for small business

OVERSEAS 

PRIVATE 

INVESTMENT

CORPORATION
Small Business Financing 

For U.S. companies with annual revenues less than $250

million, OPIC’s Small & Medium Enterprise Finance

offers direct loans and loan guaranties from $100,000 up to

$250 million to facilitate and support an overseas investment by a U.S. business. An OPIC loan can cover between

50 percent and 75 percent of total project costs, including

project development and up-front financing costs, capital

expenditure requirements and working capital.

Small Business Political 

Risk Insurance Coverage 

To protect the overseas investment of a U.S. small business

from political uncertainties, OPIC provides insurance

against loss or damage resulting from political violence,

expropriation, or the inability to convert local currency.

OPIC can insure up to $250 million per project for a

maximum 20-year term at fixed rates for the life of the

insurance contract. There are no minimum investment

size requirements, and coverage is available for equity

investments, parent company and third-party loans and

loan guaranties, technical assistance agreements, crossborder leases, contractors’ and exporters’ exposures, and

other forms of investment.

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation

(OPIC) recognizes that U.S. small businesses

looking to participate in the global marketplace have unique requirements. Lack of

resources to pursue opportunities abroad,

concern over political risks, or the inability to

find private sector support can prevent small

businesses from expanding overseas. To help

meet these needs, OPIC can provide special

financing and political risk insurance products

to eligible businesses, which include enhanced

customer service, flexible coverage, and easier

access through a streamlined approval process.
Small Business Center 

OPIC’s Small Business Center (SBC) offers qualified small

businesses, with annual revenues less than $35 million, the

opportunity to utilize OPIC’s streamlined approval process.

SBC Finance offers direct loans from $100,000 to $10

million with terms from 3–15 years. While the eligible

U.S. small business must own at least 25 percent of the

overseas project, OPIC may be able to finance up to 65

percent of the total project costs.

Interest rates for SBC loans are fixed for the life of the loan

and are based upon OPIC’s cost of funds for comparable

maturities plus an appropriate risk spread. In addition,

there may be a one-time facility fee of up to 2 percent and

an annual maintenance fee not to exceed 1 percent of the

outstanding balance of the loan. 

U.S. small businesses that receive OPIC loans through

the Small Business Center are eligible for OPIC’s insurance “wrap,” which provides political risk insurance at a

reduced rate. The small business loan borrower may elect

this insurance coverage for up to $6 million of its equity

investments.

Apply for Small Business Assistance

For financing, the small business must submit a completed

finance application, including all required attachments to the

application, such as a formal business plan, financial projections, financial statements, and sponsor disclosure forms.

For insurance, no additional paperwork is required to

process the insurance “wrap.” OPIC’s regular political risk

insurance products are available to small businesses at a

reduced cost and through a streamlined approval process.

Insurance is available for investments in new ventures,

expansions of existing enterprises, privatizations and

acquisitions with positive developmental benefits.

OPIC recommends that investors contact an OPIC

representative to discuss their project proposal prior to

submitting an application package. For more information,

please contact the Information Officer at 202-336-8799 or

email info@opic.gov. 

Visit the OPIC Web site for more details: www.opic.gov
OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

An Agency of the United States Government

1100 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20527

202.336.8799

www.opic.gov