Do Something and Citigroup Challenge America's Youth to Get ''Money

Do Something and Citigroup Challenge America's Youth to Get ''Money Smart;'' 2nd Annual Financial Education Challenge Teaches Money Management and Financial Responsibility to High School Students across the Country

    Business Editors/Education Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2005--

Survey Shows Last Year's Participants Learned the Importance of Planning Ahead
    Do Something, a premier provider of youth-led leadership and citizenship initiatives, and Citigroup, the preeminent global financial services company, today announced the nationwide kick-off of the 2nd annual Financial Education Challenge, where students and their teachers can access a free downloadable game and curriculum to learn about money management and financial responsibility. The challenge is supported by a $213,000 grant from the Citigroup Foundation.
    The Financial Education Challenge, accessed via www.dosomething.org, is a two-segment program of "Learning" and "Doing." Based on Citigroup's Financial Education Curriculum, the "learning" segment consists of a tailored curriculum that teaches students about money management, personal finance, taxes, credit and budgeting. The "doing" segment urges young people to develop a financial plan after managing a virtual account in a fun online game. When players sign up, they receive an imaginary $1,000.00 account, choose a career, make lifestyle choices and select a financial goal. To teach financial responsibility, the program adds new layers of "real life" circumstances over a 10-day period, such as surprise career opportunities, a leaky roof or unexpected medical bills. The game assists players in deciding how to make the appropriate choices to reach their goal, thus emphasizing the importance of a financial plan.
    "Understanding the consequences of decisions early in life -- like choosing a specific career or spending more than you have -- can prepare young people for the financial challenges ahead," said Nancy Lublin, CEO of Do Something. "Citigroup and the Citigroup Foundation's support of the Financial Education Challenge is critically important in helping kids learn about real life situations in a fun, interactive way, that will help them later in life."
    "Good financial habits should start early," said Dara Duguay, Director of Citigroup's Office of Financial Education. "By participating in the Financial Education Challenge, thousands of young people will get a taste of life's challenges and a strong financial education to help them make better choices throughout their lives. We're pleased to join Do Something on this important initiative."
    According to an independent study conducted by the Center for Youth and Communities at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management, educators who participated in last year's Financial Education Challenge felt that it greatly increased students' knowledge of personal finance. In fact, 90% of teachers reported that students liked doing the Challenge activities and that they gained a greater understanding of the importance of savings.

    Of the students participating:

--	87% felt they learned "a lot" about managing their money and making good financial decisions
--	Over 90% reported that the game helped them understand the impact that their choice of job would have; how decisions made now would affect their future; and the importance of having a financial plan
--	85% reported that the game helped to convince them to start saving now
--	90% understood the importance of a financial plan
--	80% said they learned how to make a budget

    Last year, more than 2,000 teachers across the U.S. downloaded the Financial Education Challenge curriculum, reaching an estimated 50,000 students around the country and more than 15,000 young people played the game.
    Do Something's "Financial Education Challenge," sponsored by the Citigroup Foundation, launches nationwide on April 18th. For more information on the Do Something "Financial Education Challenge," check out the Do Something website at www.dosomething.org

    About Do Something:

    Do Something was founded in 1993 by Andrew Shue (Melrose Place) and Michael Sanchez, childhood friends from New Jersey who wanted to support and inspire young people to make a difference in their communities. The non-profit organization is a premier provider of youth-led leadership and citizenship initiatives, providing kids with the inspiration, information, and opportunity to do something to make a difference. For more information about Do Something visit www.dosomething.org.

    About Citigroup Inc.

    The Citigroup Financial Education Program is a global, company-wide effort to identify, support and implement initiatives that help give individuals, families and communities the tools needed to make sound financial decisions. Citigroup's recently announced 10-year, $200 million global financial education commitment is focused in three areas: Personal Financial Education, Small Business Financial Education, and Institutional Financial Education. Additional information about Citigroup's Financial Education Program, including Foundation guidelines, links and resources, including the Citigroup Financial Education Program Curriculum and Facilitator's Guide may be found at: financialeducation.citigroup.com.

    Citigroup (NYSE: C), the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, Banamex, and Travelers Life and Annuity. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com. The Citigroup Foundation focuses its grants primarily in three areas: financial education, educating the next generation, and building communities and entrepreneurs. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

--30--MS/ny*

CONTACT: Linden Alschuler & Kaplan Public Relations Roberta Lee/Tom Kowalski 212-575-4545

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION BANKING CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD SOURCE: Citigroup Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005