Brendan Coughlin Steps Into Expanded President Role at Citizens Financial Group

Citizens Financial Group recently unveiled significant leadership changes that position Brendan Coughlin in an elevated capacity within the organization. Coughlin, who previously served as Vice Chair and Head of Consumer, Private Banking and Wealth, has been elevated to the position of President, reporting directly to Bruce Van Saun, Chairman and CEO. This advancement marks a recognition of his strategic contributions and operational excellence over two decades at the institution.

Coughlin’s Expanded Responsibilities and Track Record

In his new role, Brendan Coughlin will oversee an even broader portfolio of the bank’s operations. Beyond his existing purview of Consumer Banking, Citizens Private Bank, and Wealth Management, his responsibilities now extend to Enterprise Data & Analytics and Marketing. This expansion reflects the organization’s confidence in his ability to drive innovation and growth across multiple business lines.

Throughout his 20-year tenure at Citizens, Coughlin has been instrumental in developing and launching several groundbreaking financial products. His notable achievements include pioneering merchant point-of-sale financing collaborations with technology giants Apple and Microsoft, creating national education refinance solutions, and successfully penetrating new consumer markets. These initiatives have helped Citizens establish itself as an innovator in retail banking and financial services.

The Citizens Private Bank Success Story

One of Coughlin’s most significant accomplishments has been his central role in the 2023 national launch of Citizens Private Bank. The division has demonstrated exceptional growth trajectory since its inception, showcasing the strength of his strategic vision and execution. As of the latest reporting period, Citizens Private Bank has amassed $8.7 billion in high-quality deposits while managing $5.2 billion in assets under management (AUM)—figures that underscore the division’s rapid ascent in the competitive wealth management landscape.

Leadership Transition: John Woods’ Departure

Concurrent with Coughlin’s promotion, Citizens Financial Group announced that John Woods, the former Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer, has decided to exit the organization to pursue an alternative opportunity. Woods departed in August 2025, following a planned transition period. During his departure, Woods collaborated closely with the bank’s Finance team to ensure business continuity and a seamless handover of responsibilities.

The organization initiated a comprehensive internal and external search to identify Woods’ successor, reflecting the bank’s commitment to securing experienced financial leadership. This dual leadership evolution—Coughlin’s expanded role combined with the CFO transition—demonstrates Citizens Financial Group’s strategic approach to organizational development and succession planning in a dynamic financial services environment.