NEW YORK, NY, April 18, 2005 — Friday night February 11th was an exceptional night, cold on the streets of Manhattan but hot inside Carnegie Hall, where Vanessa Williams delivered a memorable one-night-only benefit performance, co-sponsored by Citizens Community Bank of Ridgewood, New Jersey. The concert benefited tsunami survivors and others in need, with net proceeds going to AmeriCares, humanitarian lifeline to the world. The Whiteweld Foundation was the other primary sponsor of the event.

Vanessa Williams brought her glowing talent as a singer to the stage as she sang highlights from her newest CD, Everlasting Love, as well as selections from her well-established catalog of hits. She completely charmed a near-capacity crowd, singing love songs in honor of Valentine's Day. Her unmistakable style brought new life to recent 'classics' originally recorded by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan, plus she invested her own hits, such as "Save the Best for Last," with tremendous energy. In addition to several costume changes, Ms. Williams brought the crowd to its feet with a swirling dance number, accompanied by two male dancers. Her long-time musical director Rob Mathes made sure the band and the arrangements were polished, professional, and smooth.

Citizens Community Bank was pleased to contribute as a major sponsor of this worthwhile benefit event. Richard C. Lanza, President of Citizens, added that this was right in keeping with the bank's mission: "We've built Citizens to be a community bank, dedicated to the Ridgewood area and all of its individuals and small businesses. When the terrible Asian tsunami crisis occurred, we responded the same way our customers did—with shock, a sense of shared grief, and a strong desire to do something to help those less fortunate. Co-sponsoring this wonderful concert," he continued, "with the net funds going to help the survivors, was a terrific way to contribute. It feels right in line with our motto, 'You've never been more wanted.' Our customers understand that 'caring' is not just a local concept, it's global, and this is a fine expression of it."

The success of the Vanessa Williams concert has inspired Citizens to be on the lookout for more opportunities to do charitable work, in addition to supporting the local community in a variety of ways.

About Citizens Community Bank: The newest community-based bank in Ridgewood, New Jersey, CCB combines today's technology with the friendly, personal service of yesteryear. The bank is committed to Ridgewood, and senior management are all hands-on, approachable, and present during the hours the bank is open, thus restoring the concept of banking based on personal service, personally delivered.