WTC Hosts Lender Roundtable on Export Financing Options

Experts discussed financing opportunities for U.S. companies looking to grow exporting capacity

World Trade Center St. Louis (WTC), the international division of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership), hosted a Lender Round Table event on Feb. 25 that focused on export financing options. The in-person audience heard from federal financing experts about the resources and tools available from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of International Trade to expand financing opportunities for U.S. companies looking to grow their exporting capacity and revenues.

Speakers at the event included Mariel Huasanga, regional director for the central region from Export-Import Bank of the United States, Mark Klein, managing director for lender accounts at Export-Import Bank of the United States and Ursula Wegrzynowicz, export finance manager at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Among the many topics covered, attendees learned how SBA and EXIM work together to turn foreign accounts receivable into collateral that can be used to increase a working capital line of credit. Attendees included representatives from regional and community banks, certified development financial institutions, credit unions and area businesses seeking export-related working capital.

The event was sponsored by the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s International Trade and Investment Office.