Citizens Bank and its partners 92 PRO-FM, Recycling for Rhode Island Education and Coast to Coast collecting school supplies for local children

Gear for Grades Initiative to help more than 12,000 children in Rhode Island and more than more than 20,000 across New England

Providence, R.I.       (July 15, 2008) - For the sixth consecutive year, Citizens Bank is collecting new school supplies for local children to go back to school with the tools they’ll need. Starting today, new pencils, pens, notebooks and other supplies can be donated at any Citizens Bank branch in the state through August 2. This year’s Gear for Grades program is supported by 92 PRO-FM, Coast to Coast Promotional Products and Recycling for Rhode Island Education.

Formerly known as Tools for School, the program has helped nearly 30,000 children in Rhode Island return to school with the essential supplies they need to succeed. This year, more than 12,000 backpacks filled with new school supplies will be donated to children across the state.

“Citizens Bank is proud of the Gear for Grades program and the positive impact it has had on local school children and their parents,” said Joseph J. MarcAurele, President, Citizens Bank, Rhode Island. “We are delighted to partner with 92 PRO-FM, Coast to Coast, and Recycling for Rhode Island Education on this program and thank our customers and the public in advance for supporting this worthwhile cause that benefits so many children in need.”

Recycling for Rhode Island Education, a nonprofit educational and environmental organization, will distribute the backpacks to children throughout Rhode Island. 92 PRO-FM is encouraging its listeners to donate supplies with public service announcements. Coast to Coast is donating logistical support as well as promotional products.

“92 PRO-FM is pleased to partner with Citizens Bank on Gear for Grades,” said Tony Bristol, Operations Manager at Citadel Broadcasting. “This program is a great fit for us and we encourage our listeners to participate by dropping off new school supplies. It really will make a difference for children in need.”

More than 20,000 backpacks will be distributed by Citizens Bank across New England as part of this years Gear for Grades program.

"We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to help students throughout Rhode Island,” said Kathleen Fresher-Samways, RRIE Coordinator. “Through this partnership, RRIE will be able to assist Citizens Bank in getting more backpacks to more students, at the same time raising awareness about the resources and materials for community programs that are available at the Recycle Center."

About Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating its seven-state branch network in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. It has 77 branches and 148 ATMs in Rhode Island.

RBS Citizens, N.A. is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $160 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 13-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. It is one of the 10 largest commercial banking companies in the United States ranked by assets and deposits. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).