Citizens Bank-sponsored pep rally draws thousands; kicks off World Series festivities in Philadelphia

Mayor Nutter, Phillie Phanatic, exuberant fans cheer for “Fightin’ Phils”

PHILADELPHIA        (October 22, 2008) - Thousands of fans gathered at City Hall today to cheer the World series-bound Philadelphia Phillies at a Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania-sponsored pep rally.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Citizens Bank President and CEO Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, the Phillie Phanatic, musical group Whiz Kids, Phillies Ballgirls and Citizens Bank’s Ballpark Bankers entertained the noontime Dilworth Plaza crowd with chants, “Go Phillies” posters and rally towels just hours before the Phillies play the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series. Phillies Public Address Announcer Dan Baker was the rally’s emcee.

“I want to thank Citizens Bank for stepping up to the plate to sponsor this rally and for being a great corporate citizen,” Mayor Nutter said. “Philadelphia sports fans are extremely excited about the Phillies and we look forward to bringing the World Series back to Philadelphia this weekend. Philadelphia will shine in the national spotlight.”

“Citizens Bank is delighted to sponsor this rally and to give fans and the city the opportunity to cheer on the National League Champion Phillies,” Fitzpatrick said. “Wherever you go, everyone is swept up in Phillies Phever. Our Fightin’ Phils never gave up this season and neither did Phillies fans.”

“Citizens Bank is proud to have its name on such a terrific ballpark and for such a spirited club,” Fitzpatrick said. “The Phillies have always been a terrific partner on and off the baseball field. Both Citizens Bank and the Phillies have soared to new heights since Citizens Bank Park opened.”

The Phillie Phanatic brought the crowd to a boil by joining the rally and delighted the crowd with his trademark dancing and antics. With the Phanatic leading cheers, the red-clad crowd sang along with the Whiz Kids band while waving Phillies posters and rally towels.

About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania

Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has approximately 400 branches and more than 660 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 15 retail branches and 32 ATMs in southern New Jersey and a commercial loan office in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $161 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I.

Citizens Financial Group, through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,600 branches, 3,500 ATMs and 24,000 employees. 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).