Citizens Financial Group Chairman and CEO
Ellen Alemany Says Leadership Fundamental to
Restoring Consumer Trust
Alemany spoke to sold-out crowd on why leadership and rebuilding consumer trust are key building blocks to
moving economy forward
College & University Pressroom
March 11, 2010 10:07 AM Eastern Time
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--As keynote speaker at Thursday’s 13th annual Women’s
Summit® entitled “New Decade. New Directions” at Bryant University, Ellen Alemany, Chairman and CEO of
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. and RBS Americas, addressed a sold-out audience of 1,000 business professionals.
Alemany, a 30-year banking industry veteran who has served in a number of leadership roles, discussed the need for
businesses to rebuild the trust of consumers in the wake of the economic crisis and why executives must lead by
example.
“The focus of this new decade will prove to be about rebuilding trust,” Alemany said. “Trust in financial institutions,
trust in corporate America and trust in our government. This new decade demands a new style of leadership that will
help us to rebuild trust and once again be able to succeed.”
Alemany, who became head of Citizens, the 10th largest bank in the United States, six months before the financial
crisis began, said, “Trust comes from transparency, accountability, innovation, from not taking excessive risks, from
accuracy, and from being responsive to the communities you serve.”
Alemany noted that although we’ve lived through economic turmoil and unprecedented challenges during the past 18
months, “America has always been at its best in times of crisis. Times of crisis test us; they push us to rise to the
challenge. Times of crisis are opportunities to make significant and systemic change. Times of crisis make leaders –
and leaders are made by the obstacles they overcome.”
In the coming months, companies must focus on their core responsibilities by serving customers well, providing the
best products and services, and con