Citizens Bank announced Marc Paulhus was appointed Citizens Bank Rhode Island president. Paulhus has held a number of senior leadership positions with Citizens. He joined in 2003 following senior leadership roles at PureMarkets, CIT Group, LB Credit and Fleet National Bank. He previously served as Illinois state president and has led Citizens Asset Finance, the bank’s equipment financing business, since 2008. He will continue to run that business and also will manage Citizens’ Middle Market lending business in Rhode Island.

As Rhode Island state president, Paulhus will join the company’s head of Corporate Affairs, Barbara Cottam, Rhode Island Market executive, in leading Citizens’ engagement with civic, business and community leaders across the state.

“We are very pleased to have a leader of Marc’s caliber heading up our Rhode Island leadership team,” said Robert Matthews, vice chairman for Commercial Banking. “As a native Rhode Islander and a seasoned banker who has made significant contributions to the success and growth of our commercial bank, Marc brings considerable leadership skills that will benefit both our Rhode Island customers and the broader Rhode Island community.”

“I am very excited to be coming home to join our team in Rhode Island,” Paulhus said. “Rhode Island is where it all started for Citizens and we are proud to have built up such a strong business while staying true to our roots in the local community. I am honored by this opportunity to help the local team continue providing the best possible banking experience for our Rhode Island customers.”