It's All a Front - Universal Banker Citizens Employee Review

1.0
13 Apr 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You meet some cool people and they provide more than adequate training for new employees. Training takes place over 3 months and is very thorough. Also, if you have to travel for training, expenses are paid for and they make it rather enjoyable.

Cons

Terrible hours (in-store employees work 9a-7:15p and work weekends, including sundays) which mean zero work-life balance. They also make it seem like you can earn so much in bonuses but they use every reason to take your hard earned bonus money away from you (customer surveys, branch performance, etc.). I literally got to the second tier for bonus my first quarter and didn't even make $500 extra. The sales pressure is almost unbearable. You are essentially a puppet that is expected to follow scripts when making cold calls and holding client meetings. No employee empowerment at all. If you actually want a finance job, this is not for you...it is SALES, SALES, and more SALES. And the pressure that comes from that turns employees against each other, creates a hostile and cutthroat environment, and makes you dread going to work. The pay is terrible too. I could barely afford rent, food, and utilities (I even had to discontinue cable because I couldn't afford it) and I am just a single person. It wouldn't even be possible to support a family on those kind of wages. They make it seem like they paid us so much but realistically, I shouldn't be racking up credit card debt just to put food on my table. The benefits were sub par as well. Couldn't find many providers in my area that took the insurance offered through Citizens (Cigna, Delta Dental, and VSP). It was also ridiculously expensive. The 401k match doesn't start until you've been there a year. They also really prevent you fro moving up in the company. Very few opportunities, A LOT of favoritism, and you can't move up until you've been there for a year (even if you are significantly over-qualified for the position you are currently in).

Explore other reviews about Citizens

5.0
27 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent work/life balance – Expectations are reasonable, and leadership genuinely respects personal time and flexibility, which makes it easier to sustain long‑term performance. Strong internal promotion culture – Many colleagues advance from within, and it’s clear the company invests in developing its people rather than always looking externally. Exceptional senior leadership – Senior leaders are visible, engaged, and hands‑on. They spend time in the weeds, visit branches, and actively connect with colleagues at all levels instead of operating at a distance. Collaborative, supportive colleagues – Teams work well together and there is a sense of shared purpose rather than internal competition.

Cons

Pace of change can be slower in some areas – As a large organization, certain processes and initiatives can take time to roll out or gain traction, which may be frustrating for those who prefer rapid change.

3.0
4 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The pros are the benefits, the pay could be higher for all that you learn and have to go through for ten weeks. They offer tuition assistance and opportunity for upskilling and advancing in such little time and the remote flexibility is great too

Cons

Management sucks and of course they have their favorites and then they have the people they target like myself. They micromanage bad and are quick to give you an occurrence for nothing. Their systems are so slow and then they blame you for being five ten minutes late logging in. They want you to tell them when you get up to breathe, go to the bathroom and they push for you to take calls and know boatloads of info after on 3 weeks of training. What they don’t know is that I will sue for any wrong doings or discrimination and I keep records of everything

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