Company: CFG-PE
Filing Date: 2025-03-10
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000759944-25-000044
Chunk: 99

Company: CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP INC/RI
Filing Date: 2025-03-10
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 99
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|          |     |                                                                                                                                            |     | The Board recommends a voteFORDeloitte                                      |

The Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte, an independent registered public accounting firm, as the independent auditor to perform an integrated audit of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Deloitte served as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and has served as our independent auditor since becoming a public company in 2014 and prior to that as a privately held company since 2000.

The Audit Committee periodically considers the rotation of the external auditor to ensure independence. In determining whether to retain Deloitte, the Audit Committee considered, among other things, the firm’s independence, objectivity, professional skepticism, qualifications, expertise and performance on the Company’s audit which is evaluated annually. The Audit Committee has oversight of the audit firm fee negotiation process and is responsible for approving audit fees. It also oversees the rotation of the lead audit partner as mandated by SEC requirements and is directly involved in the selection of a new lead audit partner. A new lead audit partner was identified in 2020 and was formally appointed to the role in February 2022.

The Board believes that the reappointment of Deloitte as the independent registered public accounting firm for the 2025 fiscal year is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Neither our Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require shareholder ratification of the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Board believes that obtaining shareholder ratification of the appointment is a sound corporate governance practice. If the shareholders do not vote in favor of Deloitte, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment and in doing so, assess the impact of changing the auditor and the appropriate timing for doing so. The Audit Committee may retain Deloitte or hire another firm without resubmitting the matter for shareholders to approve. The Audit Committee retains the discretion at any time to appoint a different independent auditor.

Representatives of Deloitte are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, available to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire.

| Voting Standard                                                                                                                                                        
 In order to pass, the proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast. |

#### Citizens Financial Group91

#### Audit Matters

#### Audit Committee Report
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist