At the 2026 Citizens Technology Conference, leaders explored how innovation, technology and collaboration are shaping opportunity across California’s dynamic economy. The dialogue underscored Citizens' continued expansion across the state and its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, communities and the innovation ecosystem through strengthened wealth, private banking, and corporate and investment banking capabilities.
A Year of Momentum in San Francisco
One year after their initial conversation, Citizens Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie reunited to reflect on the city’s progress and what it will take to sustain momentum. In a city at the center of the global innovation economy, the discussion highlighted tangible improvements in public safety and business confidence, and the role of public‑private partnerships in reducing barriers to growth and revitalizing downtown. Van Saun and Mayor Lurie also explored Citizens’ expanding commitment to San Francisco—from workforce development to small‑business investment—and how long‑term collaboration between civic and business leaders can translate momentum into durable, inclusive growth.
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Technology with Purpose: Transforming the Modern Bank
Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun and Citizens Chief Information Officer Michael Ruttledge discussed how rapid advances in technology are reshaping banking and what that means for Citizens’ future. The conversation focused on the shift from experimentation to enterprise‑scale execution, highlighting key investments in AI, cloud and modernization as Citizens accelerates its multi‑year effort to reimagine the bank. They also explored how combining human judgment with digital capabilities is helping Citizens move faster, reduce friction and compete more effectively in a rapidly changing landscape.
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“Citizens” is the marketing name for the business of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (“CFG”) and its subsidiaries. “Citizens Capital Markets & Advisory” is the marketing name for the investment banking, research, sales, and trading activities of our institutional broker-dealer, Citizens JMP Securities, LLC (“CJMPS”), Member FINRA and SIPC (See FINRA BrokerCheck and SIPC.org). Securities products and services are offered to institutional clients through CJMPS. (CJMPS disclosures and CJMP Form CRS). Banking products and services are offered through Citizens Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Citizens Valuation Services is a business division of Willamette Management Associates, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of CFG).
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