DETROIT (October 24, 2005) - William K. Wray, Group Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer of Citizens Financial Group Inc., met with President George W. Bush on Friday, October 14, 2005 to accept congratulations at the White House for Citizens having won the 2005 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, Citizens Chairman, President & CEO Lawrence K. Fish has announced.
The award was presented by Secretary of the Army Frances J. Harvey at a ceremony at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington on Saturday night, October 15, 2005.
The Department of Defense named Citizens Financial Group one of 15 employers in the United States to receive the 2005 award from among 1,492 applicants. The Freedom Award, established in 1996, is the highest award a company can receive for its support of the National Guard and Reserve.
"The Freedom Award is terrific recognition of the support - beyond what's required by law - that we at Citizens Financial Group and other employers across the United States provide to our colleagues who are activated to service in the National Guard and Reserves and their families," Fish said. "It is our colleagues and their families who are sacrificing for our country, and we are pleased to be honored for a military leave policy that supports them while they or their loved ones are serving."
"Our colleagues throughout Michigan are very proud of this prestigious award and for the support given to Michigan reservists," said Sandra Pierce, President and CEO, Charter One Bank, Michigan.
Charter One Bank's policy on military leave offers enhanced support and benefits to those called to active duty and their family. They include:
- For any colleagues for military service, Charter One pays the difference between their Charter One pay and military pay for the duration of active duty.
- Charter One offers the continuation of medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage.
- In addition, if a colleague's spouse, domestic partner or child(ren) is activated for military service, Charter One grants up to five consecutive days of paid leave to spend time with that serviceperson during their in-service leave. If travel is necessary, Charter One pays a portion of their travel expenses up to $500.
- Charter One also is committed to providing those returning from active duty with their own or a comparable job.
In announcing the full list of the 2005 winners, David Janes, the national chairman of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard Reserve, said "The 15 recipients of the 2005 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award set a high standard for all of America's private and public employers."
Secretary of Defense William Perry instituted the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The award publicly recognizes employers, who were nominated by their employees who voluntarily serve in the National Guard and Reserve, for exceptional support above the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is a $148 billion commercial bank holding company. It is headquartered in Providence, R.I., and has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and more than 27,000 employees. It operates its 13-state branch network in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and has 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). Citizens' Web site is citizensbank.com.
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. It has 124 branches and 164 ATMs in Michigan. 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).