Citizens Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Citizens has 10 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, financial oversight, information technology, and operational risk management.

Committed to delivering comprehensive banking solutions, Citizens maintains a legacy of financial stability while driving innovation across retail and commercial sectors to support diverse client needs.

Leadership Roles at Citizens

  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Bruce Van Saun
  • Chief Financial Officer - Aunoy Banerjee
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Christopher Wewers
  • Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer - Jennifer Whaley
  • Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate - Robert Haller
  • Chief Information Officer - Bernard Baum
  • Chief Technology Officer - James Mitcheson
  • Risk Chief of Staff - Angelina Perez-Lynch
  • Chief of Staff- Operational Resilience - Jonathan O'Gorman
  • Managing Director - Joshua Maio
  • Bruce Van Saun - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Bruce Van Saun, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Citizens, directs the overarching strategic vision for this historic financial institution. Van Saun architects long-term growth initiatives, ensuring the bank remains competitive across retail and commercial banking landscapes. By aligning corporate objectives with evolving market demands, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of excellence and fiscal responsibility. Bruce Van Saun manages high-level relationships with the Board and key stakeholders to maintain institutional integrity. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments while expanding the footprint of the organization across North American markets. Through rigorous oversight of capital allocation and business development, the Chief Executive Officer secures the future trajectory of the firm. Ultimately, Van Saun drives the transformation of banking services to meet the sophisticated requirements of modern corporations and individual clients alike.
    Bruce Van Saun

    Aunoy Banerjee - Chief Financial Officer

    Aunoy Banerjee, the Chief Financial Officer at Citizens, manages the comprehensive financial health and reporting structures of the organization. Banerjee directs capital planning, budgeting, and fiscal forecasting to ensure alignment with the broader corporate strategy. Aunoy Banerjee oversees the integrity of financial statements and regulatory compliance, providing transparency to shareholders and the Board. This leadership position involves analyzing economic indicators to mitigate risk and optimize balance sheet performance. By implementing robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer supports sustainable growth across all retail and commercial banking divisions. Banerjee coordinates with executive leadership to evaluate investment opportunities and operational expenditures. Through precise management of fiscal assets, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the financial resilience of the institution. This role remains central to the ongoing success and market stability of the bank.
    Aunoy Banerjee

    Christopher Wewers - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Christopher Wewers, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Citizens, manages the strategic financial operations of the bank's retail division. Wewers directs the allocation of resources to support the expansion of consumer banking products and services. Christopher Wewers oversees the financial performance of retail branches and digital banking channels, ensuring profitability and growth. This role involves analyzing consumer market trends to inform pricing strategies and product development. By collaborating with other executive leaders, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer aligns retail financial goals with the overall corporate mission. Wewers manages the reporting of retail financial metrics to the Board, providing insights into the bank's consumer-facing success. Through meticulous financial planning, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer drives the efficiency of retail operations. This leadership role ensures that the bank continues to meet the diverse needs of individual clients.
    Christopher Wewers

    Jennifer Whaley - Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer

    Jennifer Whaley, the Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer at Citizens, oversees the financial management of the bank's commercial lending and institutional services. Whaley directs the financial analysis of large-scale corporate portfolios, ensuring that lending activities align with the bank's risk appetite and growth targets. Jennifer Whaley manages the budgeting and forecasting processes for the commercial banking sector, providing the data necessary for strategic decision-making. This role involves evaluating the profitability of complex financial products offered to middle-market companies and large corporations. By maintaining rigorous financial oversight, the Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer supports the stability of the bank's commercial operations. Whaley coordinates with other financial leaders to ensure consistency in reporting and compliance. Through strategic management of commercial financial assets, the Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer drives the success of the bank's institutional business segment.
    Jennifer Whaley

    Robert Haller - Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate

    Robert Haller, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate at Citizens, directs the financial strategy for the bank's specialized real estate and corporate banking divisions. Haller oversees the underwriting and financial performance of large-scale commercial real estate projects. Robert Haller manages the capital requirements and risk assessment for corporate banking clients, ensuring that all financial activities support the bank's long-term objectives. This role involves analyzing market conditions in the real estate sector to optimize portfolio returns. By providing financial guidance to the commercial banking teams, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate enables the delivery of tailored financing solutions. Haller coordinates with executive leadership to ensure that real estate and corporate banking operations remain profitable and compliant. Through precise financial management, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate secures the bank's position as a leader in commercial finance.
    Robert Haller

    Bernard Baum - Chief Information Officer

    Bernard Baum, the Chief Information Officer at Citizens, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for modern banking operations. Baum directs the implementation of secure, scalable information systems that support retail and commercial banking services. Bernard Baum oversees the integration of data management platforms to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. This role involves protecting institutional data through advanced cybersecurity protocols and robust network architecture. By aligning information technology with business goals, the Chief Information Officer enables seamless digital transactions for individuals and large corporations. Baum manages the technology roadmap, ensuring the bank remains at the forefront of financial innovation. Through strategic oversight of IT assets, the Chief Information Officer drives the digital transformation of the firm. This leadership function ensures that all technological systems remain resilient, compliant, and capable of supporting the bank's extensive market reach.

    James Mitcheson - Chief Technology Officer

    James Mitcheson, the Chief Technology Officer at Citizens, drives the development and deployment of cutting-edge financial software solutions. Mitcheson oversees the engineering teams responsible for building the platforms that power retail and commercial banking products. James Mitcheson architects the technical framework for mobile and online banking, ensuring high availability and performance for a vast client base. This role involves evaluating emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the financial services industry. By fostering innovation in software development, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the agility of the organization. Mitcheson manages the lifecycle of technical projects, from conceptualization to full-scale implementation. Through collaboration with other C-suite leaders, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that technical capabilities directly support the strategic objectives of the bank. This leadership role remains vital for delivering secure and efficient digital banking experiences.

    Angelina Perez-Lynch - Risk Chief of Staff

    Angelina Perez-Lynch, the Risk Chief of Staff at Citizens, coordinates the enterprise-wide risk management framework. Perez-Lynch directs the alignment of risk mitigation strategies with the bank's commercial and retail banking objectives. Angelina Perez-Lynch oversees the communication of risk policies to ensure consistent application across all departments. This role involves analyzing potential threats to the institution and developing proactive measures to safeguard assets. By facilitating collaboration between risk teams and executive leadership, the Risk Chief of Staff ensures that decision-making processes incorporate comprehensive risk assessments. Perez-Lynch manages the operational flow of the risk department, optimizing efficiency and response times. Through rigorous monitoring of compliance and market volatility, the Risk Chief of Staff maintains the stability of the organization. This leadership function provides the necessary oversight to navigate complex financial landscapes while protecting the interests of clients and shareholders.

    Jonathan O'Gorman - Chief of Staff- Operational Resilience

    Jonathan O'Gorman, the Chief of Staff- Operational Resilience at Citizens, directs initiatives focused on maintaining business continuity and operational stability. O'Gorman oversees the development of contingency plans that protect the bank's critical functions against disruptions. Jonathan O'Gorman architects frameworks for incident response, ensuring that retail and commercial banking services remain available to clients under all conditions. This role involves coordinating across departments to identify vulnerabilities and implement robust recovery protocols. By aligning operational resilience with the broader corporate strategy, the Chief of Staff- Operational Resilience supports the long-term reliability of the institution. O'Gorman manages the integration of resilience standards into daily business processes. Through constant evaluation of operational threats, the Chief of Staff- Operational Resilience ensures that the bank remains prepared for any challenge. This leadership role is essential for upholding the trust of customers and maintaining market confidence.

    Joshua Maio - Managing Director

    Joshua Maio, the Managing Director at Citizens, oversees specialized investment and commercial banking portfolios. Maio drives revenue growth by identifying high-value opportunities within the middle-market sector. Coordinating with cross-functional teams, the Managing Director ensures seamless delivery of complex financial products to corporate clients. Joshua Maio executes strategic initiatives that enhance the bank's market position in competitive financial landscapes. This role requires deep analytical rigor to assess credit risk and optimize portfolio performance. By fostering strong client relationships, the Managing Director secures long-term partnerships that contribute to the overall stability of the institution. Maio manages the deployment of capital resources to support business expansion and operational efficiency. Through consistent focus on market trends and client needs, the Managing Director maintains the high standards of service expected from a leading financial institution.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Citizens Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Citizens?
    Citizens is led by Bruce Van Saun (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Aunoy Banerjee (Chief Financial Officer) and Christopher Wewers (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Citizens’s executive team?
    The executive team of Citizens includes leaders such as Bruce Van Saun (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Aunoy Banerjee (Chief Financial Officer), Christopher Wewers (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Citizens have?
    Citizens has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Citizens’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Citizens includes roles such as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate.