The Export-Import Bank

The Export-Import Bank is the chief U.S. government agency that helps finance American exports of manufactured goods and services with the objective of contributing to the employment of U.S. workers. With an annual budget or around $200 million, the Bank finances less than 1% of U.S. exports a year. Ex-Im Bank provides loan guarantees and insurance to commercial banks to make trade credits available to U.S. exporters. The Bank also offers direct financing to U.S. exporters, primarily to counter subsidised trade credits offered to foreign exporters by their governments. The international financial crisis and global economic downturn have renewed congressional interest in Ex-Im Bank, and federal export promotion activities more broadly, as a means of generating U.S. jobs and contributing to U.S. economic recovery. This book provides an overview of the background and legislative issues of the Export-Import Bank.