The Nets, Merrill Lynch and The Stock Market Game™ Program have teamed up for the second annual “Nets/Merrill Lynch Investment Challenge,” which supports New Jersey high school students as they participate in The Stock Market Game Program. The kickoff ceremony was held on Friday, February 10th, when the Nets played host to the San Antonio Spurs.

The “Nets/Merrill Lynch Investment Challenge” introduces young people to The Stock Market Game Program. Participating Newark Public Schools are Barringer High School, East Side High School, Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Weequahic High School, and West Side High School. The students will be treated to courtside seats at several Nets games and, as a special reward, Merrill Lynch will offer a paid summer internship to a participating student from each school to give them hands-on experience on Wall Street.

"I look forward again this year to the challenge of working with these students and helping them understand the importance of proper investing," said Nets center Jason Collins, who participated in the launch of the program last year. "This program can provide valuable business skills which the students will be able to implement throughout their adult lives."

The Stock Market Game™ Program, administered by the Foundation for Investor Education, is a classroom tool that helps to improve student achievement in language arts, math, business, social studies, computer technology, and other subject areas. Students gain real-world experience and an appreciation for the value of saving and investing. Each team is given a $100,000 simulated portfolio to "invest" in this hands-on learning experience, while teachers incorporate program materials into their curriculum. These materials are designed to meet academic performance standards.

“For many of the students, the ‘New Jersey Nets/Merrill Lynch Investment Challenge’ will be their first exposure to investing, the life skills associated with investing, and the many exciting career paths in this industry,” said Eddy Bayardelle, President Merrill Lynch Foundation. “We are thrilled to offer internships to the winning students, so they can put their new skills to the test and get a jumpstart on their careers.” The internship winners will work at Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Client office in Newark, NJ. “A summer of experience at Merrill Lynch is an excellent way to apply the skills learned during the investment challenge,” said Robert Ross, head of Merrill Lynch’s Newark complex.

“Together, the Nets, the Stock Market Game TM Program, and Merrill Lynch are giving students tools to help improve their academic performance and to learn about personal finance," said Donna C. Peterman, the Foundation’s chair and senior vice president, PNC Financial Services Group. “The Nets Investment Challenge not only helps sharpen the critical thinking skills of hundreds of local students, it helps prepare them for life.”

About the Nets
The New Jersey Nets have been a member of the National Basketball Association since 1976, and currently play their home games at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The principal owner of the Nets is Bruce Ratner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Forest City Ratner Companies, with headquarters in Brooklyn, NY.

About Merrill Lynch's Philanthropy
Merrill Lynch was founded on the idea that the world is full of opportunity. Opening the door to that opportunity for underserved children and youth is the focus of our global philanthropy. In 2004, Merrill Lynch giving totaled more than $35.5 million, with education receiving nearly half of that support. Merrill Lynch's flagship program, Investing Pays Off¬®—or IPO®—helps create a level playing field for youngsters of all backgrounds through financial literacy and business savvy. The program strength lies in a free curriculum, the involvement of Merrill Lynch volunteers and online educational resources at http://volunteer.ml.com

About the Foundation for Investor Education
The Foundation for Investor Education is a charitable, educational not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating investor education in the United States. The foundation administers two programs: The Stock Market Game™ Program (www.stockmarketgame.org), which combines a stock-trading simulation with classroom curriculum for students in grades four through 12, and the Investor Education Program, which offers the educational Web site, Path To Investing - Leading the way to financial knowledge® (www.pathtoinvesting.org), and print materials aimed at adults of all levels of investing experience.