We are pleased to announce that UMassFive will be the host for an international credit union study group from the country of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a former Soviet Republic which is now an independent country situated on the Caspian Sea between Turkey and Iran. We have a relationship with the Azerbaijan Credit Unions Association from hosting two of their members during a similar study tour in 2004 which was sponsored through the U.S. Department of State’s Community Connections Program for Business Professionals from Azerbaijan.

Our group will consist of seven participants and two interpreters as some individuals speak limited English.  They will be in New England for two weeks: from April 22 - May 5. Their tour will consists of several days at UmassFive, visiting several other local credit unions, going to the Massachusetts Credit Union League office, as well as visiting credit unions in Boston and Manchester N.H. including a tour and lunch at America’s National Credit Union museum in Manchester. Please click here to view a schedule of activities.

While in Hadley they will tour our facilities, attend a Board meeting, and receive several overviews of selected operations at the Credit Union.

This program is administered by World Learning under the sponsorship of the START/Caucasus contract of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Use the links below to learn more about the program and participating credit unions as well as see some pictures of there trip.

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Azerbaijan Photo Gallery
Click below to view photos.
UMassFive Study Group Staff Members
Study Group Transportation from JFK
Look for This Sign Leaving Customs
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Days 4 & 5
Day 7
Day 8
Days 9-11
Day 12
Day 13 & 14

Azerbaijan Web Links
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Massachusetts Credit Union League, Inc.
General Services Administration
Places to visit while in Massachusetts
America's Credit Union Museum
Pioneer Valley Information

Other Credit Unions Participating in the Study Group
Valley Stone Credit Union
Pioneer Valley Postal Credit Union
Franklin First Credit Union
WEMELCO Credit Union
Bellwether Community Credit Union
St. Mary's Bank
Harvard Credit Union
MIT Credit Union
Digital Credit Union