New Citizens Bank Branch Opens in Oakland County, Michigan

    Business Editors

    ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2005--Oakland County and Orion Township officials joined Citizens Bank executives Wednesday for the official opening of the bank's newly constructed branch featuring distinctive architecture. The branch is located at the corner of Baldwin and Brown roads, across Interstate 75 from Great Lakes Crossing.
    William R. Hartman, chairman, president and CEO of Citizens Banking Corporation (Nasdaq:CBCF), said the new branch is part of the company's aggressive expansion in Oakland County. "This initiative has resulted in the hiring of more than 100 people in Oakland County over the past year, including eight staff members at this new branch in Orion Township," Hartman said, adding that Citizens will continue to significantly add to the company's current Oakland County presence of 14 locations.
    Thomas C. Shafer, Citizens Bank's Southeast Michigan president, said the new branch is in a high-visibility location and allows clients easy access. "We looked at several factors in making our decision to build in Orion Township," Shafer said. "Those factors included client location, an abundant skilled workforce throughout the region, and the helpfulness of the local community -- all that made this location an easy choice."
    The official opening was marked with the cutting of a ribbon and a $1,000 donation to the Orion Art Center. Reggie Harrison, director of the Orion Art Center, was on hand to receive the donation.
    The banking facility is the first of Citizens Bank's new branches constructed with distinctive new architecture. The exterior of the building includes a glass-enclosed atrium in which the company's newly updated "weather ball" logo can be seen. Visitors to the bank see an airy, sleek building and interiors befitting a professional services firm. Unique features of the new branch include: A Business X-Press teller area to accommodate commercial clients, an e-teller offering clients an alternative banking source, a web-based self-service banking area, and client information is presented via state-of-the-art plasma screens.
    Branch Manager Darin Borchers said the new branch includes a drive-up ATM and three additional drive-up lanes. The new branch at the corner of Baldwin and Brown roads in Orion Township is part of Citizens Bank's expansion throughout Oakland County, Michigan.
    Citizens Banking Corporation, founded in Flint, Mich., in 1871, is a diversified financial services company, providing a wide range of commercial, consumer, mortgage banking, trust investment and financial planning services to a broad client base. Citizens Banking Corporation serves markets through Citizens Bank offices in Michigan, and through F&M Bank offices in Wisconsin and Iowa. Citizens Banking Corporation is the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Michigan, and the 64th largest bank holding company in the United States, with assets of $7.659 billion as of Sept. 30, 2004. More information about Citizens Banking Corporation is available at www.citizensonline.com.

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CONTACT: Citizens Bank Don Hoffman, 810-237-4986 donald.hoffman@cbcf-net.com

KEYWORD: WISCONSIN MICHIGAN IOWA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING SOURCE: Citizens Bank

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