In a significant expansion of its community commitment, Citizens Bank announced a $2.85 million investment to support 135 nonprofit organizations across 23 states, including a strong focus on New Jersey’s diverse communities.
The announcement, made to coincide with Financial Literacy Month, aims to bridge the gap in financial education for students, families, and small business owners. The funding supports foundational skills like budgeting and saving, while also providing critical tools for navigating major life milestones such as college planning and small business growth.
For New Jersey residents, the investment reinforces Citizens’ long-standing presence in the region. The bank’s strategy combines direct financial support with the expertise of its employees to meet people where they are—whether in the classroom, the local community center, or online.
Key Pillars of the 2026 Initiative:
- Foundational Skills: Budgeting and money management workshops for individuals and families.
- Inclusion & Diversity: Culturally responsive education programs, including workshops offered in Spanish, English, and soon, Chinese.
- Tax Stability: Support for free tax preparation and financial stability initiatives to help families access critical refunds.
- Small Business Growth: Through Digital Doors™, a partnership with Mastercard, entrepreneurs receive training on establishing an online presence and managing digital payments.
“Access to clear, practical financial education can make a real difference in how people navigate important moments in their lives,” Bruce Van Saun, chairman and CEO of Citizens said. “We’re focused on helping people build skills that support informed choices and long-term financial well-being.”
Central to this initiative is Citizens Money Essentials, a program where bank employees volunteer their time to lead financial empowerment workshops. In 2025 alone, Citizens colleagues contributed nearly 8,000 hours of volunteer service across 21 markets.
In addition to leading workshops, employees partner with national organizations like Junior Achievement (JA) and the Council of Economic Education to bring real-world financial experience into New Jersey schools, mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Recognizing that college is one of the most significant financial hurdles for families, Citizens has expanded its Student Hub. This digital ecosystem provides resources for every stage of the journey—from saving and borrowing to navigating repayment—complementing the bank’s College Bound webinar series, which reached over 4,000 students and families last year.
This latest investment follows a string of accolades for the bank’s philanthropic efforts. Citizens recently ranked No. 15 on Newsweek’s America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 list, a reflection of its broader mission to foster economic opportunity and build a more resilient workforce.
