Citizens Financial Group Named ‘Bank of the Year’ by The Banker

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Key Terms

open banking technical

Open banking is a system that lets customers securely share their bank account and payment information with trusted third-party apps and services, like allowing a finance app to view transactions or initiate payments on their behalf. For investors, it matters because it can reshape how financial services compete and make money—enabling new business models, faster customer acquisition, and fee or margin pressure for traditional banks, as well as creating regulatory and execution risks.

ai-driven technical

AI-driven describes products, services, processes or decisions that rely on artificial intelligence—software that detects patterns in data and makes predictions or choices without step-by-step human direction. For investors it signals potential for faster growth, lower operating costs or new revenue, but also new risks (model errors, data problems, regulatory limits); think of it like a smart thermostat that can save energy and money but can also misbehave if fed bad information.

digital account opening platform technical

A digital account opening platform is an online system that lets customers sign up for financial accounts—bank, brokerage, or investment—entirely through a website or app, using identity checks, document uploads and automated verification instead of paper forms. For investors, it matters because faster, cheaper, and easier onboarding can boost customer growth and reduce costs, while also concentrating operational and regulatory risk that can affect profitability and reputation like a single front door for many new customers.

12/16/2025 - 09:07 AM

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CFG) has been named Bank of the Year 2025 for the U.S. by The Banker, an outlet of The Financial Times. This is the second time Citizens has received this award as part of the publication’s annual global banking awards, having previously been honored in 2022.

The Banker cited Citizens’ focus on strong customer relationships and steady, sustainable growth potential as setting it apart from its competitors. This includes the expansion of Citizens Private Bank into key markets including New York, Palm Beach, and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the scaling of its Wealth Management business.

The publication also highlighted the increasing competitive advantage Citizens has created through continued technology investments, including agile operating model transformation, integrated developer platforms, AI-driven productivity tools, and the introduction of a digital account opening platform to extend open banking access to all customers.

“We’re honored to receive this prestigious recognition from The Banker, a testament to our distinctive enterprise strategy, our customer-centric culture, and successful execution of our key growth initiatives,” said Bruce Van Saun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Citizens. “By focusing on relationship-driven business opportunities, expanding our digital capabilities, and investing in new technologies, we are driving innovation, growth and long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards recognize the institutions that combine financial strength with strategic clarity, technological progress and a commitment to their customers and communities. Banks in 132 countries were recognized in this year’s awards, and submissions were reviewed by The Banker’s editorial committee and a number of external judges.

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.