Amerant Bank was selected as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) ’s 2023 Export Lender of the Year Award as one of the top lenders committed to increasing access to capital for small businesses entering the global marketplace. Selected by Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the SBA, the Export Lender of the Year Awards recognizes excellence in export financing and highlights the accomplishments of lenders in delivering SBA’s international finance programs to small businesses to help companies develop new markets, finance export transactions and expand capacity to meet overseas demand.
“At Amerant Bank, we are committed to helping provide access to capital to small business exporters in our markets,” Yvonne Boucugnani says, Head of SBA Lending at Amerant Bank. “With locations in markets that serve as two of the biggest international hubs in the U.S., our team members are experts at understanding local exporters’ needs, including purchase order financing, asset-based facilities, and international trade loans. By working together with the local SBA Export Offices, we are able to provide our customers the solutions they need to expand their export markets and increase job opportunities.”
Amerant Bank’s growing SBA department placed the export loan programs as a central part of its strategy, with export loans accounting for more than half of their commitments. In 2022, Amerant Bank provided more than $20 million in financing support to small business exporters using the EWCP and Export Express programs. With strong growth under the EWCP program, Amerant applied for delegated authority in 2023.
“We are honored to recognize Regions Bank, Amerant Bank, and Berkshire Bank with the SBA’s Export Lender Awards for 2023,” Gabriel Esparza says, SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of International Trade. Access to capital is key for any business engaged in international trade. The export financing provided by our lending partners is crucial to bridging the trade finance gap and allowing American small businesses to open new markets. Small businesses engaged in international trade grow faster, pay higher wages, and have greater economic stability when compared to non-exporters. We are proud of the role each of these award-winning lending partners plays in supporting export activity.”
