DURHAM, N.C. -- Forty adults have graduated from the $56 billion Latino Community Credit Union's financial literacy programs this year, the CU has announced.
The credit union celebrated the graduations at a ceremony planned to coincide with the credit union's annual meeting. The 40 graduates have completed the CUs free educational effort which covered topics such as the benefits of a checking account and debit card, how to save and develop a good budget, credit histories, credit cards, tips for buying a good car and how to prepare to buy a home.
Latino Credit Union's CEO, Luis Pastor, gave a welcome speech at the graduation ceremony and introduced a special guest of the event, Rafael Prieto, editor of Charlotte's Mi Gente newspaper. Prieto said that "as long as we don't know how to manage our income, we will be invisible in this country."
The 40 graduates came from all parts of North Carolina. "More than a financial education course I think that this is a small dream factory," said graduate Miguel Fuentes, who immigrated from Mexico.
The CU offers the workshops three times a year. In every branch, there is a financial education facilitator who organizes and carries out the workshops.
"I'm very grateful for the classes," said Mar?-a Dolores G??mez, another member originally from Mexico. "They helped me a lot and I know it is very important because when I came here I had several goals that coincide in great part with what I have learned."
--dmorrison@cutimes.com
