CIT’s top leaders recently gathered to focus on growing CIT’s talent.

In late 2006, CIT added several new programs designed to ensure that CIT employees have the resources, skills and motivation to succeed. CIT Human Resources formed the Talent & Strategy Group to spearhead efforts in this area. One of the most innovative and ambitious endeavors of its kind, the Talent & Strategy Group designs and delivers a range of programs for all levels of employees, from interns and analysts through senior management.

At CIT’s most recent Leadership Forum, Chairman and CEO Jeff Peek underscored the importance of this effort. He emphasized that in order to be the leader in the middle market, we will focus on having the right talent in place. “Intellectual and relationship capital are valuable strategic assets that differentiate one company from another,” he said. “We are building a performance-driven culture that will help drive CIT’s growth and create a best-in-class work environment for our employees,” Peek said.

In closing, Peek called upon the attendees to develop action plans around our talent strategy. He emphasized the importance of attracting the right people and retaining them to grow CIT.

“For CIT to have strong leaders and more important, to have the next-generation of leaders basically secures the future of CIT,” said Cormac Costelloe, Managing Director, CIT Specialty Finance, Europe. “It’s very important that as leaders, we are taking the steps to identify who the next leaders are and setting up a framework from which it’s possible for that leadership to come through.”