David Roskin, Citi
212-559-4767 or david.roskin@citi.com
John Gallagher, Deutsche Bank
212-250-4516 or john-t.gallagher@db.com

Major Banks Gather at Citi Pond at Bryant Park to Recognize Mission and Success of Nonprofits that Assist Returning U.S. Service Members and Military Families

New York, NY - November 11, 2011 – Five of the world’s largest financial institutions today presented checks totaling nearly $600,000 to a collection of nonprofit organizations that serve veterans and military families around the United States.  The banks together comprise the founding members of Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS), a joint initiative dedicated to honoring former military personnel and employees currently in the National Guard and Reserve by facilitating career and business opportunities in the financial services industry.

The consortium of banks, including Bank of America, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs, gathered at a reception during Citi’s Military Appreciation Day at Citi Pond at Bryant Park following the New York City Veterans Day Parade.  Representatives from the partner banks presented checks to American Corporate Partners, the Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Gift of Laughter, Wall Street Warfighters, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Jericho Project.

In addition to the ceremony in New York, earlier this week, representatives of Bank of America, Citi, and Deutsche Bank together presented a check to the Wounded Warrior Project at an event in Jacksonville, Florida.  Other organizations receiving funds include The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Hiring Our Heroes” program, The Intrepid Museum Foundation, The Intrepid Relief Fund (Operation Mend), and Reserve Aid.

Earlier this year, VOWS held its first annual conference, bringing together the very best of Wall Street to support and honor service members in the United States Armed Forces. The focus of the conference, held on June 23 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, was to raise awareness of the value of veterans in the workforce, elevate the overall profile of veterans working on Wall Street, and highlight the financial services industry as a veteran-friendly employer.  As part of the VOWS conference, a hiring fair was held on Pier 86 alongside the Intrepid as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's “Hiring our Heroes” initiative, a nationwide public-private partnership to help veterans and their spouses find employment in their local communities.  VOWS also hosted a star-studded gala fundraising event, the proceeds of which were presented this afternoon.

About Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS)
Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS) is an initiative dedicated to honoring former military personnel and employees currently in the United States Armed Forces, National Guard and Reserves by facilitating career and business opportunities in the financial services industry. The consortium of founding member banks includes Bank of America, Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. For more information, please visit www.veteransonwallstreet.com.