What is Ex-Im Bank?

The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Ex-Im Bank) is an independent agency of the federal government that supports the growth of U.S. exports with trade finance, loan guarantees, project finance, working capital programs, and export credit insurance.

Ex-Im Bank programs are especially applicable for exporters selling into the riskiest emerging foreign markets, which may be ineligible for support from private-sector lenders and insurance companies. In some cases, Ex-Im Bank may be the lender or underwriter of last resort.

With no minimum financing fees or minimum annual insurance premiums, Ex-Im Bank may also represent the best starting point for export credit insurance and trade finance for some small-business exporters and companies new to international sales.

Ex-Im Bank also helps level the playing field for U.S. exporters who are facing foreign competition from suppliers using their own governments’ export credit programs.

Created in 1934, the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. has over 75 years of experience with international trade finance. Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $400 billion of U.S. exports, primarily to developing economies and emerging foreign markets.

Ex-Im Bank programs are available to exporters of products manufactured in the USA, with a few congressionally-mandated exceptions, for example exports of military hardware. (Restrictions like these apply only to Ex-Im Bank and other government programs; no such limitations exist for trade finance or credit insurance extended by lenders and underwriters in the private sector.)

The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. is officially abbreviated as Ex-Im Bank but is also commonly referred to as Exim Bank or Eximbank.


Why you should work with Meridian

While most of the export finance and credit insurance offered by Meridian Finance Group involves commercial (private-sector) lenders and underwriters, we’ve helped hundreds of exporters to increase their international sales using the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Exim Bank) and other government-backed export finance programs.

Export Credit Insurance: By offering a complete selection of policies from Exim Bank and every other underwriter in the market, we can help you select the best export credit insurance coverage for your company, whether from Exim Bank, an insurance company, or a combination of both Exim Bank and commercial insurance.

Trade Finance: We provide expertise in arranging Exim Bank cross-border equipment financing, Exim Bank buyer credit facilities, and other kinds of export finance using Exim Bank insurance, loans, and guarantees, engendered by our experience working with Exim Bank on behalf of a wide variety of lenders, exporters, and foreign buyers.

Working Capital: Meridian partners with Eximbank-approved banks and other lenders all over the country who can offer Eximbank-guaranteed pre-shipment financing, loans against Eximbank-insured foreign receivables, and other trade finance services. If you need Eximbank working capital financing in addition to Meridian's services, we can connect you with a lender whose programs match your requirements.

Meridian provides training that will help you use the Eximbank online insurance platform effectively and get the fastest possible turnaround times from Eximbank. We know how to expedite Eximbank’s credit insurance underwriting process. We’ll help you comply with the terms and conditions of your Eximbank policy without spending a lot of time on paperwork. The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. has twice recognized Meridian with its Eximbank Broker-of-the-Year award.

We understand your business. Our staff is multicultural and multilingual, with experience not only in Exim Bank trade finance and credit insurance, but also exporting, importing, operations, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution.