BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – United Educational CU is giving its tellers, managers and maintenance workers free Spanish lessons, to help them communicate with a growing membership base.
Most Spanish-speaking residents in Battle Creek are from Mexico, where personal banking is not as common or accessible as it is in the United States, credit union officials say. So, instead of opening a savings account where their money can earn interest, many people chose to carry their money with them or keep it at home. They tend to turn to predatory lenders offering high-interest-rate loans and check service centers that charge exorbitant fees.
As part of its outreach, United Educational is also promoting a bilingual staff member, from part-time to full-time and is planning to hire another part-time, bilingual staff member as well.
