NAELB member Meridian Finance Group was recognized today with the President’s “E” Award for making significant contributions to U.S. exports and international trade. The award was presented to Meridian’s President Gary Mendell by Penny Pritzker, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

The “E” Award was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to acknowledge companies that strengthen the U.S. economy and create jobs by increasing exports. At the “E” Award ceremony, Secretary Pritzker applauded Meridian for supporting over $1 billion dollars of new U.S. export business each year.

Meridian Finance Group provides trade finance tools that vendors can use to expand their international sales, including export credit insurance, cross-border equipment financing, foreign buyer credit lines, political risk insurance, supply chain financing, international leasing, L/C insurance, and other services. Formed in 1993, Meridian is headquartered in California and has offices nationwide.

Meridian’s clients include large corporations, middle-market companies, and—with no minimum volume requirements—small businesses nationwide, as well as banks and diverse financial institutions. Meridian’s staff is multicultural and multilingual, with experience not only in trade finance and credit insurance but also exporting, importing, logistics, and international distribution.