Citizens appoints Gannon general counsel, chief legal officer

PROVIDENCE – Citizens Financial Group has appointed Stephen T. Gannon general counsel and chief legal officer, effective Aug. 11, the Providence-based bank announced.
“Steve is exceptionally qualified to lead our legal team as we prepare to separate from RBS and become a standalone, publicly traded company,” said Bruce Van Saun, Citizens Financial Group chairman and CEO, in a July 17 press release. “Steve’s extensive legal background in financial services, including his expertise in securities law and regulatory matters, makes him a very strong addition to our executive committee.”
Citizens is in the process of separating from its parent, Royal Bank of Scotland, and has announced a planned 25 percent IPO later this year, with the bank expected to be fully public by 2016.
Gannon was previously executive vice president and deputy general counsel for Capital One Financial Corp. He has also been general counsel for Wachovia Securities’ retail brokerage group. Gannon has also served as branch chief and staff attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Gannon has undergraduate and J.D. degrees from Georgetown University. He succeeds Sheldon Goldfarb, who is stepping down to focus on his responsibilities with RBS Americas after serving for six years as Citizens’ general counsel and chief legal officer.