Citizens Bank said it will wind down lending relationships with private prison companies CoreCivic and The GEO Group, citing “changed commercial circumstances” after public pressure linked to federal immigration detention contracting. Both companies have operated immigration detention or deportation centers under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Trump administration. Citizens faced campaigns from advocates and city governments, including New Jersey localities that warned they would withdraw municipal deposits unless the bank cut ties. Citizens said it is exiting lending due to business reasons and reduced financial needs, while noting it must consider regulatory and contractual frameworks in decisions about who to bank. The episode underscores how regulatory attention on “debanking” is influencing financial institutions’ partner risk assessments—an environment that can indirectly affect the higher education sector when colleges rely on banking relationships, sponsored accounts, and financial partners with heightened reputational and compliance exposure.