New York City Teens Learn the Responsible Use of Credit on National Get Smart About Credit Day; Manhattan Center for Math and Science Students Receive a Get Smart Lesson from U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral and Citigroup Representatives.

NEW YORK -- Students from the Manhattan Center for Math and Science will learn the do's and don'ts of credit on the third annual National Get Smart About Credit Day, a program sponsored by the American Bankers Association Education Foundation.

Students will receive a Get Smart About Credit Day lesson from the U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral and Dara Duguay, Director of Citigroup's Office of Financial Education.

The U.S. Treasurer and Duguay will join thousands of other bank and government volunteers visiting colleges, high schools, freshman orientations, youth groups, and continuing education classes to teach students how to budget, use credit cards responsibly and build a positive payment history.

"Citigroup is pleased to team up with the ABAEF to make a difference in our community and teach credit lessons that will help young people build better lives for themselves," said Dara Duguay, Director of Citigroup's Office of Financial Education. "No matter your age, understanding how to use credit wisely is incredibly important and we hope to empower students and young adults by providing the information and tools they need to reach their financial goals."

Explaining the importance of financial education, Susan Cole, ABAEF Director, said, "Would you allow your child to leave the house on a cold day without a coat? Of course not; and we shouldn't allow teens to head out into a complex, financial world without credit skills. Just like the weather, credit cards, car loans and mortgages are a fact of life. If we don't equip teens to use these products, they could face unnecessary financial hardship and failure. Bankers understand this all too well, and that's why so many of them are in schools today teaching teens how to use credit wisely."

Approximately 60 students participating in the credit lesson are Aspirantes, Leadership Club members of ASPIRA, one of New York City's leading Latino-based, non-profit youth development agencies that serves over 8,000 Latino youth and families annually. Citigroup has a long-standing relationship with ASPIRA and supports several financial education, homeownership and mentorship programs. More than 90% of the students participating in ASPIRA Leadership Clubs successfully graduate high school and pursue a college degree.

"We are proud that many of the students participating in the Get Smart About Credit Day event at Manhattan Center are Aspirantes," said Hector Gesualdo, Executive Director of ASPIRA of New York. "Engaging these students in lessons and dialogues about the importance of developing good credit and a personal credit history is especially important in terms of financing one's college education. Many of our students aspire to own their own homes and cars and to be successful business professionals in the global economy. This event shows our students that it is possible to be financially independent and how personal finances and credit can help them reach their personal aspirations."

ASPIRA strives to foster the social advancement of the Puerto Rican/Latino community by supporting its youth in the pursuit of educational excellence through leadership development activities and programs that emphasize commitment to the community and pride in the Puerto Rican/Latino culture. ASPIRA of New York has many community leaders and business professionals among its alumni base including Emmy award-winning actor Jimmy Smits and mayoral candidate and former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer.

Presentations on Get Smart About Credit Day provide students with comprehensive lessons and activities. The presentations include: a video with college students and young adults discussing their credit experiences; handouts on credit rights and credit reports; exercises on preventing identity theft, budgeting, saving and credit use. The program is modeled after the highly successful ABAEF National Teach Children to Save Day.

In 2004, Citigroup and the Citigroup Foundation announced a 10-year, $200 million global financial education commitment, the formation of a new Office of Financial Education and a global initiative designed to encourage its 300,000 employees around the world to devote time to support financial education and other charitable causes. Under the new initiative, employees may take a day off from work to volunteer for non-profit organizations in their communities.

About the ABA Education Foundation

The ABA Education Foundation, a non-profit subsidiary of the American Bankers Association, is committed to developing and providing education programs that lead to financial literacy. For nearly eighty years, we have supported the banking industry's efforts to teach personal finance skills in schools and communities across the country. The programs we provide are specifically and uniquely created for young children, teenagers and adults to provide them with the skills they need to budget, save, and manage credit. For more information, visit http://www.aba.com/Consumer+Connection or call 1-800-BANKERS.

About Citigroup

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, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney and Banamex. 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.

Citigroup Financial Education Program

Based on the belief that knowledge is your greatest asset, 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 10-year, $200 million global 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: http://financialeducation.citigroup.com