The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is an independent U.S. government agency that helps finance and facilitate the export of U.S. goods and service through loans, loan guarantees and export credit insurance. Ex-Im Bank does not intend to compete with private financial entities or insurers. It only assumes risk commercial institutions or the exporters themselves are unable to bear. In addition, Ex-Im Bank assists U.S. exporters in meeting officially supported foreign credit competition.

Ex-Im Bank is not a development agency. It lends money to foreign buyers only when reasonable assurance of repayment exists. Ex-Im Bank programs can help lenders develop new relationships with exporters and foreign buyers. They can help U.S. exporters obtain the working capital needed to produce and market services for export. Ex-Im Bank provides credit to foreign buyers for the purchase of U.S. exports.

Ex-Im Bank's general programs fit into four major categories:

Working Capital Guarantee. The "Working Capital Guarantee Program" significantly reduces a lender's risk on working capital loans made to creditworthy U.S. companies for export-related activities.

Loans. Direct loans to foreign buyers enable exporters to compete against foreign subsidized competition with the lower interest rates allowed under international guidelines. Ex-Im Bank also makes intermediary loans to entities that lend to foreign buyers.

Guarantees. By reducing payment risks, guarantees allow lenders to offer financing to exporters' foreign customers that would not otherwise be made by private institutions.

Export Credit Insurance. Ex-Im Bank has a variety of export credit insurance policies, including multi- and single buyer policies, an umbrella policy, a small business policy, financing and operating lease policies, a medium-term policy, services coverage and policies for banks only. Coverage can be comprehensive or political only.

For more details of Ex-Im Bank programs, please visit the Export Import Bank of the United States, or contact:

Export-Import Bank of the United States
811 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20571
Toll Free (800) 565-EXIM
Fax (202) 565-3380