Charter One Bank and WXYZ-TV Announce Champions in Action Program

Initiative to include $25,000 grant, visibility and volunteer support for local nonprofits

Charter One Bank and WXYZ-TV today announced the launch of Champions in Action(SM), a program designed to recognize and provide support to the unsung community heroes -- non-profit organizations working to address the needs of area neighborhoods. Michigan agencies named Champions in Action will receive a $25,000 grant, media coverage and extensive promotional and volunteer support for their work and contributions to the community.

"We are fortunate to have so many visionary organizations throughout Michigan that are working to address pressing social challenges like unemployment, child poverty, affordable housing and homelessness. With Champions in Action, we hope we can help reward some of these non-profit agencies to fulfill their missions and reach their goals," said Sandra Pierce, President and CEO of Charter One Bank, Michigan.

Champions in Action will receive:

* A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Charter One Foundation

* Media coverage from WXYZ-TV, including public service announcements and news stories

* Volunteer support from Charter One and WXYZ-TV employees

* Extensive public relations support

* Promotional support featuring the Champion in Action in Charter One banches and on its ATMs

* Exposure on both Charter One's and WXYZ-TV's Web sites

Beginning in April 2006, a new Champion in Action will be named each quarter among a wide range of social concerns. The categories for 2006 are community healthcare, hunger and homelessness. Applications are being accepted now through January 20 for the first award category, community healthcare. The winner will be announced in April 2006.

"Public and community service have always been a significant part of WXYZ- TV. We are honored to partner with Charter One to reach out to the grassroots organizations that are working hard every day to address the growing needs of people in our community," said Grace Gilchrist, Vice President and General Manager, WXYZ-TV.

In order to be selected as a Champion in Action, an organization must be a Michigan-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has a total operating budget of $5 million or less. The selection committee is seeking organizations with a demonstrated history of strong fiscal responsibility and leadership, as well as an ability to show how they will make effective use of the support and resources being awarded.

New to Charter One, the Champions in Action program has long been a part of Citizens Financial Group, and has awarded more than $1 million in unrestricted grants throughout the Citizens footprint to a wide variety of organizations, including Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury, Mass. and the House of Hope in Warwick, R.I.

"The need for resources we depend on to fight hunger -- food, volunteers, financial support -- exists year-round, not just during the holidays," said Jean McMurray, Executive Director of the Worcester County Food Bank. "The Champions in Action program helped us spread that message and will have a long-lasting impact that will not only help us feed hungry people today, but also work on creating hunger-free communities for tomorrow."

Jean Olivier, Executive Director of the House of Hope, added: "It was awareness that really helped us out. We saw a 30 percent increase in food donations, a 10 percent increase in those seeking shelter, and a marked increase in the donation of warm clothing, blankets and furniture."

For more information or to apply for the program, non-profit organizations are invited to visit their local Charter One branch or http://www.charterone.com/community . The Web site includes a program overview and detailed information on how to become a Champion.

About Charter One Bank, N.A.

Charter One Bank, N.A., is a $41 billion bank operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. It has more than 490 branches and 812 ATMs. It has 124 branches and 164 ATMs in Michigan. Charter One is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $148 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and more than 27,000 employees in a 13-state retail branch network and non-branch offices in more than 30 states. Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).

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