EXIM Bank Working Capital Loan Guarantee
Export-Import Bank of the United States
No stated min/max
Borrow more to export more — EXIM-backed
The EXIM Bank Working Capital Loan Guarantee enables U.S. small and mid-size exporters to borrow more against existing collateral — export inventory and foreign accounts receivable — by having EXIM guarantee 90% of the loan to the commercial lender. This lets companies fulfill larger international orders without tying up cash, and also unlocks access to performance and bid bonds needed to compete for overseas contracts. No minimum or maximum transaction size. For rural and underserved exporters, EXIM offers 100% guarantee coverage.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Amount
- No fixed minimum or maximum — loan size is determined by a borrowing base formula: up to 90% advance on eligible foreign accounts receivable (≤180-day terms) plus up to 75% advance on export-related inventory. EXIM guarantees 90% of the loan (100% for rural/underserved exporters).
- Realistic amount
- Most small exporter facilities range from $250,000 to $5 million depending on the borrower's export revenue base and rec…
- Deadline
- Rolling — no application cycle. Apply through a participating EXIM-authorized lender at any time.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- loan
Who qualifies
- Business must be incorporated or otherwise organized in the United States
- Must export U.S.-origin goods and/or services (exports must leave from U.S. ports)
- Positive net worth and at least one year of operating history
- Must demonstrate that the EXIM guarantee is necessary for the lender to extend credit (the 'Additionality Test')
- Exports must go to non-restricted countries (see EXIM Country Limitation Schedule)
- Non-military goods and services only
- Foreign accounts receivable must have payment terms of 180 days or less
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Raw materials and components for export products
- Labor and overhead directly tied to export production
- Export-related inventory
- Performance and bid bonds for international contracts
- Working capital to bridge from order to payment on foreign receivables
Ineligible expenses
- Domestic sales inventory or receivables
- Military equipment or weapons
- Exports destined for EXIM-restricted countries
- Capital expenditures unrelated to the export order
- Refinancing of existing non-export debt
How to apply
-
1
Find an EXIM-authorized lender
Use EXIM's Working Capital Lender Locator at exim.gov or call 1-800-565-3946 to find a bank or community lender with EXIM Delegated Authority. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) also participate under the Community Lenders program.
-
2
Submit credit application to your lender
Provide your export contracts or purchase orders, 2–3 years of business financial statements, and a description of the exports being financed. The lender underwrites on your borrowing base (AR + inventory).
-
3
Lender submits to EXIM for guarantee
Your lender submits the credit file to EXIM. Lenders with Delegated Authority can approve facilities under $10M themselves; larger transactions require direct EXIM review. EXIM review takes 2–4 weeks.
-
4
Draw against facility to fund exports
Once approved, draw on the revolving credit line as you fulfill orders. Repay from export proceeds when customers pay. Facility is typically renewed annually.
Lenders with EXIM Delegated Authority approve faster than EXIM direct review. Find a community lender specializing in EXIM — they process small-exporter facilities that big banks pass on.
Deadline & timing
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by EXIM-approved lenders. Allow 4–8 weeks for EXIM's delegated authority review from lender submission.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.