FirstMerit Corporation signed a strategic partnership agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration last week. As a Strategic Partner, FirstMerit will support the International Trade Administration’s mission of broadening and deepening the U.S. exporter base.

The Strategic Partnership was formalized at FirstMerit’s Akron, Ohio headquarters. As a Strategic Partner, FirstMerit will work with the Department of Commerce on programs of interest to FirstMerit customers covering topics such as exporting trends, geographic information and industry-specific intelligence.

“We are pleased to be recognized by the Department of Commerce as a financial resource partner for Midwest businesses currently exporting or looking to export their goods around the world,” said Paul G. Greig, CEO of FirstMerit. “This partnership with the Department of Commerce, coupled with the President’s ‘E’ Award for Export Service we received in May of this year, reflects our commitment to providing our exporting customers with the highest level of international banking products and services to help them succeed in our local economies and around the world.”

“Last year, the United States exported $2.35 trillion in goods and services, the fifth consecutive year that American businesses set a record for exports,” said Paul Thanos, director for the Office of Finance and Insurance Industries at the International Trade Administration. “With more than 96 percent of potential customers living outside the United States, it is imperative that American companies of all sizes consider the benefits of selling their products abroad. We’re pleased to welcome FirstMerit to the Strategic Partner Program and look forward to working with them to expand access to export financing for U.S. businesses.”

FirstMerit’s International Banking Division offers U.S. companies a range of products and services to help them enter and compete in global markets, including letters of credit, documentary collections, foreign exchange advisory and payments services and U.S. government-guaranteed working capital loan programs.