News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — John A. Emens has been named vice president, small business, senior vice president, small business, at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) and is responsible for leading all activities to identify and educate U.S. small business exporters about Ex-Im Bank's products. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Emens was promoted to Senior Vice President, Small Business on March 6, 2006 when his responsibilities were modified to focus exclusively on the trade finance needs of small business exporters.)

Emens manages Ex-Im Bank's network of regional offices and the business units engaged in outreach to minority- and woman-owned businesses, partner identification and training, as well as small business product development.

Expanding U.S. small business exports is a critical Ex-Im Bank priority, said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President (Acting) James H. Lambright. John Emens' leadership skills and wide-ranging experience in both the government and private banking sectors will be crucial to Ex-Im Bank's outreach to this important part of the U.S. economy.

Emens will continue to serve in his current role as deputy head of the Export Finance Group, with a special focus on bringing private sector practices and a client service orientation to Ex-Im Bank. (EDITOR'S NOTE: In March 2006 Mr. Emens' responsibilities were modified to enable him to focus exclusively on the trade finance needs of U.S. small business exporters.)

Emens joined Ex-Im Bank in December, 2002, after retiring from Allfirst Bank (now M&T), Baltimore, MD. During his 32-year banking career, Emens rose to the office of executive vice president, managing all commercial business units of Allfirst. Among those responsibilities was the management of the International Division, which included the establishment of Allfirst's Export Finance Division. Earlier in his career, Emens was the general manager of Allfirst's London branch.

Ex-Im Bank this year marks its 71st year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance, and direct loans. In fiscal year 2005 Ex-Im Bank authorized nearly $14 billion in transactions supporting almost $17.9 billion in U.S. exports. This represented 3,128 transactions, of which 2,617, or over 80%, directly benefited small businesses. For more information on the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. visit www.exim.gov.


Updated March 15, 2007