In 1934, Franklin Roosevelt created the Export-Import Bank of the United States by executive order to help finance and inrucre the foreign purchase of goods sold in the United States for customers that were unwilling or unable to accept the risk inveolved. Eleven years later Congress voted to make it an independant agency of the Executive Branch. The sole purpose of Ex-Im bank is to help create jobs be helping foreign buyers purcahse U.S. goods. The bank is restricted from competing with private lenders wherever possible, but rather provides financing when commercial lending is unable or unwilling to get involved. President Barack Obama noimated and later confirmed Fred Hochberg to the office in 2009.

The Ex-Im bank focuses most of its resources on small buisnesses to faciliatate the export of U.S. product. The bank states there is no transaction too small for consideration. It has a number of programs aimed at this sector including Working Capital Guarantee and Export Credit Insurance programs. In 2005, the bank offered $3.2 billion in financing directly to these small businesses.

Export Credit Insurance

U.S. companies can apply for this insurance to reduce the risk of foreign buyers and borrowers not collecting on their investments for a number of reasons including: bankruptcy, war, civil unrest and current flow restrictions. Small businesses are able to take part in this program for no minimum premiums which is the only affordable

Working Capital Guarantee

This program is designed to provide loan guarantees to other financial institutions who are willing to lend to companies that export U.S. goods. These loans can be provided to foreign buyers of good or intermediary loans to governments which reland for the purchase of capital goods or related services. These loans cover up to 85% of the value of the goods with flexible repayment terms.