Citizens Expands President’s Role, Bolstering His Position as Next CEO

Citizens Financial Group had $227.9 billion in total assets at the end of March 2026 and has pursued an aggressive digital transformation in recent years. President Brendan Coughlin, who took the role in April 2025, has led a modernization program called “Reimagining the Bank,” using artificial intelligence to overhaul its technology platforms. The technology transformation is closely tied to succession planning and will be a key measure in selecting the bank’s next chief executive.

Citizens announced on July 8, 2026, that it was expanding Coughlin’s responsibilities to include commercial banking. He now oversees four major businesses: consumer banking, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking, further strengthening his position as a successor. Current CEO Bruce Van Saun, 69, has explicitly said Coughlin is his preferred choice to become the next chief executive.