Citizens Bank announced that Citizens Commercial Banking is partnering with Opportunity Network to offer Citizens’ clients access to an innovative business-to-business networking platform designed to promote growth by connecting business owners to a network of 13,500 CEOs and $35 billion of deal flow.

Citizens is the first U.S. bank to offer its clients access to the Opportunity Network platform, through which users can seek trustworthy partners to help them expand into new markets, sell privately held enterprises, execute cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and maximize global asset utilization. Opportunity Network uses a proprietary algorithm designed to create efficiencies in global deal making by matching users' strategic preferences with current deals on the platform.

Citizens has a client-first approach, and the bank’s partnership with Opportunity Network is a clear demonstration of providing technology to help clients expand their businesses. As companies look for growth both domestically and internationally, Citizens is a leader in helping them facilitate growth by offering exclusive access to the network.

“It made a lot of sense for us to partner with Citizens Bank because the Citizens team is committed to leveraging innovative digital technologies – both organically and through partnerships such as ours – to create better experiences for their clients and to provide smart solutions in the areas that matter most to them,” said Garrett Smith, Opportunity Network founding partner and president, North America.

“Opportunity Network has an attractive value proposition for midsize businesses, and this collaboration gives us yet another way to help meet the needs of our customers at every stage of their life cycle," said Steve Woods, head of corporate banking for Citizens Bank. “Partnering with Opportunity Network helps us address an important issue: the fact that many midsize businesses and private investors could benefit from expanded tools and networks of contacts to grow.”

Citizens is positioned as a strategic and financial partner, offering deep expertise, great ideas and seamless deal execution. The Citizens Commercial Banking approach puts clients first, and offers solutions that help clients make the best decisions throughout the life cycle of their business.