CLEVELAND (October 3, 2005) - Charter One Bank has launched a corporate-wide effort to support nonprofit agencies throughout Ohio. The multi-faceted "Join Us" initiative is part of the bank's exceptional commitment to the communities it serves.
The "Join Us" initiative begins today with the launch of a new television commercial that focuses on the spirit of community commitment and invites viewers to get involved in their communities. The campaign is in addition to Charter One's Champions in Action program, a new initiative designed to recognize and provide support to nonprofit organizations. Agencies named Champions in Action will receive a $25,000 grant, media coverage and extensive promotional and volunteer support.
"At Charter One, we believe in giving back and partnering in the communities where we operate. Now we are putting our significant resources, including our advertising and our web site, to work to promote nonprofits that need our support and to encourage our colleagues and costumers to volunteer," said Ned Handy, President and CEO of Charter One Bank, Ohio.
"This inspiring campaign will promote the importance of volunteerism and encourage Ohioans to join us in making a difference in our communities," continued Handy.
The TV commercial is just one component of the campaign for customers. As part of this project, the bank has enhanced its Web site, www.charterone.com/community, to offer exciting new options including:
- The opportunity to get involved with the Champions in Action program, including detailed information on how to become a Champion.
- A direct link to local volunteer centers, which help connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in their community.
- Information for nonprofits about how to apply for a grant from the Charter One Foundation.
Since Citizens Financial Group, Charter One's parent company, launched the "Join Us" initiative this summer in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region, the Web site has been visited by tens of thousands of potential volunteers interested in learning more about community needs. Visitors now have access to over 20,000 geographically targeted volunteer opportunities.
The Citizens Bank Foundation and the Charter One Foundation donate more then $30 million each year to nonprofit agencies throughout the 13 states in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest where it operates. The Charter One Foundation serves as the principal charitable contributions vehicle for the bank to support nonprofit groups in Ohio primarily focused on addressing housing, community development and basic human needs.
About Charter One Bank, N.A.
Charter One Bank, N.A., is a $41 billion bank operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. It has more than 490 branches and 812 ATMs. Charter One is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $148 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and more than 27,000 employees in a 13-state retail branch network and non-branch offices in more than 30 states. Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).