Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 12

72 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 12 going to the local school system every time the card is swiped. According to Fanning, “Since 2014, we have presented quarterly contributions to the school system, which they use for their academic programs, to enhance curriculum. Over that seven year period, we’ve been able to give over $160,000. We are firm believers that our future will have a whole lot to do with our youth. We see this as a way that our customers and our bank can provide some financial support to the school system.” Citizens Bank employees also perform volunteer work, supporting everything from community foundations to the Chamber of Commerce, soup kitchens, food pantries, and other local non-profits. “We are very proud of what our employees do for different organizations; we encourage them to find something they have a passion for, and to volunteer,” says Fanning. “It goes back to doing what we can to make our communities better places to live and work in extremely favorable retirement program, where a percentage of our profits is set aside every year to fund the plan. Individuals who stay with the bank a long time know that they are going to have a very strong retirement. About 25 years ago, we instituted a pay for performance program, where almost every employee in the bank has a written work plan. We collaborate to establish individual goals, team goals, and department goals that all roll up into the master goals of the organization each year. The philosophy of the founders, which continues to this day, was to make sure that not only the bank is successful, but the employees are successful as well. That has been key to the bank’s success.” Community involvement is close to the heart of Citizens Bank, with projects like the school debit card program creating opportunities for the bank to connect with the youth and give back to local schools. Customers who open an account have a choice of the design of their card, with a nickel