DARIEN, IL – March 26, 2010 - Citizens Financial Bank is proud to announce the winner of the “If I Were President” Essay Contest for students in the Darien / Downers Grove area.

There were 175 entrants in the contest and the winner was:

• Arisai Rodriguez -- Grade 4-6 Group -- Prairieview Elementary School

Arisai’s prize included a $100 savings bond and a $30 book store gift card.

Mrs. Janeise Schultz, Principal of Prairieview School, sent the following quote from Arisai’s classmates. “We are really proud of our classmate winner, Arisai for winning the expository essay contest. She really worked hard and did a fantastic job. We think she is the bomb!”

Corrine Ganiec , Darien Banking Center Manager said, “Citizens has been an active member of the Darien/Downers Grove communities.” She adds, “Our If I Were President contest is just one example of our commitment to the schools and students in Darien and Downers Grove. We felt that every one of the essays we read was worthy of praise.”

William Jochum, Vice President and Regional Sales Manager, said, “All of our Banking Centers are encouraged to actively participate and support community activities.” He continued, “Citizens strongly believes that the best way to serve the needs of the communities where we have branches is to have our staff contribute their support and time to those educational and business organizations that have common goals. That exemplifies what we mean by Personal, personal and Personal, business banking”

Citizens Financial Bank, a $1.1 billion dollar independent bank, serves the financial needs of individuals, families and businesses through its network of 23 Banking Centers located throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Citizens Financial Bank was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Munster, Indiana. www.mybankcitizens.com