ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA Board Member Deborah Matz recently announced that the agency's next PALS-Partnering and Leadership Successes-workshop will be held in Durham, N.C. on July 8. The workshop, Making the Latino Connection: A PALS Workshop for Credit Unions, is focused on sharing ideas for serving Latino communities within credit unions' fields of membership. "This PALS workshop will provide credit union officials with suggestions for programs and tools that are tried and true in serving Latino populations," Matz said. "It will help the credit union representatives understand the demographics, culture and financial needs of this growing community and how to effectively focus marketing efforts." Tentatively included in the list of speakers to address the workshop in addition to Matz are NCUA General Counsel Bob Fenner, Alabama Credit Union League President Gary Wolter, Georgia Credit Union League President Mike Mercer, North Carolina Credit Union League President Larry Johnson, and South Carolina Credit Union League President John Franklin, as well as a representative from $12 million Latino Community Credit Union (N.C.). The day-long workshop will address subjects like connecting with Latino community leaders, winning marketing strategies, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, volunteer income tax assistance and financial literacy. Credit unions that have been successful in marketing to Latino populations will offer insights and a plethora of opportunities for networking will be available. Additionally, an exhibit session will provide innovative materials and programs for participants to review. The free workshop is co-sponsored by the Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina credit union leagues. Matz's PALS initiative is part of the agency's Access Across America program, designed to expand access to credit union service in underserved neighborhoods and communities to build economic empowerment.