In preliminary Fiscal Year 2011 figures released today, Ex-Im Bank reported that it had for the third-straight year set export finance records in a number of key areas, including overall financing that for the first time exceeded$32 billionand supported about$40.6 billionin exports at more than 3,600 U.S. companies, helping to support approximately 290,000(1) export-related American jobs.

Fiscal year 2011 ended onSeptember 30th, and the Bank released preliminary data today while it completes the closing of its books for the year.

"U.S. exports are contributing to our economic recovery and the record-setting growth of Ex-Im export financing is helping support that trend," saidGene Sperling, the director of the National Economic Council. "American exporters and Ex-Im remain on track to achieve President Obama's goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014."

"Ex-Im Bank financing is helping to support hundreds of thousands of American jobs in cities across the country," saidFred P. Hochberg, Ex-Im chairman and president. "Today's numbers show that exports can help small and medium sized businesses successfully compete in the global economy."

Infrastructure-related financing reached$21.0 billion, up over 130 percent compared to FY 2008, representing, in part, the effect of the Bank's emphasis on nine developing countries with rapidly growing infrastructure needs.

In particular, the transportation sector FY 2011 volume was$12.4 billion, up from$5.3 billionin FY 2008.

Small business financing rose over 70 percent from$3.3 billionin FY 2008 to$6 billionin FY 2011 and is up$1 billionfrom last year. As part of its efforts to increase this portfolio, Ex-Im Bank'sGlobal Access for Small Businessinitiative has held more than 20 forums across the country this year, reaching 4,000 small business exporters.

In FY 2011 the Bank also showed substantial increases in several markets. For example, export financing for sub-Saharan Africa exceeded 1.4 billion for the first time, financing of environmentally-beneficial exports more than tripled from$227 millionin FY 2008 to$908 millionin FY 2011; and renewable-energy exports increased to$726 millionin FY 2011 from$30 millionin FY 2008.

Among the nine countries the Bank has identified as having the greatest potential for U.S. exporters,Colombia,India,South Africa, andTurkeyhave shown impressive increases compared to FY 2008. Export financing forColombiaincreased to$3.7 billionfrom$66 million;Indiaincreased to$2.9 billionfrom$1.8 billion, andTurkeyincreased to$2.1 billionfrom$586 million.