The lively and colorful streets of downtown Queretaro offer a glimpse of Mexican culture.

Madison, WI— The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) will offer an intensive training experience during its Mexico-United States Credit Union Workshop September 22-23, in the historic cities of Queretaro and Guanajuato, Mexico.

Workshop participants will gain new insights on member service while working with local Mexican credit union managers, staff and members. In addition to providing a unique cultural exchange, the workshop will feature learning sessions with expert panelists on topics such as marketing to Hispanic members, creative outreach activities, immigration and how microlending helps improve the lives of members while benefiting the economy as a whole.

Victor Corro, WOCCU International Partnerships Manager, invited anyone interested to attend, “This is a great opportunity for anyone in a U.S. credit union interested in driving membership growth, particularly in the growing Hispanic market. The workshop will provide participants a firsthand glimpse into the inner-workings of Mexican credit unions.”

Participants will spend Saturday morning visiting local credit union branches in either Queretaro or Guanajuato, Mexico. Surrounded by local staff, participants will learn not only what products and services these branches offer, but most importantly, how these credit unions serve a diverse membership ranging from salaried professionals to subsistence farmers.

Workshop participants will also visit microentrepreneurs who started their businesses with loans from their local credit unions. These microentrepreneurs now own successful bakeries, car repair shops and fruit export businesses.

On Sunday, participants will focus on strengthening ties between the Mexican and U.S. credit union systems and expanding member services through remittances and international shared branching. The workshop will conclude with an authentic Mexican fiesta.

The Mexico-United States Credit Union Workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about how to better serve the growing Hispanic market in the United States or how credit unions operate in Mexico. Registration closes August 31, 2007. For more information, or to register, contact Victor Corro, WOCCU International Partnerships Manager, at (608) 770-2815 or vcorro@woccu.org.

WOCCU’s Hispanic Marketing Immersion Program will take place September 15-30 in Mexico. Participants in that program may also join the Mexico-United States Credit Union Workshop.