Monster and Bank of America Promote Smart Money Management Skills Among College Students Nationwide

Monster's Making It Count Ultimate Money Skills program provides students with tips on effective credit card use, budgeting, and taking control of student loan debt

Making It Count, an educational service provider for students and parents and a business unit of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), is teaming up with Bank of America, one of the world's largest financial institutions, to educate and empower college students to develop smart money management skills through their Ultimate Money Skills: Scholars, Dollars, Budgets & Bills program.

Beginning in June, Making It Count's interactive Ultimate Money Skills program will be presented free to college students on campuses across the country. The program prepares students with an understanding of appropriate credit card use, student banking options, how to develop and follow a budget and the importance of saving. According to the 2003-2004 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), two-thirds (65.7%) of four-year undergraduate students graduate with some debt, and the average student loan debt among graduating seniors is $19,237.

Ultimate Money Skills helps students understand that the choices they make about money now, when they are first exposed to the responsibilities of managing their own finances, has a direct impact on their financial success down the road, said JR Cifani, vice president and general manager, Making It Count. This informative and valuable program offers students priceless money management skills to help them make better decisions now and in their future.

Over 230 presentations at 204 campuses were completed across the country in the 2006-2007 pilot. Students and administration who attended the Ultimate Money Skills program found the presentation extremely effective, rating the program a 9.1 out of 10 for value.

Bank of America is committed to students and their long term financial success. We want to give them the opportunity to reach their life goals and we're excited about how this program distinguishes Bank of America as a leader in providing college students the tools they need to achieve their dreams, said Dennis Morey, Vice President, Student Card Product Manager, Bank of America.

For more information regarding the Ultimate Money Skills program, e-mail: programs@makingitcount.com or call 513-772-1188.

Ultimate Money Skills is a valuable, eye-opening, interactive presentation that is beneficial to college students at all stages in their college career, said Rebecca Cole, director, First Year Experience Courses, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.