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What’s the largest driver of U.S. economic growth these days? Media attention is focused mostly on high tech and the oil-shale boom, but a new study from Stanford draws attention to a largely overlooked factor: a huge surge in the number of businesses being formed by Latino entrepreneurs.

Latinos in the United States owned an estimated 3.3 million businesses in 2012, nearly triple the 1.2 million of 1997, according to Census Bureau data. By contrast, the tally for non-Latino-owned businesses has stayed largely flat. Less than a third of that growth can be explained by a rising Latino or Hispanic population; the bulk of it reflects a step-up in business formation rates.

“Latinos have not been a drag on the U.S. economy,” said David Rivers, a senior fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, who is leading new research by the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI). “It’s more the reverse. A weak economy is holding back Latinos.” READ MORE AT FORBES

The name Napa Valley conjures iconic images of vines, majestic chateaus and a gastronomic paradise. The concentration of talent, vines and a near-perfect climate have made it a mecca for winemakers and wine drinkers alike. As you drive up Highway 29 or over onto the Silverado trail, there is a dizzying array of wineries, one after the other.

With such a high concentration of wineries, it seems impossible to be noticed and easy to be lost in a sea of phenomenal producers. But there is a group of winemakers in Napa that is gaining recognition for serious wines with great history and stories.

In the vineyards, much of the work is done by a Hispanic workforce. A number of today’s top vineyard managers are the second generation, the children of workers who tended to the vines. Today there is a legacy of Hispanic talent that has emerged in this highly competitive marketplace. These winemakers did not have massive fortunes or palatial wineries, but instead a history of growing grapes and making exceptional wines. These are the sons and daughters of the Mexican workforce that supports the California wine industry. READ MORE AT THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

Networking is a skill that's critical for career advancement. While talking to strangers and approaching new people are challenging for most people, those tasks can be especially difficult for introverts.

Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and author of "Poised for Success: Mastering The Four Qualities That Distinguish Outstanding Professionals" (St. Martin's Press, 2011), said that networking can be challenging for introverts because they are often better at listening than they are at making conversation with strangers. READ MORE AT MASHABLE

These companies achieved the highest scores among Hispanic and Latino employees, who were asked about fairness of promotions, opportunities for advancement and professional development, access to senior leadership, the feeling of honest connection with colleagues, and how comfortable they feel being themselves at work. READ MORE AT FORTUNE

Undertreatment of high cholesterol is a major problem among Hispanics in the United States, a new study finds.

The research, to be presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Fla., found that only one-third to one-half of Hispanics who could benefit from cholesterol-lowering statin drugs were taking them.

One heart expert wasn't surprised by the finding.

"The result of this study is another clear demonstration of the extent of how disparities in health care access affect Hispanic patients," said Dr. Johanna Paola Contreras, an assistant professor of medicine and cardiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Researchers assessed the need for treatment of high cholesterol among more than 16,400 Hispanic adults, and found that only about 10 percent were taking statins. READ MORE AT HEALTH DAY

The size of the Hispanic workforce is at an all-time high, Latinos are more college educated than ever.

But despite this, Hispanic families brought in less income and have less wealth than they did two decades ago.

In other words, all the college degrees earned by Hispanics over the last two decades have not led to long term wealth, government data shows. What’s more, Latinos with degrees got hit harder by the recession than those without.

While the U.S. job market relies on Latino employees more than ever before, with the Hispanic labor participation rate up 137 percent in 20 years, and the number of Latinos attending college more than tripling since 1996, according to Pew Research, the wealth gap continues to grow as income and wealth for Hispanic families is less today than it was in 1992. READ MORE AT FOX NEWS LATINO

When I ask an audience, “How many of you are here hoping to possibly sell something?” almost everyone raises their hands. When I ask that same audience, “How many of you are here to possibly buy something?” nobody raises their hands.

Ever. Not one person.

This is what I call the networking disconnect. Too often, people show up at networking events wanting to sell something but nobody ever goes wanting to buy something. This is how networking can be done badly.

So, it didn’t surprise me when I recently read an article entitled “Stop Networking.” It went on to explain how the process of networking is so “mercenary.” The problem is that every example the author gave about how networking doesn’t work was an example of really bad networking! The conclusion was to stop networking. Instead of networking, the author said you should do these five things:

1. Focus on relationships, not transactions. READ MORE AT ENTREPRENEUR

No doubt that a job search can be a stressful and trying time. But in your quest to land a good job, be cautious not to be so self absorbed that you burn bridges with people who could influence your career.

In today’s highly interconnected world, people within an industry are separated by just a few degrees.

“If you mishandle a situation, and etiquette skills get lost in the shuffle, it just might affect you negatively down the road,”says Barbara Pachter, a business etiquette and communications speaker based in New Jersey and author of “The Essentials of Business Etiquette: How to Greet, Eat, and Tweet Your Way to Success.”

Common faux pas in the job search involve everything from how you approach openings to how you respectfully turn down an offer. Here are some tips to consider. READ MORE AT POST BULLETIN

While Latinas have among the highest average life expectancy, the statistics seem grim for their retirement years. Latinas still only earn 54¢ for every $1 earned by a white male. October 15, 2015, is Latina Equal Pay Day -- the day in which Latinas catch up to what their white male counterparts made in 2014, almost two full years to earn equal pay. The loss of several hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime puts Latinas at an immediate disadvantage for retirement saving.

Currently, only 37% of Latinas have set up an IRA, meaning that many have not been able to start saving for retirement. This explains why 80% of Latinas rely on Social Security benefits for the majority of their retirement income. As most people know, Social Security provides only enough income to pay for the bare basics - hardly enough to live comfortably.

There is, however, another threat to Latinas in addition to increased longevity, lower pay and lack of access to workplace retirement savings plans. READ MORE AT HUFFINGTON POST

The percentage of Hispanics continues to increase among newly hired federal employees, and also as a share of the government workforce, but that group remains underrepresented in the federal workplace, according to a report issued Monday.

The percentage of Hispanics among new hires in federal agencies rose from 7.0 to 7.5 percent over 2013-2014, and they now make up 8.4 percent of the federal workforce, the Office of Personnel Management said.

The on-board percentage has increased steadily from 6.5 percent in 2000, following initiatives by the current and prior administrations to reach out to the Hispanic community in recruiting efforts. READ MORE AT THE WASHINGTON POST

If you desire to move forward in your career, you’ll need to brush up on your networking skills. The thought of interacting with people you may not know very well and selling what you have to offer may be nerve-wracking, but it’s a necessary evil if you want to make meaningful career moves. How do you network without making a bad impression? The Cheat Sheet consulted Vicki Salemi, a careers expert at Monster, and Chelsea Krost, brand consultant and host of The Chelsea Krost Show, for advice on how to put your best foot forward. Here are the top networking mistakes you need to avoid at all costs. READ MORE AT CHEAT SHEET

The U.S. Latino community reliably drives trends, and those trendsetters prefer mobile and online banking services that are more enhanced and more convenient. According to a survey gauging mobile banking behaviors, Latinos frequently choose online and mobile banking to meet banking need, and they increasingly use new payment services.

The Checking Experience Index produced by the banking institution TD Bank was released on Oct. 12, and it found that 93 percent of Hispanic respondents favored online banking and 81 percent preferred the use of their bank's mobile options when handling day-to-day transactions. The survey not only demonstrated Latinos' propensity for mobile and online use, it revealed Latinos to have a growing appetite for innovative payment options. READ MORE AT LATINO POST

Read discussion panelist biographies of the 2015 Fall Banking and Finance Networking Forum being held tomorrow evening at the Dana Hotel and Spa Chicago. 

Moderator

Ambar Gilmore, News Reporter, Azteca - Chicago

Despite the last name, Ms. Gilmore is a Latina. Ambar moved from California to Chicago 13 years ago. She is a graduate of DePaul University with a Masters degree in Journalism and a concentration in Latino media. 

Ms. Gilmore is a news correspondent and content producer for the national newscasts at 5:30pm and 10pm for Azteca – the second largest TV network in Mexico with content production and distribution in the United States. Amber covers immigration, Latino politics and issues that affect and benefit the Latino community. Ms. Gilmore has worked for Telemundo and the Mexican Consulate. 

Steven G. Rodriguez, VP, Market President, BMO Harris Bank

Steven G Rodriguez is Market President, VP for BMO Harris Bank, overseeing the profitability and operation of 15 locations in the Southside of Chicago. Steven has over 22 years of management experience in Sales, Retail, Customer Service and the Financial Industry.  He specializes in building and leading dynamic teams to success!  Steven is currently ranked the #1 Market President in BMO Harris Bank for 2 years in a row.  In 24 months with BMO, Steven has contributed to the career success of many of his direct reports by developing them to achieve the next level in their careers.  Steven prides himself of creating an environment of highly engaged employees which has contributed to his career success and advancement.  Steven has spent the last 2 years as Market President overseeing the career growth of 120+ employees and manages a business upwards of $600MM in Deposits, $150MM in Loans and over $1B in assets. 

Dorothy Abreu, VP, Development Advisor, PNC Bank

Dorothy Abreu is Vice President, Development Advisor within PNC’s Community Development group where plays a key role in maintaining PNC’s “Outstanding” CRA rating through lending and investing capital in LMI communities in collaboration with public and private funding sources.  In addition, she represents PNC in the community; directing and leading efforts to support PNC’s continual engagement with key community partners and organizations.  She is also the President of PNC’s Latino Employee Business Resource Group – Chicago Chapter.

Dorothy joined PNC in 2011.   Her extensive experience across various banking segments has equipped her with a unique ability to quickly comprehend and respond to an array of financial situations.  Prior to PNC she was a former Vice President, Asset Manager for Harris NA overseeing a CRA Investment portfolio in various regional and national funds. She also held various Business Lending team positions and is a former Credit Underwriter, Leasing Specialist and Branch Manager.  Ms. Abreu is a graduate of Harrington Institute of Interior Design and majored in Finance at DePaul University. 

Active in the community, Dorothy sits on the Governing Board of Directors for Chicago Commons, Board of Directors of the Latino Policy Forum, and is a Board Member of Spanish Coalition for Housing.  She also maintains active involvement with various organizations including the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), and various philanthropic sub-organizations of the Chicago Community Trust (CCT).

Additional Board participation includes: Executive Board Member Accion Chicago – 2010 to 2012; Executive Board Member HACIA – 2009 to 2011; Co-Chair of Loan Committee for Accion Chicago – 2004 to 2007; Steering Committee and Board Member for the Latino Giving Circle (sub-organization of CCT) – 2013 to 2015; Portfolio Review Committee Member for WBDC – 2013 to present; and Loan Committee and Risk Oversight Committee Member for CCLF – 2013 to present.

Ms. Abreu resides with her family in Wilmette, Illinois.  They enjoy hiking, tennis, rock climbing and traveling.

Carlos Cardenas, SVP, Managing Director, Wintrust Commercial Bank

Carlos has over 20 years of financial experience and is currently a Managing Director for Wintrust Commercial Banking in the Chicago loop office. Carlos has a proven record of significant achievement in developing new business, financial risk management, financial analysis, accounting and managing the productivity and development of his staff. Previously, Carlos was with FirstMerit Bank as SVP/Commercial Banking Group Manager leading a commercial banking team responsible for a diverse portfolio of middle market business. Prior to FirstMerit, Carlos spent 10 years with JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor companies (American National Bank, First Chicago, Bank One). Carlos began his career at Arthur Andersen LLP where he spent 5 years in the commercial assurance, and derivatives & treasury risk management consulting practices.

Carlos is on the Board of Leadership Fellows Association of Leadership Greater Chicago and was a 2006 Fellow. Carlos also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustee for the National Museum of Mexican Art and on the Advisory Board for Gads Hill Center. Carlos is affiliated with several other organizations in Chicago such as the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latin American Chamber of Commerce. Carlos is a member at The Standard Club and serves on the House Committee.

Carlos earned his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign and is a Certified Public Accountant. Carlos currently resides in Chicago with his 15-year old son, Sebastian, who is an avid pianist and classical guitarist with 9 years of instruction at the Merit School of Music, and entering sophomore year at Walter Payton College Preparatory, H.S.

Siomara Barboza, VP, Mortgage Lending, The Federal Savings Bank

Raised in the city of Chicago, born in Guadalajara, but deeply grounded in her Costa Rican roots, Siomara came to this country at the age of 3 with her family.Shortly after graduating from the College of Business Administration at the University of Illinois and given her customer-service oriented nature, she discovered an organic fit in the mortgage industry.

With over 10 years of experience, she has the knowledge to help homeowners structure their loans according to their financial goals. She prides herself in caring for first-time buyers who require extra help and special attention in understanding the entire home-buying process.

Siomara’s personal mission is to efficiently manage the mortgage process while providing superior and meaningful customer service. She was able to find the platform and the support that she needed at The Federal Savings Bank. This professional alliance has given her the opportunity to align herself with exceptional team members with senior level experience. Working at The Federal Savings Bank enables Siomara to provide an array of financings including, but not limited to, asset based financing, non-warrantable condo financings, portfolio jumbos along with conventional, FHA and VA financing.

Siomara continues to live and work in the Chicagoland area where she enjoys running, trying new restaurants, traveling and finding new ways to be active in her community.

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Whenever you get around to making up your bucket list of things you really want to do before you die, searching for a job isn't going to make it into consideration. While a great many people enjoy their jobs and find it meaningful, virtually no one likes looking for work. It is almost always simply a pain in the you-know-where!

The reality is that there are several pain points in a job search. And while recognizing what they are won't in and of itself cure them, it will be able to help you to put your current situation into a larger perspective and begin the process of turning them into opportunities for your ongoing career development.

1. The pain of realizing it's time to begin a job search. This is an uncomfortable moment, whether it comes after receiving that proverbial pink slip or after you reach your own conclusion that it's time to move on. You recognize that you no longer fit into a role that you once saw as promising. READ MORE AT U.S. WORLD & NEWS REPORT

As the online retail wars continue to rage this year with brick and mortar retailers continuing to bolster their online shopping offerings to compete with the 800 pound gorilla, Amazon, we decided to take an in-depth look of how online shopping habits have changed from this year to last across Hispanic, African-American, Asian, and non-Hispanic white consumers.

If we look at the change in online purchasing habits compared to one year ago, you’ll see Hispanics leading the pack in terms of purchasing more online now than last year... READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

When you hear people talk about Hispanic TV, you probably think instinctively of Univision or Telemundo, the two big Spanish-language broadcast networks. But the truth is Hispanics watch a much broader range of television, especially second- and third-generation Hispanics, who were born in this country and have very different cultural experiences than their elders. A new study in The Journal of Cultural Marketing Strategy examines the differences between first-, second- and third-generation viewing patterns. Its findings: Spanish-language programming is not always the most effective way to reach Hispanics. Simply put, there are marked variances in their viewing patterns, and it has as much to do with generational and cultural differences as it does linguistic ones. READ MORE AT MEDIALIFE MAGAZINE

If you're actively looking for a job, you've probably read at least a few career articles with advice for your job search. But depending on what stage of your career you're in, the tips you read may not all be relevant to you. Someone who's seven years into his or her career won't need to include extracurricular activities on a résumé, just as a college student likely won't have the formal training that midlevel job seekers are told to include.

If you're ready to jump-start your job search, first find your career level, based on descriptions from Norwood Consulting Group. Then, follow the tailored advice from our expert sources, which will help you land interviews and impress hiring managers. READ MORE AT BUSINESS NEWS DAILY

Only 51 percent of adults in Latin America and the Caribbean have a bank account, according to the World Bank. The rest of the population, or the unbanked, pay cash each time they go to the supermarket or pharmacy. Paying their cell phone or utility bill often means standing on a long line, making the process tedious and time consuming.

But that has been changing with financial technology companies, also known as fintech companies, which offer new options. These are startups that are providing creative alternatives to traditional banking, like using mobile phones to pay bills or for sending and receiving money. It's transforming the way businesses and consumers use financial services. READ MORE AT NBC NEWS

Among the major demographics experiencing gender and racial wage gaps, Latina women are the hardest hit in both Massachusetts and the nation. To earn the same amount as a white men did in 2014, Latinas as a whole would have to work approximately ten months more, only catching up by October 8, 2015, reports the American Association of University Women.

That was the day the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus convened a Latina Equal Pay Day briefing. READ MORE AT THE BAY STATE BANNER

More than 600 nominations were received during the sixth annual campaign of this program that recognizes the admirable work of Latina women in the Midwest.

CHICAGO— In the last six years Verizon has recognized the important role that Latina professional women play in society within the Midwest. Through the Nueva Latina Estrella Award (NLEA) Verizon aims to showcase the dedication, hard work and leadership of these exemplary women, as well as the difference they make in their communities. On Thursday October 1^st, The Sophisticates’ Luncheon took place in Block Thirty Seven where the five winners of the annual “Nueva Latina Estrella Award” (NLEA) program were announced.

At this successful event organized by Latino Fashion Week, Verizon recognized professional women who have demonstrated success in the areas of technology, business, education, health and community service.

The committee that selected the winners of each category was comprised of leaders from Chicago and Minneapolis who work in diverse industries which include companies, non-profits, community service and media.

The contest prized each winner with $1,000 and a Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone.

“I am very excited, honored and humbled to be the 2015 Business Nueva Estrella Latina Award recipient. This award means not only a wonderful recognition for my business accomplishments but also a meaningful empowerment to all Latinas business leaders in the United States. As I saw the number of extraordinary women I was surrounded by, I was reminded and reassured of the incredible contributions Latinas make to our economy, arts, academia and public service. This country would not be the wonderful country it is without the Latina’s presence, determination and power and that’s why an acknowledgement such as the Nueva Estrella Latina Award means so much to me," stated Ana Dutra, the president of The Executives’ Club of Chicago. 

“It is an honor to have been recognized with the Nueva Latina Estrella Award in Education. This recognition empowers me to continue working towards the transformation of education. A holistic education that is grounded in multicultural responsiveness, community service, global citizenship, and leadership” mentioned Monica Haydee Ramos, the director of community engagement at National Louis University.

“Verizon feels proud to recognize the outstanding work of Latina professional women in our society through the “Nueva Latina Estrella Award,” expressed Miguel Bassail, Marketing and Multicultural Strategy Manager at Verizon in the Midwest area, “It is a privilege for Verizon to be able to recognize through this program these leaders who have made a difference in their industries and communities.”

The winners from each category were:

BUSINESS: Ana Dutra, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Executive Club of Chicago, from Illinois.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Ruby Azurdia-Lee, President of CLUES, from Minnesota.

EDUCACION: Monica Haydee Ramos, Director of Community Engagement and Student Success Coach at National Louis University, from Illinois.

TECNOLOGY: Paulette Santiago, Manufacturing Technology Engineer at DuPont, from Kansas.

HEALTH: Elizabeth Florez, Assistant Professor at DePaul University-School of Nursing, from Illinois

With this initiative Verizon not only awards the work of today’s Latina, but also highlights that she is bilingual, bicultural and a college graduate. They are women who envelop their culture and heritage, and at the same time advance in their distinct industries, acquiring experience and serving their communities.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, employs a diverse workforce of 178,500 and generated more than $127 billion in 2014 revenues. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 109.5 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/news/.

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