"My Citizens Bank colleagues and I are excited about this expansion of services and programs to the neighborhoods we serve," said Shirtz. "Citizens Bank focuses its community investments in areas of need and in programs that have a direct bearing on the local economy and local quality of life. By partnering with Home HeadQuarters, we are confident that each of these programs will make a meaningful difference in the quality of life for hundreds of families in and around Syracuse."

"We're pleased about these aggressive incentives for development and revitalization of our neighborhoods," said Kerry Quaglia, executive director of Home HeadQuarters. "This package of programs says something very positive about Citizens Bank and what kind of partner it is going to be in our community."

"This program is remarkable in its vision and scope," said Onondaga County Executive Nick Pirro, on hand for the announcement. "Citizens' commitment to neighborhood revitalization has been demonstrated time and again in other territories it serves, and we are happy to welcome its involvement here in greater Syracuse."

The specific components of Citizens Bank's Neighborhood Revitalization Program are:

Flex Fund Loan Program - Provides up to $2 million in funding to the home improvement loan pool administered by Home HeadQuarters for credit-worthy families lacking sufficient equity in their homes to qualify for traditional home equity loan products.

Not-For-Profit Capacity Building Lending Fund - Provides up to $1 million to supplement lending products that Home HeadQuarters will offer to qualifying not-for-profit organizations for development of affordable housing options.

EZ Home Improvement Loans - Up to $500,000 in financing of loans for home improvement projects for low- and moderate-income families. Loans of $1,000 or less are available at 1% fixed APR, with loans of greater than $1,000 and up to $10,000 available at 6% fixed APR. Citizens Bank will make its EZ Home Improvement Loans available in mid-May.

Residential Mortgage Loans - Up to $2.8 million for residential mortgage loans offered at below-market interest rates, targeted at low- and moderate-income census tracts. Citizens Bank will make these loans available through its Destination Home and Neighborhood Plus mortgage products. The Neighborhood Plus product will be available in mid-summer.

Financial Fitness and Program Support - A $60,000 grant from Citizens Bank Foundation to Home HeadQuarters and its HomeOwnership Center for support of its certified Homebuyer Education Courses, pre- and post-purchase counseling, and pre-development work and technical support for special projects. In addition to the $60,000 grant, Citizens Bank colleagues will provide technical assistance by conducting homeownership classes, and volunteering to help in rehabilitation and landscaping projects funded by these programs.

"Wherever Citizens does business, we invest 1% of our pre-tax earnings in our communities, especially where we can provide an extra leg up to families and businesses that tend to be underserved by conventional banking products," said Shirtz. "As we complete the integration of Charter One Bank with Citizens, this program reflects the character Syracuse can expect from our products, services, and people for years to come."

Citizens, currently doing business in New York under the Charter One Bank name, has more than 200 branches across the state.

About Charter One Bank, N.A.
Charter One Bank, N.A., is a $51 billion bank operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, New York and Vermont. It has more than 700 branches and 1,060 ATMs. Charter One is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $137 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 2,800 ATMs and approximately 26,000 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). The Charter One Web site is www.charterone.com.

About Home HeadQuarters, Inc.
Home HeadQuarters is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing and stabilizing neighborhoods in Syracuse and Onondaga County. Established in 1996, Home HeadQuarters offers "one-stop shopping" at its HomeOwnership Center for first-time homebuyers and homeowners who are in need of assistance. Home HeadQuarters provides a variety of services to individuals and families including: certified Homebuyer Education Courses, homeownership and credit counseling, down payment and closing cost assistance, the Home Value Protection Program, the Foreclosure Prevention Program, the Home Improvement Loan Program, Syracuse Weed and Seed Community Partnership and the Landlord Training Program.

M&T Bank Contributes $20,000
February 7, 2005

Syracuse, NY - The Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative (SNI), a public/private/non-profit collaboration that works to revitalize neighborhoods in Syracuse, has received a $20,000 contribution from M&T Bank to support programs implemented through Home HeadQuarters, Inc., announced Marilyn Higgins, Co-chair of the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative and Vice President, Community Development, Niagara Mohawk.

"The partnership with M&T Bank is one that will continue the success of the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative," said Higgins. "We are very appreciative of their long-running support. We hope their gift inspires other companies in the Syracuse area to step up to the plate and match Congressman Walsh's extraordinary efforts to improve Syracuse neighborhoods."

The M&T Bank gift will help support Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative and Home HeadQuarters' programs such as housing rehabilitation projects, purchase rehabilitation incentives, and other city neighborhood revitalization programs.

M&T Bank Corporation is the nation's 18th largest bank holding company, with pro forma assets of over 50 billion. Customers can bank at more than 700 branches throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, and West Virginia. M&T is recognized for its financial strength and sound management. This strength, along with entrepreneurial philosophy, has made it possible for the bank to pursue a course of well-managed growth.

Home HeadQuarters, Inc., is the largest housing and neighborhood revitalization organization in Central New York. Since 1996, Home HeadQuarters has assisted more than 1,500 Syracuse residents with major home repair totaling $17.7 million and provided counseling and/or financial assistance to more than 4,000 prospective homebuyers helping to generate more than $63 million in home purchase mortgage financing in the Syracuse area.

For more information on the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative, contact Linda Henley at (315) 474-1939 ext. 807.