Business / Industry >> Global Markets Division

Ohio Export Finance Initiative

The Ohio Export Finance Initiative (OEFI) assists Ohio companies in meeting their export finance needs by working with the following organizations and programs:

Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank)

Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is a U.S. Government agency that finances export sales of American goods and services through guarantees, loans, and export credit insurance.

As a participant in the City/State Partnership Program, the OEFI markets programs offered by Ex-Im Bank, and packages applications for these programs. The OEFI's relationship with Ex-Im Bank provides Ohio companies a direct line to export finance.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The OEFI also works with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides guarantees on loans made by lenders to support the production of goods and services for export.

Ohio Banks

The OEFI maintains close contact with all Ohio banks that actively participate in financing international trade.

Government Sources

In addition to Ex-Im Bank and the SBA, the OEFI helps Ohio companies evaluate their options with other U.S. Government agencies that provide financing for international ventures. These agencies include the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA).

Alternative Finance

When traditional sources of export finance are not available to Ohio companies, the OEFI helps them to explore other alternatives, including factoring and forfeiting.

For more information, please contact Pat Perrin at 614-466-6133.