FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

“Buy American, Build the Future”: EXIM Annual Conference Unites Leaders on U.S. Competitiveness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) convened its flagship Annual Conference this week, bringing together leaders from across government, finance, and industry at a pivotal moment for U.S. economic competitiveness.

Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition, the conference focused on how the United States can strengthen its position in key sectors, secure supply chains, and ensure American exporters have the tools they need to compete, and win, in markets around the world. Across panels and discussions, a clear message emerged: EXIM is once again a frontline economic tool to revitalize American industry and ensure American workers and exporters can compete around the world.

“‘Buy American, Build the Future’ is at the core of everything we do at EXIM. Over the two days, we brought together leaders of industry, government, and finance from all around the world because the work of rebuilding American economic strength requires all of us running in the same direction,”
said President and Chairman John Jovanovic.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, EXIM is once again a frontline economic tool to revitalize America’s economy and ensure that we live in a future defined by American businesses and innovation.”

Throughout the program, speakers highlighted EXIM’s role in advancing U.S. leadership in areas including energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies, as well as the Bank’s continued commitment to small businesses, which remain central to its mission.

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN EXPORT FINANCE

A cornerstone of the Annual Conference, EXIM’s awards program recognized standout transactions and partners driving U.S. export success across sectors and regions:

• Deal of the Year: Project Vault
• Make More in America Deal of the Year: CesiumAstro Inc. and J.P. Morgan
• Industries of the Future Deal of the Year: Cybastion Institute of Technology
• Energy Dominance Deal of the Year: U.S. Poland Nuclear Project
• Western Hemisphere Deal of the Year: FOCOL Holdings Limited and GE Vernova
• Exporters of the Year: Bonaventure Group, Inc., GF Health Products, Inc., Ruelco Inc., Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing, Inc., Ace Manufacturing & Parts Co., Graceland Fruit, Inc., Medical Illumination International, Inc., Ohio Associated Enterprises, LLC, Taffy Town Inc., Select Services International, LLC
• Lender of the Year: First National Bank of Pennsylvania
• Broker of the Year: Trade Acceptance Group, Ltd.
• REPP Member of the Year: University of Georgia Small Business Development Center

“These awards reflect the strength, ingenuity, and global reach of American exporters and their partners,”
Chairman Jovanovic added.
“From small businesses to major infrastructure deals, these are the kinds of wins that reinforce America’s economic leadership.”

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

“Project Vault is a central policy initiative and a powerful example of how Treasury and the private sector can work together to strengthen the American economy,”
said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“EXIM bank is at the center of the strategy to reindustrialize America,”
said Senator Jim Banks (R-IN).

“When private sector lenders are unable to provide financing, EXIM bank fills that gap,”
said Adam Cortese, CEO of Sun Africa and UGT Renewables.

“EXIM’s momentum comes from talent, energy, and passion. EXIM is improving our position on critical minerals and focusing on supporting American jobs,”
said Bob Diamond, CEO of Atlas Merchant Capital.

“Innovation is what EXIM is doing with Project Vault. They are using the strengths of their charter to partner with private industry,”
said Brian Falik, President of Mercuria Americas.

“Financing from EXIM is what we need in order to level the playing field,”
said Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute.