Hispanic Immersion Program Concludes

MADISON, Wis. - Credit union leaders from nine U.S. states have returned home from Mexico after participating in the first World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) Hispanic Marketing Immersion Program.

The program was designed to expose participants to Hispanic marketing tactics. The groups met with marketing teams and executive staff to get an inside look at marketing strategies used in Mexico, and explored volunteer marketing committees, branding, mascots, financial education materials and cultural celebrations, according to WOCCU.

Each day began with four to five hours of intensive Spanish language classes. After class, participants ate authentic Mexican lunches in the homes of their host families and spent the afternoons meeting with one of four Mexican cajas: Caja Popular Mexicana, Caja Libertad, Caja Alianza and Caja Morelia Valladolid. Each caja offered information about credit union operations, marketing tactics, microfinance opportunities and financial products.

In addition to the immersion program, participants attended a workshop in Guanajuato that included presentations by the cajas and visits to local businesses. Eighteen participants from 14 credit unions and leagues attended the immersion. The participants had a choice of one or two-week programs.

For info: www.woccu.org. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com