The Export-Import Bank of the United States reported that it provided nearly $25 billion in export financing in fiscal 2010, which ended Sept. 30.

The record volume supported 227,000 jobs at 3,300 U.S. companies, according to Ex-Im Bank. The independent federal agency provides working capital guarantees and export credit insurance to U.S. companies, as well as loan guarantees and direct loans to foreign buyers of U.S. goods and services.

More than 1,000 companies used Ex-Im financing for the first time last year. Small businesses received a record $5 billion in Ex-Im Bank support.

"There remains enormous untapped potential for more American companies to sell more goods and services to more customers in more countries," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg.

One way it is looking to serve more small businesses is by providing reinsurance to private-sector insurers that provide short-term export credit insurance to U.S. exporters to cover foreign receivables. Altradius Trade Credit Insurance is the first insurer to sign a reinsurance contract with Ex-Im Bank.

The new product is aimed at making it easier for small exporters to get short-term export credit, a market that tightened when the financial crisis hit in late 2008.

U.S. exports are up nearly 18 percent this year, compared with the same time a year ago, but they remain far below imports into the United States.

"We still have work to do to help U.S. businesses sell more of their goods and services overseas," said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

For more information, see www.exim.gov.