Building Opportunity and Belonging in Hispanic and Latino Communities

_{Andrea Martinez Frey, Director of Strategic Community Partnerships and Engagement, at a Citizens Town Hall colleague event in Massachusetts. Led by her team in Corporate Affairs, colleagues joined together for a volunteerism activity and assembled "Power Your Potential" packs: Laptop bags with back-to-school essentials shared with Junior Achievement chapters across the country.}

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from September 15 through October 15, Citizens is recognizing the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the markets we serve.

By fostering meaningful relationships, expanding access to opportunity, and investing in the success of customers and communities, Citizens is committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses prepare for what's next. From community partnerships and workforce development efforts to trusted financial guidance and educational resources, this work reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities we serve.

Building trust through language and access

For many customers, trust begins with being able to communicate clearly and confidently about their financial goals.

In addition to providing trusted financial guidance, Citizens strengthens relationships through intentional language access and culturally relevant engagement. Through the bank's Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Program, more than 250 certified Spanish-speaking colleagues support customers across more than 140 branches, helping individuals and families access banking services and financial guidance in their preferred language. Spanish remains one of the most widely used certification languages across Citizens, reflecting the importance of providing customers with support in the language they are most comfortable using.

That focus on connection and understanding is reflected in the experiences of colleagues like Hernando Garcia, Managing Director in MidCorporate Banking.

"We should never forget where we come from and should embrace the opportunity to share our experiences with our communities."

Garcia believes Hispanic and Latino communities can help create lasting impact by sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and investing in future generations.

By expanding in-language support across its footprint, Citizens continues to help customers feel understood, supported, and empowered to make informed financial decisions.

Expanding access through financial education

Financial confidence starts with access to practical, relevant information.

Through Citizens Money Essentials, the bank's financial education program, customers can access resources covering budgeting, saving, building credit, managing debt, and planning for the future. These resources help individuals, families, and business owners build foundational money skills and make informed decisions with confidence. To broaden access to trusted financial education, Citizens has made Money Essentials resources available in Spanish and other languages, helping more customers access information in the language they prefer. This year, Citizens expanded Money Essentials to include youth-focused content in Spanish, further demonstrating the bank's commitment to helping future generations build financial confidence and achieve their goals.

For Andrea Martinez Frey, Director of Strategic Community Partnerships and Engagement, creating opportunity begins with investing in people and communities.

"Strong communities are built on the foundation of compassion, collaboration and purpose."

Through community workshops, educational resources, and partnerships with local organizations, Citizens continues to support financial capability and long-term economic mobility while helping connect people with trusted resources in ways that are relevant and accessible to their communities.

Supporting stronger communities

Citizens' commitment extends beyond the branch through community partnerships, volunteerism, workforce development initiatives, and financial education programs designed to help individuals and families build brighter futures.

In 2026, Citizens announced $2.85 million in financial literacy grants across its footprint, helping nonprofit organizations expand access to financial education and financial capability resources within local communities.

Martinez Frey sees this commitment as a continuous responsibility.

"There is no level where we can say we've achieved it. So for me, it's an ever-evolving process where the goal is how can we be better, how can we provide more support."

That philosophy guides Citizens' work to strengthen access to opportunity through community engagement, financial education, and investments that help communities thrive.

Creating opportunities for future generations

Economic opportunity and financial empowerment are closely connected. By helping individuals build knowledge, confidence, and access to resources, communities can create pathways for long-term success.

Citizens also supports workforce development initiatives that help students and job seekers build skills, explore career pathways, and prepare for future opportunities.

For Ivonne-Marie Mendoza, Experience Owner and Director of Coaching and Mentoring for ALPFA Boston, creating opportunity also means investing in future leaders and helping individuals build the confidence, skills, and connections needed to succeed. Through her mentoring work, she helps deliver leadership development programming designed to support professional growth and create pathways for advancement.

"Opportunities like the ones Citizens provides give me the voice to drive prosperity, power and progress in America by empowering our community to speak up for what they deserve."

Through her mentoring work, she helps support leadership development and create opportunities for emerging professionals to grow their careers through connection, coaching, and mentorship.

Celebrating heritage and supporting communities year-round

Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the cultures, traditions, and experiences that continue to shape communities across the country. It also reflects Citizens' year-round commitment to expanding access to opportunity through language support, financial education, workforce development, community investment, and trusted partnerships.

By helping customers access information in their preferred language, providing financial education resources in Spanish, and investing in programs that support economic mobility, Citizens continues to support Hispanic and Latino individuals, families, businesses, and communities while helping them prepare for what's next.