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General Public

Overview

The Export Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank’s mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies large and small to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy.

Ex-Im Bank does not compete with private sector lenders but provides export financing products that fill gaps in trade financing. We assume credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. We also help to level the playing field for U.S. exporters by matching the financing that other governments provide to their exporters.

In nearly 70 years of operation, Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $400 billion of U.S. exports. On average, 85% of our transactions directly benefit U.S. small businesses. No transaction is too large or too small. Ex-Im Bank supports U.S. exports to more than 150 countries.

Ex-Im Bank is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has regional offices in the following locations:

Northeast – New York, N.Y., and Washington, D.C.
Southeast – Miami, Fla.
Southwest – Houston, Texas
Midwest – Chicago, Ill.
West – Long Beach, San Francisco and Newport Beach (Orange County), Calif.

Export Finance Solutions

Pre-Export Financing: Ex-Im Bank provides lenders with pre-export working capital guarantees that limit their risk and enable them to offer working capital loans to small-and medium-sized U.S. companies to produce or buy goods for export, or provide a service for export.

Benefits:

• Makes funds available to fulfill export sales orders
• Permits financing of exporter's inventory and accounts receivable
• Offers fast turnaround

Post-Export Financing: Ex-Im Bank sells export credit insurance to exporters and lenders that protects against the risk of nonpayment by international buyers and helps exporters to offer competitive credit terms to their buyers.

Benefits:

• Eliminates most risk of nonpayment by international buyers
• Provides credit terms to international buyers that can increase sales
• Increases an exporter's borrowing capacity and cash flow
• Short- and medium-term insurance available

Buyer Financing: Ex-Im Bank provides buyer financing to international buyers. Our loan guarantees cover the principal and interest of a lender’s loan against both political and commercial risks of buyer nonpayment. We also make fixed-rate direct loans to foreign buyers.

Loan Guarantee Benefits:

• Protects lenders against risks of nonpayment by international buyers of U.S. capital goods and services
• Covers 100% of principal and interest
• Ensures loans will be paid, making more money available for financing
• Medium- and long-term guarantees available

Direct Loan Benefits:

• Fixed-rate loans to international buyers of U.S. capital goods and services
• Medium- and long-term loans available

For more information on Ex-Im Bank products, see Product Overview (link) or call (800) 565-EXIM (3946) or (202) 565-3946.

Structured and Project Finance: Ex-Im Bank also offers guarantees and direct loans to finance U.S. exports for the construction and operation of projects through structured finance transactions, including limited recourse project finance.

Benefits:

• Allows Ex-Im Bank to offer financing for U.S. exports to international projects, including projects in countries where the Bank is not open for routine transactions
• Long-term financing is available on terms up to 14 years

Transportation

Ex-Im Bank’s medium- and long-term financing products can assist U.S. manufacturers in selling transportation equipment to international buyers. Ex-Im Bank will support the export of both new and used U.S. manufactured transportation equipment such as commercial jet aircraft and engines, general aviation equipment, locomotives and other rolling stock, ships, and trucks. Special financing structures such as asset-based finance leases are available for certain exports. For more information, see Transportation.

Special Initiatives

Ex-Im Bank has special initiatives to encourage export growth by the following kinds of U.S. exporters:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises
• Underserved markets: woman- and minority-owned firms, and companies in rural and economically challenged urban areas
• Exporters of environmentally beneficial goods and services
• Exporters to sub-Saharan Africa
• Exporters of medical equipment and services

For more information, see Special Initiatives.

Partnerships

Ex-Im Bank partners with lenders and brokers; federal, state and local trade agencies; and private organizations to make our financing readily available to U.S. exporters.

• Delegated Authority lenders
• Insurance Brokers
• City/State Partners
• Private Sector
• Federal Agencies

For more information, see Partners.