currently working on and I want to restore them back to their former glory.”
See how Motor City Preservation is helping build a successful future for Detroit at the link below.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Grant Recipient: Motor City Preservation
Meet our colleague Shani, and her adorable bundle of joy, Dorian Justin.👩👦
With so much to do with a new baby at home, it can be easy to forget about managing your finances, especially for first-time parents. Shani recommends focusing on taking advantage of rewards programs for routine purchases, because the savings on things like diapers and wipes can really add up.
Another thing she’s focused on? “Starting a savings account for the baby right away is essential. You get so busy with an infant that financial decisions are often put off and forgotten about,” shares Shani. “So I recommend determining what your priorities are early, and it’s okay if they change over time.”
What are some savings tips you have for first-time parents? Tell us below. 👇
Tax season is here, and so is the possibility of tax identity theft. That’s what happens when someone files a fake return using your Social Security number in order to get a refund — but keeping your data secure online can help protect you from that.
Ready to defend yourself against cybercriminals? Check out these tips:
• File early in the tax season.
• Use a secure Internet connection.
• Make sure you’re using the legitimate IRS website — www.IRS.gov.
• If you store your tax records on your computer, make sure you encrypt them.
• Don’t respond to any alleged IRS phone calls, texts or emails — the IRS will only contact you via mail.
• Only give out your SSN if absolutely necessary and try not to carry your card with you.
Want more cybersecurity tips? Head to the link below.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Defend Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft
Since 2002, the Citizens Champions in Action program has provided more than $9 million in unrestricted funds to 352 deserving nonprofit organizations (our Champions) that have worked to strengthen our communities.
Meet Gather, House of Hope CDC, Center of Life, Daily Table, and the Garces Family Foundation, our 2021 Champions in Action for COVID-19 relief. ⬇
Champion in Action: Gather
Gather was awarded $35K for championing COVID-19 relief.
Champion in Action: House of Hope CDC
House of Hope CDC was awarded $35K for championing COVID-19 relief.
Champion in Action: Daily Table
Daily Table was awarded $35K for championing COVID-19 relief.
Champion in Action: Center of Life
Center of Life was awarded $35K for championing COVID-19 relief.
Champion in Action: The Garces Foundation
The Garces Foundation was awarded $35K for championing COVID-19 relief.
See more at
citizensbank.com
Looking for safe and affordable time off that’s close to home? From daytrips to at-home camping to volunteer opportunities, check out some great ideas to make the most of your winter staycation.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Ready for a Staycation?
Due to today's inclement weather, the hours of operation for some of our local branches have been impacted. For the most up-to-date information on branch closures, visit our website here: http://spr.ly/6181HdUhh
It’s Identity Theft Awareness Week — do you know if your identity is safe online? Head to our cyber security hub at the link below to find tips on how to be safer online, how to protect your data, and how to perform your own cyber wellness check.
CITIZENSBANK.COM
Identity Theft Awareness Week