Even though Citigroup is battling predatory lending charges with its newly acquired Associates sub-prime lending business, the nations #1 bank credit card issuer is burnishing its image with students. This week, Citi announced it is teaming with EdVenture Partners to take its Credit-ED program into college classrooms across the nation during the spring semester. Citi's Credit-ED program offers

1. The "Credit Matters" page at credit-ed.citibank.com. The site features a range of free credit-related tools, information and additional financial education materials, such as "Start Right", a 30-minute video of students talking to students about money; Credit Minder, a credit card register that helps track spending; and "The Adventures of Anita Future and Les Foresight" comic book, a comic strip series that sheds light on credit card matters and money management

2. Credit-ED bulletins - a series of guides on managing and understanding credit

3. Links to other useful Web sites.

4. A Web site Citibank created specifically for college and university administrators across the country www.credit-edadministrator.com.

5. Monthly statements and on-line account management provided to cardholders to help students track spending and manage their budgets.

The five schools participating in the Citibank/EdVenture Credit-ED pilot program are Northeastern University; Boston University; Arizona State University; University of California, Berkeley; and the State University of New York, Binghamton.