EXIM says it’s expanding community‑lender partnerships and MMIA pipeline to reach more small exporters

Senators pressed EXIM to explain why so many eligible small exporters have not used EXIM products and how the bank plans to expand outreach. "There are about 1,900 small business exporters in my state, but only nine have availed themselves of EXIM tools," Senator Blunt Rochester said, urging outreach improvements.

EXIM's chairman responded that expanding community‑lender relationships is a priority; the agency said it previously worked with 34 community lenders but found only two were actively using EXIM products, and pledged to build three active relationships per state over the next three years and to pursue a target of roughly $1 billion in small‑business support through enhanced outreach.

The office also described growth in the Make More in America (MMIA) program: EXIM said it inherited roughly $500 million in authorizations and now has a pipeline near $8 billion, a substantial increase driven in part by energy and critical‑minerals projects. Senators urged continued coordination with the Small Business Administration and local trade centers to translate pipeline growth into actual small‑business transactions.

Why it matters: Small and midsize exporters account for the majority of American firms and payroll; senators said widening access to EXIM services would translate pipeline figures into concrete local economic benefits. EXIM said hiring trained subject‑matter experts and restoring prior risk‑management practices would allow the bank to underwrite a broader set of opportunities that employ many workers.

EXIM committed to follow up with committee staff on outreach metrics and to coordinate with SBA and local trade centers to increase participation by small exporters.