Citibank Zrt., a member of Citigroup, today announced the continuation of the Citibank Financial Education Program launched in 2001 in partnership with Junior Achievement Hungary (JAH). The Citigroup Foundation has given a $130,000 donation to JAH, which will provide teaching materials to more than 15,000 students in 36 elementary schools across Hungary. Together with this year's support, the Citigroup Foundation had donated a total of $520,000 to Junior Achievement Hungary and altogether 70,000 students in 142 different schools have gained access to the modern personal finance training methods through this program.

The aim of the program is to provide schools with modern, technology-based curriculum resources and innovative teaching strategies, which will increase students' knowledge, skills and performance in economics, mathematics, finance and English.

Eva Hencz, Public Affairs Officer for Citibank Zrt., said, "Last year Citigroup announced a $200 million 10-year global commitment to Financial Education. This financial education program had been very successful over the past four years, so we decided to continue expanding it to more schools in more regions in Hungary. We believe that the earlier students start learning the basics of economics and finance - naturally, through interesting, interactive-type simulation games and exercises appropriate for their age - the easier it will be for them to meet the requirements and challenges of the modern age."

The teaching package contains economics, finance, mathematics and English language teaching software to be used on the state-of-the-art, large-screen computer, which is also part of the package. Educational software in economics and finance for grades five to eight has been prepared by Junior Achievement on the basis of its printed teaching materials developed in the US and adapted to the specific interests of Hungarian students.

Ivan Javorszky, Managing Director of JAH, said: "We are delighted that with Citibank's help we can continue to expand this successful program. It has been great to see the joy on the students' faces - though at the time most of them did not know that what they had just received was far more than a one-off gift, but rather an opportunity to acquire knowledge and an attitude that will help ensure their success in later life."

Back to Press Room

Media Contact:
Eva Hencz, Public Affairs Officer
Tel: +36 1 374-5307, Mobile: +36 30 250-7473, Fax: +36 1 374-5378

Note to the editors
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 and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.
The Citigroup Foundation focuses its grants primarily on financial education and community development, along with arts and culture, health and human services, and the environment. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com

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

About Junior Achievement Hungary
Junior Achievement Hungary (JAH) is a licensed franchise of Junior Achievement Worldwide. The foundation has been running its programs in Hungary since 1993. Eleven separate programs targeted from kindergartens to high schools are currently being offered to 50,000 students in 98 cities and villages across Hungary. The mission of JAH is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about the business environment and free market economy through a dynamic partnership between businesses and schools. By attending these programs, students acquire knowledge and essential skills that will help them become educated consumers, more productive employees and more responsible members of the business community.