<p>DUBLIN, Ohio – The Ohio Credit Union Foundation, four Ohio credit unions and the Ohio State University have awarded 25 people certificates for completing all four parts of Spanish-language financial literacy classes here. The Latino Financial Services Partnership, consists of two-hour sessions that cover subjects ranging from how to write a check and balancing a checkbook to budgeting. Attendees are generally bilinguals who have had little or no exposure to financial institutions in the U.S. Dr. Rubin Nieto, under contract through the OSU Extension Office, teaches the free classes in Spanish. Big Bear/Members First Credit Union will host the next four weeks of sessions. Other credit unions participating in The Latino Financial Services Partnership include OhioHealth Credit Union, Telhio Credit Union, and Western Credit Union. The initiative to serve the growing Hispanic population in and around Columbus is being funded by the four credit unions and a grant from the OCUF. The classes will continue throughout 2002.</p>