J. MAXIME ROY, INC., OF LAFAYETTE, LA, NAMED EX-IM BANK'S REGIONAL BROKER OF THE YEAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2004
Media Contact Name/Phone
Andrew Yarrow, (202) 565-3200

WASHINGTON, D.C.: J. Maxime Roy, Inc., of Lafayette, La., is to receive the 2004 Regional Broker of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) at Ex-Im Bank's 2004 annual conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 29.

J. Maxime Roy has worked with Ex-Im Bank since 1995 to help approximately 75 small and medium-sized companies in Louisiana and other Southern states export goods and services worldwide. The broker has helped companies obtain Ex-Im Bank's multi-buyer and medium-term export credit insurance as well as the Bank's working capital guarantees. Companies that J. Maxime Roy have assisted have exported agricultural products, oil field equipment and services, engineering services, industrial and construction equipment, textiles, and other goods and services to markets in Latin America and throughout the world.

I've been very impressed with how Ex-Im Bank supports small-business exports, Warren Bares, vice president of J. Maxime Roy, said. Ex-Im Bank's underwriters have been very efficient and effective. The Bank's export insurance and working capital guarantee have been particularly effective in supporting small business' export efforts and job creation.

Ex-Im Bank's network of brokers helps us bring valuable trade-finance services to countless U.S. small and medium-sized businesses that we otherwise could not assist, Ex-Im Bank Chairman Philip Merrill said. J. Maxime Roy has had an outstanding track record working with businesses in the Louisiana area, and is very deserving of Ex-Im Bank's 2004 Regional Broker of the Year award.

Ex-Im Bank's 29th annual conference on April 29 and 30, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., will include speeches by Treasury Secretary John Snow, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, and others. It will also feature specialized workshops and exhibits on export finance and trade to help U.S. exporters expand their sales to foreign markets. In conjunction with the conference, Ex-Im Bank recognizes several companies each year for their high level of activity to increase U.S. exports through use of Ex-Im Bank programs.

Ex-Im Bank this year marks its 70th 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 2003, Ex-Im Bank, an independent federal agency, authorized financing to support $14.3 billion of U.S. exports worldwide. For more information on Ex-Im Bank and its annual conference, visit www.exim.gov.