CBA Announces Citizens’ Brendan Coughlin as New Board Chair

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Bankers Association’s (CBA) Board of Directors today elected Brendan Coughlin, Vice Chair and Head of Consumer Banking at Citizens Financial Group, Inc., as 2025 Board Chair. Coughlin, a seasoned industry leader with more than two decades of banking experience, will assume the role following the successful tenure of Eastern Bank’s Quincy Miller in the position. Miller will remain on the Board as Immediate Past-Chair.

CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson, Board Chair Brendan Coughlin, and Immediate Past-Chair Quincy Miller issued the following statements on the Board transition:

“Congratulations to Brendan Coughlin on being elected as Board Chair for this coming year, as well as his predecessor Quincy Miller for his successful tenure. Brendan’s leadership comes at a critical time as we continue to navigate an increasingly complex political and regulatory landscape. In partnership with our Board and our member banks, I am confident we will continue to drive impactful progress and shape the future of our industry as we strive to meet consumers’ financial needs across the country." – CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson 

“I am grateful to CBA’s Board for entrusting me with the role as Chair at such a pivotal time for the retail banking industry. Retail banking serves as a crucial pillar of the US economy; by providing equitable access to the banking system in a customer-centric manner, we empower Americans to reach their full potential. CBA has long been a leading industry voice to ensure the nation’s largest banks can deliver well for their customers, and I am proud to help lead this mission. As we continue to prepare for changes in the White House and Congress in the coming months, I look forward to partnering closely with my esteemed fellow board members to advocate on behalf of America's leading retail banks. Together, I am confident we will navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the industry with a shared commitment to excellence.” – Board Chair Brendan Coughlin   

“I’m grateful and honored for the opportunity to have led CBA’s Board of Directors over the last year at such a critical time for the industry. Now more than ever, we need to rally for leadership and advocacy on behalf of the consumer. Congratulations to Brendan Coughlin for assuming the role of Board Chair. Brendan will do a great job leading our board as we further enable the retail banking industry’s success in the future.” – Immediate Past-Chair Quincy Miller

Atlantic Union Bank’s President and Chief Operating Officer Maria Tedesco was also elected as CBA Board Chair-Elect for the upcoming year. Coughlin, Tedesco, and Miller will comprise CBA’s Executive Committee, which is charged with oversight of the CBA enterprise.

About Brendan Coughlin

Brendan Coughlin is Vice Chair and Head of the Consumer Banking division for Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Named to this role on January 27, 2020, Coughlin is responsible for both national and regional banking, including Retail Banking & Distribution, Deposits, Credit & Debit card, Digital channels, Consumer Lending, Mortgage, Business Banking, Wealth Management, Citizens Private Bank, Citizens Access, and Citizens Pay. Citizens has more than 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia, $176.4 billion in deposits, and total assets of $219.9 billion, as of June 30, 2024.

Coughlin has been with Citizens for 20 years and has held numerous positions in Consumer Banking product management and consumer finance. He was previously president of Consumer Deposits & Lending, with responsibility for the consumer deposits, payments and lending businesses. Over the years, he has developed and launched several of the bank’s most innovative offerings, including merchant point-of-sale financing partnerships with Apple and Microsoft and its national education refinance products. In 2023, he led the launch of Citizens Private Bank, which has generated $4 billion in deposits within its first three quarters. His focus on growth, driving innovation and improving the customer experience has directly contributed to the strong performance and market share gains of the consumer business.

Prior to Citizens, Coughlin worked at Bank of America and FleetBoston Financial in a variety of business areas, including corporate strategy, mortgage product management and retail distribution / M&A.

Coughlin is active in his community and most recently served on the board of directors of uAspire, a national nonprofit aimed at increasing access to higher education among inner-city youth. He also served on the board of directors of Operation HOPE, a Boston financial literacy nonprofit for inner-city youth. He has been recognized as “40 Under 40” by the Boston Business Journal and received the “Wall Street Top 50” award in 2017 by Irish American Magazine.

Coughlin received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College in finance and marketing and his M.B.A from Babson College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Consumer Bankers Association and is former Chair of its Government Relations Council.

About CBA’s Board of Directors

CBA's Board consists of senior retail banking executives at the nation’s leading financial institutions. In addition to announcing new leadership positions, the Board also reaffirmed CBA’s goals for the upcoming year, including:

• Participate with our members via our committees, the backbone of our organization;
• Advocate on behalf of our members and their customers with regulatory agencies and federal legislators; serve as the industry’s definitive resource for CFPB engagement, analysis and insight;
• Communicate broadly the vital services banks provide American consumers; and
• Educate the next generation of retail banking leaders.

To view CBA’s full list of Board Members, please click HERE.