Genworth Financial Targeting Hispanics.

Genworth Financial, Inc. has announced an initiative with America’s Community Bankers, the trade association representing the nation’s community banks, to help its members reach more Hispanic homebuyers.

As part of its existing alliance with Genworth Financial, ACB members now have the opportunity to be part of “Tu Casa Ahora” (“Your Home Now”), a new on-line Spanish-language program designed by Genworth to help Hispanics become homeowners. Available at www.tucasaahora.com, the program also allows consumers to access up to $2,000 in discounts and special offers on home-related products and services.

Community bank participation in the program is exclusive to ACB members. The Hispanic outreach program is part of a marketing agreement announced in May between Genworth and ACB. Many ACB members already are participating in the overall initiative, which is designed to help reach potential homeowners in emerging markets, and to generate revenue for ACB members while improving their books of business.

Genworth Financial created “Tu Casa Ahora” to help Hispanic homebuyers make informed decisions regarding what is often the single largest investment an individual or family makes. The website’s educational content can help potential buyers better understand the home buying process and make better decisions about what is typically a consumer’s largest purchase.

“This turnkey program offers great support for ACB members who are working to fulfill the affordable housing needs of Hispanic residents of their communities,” said Curtis L. Hage, chairman of ACB Business Partners, Inc., the for-profit ACB subsidiary that is offering the program. “This program is tailored-made to give ACB members the tools to attract underserved Hispanic homebuyers. This is a win-win for borrowers and bankers.”

“We’re looking forward to providing ACB members with a resource to better serve their Hispanic customers and close more loans,” said Kevin Schneider, president of Genworth Financial’s U.S. mortgage insurance business. “‘Tu Casa Ahora’ can help Hispanics start on the road to homeownership, helping them understand the mortgage process and make smart decisions about how much house they can afford.”

The program includes step-by-step instruction on the mortgage process and easy-to-use interactive tools to help users calculate payments and analyze rates. Participating ACB members will be listed under a section that helps users find lenders that are familiar with the needs of the Hispanic community and that offer Spanish language service. Lenders may also put links on their website that take users directly to “Tu Casa Ahora.”

Directly available through the website, www.tucasaahora.com, the program will be promoted via a multi-faceted network, beginning with local Telemundo station websites in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.