Caption: 1940: President Roosevelt's Message to Congress sent after a meeting with western hemisphere leaders in Havana to negotiate the implications of World War II on the region.

Ex-Im Bank History By Month: July

1934: The trustees of the Second Export-Import Bank of Washington vote to expand the bank’s scope to do business with any country in the world except the Soviet Union. The Second Export-Import Bank was originally established to conduct business solely with Cuba. The first Ex-Im Bank was previously created to promote trade exclusively with the Soviet Union.

1940: Following the outbreak of World War II and the fall of France, the leaders of the western hemisphere meet in Havana to negotiate the implications to the region. After returning from the meeting, President Roosevelt sends a message to Congress arguing “the [Export-Import] Bank may be of greater assistance to our neighbors south of the Rio Grande, including financing the handling and orderly marketing of some part of their surpluses.” This marks the beginning of an important role for Ex-Im Bank in the war-time policy toward Latin America.

1945: July 31—The Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 establishes the Ex-Im Bank as an independent agency; lending authority is now $3.5 billion.

2004: The Ex-Im Bank Board of Directors approves new environmental procedures and guidelines.

Chairmen, Presidents and Directors Sworn-In in July:
1941: Jesse H. Jones, Chairman
1952: Wilson L. Townsend, Director
1973: Mitchell P. Kobelinski, Director
1981: William H. Draper, III, Chairman
1989: John D. Macomber, Chairman
1991: Constance B. Harriman, Director
2005: James H. Lambright, Chairman
2006: Linda M. Conlin, Vice Chairman
2006: J. Joseph Grandmaison, Director

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