Houston, TX - Officials at UTC Overseas today expressed their deep thanks to industry colleagues, supporters and associates for their combined efforts in winning Congressional reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im).  The measure was finally passed by Congress after a battle that lasted much of 2015, and was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 4th. UTC Executive Vice President Marco Poisler said the support was widespread and non-partisan and the success of the effort was reflected in the final strong votes of support in both the House and Senate.  “From a UTC-hosted Washington, D.C. reception featuring Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) speaking on his reasons, as a conservative, for supporting the Bank, to our own extensive communications with our employees, customers, prospects, friends and associates, urging them to contact their Senators and Representatives, UTC was proud to take a leadership role in supporting the Bank and its work underwriting and promoting U.S. exports and jobs.” Capt. William Schubert, former MARAD Administrator and now President of International Trade and Transportation, Inc. of Houston, TX said, “The successful reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank represents a major victory for US exporters and service providers.  This success would not have been possible without the grass roots support from literally thousands of US companies.  In this regard, UTC played a critical role in supporting the efforts of the nationwide industry coalition to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank. UTC President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Posthumus added that industry leaders, along with their employees and associates provided their own representatives with real life examples of how the Bank has benefitted them and their employees.  “It was their hard evidence of the Bank’s benefits that helped win the day,” he added.   “It is especially heartening that Congress also supported a multi-year budget for the bank to end uncertainty over its future.” In a letter to customers and stakeholders, Fred Hochberg, the Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank said his organization is working hard to resume normal operations.  He also advised that, under changes included in the reauthorization legislation, all transactions involving loan guarantees of over $10 million will require approval by the Bank’s Board of Directors. However, he noted that the Senate still must confirm sufficient additional members of the Board to reconstitute a quorum. There are currently three vacancies on the five-member Board and the White House has pledged to send nominations to fill them shortly.  Poisler urged Bank supporters to contact the White House and their Senators to push for those actions to assure timely review of proposed projects and resumption of normal Bank operations heading into 2016.