What is the SBA Export Working Capital Program?
Short answer
EWCP guarantees short-term working capital loans to exporters, up to $5,000,000, at 90%, for up to 36 months. Proceeds finance export transactions only (13 CFR 120.340; SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. B).
In this answer, EWCP means Export Working CapitalMoney for day-to-day costs such as payroll, rent and inventory. Full definition Program.
The Export Working Capital Program, or EWCP, is SBA's guaranty for short-term working capital loans to exporters. 13 CFR 120.340 and SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. B set its rules.
Key limits
- Maximum loan: $5,000,000 (Para. B.4.a).
- Guaranty: 90%, up to $4,500,000 (Appendix 16, Para. B.6).
- Maximum maturity: 36 months (Appendix 17, Para. B.7). SBA says the vast majority have a maturity of 12 months or less (Para. B.4.e).
What it can finance
Proceeds can be used only to finance export transactions (Para. B.3). Uses include export inventory, manufacturing costs and goods or services for export. They also include pre-shipment working capital, post-shipment foreign receivables and standby letters of credit tied to exports.
What it cannot finance
- Domestic sales.
- Fixed assets or capital goods for use in your business.
- Floor plan financing on titled vehicles or equipment.
- Buying, equipping or renting commercial space overseas.
- Export marketing advice, foreign travel or trade shows, unless they relate directly to the financed transaction.
The lender's analysis focuses on foreign payment terms and your cash cycle. Converting export assets to cash is the primary source of repayment (Para. B.5).
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