MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) clients in Mandeville recently benefited from “finance and fitness” sessions organised by the financial institution.

The participants received the opportunity to engage in Zumba — a combination of aerobics and dance — at a studio designed for the activity.

While the Zumba sessions are a new initiative for the organisation, Corporate Communications Lead Patricia Valentine said that it is not uncommon for “lifestyle” events to be structured to facilitate clients.

“The lifestyle event organised by the JMMB Mandeville branch provided an opportunity to discuss financial fitness and highlight financial solutions suited for the unique needs of the participants,” she said.

Inside the Ishia Zumba Studio on Ward Avenue, JMMB Client Portfolios and Investment Strategies Manager Roy Reid tailored his presentation to make the connection between physical and financial fitness.

“Like physical fitness, financial fitness requires a clear strategy, commitment and programme that is geared to suit each individual’s unique situation,” he said.

Reid told the Jamaica Observer Central said that the concept was fun. It was also effective and made the topic of financial planning less “abstract”, he said.

Simone Thomas, manager of JMMB Mandeville, said that the Zumba sessions were appreciated by clients, some of whom took along friends.

Client Rosemarie Blair, who describes herself as an “exercise freak”, said that although she had never done Zumba prior to the event, because of the exposure she now has an interest in doing regular classes.

The 57-year-old said that she has been using the services of JMMB for “many, many” years and the informal and fun interaction provided made her feel “more involved” with the institution.

Thomas said that other lifestyle events on the agenda are an Investor Brief, Car Expo and a High Heels and Finance Session.