Citizens Bank to be honored for Outstanding Corporate Citizenship

Citizens Bank will be awarded the second annual 1851 YMCA of Greater Boston Legacy Award for Corporate Citizenship for the financial institution’s unwavering commitment to creating thriving communities. Citizens Bank Massachusetts President Jerry Sargent, of Hingham, will accept the award at the Y’s annual Spark Party on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The 1851 YMCA Legacy Award for Corporate Citizenship recognizes a corporation in Greater Boston who exemplifies the YMCA’s mission and is a strong advocate for ensuring that everyone in our community has the opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life. The award recognizes institutions that model good corporate citizenship and are committed to creating meaningful and measurable impact on the Greater Boston community.

“Good citizenship is in our DNA so we could not be prouder to celebrate the lasting impact of the work that the YMCA has done throughout our community,” said Jerry Sargent, President of Citizens Bank Massachusetts. “This award is an honor but it is truly a testament to the collective effort of so many volunteers, community ambassadors, and nonprofit partners.”

Since 1828, Citizens Bank has worked to build partnerships and create connections between public, private and community interests to develop neighborhoods, transform lives and help stimulate economic renewal. Walking its talk, Citizens employees roll up their sleeves to work alongside their neighbors to build stronger and more secure communities. For nearly 20 years, a senior leadership representative from Citizens Bank has served on the Y’s board of directors. Under the leadership of Sargent, Citizens has contributed nearly $900,000 to support the Y’s adult job training and international learning programs and provided countless tickets to Boston sporting events and cultural institutions for the Y’s children and families.

“Both Citizens and the YMCA of Greater Boston have a long history of shared core values of improving the quality of life for all,” says James Morton, YMCA of Greater Boston President and CEO. “This shared commitment to sparking good citizens is rooted in the belief that when people and communities reach their potential, we all thrive. Investing in workplace development and teaching the English language opens opportunities for our neighbors.”

The Spark Party is the Y's largest annual fundraising event, bringing together over 300 respected community leaders and individuals in support of greater Boston's children and families. This year, Sargent will accept the award alongside two other prominent members of the Boston community who have championed health, wellness, and youth development: Jay Hajj, chef and owner of Mike’s Diner, who will accept the 1851 YMCA of Greater Boston Civic Engagement Award, and Hope Aldrich, CEO and President of Eastern Insurance Group, who will accept the 1851 YMCA of Greater Boston Legacy Award for Volunteer Leadership.

About the YMCA of Greater Boston

The YMCA of Greater Boston is one of Massachusetts leading nonprofits committed to strengthening communities by improving health, empowering youth and activating people for good. Every day the Y works with thousands of men, women, and children to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has access to Y programs and services. As the nation’s fifth largest charity, the Y is creating a community of caring people through meaningful memberships. For more than 165 years, the Y has been developing skills and emotional well-being through education and training, welcoming and connecting diverse populations, preventing chronic disease and building healthier communities. The YMCA of Greater Boston is America’s first Y.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $155.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 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 3,200 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.

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