Bank customers and employees choose groups for a share of bank transactions - Voluntary Sector - Citizens Bank of Canada grants to nonprofit organizations - Brief Article

Community Action, April 15, 2002

VANCOUVER -- Citizens Bank of Canada, a cooperative financial institution, announced the recipients of its annual Shared Interest awards.

Shared Interest recipients are chosen through a unique process whereby not-for-profits are nominated and considered for funding by bank members and employees.

Among the recipients of Shared Interest grants are:

* Habitat for Humanity (Canada) Ltd.,

* Better Environmentally Sound Transportation,

* Developing Countries Farm Radio Network,

* Change for Children Association,

* The Working Centre Redwood Shelter,

* Youth Community Outreach AIDS Society,

* Peterborough Green-up.

The Shared Interest Fund is based on $1 per year for every $1,000 on deposit, plus 10 cents for each Shared Interest VISA credit card transaction. Bank members vote for one of eight finalist not-for-profits (chosen from the nominees by a committee of bank members, employees and NGO representatives) and the Fund is divided based on the percentage breakdown of votes received. 604-708-7852