Direct loans for U.S. exports

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) - Direct Loan Program: Provides fixed-rate loans to creditworthy international buyers in the private and public sectors for purchases of U.S. goods and services. The Ex-Im Bank's Environmental Exports Program provides enhanced levels of financial support, including loans, for a broad range of renewable energy and other environmentally beneficial exports.

Financing may also be available for

  • Refurbished equipment.
  • Software.
  • Certain banking and legal fees.
  • Certain local costs and expenses.

Eligibility:

An Ex-Im Bank loan to an international buyer is generally used for financing exports to large-scale projects and purchases of U.S. capital equipment and services.

Solar Express is a new initiative to meet the increased demand for financing of small solar-power transactions. This program provides streamlined financing (both direct loans and guarantees) to small solar-power producers that meet the Ex-Im Bank’s credit standards and that are seeking project financing between $3 million and $10 million. If all the requirements of the program are met, the Ex-Im Bank can process the Solar Express application in as little as 60 days.

Eligibility:

See the Ex-Im Bank’s Guidelines for the Solar Express Initiative.

RE&EE exports in action

  • In November 2009, the Ex-Im Bank made an $80.66 million direct loan to finance the export of twenty-seven 2.5-megawatt Clipper Windpower Liberty turbines to Mexico. This transaction was subsequently named “Ex-Im Bank Deal of the Year.”

Where do I start?

To learn more and to apply for these programs, please click on the links for each description.

The U.S. government also provides finance-related events and online training to further assist in exporting your products and services.

To receive counseling on how the programs listed above can help you achieve your international sales goals, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service international trade specialist.

More financing programs

Return to the online guide "Financing" section to read more about programs that can help RE&EE exporters.