Citizens Financial Group promotes Brendan Coughlin to president

On April 30, 2025, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. announced the promotion of Brendan Coughlin to the position of President. Previously serving as Vice Chair and Head of Consumer, Private Banking and Wealth, Coughlin will now report directly to Bruce Van Saun, the Chairman and CEO of the company. His expanded role includes oversight of Consumer Banking, Citizens Private Bank, and Wealth, along with newly integrated responsibilities in Enterprise Data & Analytics and Marketing. Coughlin's leadership is expected to propel the bank's ongoing transformation into a top super-regional bank. Coughlin, who has been with Citizens for over 20 years, has been instrumental in launching innovative offerings for the bank. Among his key achievements are partnerships with Apple and Microsoft for merchant point-of-sale financing, the creation of national education refinancing products, and the expansion of the bank's consumer franchise into new markets. His approach has significantly enhanced customer experience and driven growth within the consumer segment of the business, resulting in improved performance and increased market share. Alongside this promotion, Citizens Financial Group announced the impending departure of John Woods, the current Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer, who has played a significant role in the company’s financial strategy over the past eight years. He is expected to leave in August 2025. Van Saun acknowledged Woods’ important contributions during his time at Citizens, highlighting his leadership in navigating a challenging economic landscape and supporting the bank's growth aspirations. Citizens Financial Group continues to offer a wide range of banking services across Consumer and Commercial Banking sectors. The Consumer Banking division provides integrated banking experiences, including mobile and online services, alongside about 3,100 ATMs and nearly 1,000 branches across 14 states and the District of Columbia. The Commercial Banking division offers a comprehensive suite of financial products, which adds value to their services and contributes to their competitive positioning in the marketplace.