FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C)
April 16, 2007
Citi Kicks Off New "Agent Penny" Adventure Series, Deepens Commitment to Provide Financial Education for Hong Kong Youth
Hong Kong – Citibank, together with its community partner, the Learning Society, today kicked off a new series of The Adventures of Agent Penny, the innovative and fun-filled financial education program that helps children aged ten to twelve to learn good money management habits such as saving and budgeting.
Following the successful launch of the first Agent Penny series in 2005, the latest program includes a new illustrated comic book called "Operation Finance," as well as a new interactive drama based on the comic's super heroes, Agent Penny and her sidekick, Will Power. Over 35,000 copies of the comic have been printed for distribution. The drama has been produced by the local professional theater group, Jumbo Kids, and will be performed in 100 primary schools this year.
Betty Tsoi, Regional Director of Customer Experience & Loyalty, Asia Pacific, Citibank Global Consumer Group said, "We received an overwhelming response from our pilot program so we are expanding the reach of the new series by doubling the number of schools. We want more children to learn basic but important financial concepts such as spending wisely, sticking to a budget, and saving for a rainy day. If they adopt healthy money management skills at an early stage, then it will have a positive impact on their lives for years to come."
Funded by the Citigroup Foundation, the Agent Penny program is part of Citi's Financial Education Series in Hong Kong to promote financial literacy among youth at different ages. As part of Citi, Citibank shares the belief that financial education helps people make more informed financial decisions, thereby improving the quality of life for individuals and families, and strengthening communities around the world.
"We are also in talk with Education & Manpower Bureau, HKSAR to organize community plays in other districts outside school community so that more people can benefit from the Agent Penny program. As the world's largest financial institution, Citi is committed, through its philanthropic arm, the Citigroup Foundation, to support local communities," Mrs. Tsoi added.
Currently, the Agent Penny program is being run in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and will be launched soon in China and Indonesia. A specially designed website at www.kidswealthfoundation.org also provides teachers and parents with interactive online resources to reinforce the financial know-how that students gain through the comic book and drama.
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Citigroup Foundation
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.citigroupfoundation.com.
Citi Financial Education Program
Based on the belief that knowledge is your greatest assetSM, the Citi 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. Citi's 10-year, $200 million global commitment is focused in three areas: Personal, Small Business and Institutional Financial Education. Additional information about Citi Financial Education Program, including Citigroup Foundation guidelines, links and resources and the Citi Financial Education Program Curriculum and Facilitator's Guide may be found at http://financialeducation.citigroup.com.
Citi
Citi, 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 Citi's trademark red arc include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.
Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors. More information about these factors is contained in Citigroup's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Learning Society
The Learning Society was established in 2000 as a public service organization with the goals of promoting and supporting progressive educational programs for adults and children, engaging in charitable education and helping to administer some of the Citigroup Foundation grants in financial education in the Asia region. More information can be found at www.learningsociety.org.sg.