Citizens Financial Group Adds to Advisory Capabilities with Acquisition of Matrix Capital Markets Group
Deal strengthens coverage of Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail sector
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG) today announced a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all the assets of Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc., a market-leading advisory firm in the Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail sector, with additional expertise and proven success in the Automotive Aftermarket and Outdoor Recreation and Marine sectors. This transaction further strengthens Citizens' sector-focused advisory capabilities.
Founded in 1988, Matrix has its headquarters in Richmond, VA, and a second office in Baltimore, MD, as well as bankers based in Cleveland and Atlanta, and serves clients across the United States. With a focus on advising convenience retailers, wholesale fuels distributors, propane and heating oil distributors, and lubricants distributors, Matrix is the market-leading advisory firm in the Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail sector. Since 2021, Matrix has completed more than 70 M&A transactions and has ranked No. 1 in the league tables in the sector each year.
"Clients view Citizens as a trusted strategic and financial partner committed to delivering tailored, insight-driven solutions and a differentiated client experience," said Ted Swimmer, head of Commercial Banking at Citizens. "The Matrix team of talented bankers brings strong capabilities in several sectors that dovetail with existing corporate coverage."
"Citizens shares Matrix's intense passion for offering robust and customized advisory capabilities with deep sector expertise, as well as Matrix's commitment to delivering exceptional client solutions and service. Joining Citizens provides Matrix a proven and growing platform to provide a broader set of tailored advisory services and capital solutions to clients," said Spencer Cavalier, co-head of Matrix's Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail banking team.
"Citizens has been a highly respected capital partner to Convenience Retail & Downstream Energy companies for many years," added Cedric Fortemps, co-head of Matrix's Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail banking team. "Their track record and commitment to their clients has always stood out to us. We are excited to join Citizens' platform and look forward to contributing our advisory capabilities alongside their well-established and growing lending and treasury services offerings."
The transaction will be funded with cash. Under the terms of the agreement, Citizens' wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, ("CJMPS") will purchase substantially all the assets of Matrix and upon closing, Matrix will operate as a division of CJMPS. Additional terms of the transaction, which is targeted to close in the first quarter of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.
WilmerHale served as legal advisor to Citizens in connection with the transaction. Matrix was represented by Houlihan Lokey as financial advisor and Calfee as legal advisor.
For more information about Citizens, visit the Citizens website. For more information about Matrix, visit their website.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation's oldest and largest financial institutions, with $226.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. Consumer Banking includes Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, which integrate banking services and wealth management solutions to serve high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.
Forward-looking statements
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This communication contains "forward-looking statements" — that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," or "target." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include the failure to consummate this transaction or to make or take any filing or other action required to consummate any such transaction in a timely matter or at all. These or other uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different from those expressed in our forward-looking statements.
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