Citizens Financial Group and Cognizant Mark One Year of Hyderabad GCC: Celebrating 1,000 Hires and Accelerating Next Phase of AI-Led Growth

  Citizens Financial Group (NYSE: CFG), in partnership with and Cognizant (NYSE: CTSH), today marked the one-year anniversary of its Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad, reaching a milestone of 1,000 hires, and entering the next phase of expansion focused on advanced AI, data, and digital engineering.  

Launched in 2025, the GCC has rapidly scaled into a high‑impact innovation hub helping Citizens’ advance its key priorities across cloud modernization, AI platforms, cybersecurity, and digital product engineering.

“Reaching the 1,000th hire in Hyderabad in just one year reflects both the strength of our strategy and the exceptional talent we’ve built here,” said Michael Ruttledge, Chief Information Officer and Head of Enterprise Technology & Security at Citizens Financial Group. “The GCC is a core part of our global engineering engine, with teams in India working side-by-side with our US teams to build and scale AI-driven solutions, modernize our technology platforms, and shape the future of banking.”

The GCC operates on a fully integrated global model, bringing together engineering, AI, data, and business expertise to deliver measurable impact. Teams are embedded within mission-critical initiatives, contributing to:

• AI‑powered solutions that enhance personalization and client management
• Modern data platforms that accelerate real-time insights and decision making
• Scalable engineering practices that improve speed and quality of delivery across the systems

“The Citizens GCC represents the next generation of global capability centers — where AI, engineering excellence and business integration come together to drive transformation at scale,” said Nageswar Cherukupalli, Head of Banking & Capital Markets & Insurance at Cognizant. “With Citizens, we are building a model that delivers speed, innovation, and long-term value for the enterprise.”

“The first year of the Citizens GCC in Hyderabad marks a significant milestone in advancing innovation and transformation agenda. In a short span, the GCC has emerged as a strategic hub advancing key priorities cloud modernization, AI, cybersecurity and digital engineering,” said Sailaja Josyula, SVP, Global Head – GCC Service Line, Cognizant. “As Citizens scales, the GCC is well positioned to accelerate enterprise-wide transformation and outcomes.”

Building a Destination for Top Technology Talent in India

India is a strategic hub for Citizens, and the company’s investments are designed to deliver long-term value through talent, innovation and sustainable growth. As part of the next phase for its Hyderabad GCC, Citizens will continue hiring across AI, cloud, data, and digital engineering roles over the next two years, while intentionally fostering a culture grounded in learning, innovation, and long-term talent development.

Citizens is also strengthening the future talent pipeline in Hyderabad by supporting the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Residential Degree College for Women in Telangana. Through investments in digital infrastructure, AI training, and career readiness, the program will equip more than 700 female students from underserved communities with the skills and resources needed to pursue careers in technology, expanding access to opportunity and creating new pathways for women in the industry.