Here at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), we have two main products to help U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses expand globally and export their goods / services internationally: Export Credit Insurance (ECI) and the Working Capital Guarantee Program (WCGP). If you are a subscriber to the EXIM blog, you know we frequently mention Export Credit Insurance. However, the Working Capital Guarantee Program is just as important and can provide access to capital to help U.S.-based businesses grow.
What is the Working Capital Guarantee Program?
- The Working Capital Guarantee Program (WCGP) is a loan guarantee offered to banks and finance companies who make asset-based credit lines available to U.S. businesses that are exporting their made-in-America goods and services.
- The program provides a 90% guarantee on principal and interest to participating
- Over 95% of the transactions guaranteed through the program are done by Delegated Authority (DA) lenders. DA gives a lender the authority to close an EXIM-guaranteed loan without prior consent of EXIM.
Updates to the Working Capital Guarantee Program
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is lowering prices on lender fees for the Working Capital Guarantee Program (WCGP), which will facilitate U.S. exports by making the trade finance program more affordable for small businesses that need working capital to compete globally.
Why is EXIM Making These Updates Now?
- EXIM has done this to incentivize more participation in the WCGP by lenders with lower levels of DA. Lenders with lower levels of DA tend to be smaller community banks who work primarily with small businesses.
- Increased participation by these lenders will help small businesses and allow the lenders to gain experience in the WCGP and increase their level of DA.
- The updated pricing structure also makes the WCGP more competitive for financial institutions of all sizes, including banks that have not received higher levels of Delegated Authority (DA), which grants pre-qualified lenders the ability to approve loans up to a specified amount without the prior consent of EXIM.
“Increased participation by lenders in the Working Capital Guarantee Program benefits their small business customers, who are the backbone of the U.S. economy. It also allows the lenders to gain experience with the program, which will enable them to increase their level of Delegated Authority,” said EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis.
“At EXIM, we’re committed to helping our lender partners support their small business customers, who in turn provide U.S. jobs by exporting their American-made products around the world.”
The revised pricing structure took effect on April 3, 2023.
Global Trade Review - GTR, highlighted the recent updated pricing structure announcement, you can find their article here.
If you are a lender and interested in learning more about the Working Capital Guarantee Program our Lender Account Managers (LAMs) Mark Klein, Luis Noriega, Michael Dwiggins, and Abby Martinez are ready to assist. If you are a U.S.-based exporter looking to take advantage of this program, EXIM’s trade finance specialists can assist you. We encourage you to request a free consultation today and start exporting tomorrow!
