Citizens Financial Expands Technology Banking Division

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., is expanding its banking unit that focuses on the technology sector.

The $130 billion-asset bank's technology and services group provides financing to firms that produce software and computer equipment. It also focuses on media and communications companies.

The unit currently operates in New England and Citizens' other core markets, and it is being extended to large metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Washington and Los Angeles.

"We have a very strong portfolio of technology relationships in place that has grown significantly over the years," Steve Woods, head of corporate banking, said in a press release Thursday.

Last month, Citizens announced plans to expand its industry-specific banking operations, hiring about 70 commercial bankers in major markets across the country. Besides technology, it is focusing on health care, franchise financing and other niches.

Citizens is in the process of being spun off by Royal Bank of Scotland, which filed an initial public offering in May. The bank plans to rebrand its commercial operations as "Citizens Commercial Banking" later this year.

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