Today, more than ever, we serve the needs of a global and diverse marketplace.  Outside the U.S., we have operations in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe.  In the U.S., multicultural markets continue to represent sizable opportunities.  In fact, they represent the fastest-growing segments of our population.  In addition, the aging of Baby Boomers -- 77 million of them -- presents key opportunities, as this population is at real risk for outliving their income.

What this means is that our customers come from many different cultures, speak many different languages, and have many different experiences, needs or preferences.  MetLife recognizes the value of diverse and unique perspectives in touching the lives of customers, shareholders and business partners and continues to reach out to these segments.

Some examples of our efforts include:

• MetLife’s Multicultural Marketing team is focused on the unique needs of the Chinese, Korean, African-American, Hispanic, Russian, South Asian and Vietnamese markets in the U.S., and currently produces in-language materials in Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese to reflect that focus.
• MetLife’s Advisory Councils help MetLife capitalize on marketplace opportunities and increase field force representation in multicultural markets.  We currently have advisory councils supporting our efforts to reach the following markets: Women, African-American, Hispanic, Chinese and South Asian. 
• MetLife’s Call Center operations are staffed with bilingual service representatives who speak Spanish and Chinese.
• MetLife expanded its reinsurance alliance with Atlanta Life Financial Group (Atlanta Life), the largest stock-owned African American insurance company in the country. 
• MetLife has partnered with Atlanta Life to promote the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition retirement education initiative, 1,000 Churches Connected, to bring the message of economic responsibility to families through churches.
• MetLife participates in the annual Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Project Conference.
• MetLife’s Mature Market Institute is the company’s information and policy resource center on issues related to aging, long-term care and the 50+ market.
• MetDESK, MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids, is committed to helping families through the maze of legal and financial complexities surrounding planning for the future of children and other dependents with special needs.

MetLife in the Community
MetLife also recognizes that its reputation as a strong, committed member of the local community gives it incredible power in reaching out to the marketplace. Since its inception in 1868, MetLife has had a long and enduring history of promoting community outreach and volunteerism.

MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife for the purpose of supporting educational, health and civic and cultural organizations in order to strengthen communities, promote good health and improve education. In 2004 MetLife and MetLife Foundation contributed more than $30 million to nonprofit organizations for health, civic, educational and cultural activities.

MetLife and MetLife Foundation Partner with National Urban League
MetLife has also been involved with the National Urban League (NUL) for 54 years. The company and MetLife Foundation have contributed more than $5 million to the organization for special projects, operations and events. These programs address the critical needs of urban communities, improve local schools and strive to raise student achievement.

Social Investment Program

MetLife’s Social Investment Program helps local and national groups build stronger and healthier communities. In 2005 MetLife committed $192 million in new social investments to help finance affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, sparked economic development in distressed areas and increased access to health care and job opportunities.

MetLife's Supplier Diversity Program
MetLife is committed to identifying and working with minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs).  Our Supplier Diversity Program introduces partnerships and sustains relationships with MWBEs, promoting their long-term economic growth.  MetLife includes MWBEs in aggressive sourcing initiatives that provide them the opportunity to become trusted suppliers. 

• In 2006, MetLife partnered with 237 MWBEs and dedicated 5 percent of our total procurable first tier spend to MWBEs.