The Quarterly
AXP Q1 2017 10-Q

American Express Co (AXP) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q2 2017

AXP Q3 2017 10-Q
AXP Q1 2017 10-Q AXP Q3 2017 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


 QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2017


or


 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Transition Period from ____ to ____


Commission file number 1-7657


AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New York

13-4922250

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

200 Vesey Street, New York, New York

10285

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code                                          (212) 640-2000        


None

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                          

Yes        No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes        No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

         Large accelerated filer 

                         Accelerated filer 

         Non-accelerated filer  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

                         Smaller reporting company 

                         Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes        No 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

Outstanding at July 18, 2017

Common Shares (par value $0.20 per share)

883,979,644 Shares


Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

FORM 10-Q

INDEX


Part I.

Financial Information

Page No.

Item 1.

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Income – Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

1

Consolidated Statements of Income – Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

3

Consolidated Balance Sheets – June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

28

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

59

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

59

Part II.

Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

62

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

62

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

63

Item 5.

Other Information

64

Item 6.

Exhibits

64

Signatures

65

Exhibit Index

E-1

Table of Contents



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30 (Millions, except per share amounts)

2017

2016

Revenues

Non-interest revenues

Discount revenue

$

4,815

$

4,824

Net card fees

771

715

Other fees and commissions

752

702

Other

439

545

Total non-interest revenues

6,777

6,786

Interest income

Interest on loans

1,947

1,818

Interest and dividends on investment securities

23

34

Deposits with banks and other

82

33

Total interest income

2,052

1,885

Interest expense

Deposits

176

150

Long-term debt and other

346

286

Total interest expense

522

436

Net interest income

1,530

1,449

Total revenues net of interest expense

8,307

8,235

Provisions for losses

Charge card

163

153

Card Member loans

404

285

Other

17

25

Total provisions for losses

584

463

Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses

7,723

7,772

Expenses

Marketing and promotion

830

788

Card Member rewards

1,926

1,766

Card Member services and other

349

281

Salaries and employee benefits

1,293

1,451

Other, net

1,376

470

Total expenses

5,774

4,756

Pretax income

1,949

3,016

Income tax provision

609

1,001

Net income

$

1,340

$

2,015

Earnings per Common Share (Note 15): (a)

Basic

$

1.47

$

2.11

Diluted

$

1.47

$

2.10

Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:

Basic

890

938

Diluted

893

941

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.32

$

0.29

(a)

Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million and $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $19 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.


1

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions, except per share amounts)

2017

2016

Revenues

Non-interest revenues

Discount revenue

$

9,334

$

9,467

Net card fees

1,519

1,414

Other fees and commissions

1,465

1,382

Other

848

1,031

Total non-interest revenues

13,166

13,294

Interest income

Interest on loans

3,807

3,756

Interest and dividends on investment securities

46

70

Deposits with banks and other

142

64

Total interest income

3,995

3,890

Interest expense

Deposits

325

300

Long-term debt and other

640

561

Total interest expense

965

861

Net interest income

3,030

3,029

Total revenues net of interest expense

16,196

16,323

Provisions for losses

Charge card

376

322

Card Member loans

741

512

Other

40

63

Total provisions for losses

1,157

897

Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses

15,039

15,426

Expenses

Marketing and promotion

1,530

1,515

Card Member rewards

3,733

3,469

Card Member services and other

670

563

Salaries and employee benefits

2,557

2,789

Other, net

2,783

1,890

Total expenses

11,273

10,226

Pretax income

3,766

5,200

Income tax provision

1,189

1,759

Net income

$

2,577

$

3,441

Earnings per Common Share (Note 15): (a)

Basic

$

2.81

$

3.55

Diluted

$

2.80

$

3.54

Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:

Basic

895

949

Diluted

898

952

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.64

$

0.58

(a)

Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $21 million and $28 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $40 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

2

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net income

$

1,340

$

2,015

$

2,577

$

3,441

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax

5

6

7

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

33

(130

)

349

(126

)

Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax

9

6

1

32

Other comprehensive income (loss)

42

(119

)

356

(87

)

Comprehensive income

$

1,382

$

1,896

$

2,933

$

3,354

3

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

June 30,

December 31,

 (Millions, except share data)

2017

2016

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and due from banks

$

2,709

$

3,278

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (includes securities purchased under resale agreements: 2017, $102; 2016, $115)

26,363

20,779

Short-term investment securities

1,370

1,151

Total cash and cash equivalents

30,442

25,208

Accounts receivable

Card Member receivables (includes gross receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2017, $7,949; 2016, $8,874), less reserves: 2017, $475; 2016, $467

48,930

46,841

Other receivables, less reserves: 2017, $32; 2016, $45

2,832

3,232

Loans

Card Member loans (includes gross loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2017, $24,521; 2016, $26,129), less reserves: 2017, $1,320; 2016, $1,223

64,651

64,042

Other loans, less reserves: 2017, $54; 2016, $42

1,855

1,419

Investment securities

3,360

3,157

Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization: 2017, $5,596; 2016, $5,145

4,445

4,433

Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities: 2017, $55; 2016, $38)

10,482

10,561

Total assets

$

166,997

$

158,893

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Liabilities

Customer deposits

$

57,726

$

53,042

Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products

2,503

2,812

Accounts payable

12,106

11,190

Short-term borrowings

3,426

5,581

Long-term debt (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities: 2017, $16,002; 2016, $15,113)

51,945

46,990

Other liabilities

18,116

18,777

Total liabilities

145,822

138,392

Contingencies (Note 8)

Shareholders' Equity

Preferred shares, $1.66 2/3 par value, authorized 20 million shares; issued and outstanding 1,600 shares as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

Common shares, $0.20 par value, authorized 3.6 billion shares; issued and outstanding 885 million shares as of June 30, 2017 and 904 million shares as of December 31, 2016

177

181

Additional paid-in capital

12,456

12,733

Retained earnings

10,970

10,371

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax of: 2017, $8; 2016, $5

13

7

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2017, $(362); 2016, $24

(1,913

)

(2,262

)

Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax of: 2017, $(194); 2016, $(186)

(528

)

(529

)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,428

)

(2,784

)

Total shareholders' equity

21,175

20,501

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

166,997

$

158,893

4

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions)

2017

2016

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net income

$

2,577

$

3,441

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Provisions for losses

1,157

897

Depreciation and amortization

615

536

Deferred taxes and other

2

(852

)

Stock-based compensation

152

133

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:

Other receivables

832

293

Other assets

181

(107

)

Accounts payable and other liabilities

(902

)

(697

)

Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products

(330

)

(444

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

4,284

3,200

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Sales of available-for-sale investment securities

1

45

Maturities and redemptions of  available-for-sale investment securities

1,502

567

Purchases of investments

(1,768

)

(791

)

Net (increase) decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale (a)

(3,169

)

13,002

Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales: 2017, $1; 2016, $2

(538

)

(649

)

Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired

(174

)

(162

)

Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash

(12

)

126

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(4,158

)

12,138

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net increase (decrease)  in customer deposits

4,666

(594

)

Net decrease in short-term borrowings

(2,124

)

(2,520

)

Issuance of long-term debt

17,124

3,778

Principal payments on long-term debt

(12,349

)

(1,558

)

Issuance of American Express common shares

44

75

Repurchase of American Express common shares

(1,767

)

(2,914

)

Dividends paid

(620

)

(601

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

4,974

(4,334

)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

134

1

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

5,234

11,005

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

25,208

22,762

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

30,442

$

33,767

(a)

Refer to Note 2 for additional information.


5

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation


The Company


American Express Company (the Company) is a global services company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. The Company's principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Business travel-related services are offered through the non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel (the GBT JV). The Company's various products and services are sold globally to diverse customer groups, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations. These products and services are sold through various channels, including direct mail, online applications, in-house and third-party sales forces and direct response advertising.


The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the Annual Report). If not materially different, certain footnote disclosures included therein have been omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


The interim consolidated financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim period consolidated financial information, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.


The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation.



Recently Issued Accounting Standards


In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The accounting standard establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance, as amended, supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and is effective January 1, 2018.

Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, the Company anticipates using the full retrospective method, which applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented. The Company has been working on the implementation of the standard since its issuance in 2014 and has made significant progress in evaluating the potential impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. There will be changes to the recognition timing and classification of revenues and expenses, including potential changes to the presentation of certain credit and charge card related costs that are currently netted against discount revenue. The Company does not expect a significant impact to pretax income upon adoption. The Company is also in the process of implementing changes to its accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls to support the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements under the new standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The guidance, which is effective January 1, 2018, makes targeted changes to current GAAP, specifically to the classification and measurement of equity securities, and to certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company makes investments in non-public companies currently recognized under cost method accounting.  Under the new guidance, these investments will be prospectively adjusted for observable price changes upon identification of identical or similar transactions of the same issuer. The Company continues to evaluate the impact this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the impact the standard will have on its accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls.

6

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on leases. The guidance, which is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, requires virtually all leases to be recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company currently anticipates adopting the standard effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach, which requires recording existing operating leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets upon adoption and in the comparative period. The Company is in the process of upgrading its existing lease administration software for new lease accounting functionality , business processes and internal controls in preparation for the implementation. Specifically, the Company is currently reviewing its lease portfolio and is evaluating and interpreting the requirements under the guidance, including the available accounting policy elections, in order to determine the impacts to the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, which is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The guidance introduces a new credit reserving model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) model, which is based on expected losses, and differs significantly from the incurred loss approach used today. The CECL model requires measurement of expected credit losses not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information. The guidance requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption. The Company does not intend to adopt the new standard early and is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows; however, it is expected that the CECL model will alter the assumptions used in estimating credit losses on Card Member loans and receivables, among other financial instruments (e.g., investments in available-for-sale debt securities), and may result in material increases to the Company's credit reserves as the new guidance involves earlier recognition of expected losses for the life of the assets. The Company has established an enterprise-wide, cross-discipline governance structure to implement the new standard. The Company is currently identifying key interpretive issues, and is evaluating existing credit loss forecasting models and processes in relation to the new guidance to determine what modifications may be required.






2.  Business Events


During the fourth quarter of 2015, it was determined the Company would sell the Card Member loans and receivables related to its cobrand partnerships with JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) in the United States (the HFS portfolios). As a result, the HFS portfolios were presented as held for sale (HFS) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Card Member loans and receivables HFS as of December 31, 2015.


During the first half of 2016, the Company completed the sales of substantially all of its outstanding Card Member loans and receivables HFS and recognized gains, as an expense reduction, in Other expenses, of $127 million and $1.1 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, respectively. The impact of the sales, including the recognition of the proceeds received and the reclassification of the retained Card Member loans and receivables, is reported within the investing section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a net decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including HFS.


From the point of classification as HFS through the sale completion dates, the Company continued to recognize discount revenue, interest income, other revenues and expenses related to the HFS portfolios in the respective line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income, with changes in the valuation of the HFS portfolios recognized in Other expenses.



7

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


 3.  Loans and Accounts Receivable


The Company's lending and charge payment card products result in the generation of Card Member loans and Card Member receivables, respectively.


Card Member loans by segment and Other loans as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of:


(Millions)

2017

2016

U.S. Consumer Services (a)

$

48,348

$

48,758

International Consumer and Network Services

7,245

6,971

Global Commercial Services

10,378

9,536

Card Member loans

65,971

65,265

Less: Reserve for losses

1,320

1,223

Card Member loans, net

$

64,651

$

64,042

Other loans, net (b)

$

1,855

$

1,419

(a)

Includes approximately $24.5 billion and $26.1 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(b)

Other loans primarily represent personal and commercial financing products. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $54 million and $42 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.


Card Member accounts receivable by segment and Other receivables as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of:


(Millions)

2017

2016

U.S. Consumer Services (a)

$

11,344

$

12,302

International Consumer and Network  Services

5,988

5,966

Global Commercial Services

32,073

29,040

Card Member receivables

49,405

47,308

Less: Reserve for losses

475

467

Card Member receivables, net

$

48,930

$

46,841

Other receivables, net (b)

$

2,832

$

3,232

(a)

Includes $7.9 billion and $8.9 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(b)

Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) Global Network Services ( GNS) partner banks for items such as royalty and franchise fees, (ii) certain merchants for billed discount revenue, and ( iii) loyalty coalition partners for points issued, as well as program participation and servicing fees. Other receivables are presented net of r eserves for losses of $32 million and $45 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.


8

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Card Member Loans and Card Member Receivables Aging

Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table presents the aging of Card Member loans and receivables as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:


2017 (Millions)

Current

30-59 Days Past Due

60-89 Days Past Due

90+ Days Past Due

Total

Card Member Loans:

  U.S. Consumer Services

$

47,797

$

155

$

119

$

277

$

48,348

  International Consumer and Network Services

7,124

38

25

58

7,245

  Global Commercial Services

      Global Small Business Services

$

10,207

$

35

$

25

$

57

$

10,324

      Global Corporate Payments (a)

(b)

(b)

(b)

$

$

54

Card Member Receivables:

  U.S. Consumer Services

$

11,220

$

42

$

24

$

58

$

11,344

  International Consumer and Network Services

5,903

25

16

44

5,988

  Global Commercial Services

      Global Small Business Services

$

14,967

$

75

$

41

$

102

$

15,185

      Global Corporate Payments (a)

(b)

(b)

(b)

$

136

$

16,888

2016 (Millions)

Current

30-59 Days Past Due

60-89 Days Past Due

90+ Days Past Due

Total

Card Member Loans:

  U.S. Consumer Services

$

48,216

$

156

$

119

$

267

$

48,758

  International Consumer and Network Services

6,863

32

24

52

6,971

  Global Commercial Services

      Global Small Business Services

$

9,378

$

34

$

23

$

49

$

9,484

      Global Corporate Payments (a)

(b)

(b)

(b)

$

$

52

Card Member Receivables:

  U.S. Consumer Services

$

12,158

$

45

$

30

$

69

$

12,302

  International Consumer and Network Services

5,888

22

15

41

5,966

  Global Commercial Services

      Global Small Business Services

$

14,047

$

77

$

47

$

102

$

14,273

      Global Corporate Payments (a)

(b)

(b)

(b)

$

135

$

14,767

(a)

For Global Corporate Payments (GCP) Card Member loans and receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS), delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member's billing statement date. In addition, if the Company initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member loan and receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes. See also (b).

(b)

Delinquency data for periods other than 90 days past billing is not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data has not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances.


9

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Loans and Receivables

The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the six months ended June 30:

2017

2016

Net Write-Off Rate

Net Write-Off Rate

Principal Only (a)

Principal, Interest & Fees (a)

30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total

Principal Only (a)

Principal, Interest & Fees (a)

30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total

Card Member Loans:

U.S. Consumer Services

1.7

%

2.0

%

1.1

%

1.5

%

1.7

%

1.1

%

International Consumer and Network Services

2.0

%

2.5

%

1.7

%

2.0

%

2.4

%

1.7

%

Global Small Business Services

1.5

%

1.8

%

1.1

%

1.3

%

1.6

%

1.1

%

Card Member Receivables:

U.S. Consumer Services

1.4

%

1.5

%

1.1

%

1.5

%

1.8

%

1.2

%

International Consumer and Network Services

2.0

%

2.2

%

1.4

%

2.2

%

2.4

%

1.4

%

Global Small Business Services

1.7

%

1.9

%

1.4

%

1.7

%

2.0

%

1.4

%

2017

2016

Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume

90+ Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables

Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume

90+ Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables

Card Member Receivables:

 Global Corporate Payments

0.10

%

0.8

%

0.09

%

0.7

%

(a)

The Company presents a net write-off rate based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) to be consistent with industry convention. In addition, because the Company considers uncollectible interest and/or fees in estimating its reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.


Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables

Impaired Card Member loans and receivables are individual larger balance or homogeneous pools of smaller balance loans and receivables for which it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. In certain cases, these Card Member loans and receivables are included in one of the Company's various Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR) modification programs.

10

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following tables provide additional information with respect to the Company's impaired Card Member loans and receivables. Impaired Card Member receivables are not significant for International Consumer and Network Services (ICNS) as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; therefore, this segment's receivables are not included in the following tables.

As of June 30, 2017

Accounts Classified as a TDR (c)

2017 (Millions)

Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest (a)

Non-Accruals (b)

In Program (d)

Out of Program (e)

Total Impaired Balance

Unpaid Principal Balance

Allowance for TDRs

Card Member Loans:

U.S. Consumer Services

$

175

$

156

$

153

$

132

$

616

$

560

$

47

International Consumer and Network Services

58

58

57

Global Commercial Services

33

34

26

27

120

110

9

Card Member Receivables:

U.S. Consumer Services

10

8

18

18

4

Global Commercial Services

25

15

40

40

9

Total

$

266

$

190

$

214

$

182

$

852

$

785

$

69


As of December 31, 2016

Accounts Classified as a TDR (c)

2016 (Millions)

Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest (a)

Non-Accruals (b)

In Program (d)

Out of Program (e)

Total Impaired Balance

Unpaid Principal Balance

Allowance for TDRs

Card Member Loans:

U.S. Consumer Services

$

178

139

165

129

611

558

51

International Consumer and Network Services

52

52

51

Global Commercial Services

30

30

26

26

112

103

9

Card Member Receivables:

U.S. Consumer Services

11

6

17

17

7

Global Commercial Services

28

10

38

38

21

Total

$

260

$

169

$

230

$

171

$

830

$

767

$

88

(a)

The Company's policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (typically 180 days past due). The Company establishes reserves for interest that it believes will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude Card Member loans classified as a TDR.

(b)

Non-accrual loans not in modification programs primarily include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company has ceased accruing interest. Amounts presented exclude Card Member loans classified as a TDR.

(c)

Accounts classified as a TDR include $18 million and $20 million that are over 90 days past due and accruing interest and $7 million and $11 million that are non-accruals as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(d)

In Program TDRs include Card Member accounts that are currently enrolled in a modification program.

(e)

Out of Program TDRs include $139 million and $132 million of Card Member accounts that have successfully completed a modification program and $43 million and $39 million of Card Member accounts that were not in compliance with the terms of the modification programs as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.



11

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table provides information with respect to the Company's average balances of, and interest income recognized from, impaired Card Member loans and the average balances of impaired Card Member receivables for the three and six months ended June 30:

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2017

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2017

(Millions)

Average Balance

Interest Income Recognized

Average Balance

Interest Income Recognized

Card Member Loans:

U.S. Consumer Services

$

618

$

16

$

616

$

32

International Consumer and Network Services

56

4

55

8

Global Commercial Services

120

4

117

8

Card Member Receivables:

U.S. Consumer Services

18

18

Global Commercial Services

41

40

Total

$

853

$

24

$

846

$

48

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2016

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2016

(Millions)

Average Balance

Interest Income Recognized

Average Balance

Interest Income Recognized

Card Member Loans:

U.S. Consumer Services

$

551

$

12

$

555

$

24

International Consumer and Network Services

54

4

53

8

Global Commercial Services

102

3

103

6

Card Member Receivables:

U.S. Consumer Services

13

12

Global Commercial Services

25

20

Total

$

745

$

19

$

743

$

38


Card Member Loans and Receivables Modified as TDRs



The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Consumer Services (USCS) and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The ICNS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant; therefore, this segment is not included in the following TDR disclosures.


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2017

June 30, 2017

Number of Accounts (in thousands)

Outstanding Balances

($ in millions) (a)

Average Interest Rate Reduction

(% Points)

Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)

Number of Accounts (in thousands)

Outstanding Balances

($ in millions) (a)

Average Interest Rate Reduction (% Points)

Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)

Troubled Debt Restructurings:

Card Member Loans

7

$

46

10

(b)

15

$

103

11

(b)

Card Member Receivables

1

18

(c)

32

3

46

(c)

26

Total

8

$

64

18

$

149

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2016

June 30, 2016

Number of Accounts (in thousands)

Outstanding Balances

($ in millions) (a)

Average Interest Rate Reduction

(% Points)

Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)

Number of Accounts (in thousands)

Outstanding Balances

($ in millions) (a)

Average Interest Rate Reduction (% Points)

Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)

Troubled Debt Restructurings:

Card Member Loans

7

$

50

10

(b)

15

$

107

11

(b)

Card Member Receivables

2

27

(c)

17

5

65

(c)

17

Total

9

$

77

20

$

172

(a)

Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.

(b)

For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions.

(c)

The Company does not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest bearing.

12

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table provides information with respect to the USCS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. A Card Member is considered in default of a modification program after one and up to two missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2017

June 30, 2017

Number of Accounts

(in thousands)

Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default

($ in millions) (a)

Number of Accounts

(in thousands)

Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default

($ in millions) (a)

Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:

Card Member Loans

2

$

10

4

$

21

Card Member Receivables

1

2

2

3

Total

3

$

12

6

$

24

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2016

June 30, 2016

Number of Accounts

(in thousands)

Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default

($ in millions) (a)

Number of Accounts

(in thousands)

Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default

($ in millions) (a)

Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:

Card Member Loans

1

$

9

2

$

18

Card Member Receivables

1

1

2

2

Total

2

$

10

4

$

20

(a)

The outstanding balances upon default include principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans, and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.



13

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


 4.  Reserves for Losses


Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management's best estimate of the probable inherent losses in the Company's outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables as of the balance sheet date. Management's evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments.


Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses


The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the six months ended June 30:


(Millions)

2017

2016

Balance, January 1

$

1,223

$

1,028

Provisions (a)

741

512

Net write-offs (b)

Principal

(557

)

(437

)

Interest and fees

(106

)

(80

)

Other (c)

19

68

Balance, June 30

$

1,320

$

1,091

(a)

Provisions for principal, interest and fee reserve components.

(b)

Principal write-offs are presented less recoveries of $205 million and $179 million, and include net write-offs from TDRs of $21 million and $17 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis.

(c)

Includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $10 million and $(2) million and other adjustments of $9 million and $3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The six months ended June 30, 2016 also includes reserves of $7 million in the first quarter and $60 million in the second quarter associated with $20 million and $245 million of retained Card Member loans, respectively, reclassified from HFS to held for investment during those periods as a result of retaining certain loans in connection with the respective sales of JetBlue and Costco cobrand card portfolios.


Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment

The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

(Millions)

2017

2016

Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment (a)

$

338

$

346

Related reserves (a)

$

56

$

60

Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment (b)

$

65,633

$

64,919

Related reserves (b)

$

1,264

$

1,163

(a)

Represents loans modified as a TDR and related reserves.

(b)

Represents current loans and loans less than 90 days past due, loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest, and non-accrual loans. The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of loans, and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment.


14

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses

The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the six months ended June 30:


(Millions)

2017

2016

Balance, January 1

$

467

$

462

Provisions (a)

376

322

Net write-offs (b)

(373

)

(359

)

Other (c)

5

(2

)

Balance, June 30

$

475

$

423

(a)

Provisions for principal and fee reserve components.

(b)

Principal and fee components are presented less recoveries of $181 million and $202 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $7 million and $16 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(c)

Includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $14 and $(1) million and other adjustments of $(9) million and $(1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


Card Member Receivables Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment

The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment, and related reserves, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

(Millions)

2017

2016

Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment (a)

$

58

$

55

Related reserves (a)

$

13

$

28

Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment

$

49,347

$

47,253

Related reserves (b)

$

462

$

439

(a)

Represents receivables modified as a TDR and related reserves.

(b)

The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of receivables, and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to receivables that are collectively evaluated for impairment.


5.  Investment Securities


Investment securities principally include debt securities the Company classifies as available-for-sale and carries at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI), net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method.


The following is a summary of investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:


2017

2016

Gross

Gross

Estimated

Gross

Gross

Estimated

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

Description of Securities (Millions)

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

State and municipal obligations

$

1,563

$

20

$

(2

)

$

1,581

$

2,019

$

28

$

(11

)

$

2,036

U.S. Government agency obligations

12

12

12

12

U.S. Government treasury  obligations

1,114

9

(4

)

1,119

465

3

(8

)

460

Corporate debt securities

19

19

Mortgage-backed securities (a)

79

2

81

92

3

95

Equity securities

1

1

1

1

Foreign government bonds and obligations

518

1

(1

)

518

486

1

(1

)

486

Other (b)

50

(2

)

48

50

(2

)

48

Total

$

3,337

$

32

$

(9

)

$

3,360

$

3,144

$

35

$

(22

)

$

3,157

(a)

Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae.

(b)

Other comprises investments in various mutual funds.


15

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table provides information about the Company's investment securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

2017

2016

Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Gross

Gross

Gross

Gross

Description of Securities (Millions)

Estimated Fair Value

Unrealized Losses

Estimated Fair Value

Unrealized Losses

Estimated Fair Value

Unrealized Losses

Estimated Fair Value

Unrealized Losses

State and municipal obligations

$

99

$

(2

)

$

$

$

153

$

(11

)

$

$

U.S. Government treasury obligations

366

(4

)

298

(8

)

Other

32

(2

)

32

(2

)

Total

$

465

$

(6

)

$

32

$

(2

)

$

451

$

(19

)

$

32

$

(2

)


The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:


Less than 12 months

12 months or more

Total

Ratio of Fair Value to

Gross

Gross

Gross

Amortized Cost

Number of

Estimated

Unrealized

Number of

Estimated

Unrealized

Number of

Estimated

Unrealized

(Dollars in millions)

Securities

Fair Value

Losses

Securities

Fair Value

Losses

Securities

Fair Value

Losses

2017:

90%–100%

23

$

465

$

(6

)

6

$

32

$

(2

)

29

$

497

$

(8

)

Total as of June 30, 2017

23

$

465

$

(6

)

6

$

32

$

(2

)

29

$

497

$

(8

)

2016:

90%–100%

33

$

411

$

(13

)

6

$

32

$

(2

)

39

$

443

$

(15

)

Less than 90%

4

40

(6

)

4

40

(6

)

Total as of December 31, 2016

37

$

451

$

(19

)

6

$

32

$

(2

)

43

$

483

$

(21

)


The gross unrealized losses are attributed to overall wider credit spreads for specific issuers, adverse changes in market benchmark interest rates, or a combination thereof, all compared to those prevailing when the investment securities were acquired.


Overall, for the investment securities in gross unrealized loss positions, (i) the Company does not intend to sell the investment securities, (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (iii) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment during the periods presented.


Contractual maturities for investment securities with stated maturities as of June 30, 2017 were as follows:


Estimated

(Millions)

Cost

Fair Value

Due within 1 year

$

623

$

623

Due after 1 year but within 5 years

979

984

Due after 5 years but within 10 years

294

298

Due after 10 years

1,390

1,406

Total

$

3,286

$

3,311


The expected payments on state and municipal obligations and mortgage-backed securities may not coincide with their contractual maturities because the issuers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations.


16

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


6.  Asset Securitizations


The Company periodically securitizes Card Member loans and receivables arising from its card businesses through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue debt securities collateralized by the transferred assets to third-party investors.


The following table provides information on the restricted cash held by the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) and the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust, collectively the Trusts) as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:


(Millions)

2017

2016

Lending Trust

$

53

$

35

Charge Trust

2

3

Total

$

55

$

38


These amounts relate to collections of Card Member loans and receivables to be used by the Trusts to fund future expenses and obligations, including interest on debt securities, credit losses and upcoming debt maturities.


American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), in its role as servicer of the Trusts, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Trusts' economic performance, which are the collection of the underlying Card Member loans and receivables. In addition, TRS directly and indirectly (through its consolidated subsidiaries) holds all of the variable interests in both Trusts, with the exception of the debt securities issued to third-party investors.  As of June 30, 2017, TRS' direct and indirect ownership of variable interests was $9.8 billion for the Lending Trust and $6.5 billion for the Charge Trust. These variable interests held by TRS provide it with the right to receive benefits and the obligation to absorb losses, which could be significant to both the Lending Trust and the Charge Trust. Based on these considerations, TRS is the primary beneficiary of both Trusts and therefore consolidates both Trusts.


Under the respective terms of the Lending Trust and the Charge Trust agreements, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the assets of each Trust could result in payment of trust expenses, establishment of reserve funds, or, in a worst-case scenario, early amortization of debt securities. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, no such triggering events occurred.

17

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

7.  Customer Deposits


As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, customer deposits were categorized as interest bearing or non-interest bearing as follows:


(Millions)

2017

2016

U.S.:

Interest bearing

$

57,012

$

52,316

Non-interest bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2017, $309 million; 2016, $331 million)

348

367

Non-U.S.:

Interest bearing

29

58

Non-interest bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2017, $325 million; 2016, $285 million)

337

301

Total customer deposits

$

57,726

$

53,042


Customer deposits by deposit type as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:


(Millions)

2017

2016

U.S. retail deposits:

Savings accounts – Direct

$

30,276

$

30,980

Certificates of deposit: (a)

Direct

285

291

Third-party (brokered)

14,997

11,925

Sweep accounts – Third-party (brokered)

11,454

9,120

Other retail deposits:

Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits

80

110

Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S.

634

616

Total customer deposits

$

57,726

$

53,042

(a)

The weighted average remaining maturity and weighted average interest rate at issuance on the total portfolio of U.S. retail certificates of deposit issued through direct and third-party programs were 46 months and 2.05 percent, respectively, as of June 30, 2017.

The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of June 30, 2017 were as follows:

(Millions)

U.S.

Non-U.S.

Total

2017

$

2,400

$

7

$

2,407

2018

4,463

9

4,472

2019

3,447

3,447

2020

3,069

3,069

2021

917

917

After 5 years

986

986

Total

$

15,282

$

16

$

15,298


As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, in the aggregate, were as follows:


(Millions)

2017

2016

U.S.

$

103

$

117

Non-U.S.

5

7

Total

$

108

$

124


18

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


8.  Contingencies


In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to various pending and potential legal actions, arbitration proceedings, claims, investigations, examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and matters relating to compliance with laws and regulations (collectively, legal proceedings). The Company discloses its material legal proceedings under Part II, Item 1. "Legal Proceedings" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Item 3. "Legal Proceedings" in the Annual Report.



In addition to the matters disclosed under "Legal Proceedings," the Company is being challenged in a number of countries regarding its application of value-added taxes (VAT) to certain of its international transactions, which are in various stages of audit, or are being contested in legal actions (collectively, VAT matters). While the Company believes it has complied with all applicable tax laws, rules and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions, the tax authorities may determine that the Company owes additional VAT. In certain jurisdictions where the Company is contesting the assessments, it was required to pay the VAT assessments prior to contesting.


The Company's legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with millions of putative class members. These legal proceedings involve various lines of business of the Company and a variety of claims (including, but not limited to, common law tort, contract, application of tax laws, antitrust and consumer protection claims), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. While some matters pending against the Company specify the damages claimed by the plaintiff or class, many seek an unspecified amount of damages or are at very early stages of the legal process. Even when the amount of damages claimed against the Company are stated, the claimed amount may be exaggerated and/or unsupported. As a result, some matters have not yet progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues to enable the Company to estimate an amount of loss or a range of possible loss, while other matters have progressed sufficiently such that the Company is able to estimate an amount of loss or a range of possible loss.


The Company has recorded reserves for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings. A reserve is recorded when it is both (a) probable that a loss has occurred and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. There may be instances in which an exposure to loss exceeds the recorded reserve. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the reserve that has been previously recorded, or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable.


For those disclosed material legal proceedings and VAT matters where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related reserve for legal or tax contingencies or where there is no such reserve, and for which the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $450 million in excess of any reserves related to those matters. This range represents management's estimate based on currently available information and does not represent the Company's maximum loss exposure; actual results may vary significantly. As such legal proceedings evolve, the Company may need to increase its range of possible loss or reserves.


Based on its current knowledge, and taking into consideration its litigation-related liabilities, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, it is possible that the outcome of legal proceedings, including the possible resolution of merchant claims, could have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.


19

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


9.   Derivatives and Hedging Activities


The Company uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. These instruments derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and equity index or price, and are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of the Company's market risk management. The Company does not transact in derivatives for trading purposes.


In relation to the Company's credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, the Company is not required to either immediately settle any outstanding liability balances or post collateral upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. Based on its assessment of the credit risk of the Company's derivative counterparties as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no credit risk adjustment to the derivative portfolio was required.


The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 :


Other Assets Fair Value

Other Liabilities Fair Value

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Fair value hedges - Interest rate contracts (a)

$

39

$

111

$

$

69

Net investment hedges - Foreign exchange contracts

28

347

265

35

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

67

458

265

104

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

  Foreign exchange contracts, including certain embedded derivatives (b)

144

308

170

176

Total derivatives, gross

211

766

435

280

Less: Cash collateral netting (c)(d)

(20

)

(54

)

(1

)

(68

)

  Derivative asset and derivative liability netting (e)

(73

)

(157

)

(73

)

(157

)

Total derivatives, net (f)

$

118

$

555

$

361

$

55

(a)

Effective January 2017, the Central Clearing Party (CCP) changed the legal characterization of variation margin payments for centrally cleared derivatives to be settlement payments, as opposed to collateral. As of June 30, 2017 centrally cleared derivatives are fully collateralized. The Company also maintained several bilateral interest rate contracts that are not subject to the CCP's rule change and amounts related to such contracts are shown gross of any collateral exchanged.

(b)

Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements.

(c)

Primarily represents the offsetting of bilateral interest rate contracts and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivatives executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.

(d)

The Company held no non-cash collateral as of June 30, 2017. As of December 31, 2016, t he Company received non-cash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interests in U.S. Treasury securities, with a fair value of $18 million, none of which was sold or repledged.  Such non-cash collateral economically reduced the Company's risk exposure to $537 million as of December 31, 2016, but did not reduce the net exposure on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company posted $170 million and $169 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.

(e)

Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.

(f)

The Company has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A majority of the Company's derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are subject to master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. The Company has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fair Value Hedges

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt obligations. At the time of issuance, certain fixed-rate debt obligations are designated in fair value hedging relationships, using interest rate swaps, to economically convert the fixed interest rate to a floating interest rate. The Company has $19.5 billion and $17.7 billion of fixed-rate debt obligations designated in fair value hedging relationships as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

20

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


The following table summarizes the gains (losses) recognized in Other expenses associated with the Company's fair value hedges for the three and six months ended June 30:


Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Interest rate derivative contracts

$

6

$

61

$

(69

)

$

226

Hedged items

(25

)

(53

)

25

(224

)

Net hedge ineffectiveness

$

(19

)

$

8

$

(44

)

$

2


The Company also recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $37  million and $59  million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $81 million and $118 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on the Company's interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.


Net Investment Hedges


The effective portion of the gain or loss on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was a loss of $102 million and a gain of $135 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and a loss of $331 million and a gain of $43 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with any ineffective portion recognized in Other expenses during the period. The net hedge ineffectiveness recognized was nil for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 . Other amounts related to foreign exchange contracts reclassified from AOCI into Other expenses included nil and a gain of $5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and nil and a gain of $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges


The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are intended to offset the related foreign exchange gains or losses of the underlying foreign currency exposures. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives and the related underlying foreign currency exposures resulted in a net loss of $4 million and a net gain of $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and net losses of $21 million and $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and are recognized in Other expenses.

The changes in the fair value of an embedded derivative resulted in a loss of $3 million and nil for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and a loss of $2 million and a gain of $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, which are recognized in Card Member services and other expense.



10 . Fair Values



Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value


The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP's fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:


2017

2016

(Millions)

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Assets:

Investment securities: (a)

Equity securities and other

$

49

$

1

$

48

$

$

49

$

1

$

48

$

Debt securities

3,311

1,119

2,192

3,108

460

2,648

Derivatives (a)

211

211

765

765

Total Assets

3,571

1,120

2,451

3,922

461

3,461

Liabilities:

Derivatives (a)

435

435

280

280

Total Liabilities

$

435

$

$

435

$

$

280

$

$

280

$

(a)

Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 9 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.


21

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and require management's judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can the fair value of the Company be estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.

Carrying

Corresponding Fair Value Amount

2017 (Billions)

Value

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Financial Assets:

Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

Cash and cash equivalents (a)

$

30

$

30

$

28

$

2

$

Other financial assets (b)

52

52

52

Financial assets carried at other than fair value

Loans, net (c)

67

67

67

Financial Liabilities:

Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

67

67

67

Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value

Certificates of deposit (d)

15

15

15

 Long-term debt (c)

$

52

$

53

$

$

53

$

Carrying

Corresponding Fair Value Amount

2016 (Billions)

Value

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Financial Assets:

Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

Cash and cash equivalents (a)

$

25

$

25

$

22

$

3

$

Other financial assets (b)

51

51

51

Financial assets carried at other than fair value

Loans, net (c)

65

66

66

Financial Liabilities:

Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value

67

67

67

Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value

Certificates of deposit (d)

12

12

12

 Long-term debt (c)

$

47

$

48

$

$

48

$

(a)

Level 2 amounts reflect time deposits and short-term investments.

(b)

Includes Card Member receivables (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $7.9 billion and $8.8 billion held by a consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively), Other receivables, restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets.

(c)

Balances include amounts held by a consolidated VIE for which the fair values of Card Member loans were $24.4 billion and $26.0 billion as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and the fair values of long-term debt were $16.1 billion and $15.2 billion as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(d)

Presented as a component of customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain assets that are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is applicable if determined to be impaired.  During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any material assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment.

22

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


11. Guarantees


The Company provides Card Member protection plans that cover losses associated with purchased products, as well as certain guarantees and indemnifications in the ordinary course of business.


As of June 30, 2017, the maximum potential undiscounted future payments and related liability resulting from these arrangements were $1 billion and $50 million, respectively, and related primarily to the Company's real estate and business dispositions. As of December 31, 2016, the maximum potential undiscounted future payments and related liability were $48 billion and $86 million, respectively. Amounts related to the Company's Card Member protection plans were included as of December 31, 2016, in addition to its real estate and business dispositions.


To date the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees or indemnifications. The Company's recognition of these instruments is at fair value. In addition, the Company establishes reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.




12. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income


AOCI is comprised of items that have not been recognized in earnings but may be recognized in earnings in the future when certain events occur. Changes in each component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:


Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Millions) , net of tax

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Balances as of March 31, 2017

$

13

$

(1,946

)

$

(537

)

$

(2,470

)

Net unrealized gains (losses)

Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings

Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations

135

135

Net losses related to hedges of investments in foreign operations

(102

)

(102

)

Pension and other postretirement benefit

9

9

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss

33

9

42

Balances as of June 30, 2017

$

13

$

(1,913

)

$

(528

)

$

(2,428

)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Millions) , net of tax

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Balances as of December 31, 2016

$

7

$

(2,262

)

$

(529

)

$

(2,784

)

Net unrealized gains

6

6

Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings

Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations (a)

680

680

Net losses related to hedges of investments in foreign operations

(331

)

(331

)

Pension and other postretirement benefit

1

1

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss

6

349

1

356

Balances as of June 30, 2017

$

13

$

(1,913

)

$

(528

)

$

(2,428

)


(a)    Includes $289 million of recognized tax benefits (Refer to Note 14).



23

Table of Contents


AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Millions) , net of tax

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Balances as of March 31, 2016

$

60

$

(2,040

)

$

(522

)

$

(2,502

)

Net unrealized gains

5

5

Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations

(265

)

(265

)

Net gains related to hedges of investments in foreign operations

135

135

Pension and other postretirement benefit

6

6

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss

5

(130

)

6

(119

)

Balances as of June 30, 2016

$

65

$

(2,170

)

$

(516

)

$

(2,621

)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Millions) , net of tax

Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Balances as of December 31, 2015

$

58

$

(2,044

)

$

(548

)

$

(2,534

)

Net unrealized gains

9

9

Decrease due to amounts reclassified into earnings

(2

)

(2

)

Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations

(169

)

(169

)

Net gains related to hedges of investments in foreign operations

43

43

Pension and other postretirement benefit

32

32

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss

7

(126

)

32

(87

)

Balances as of June 30, 2016

$

65

$

(2,170

)

$

(516

)

$

(2,621

)


The following table shows the tax impact for the three and six months ended June 30 for the changes in each component of AOCI presented above:


Tax expense (benefit)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Investment securities

$

$

2

$

3

$

2

Foreign currency translation adjustments (a)

12

22

(179

)

37

Net investment hedges

(67

)

78

(207

)

24

Pension and other postretirement benefits

1

10

(8

)

29

Total tax impact

$

(54

)

$

112

$

(391

)

$

92


(a)    Includes $289 million of tax benefits recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2017 (Refer to Note 14).



24

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the effects of reclassifications out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statements of Income:


Gains (losses) recognized in earnings

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

Amount

Amount

Description  ( Millions )

Income Statement Line Item

2017

2016

2017

2016

Available-for-sale securities

Reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on investment securities

Other non-interest revenues

$

$

$

$

4

Related income tax expense

Income tax provision

(2

)

Reclassification to net income related to available-for-sale securities

2

Total

$

$

$

$

2


13.  Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail


The following is a detail of Other fees and commissions:


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Delinquency fees

$

218

$

192

$

432

$

392

Foreign currency conversion fee revenue

212

207

411

403

Loyalty coalition-related fees

114

104

216

198

Travel commissions and fees

90

87

174

167

Other (a)

118

112

232

222

Total Other fees and commissions

$

752

$

702

$

1,465

$

1,382

(a)

Other primarily includes service fees and fees related to Membership Rewards programs.


The following is a detail of Other revenues:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Global Network Services partner revenues

$

150

$

197

$

306

$

342

Other (a)

289

348

542

689

Total Other revenues

$

439

$

545

$

848

$

1,031

(a)

Other includes revenues arising from net revenue earned on cross-border Card Member spending, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, merchant-related fees, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, Prepaid card and Travelers Cheque-related revenues, earnings from equity method investments (including the GBT JV) and other miscellaneous revenue and fees.


The following is a detail of Other expenses:


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Millions)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Professional services

$

521

$

628

$

1,033

$

1,232

Occupancy and equipment

484

438

959

903

Gain on sale of HFS portfolios (a)

(1,091

)

(1,218

)

Other (b)

371

495

791

973

Total Other expenses

$

1,376

$

470

$

2,783

$

1,890

(a)

Refer to Note 2 for additional information.

(b)

Other expense primarily includes general operating expenses, Card and merchant-related fraud losses, communication expenses, foreign currency-related gains and losses, certain loyalty coalition-related expenses and insurance costs. In addition, for 2016, Other expenses includes the valuation allowance adjustment associated with loans and receivables HFS.


25

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

14.  Income Taxes


The effective tax rate was 31.2 percent and 33.2 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and 31.6 percent and 33.8 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The changes in tax rates primarily reflected the geographic mix of business and the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits. In addition, the effective tax rate in the current year reflected the resolution of certain prior years' tax items.


The Company is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which the Company has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction.  In February 2017, the Company received notification that all matters outstanding with the IRS for tax years 1997-2007 were resolved.  The resolution of such matters did not have a material impact on the Company's effective tax rate.  The Company is currently under examination with the IRS for tax years 2008 through 2014.

The Company believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $133 million, principally as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax items with various taxing authorities. The prior years' tax items include unrecognized tax benefits relating to the deductibility of certain expenses or losses and the attribution of taxable income to a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions.  Of the $133 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $90 million relates to amounts that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate in a future period. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $280 million. The decrease was primarily due to the resolution with the IRS of an uncertain tax position in January 2017, which resulted in the recognition of $289 million in shareholders' equity, specifically within AOCI.



15.  Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)


The computations of basic and diluted EPS were as follows:


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Millions, except per share amounts)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Numerator:

Basic and diluted:

Net income

$

1,340

$

2,015

$

2,577

$

3,441

Preferred dividends

(19

)

(19

)

(40

)

(40

)

Net income available to common shareholders

1,321

1,996

2,537

3,401

Earnings allocated to participating share awards (a)

(11

)

(17

)

(21

)

(28

)

Net income attributable to common shareholders

$

1,310

$

1,979

$

2,516

$

3,373

Denominator: (a)

Basic: Weighted-average common stock

890

938

895

949

Add: Weighted-average stock options (b)

3

3

3

3

Diluted

893

941

898

952

Basic EPS

$

1.47

$

2.11

$

2.81

$

3.55

Diluted EPS

$

1.47

$

2.10

$

2.80

$

3.54

(a)

The Company's unvested restricted stock awards, which include the right to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities. Calculations of EPS under the two-class method exclude from the numerator any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities. The related participating securities are similarly excluded from the denominator.

(b)

The dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes from the computation of EPS 1.2 million and 2.5 million of options for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and 1.2 million and 1.7 million of options for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive.



26

Table of Contents

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


16.  Reportable Operating Segments


The Company is a global services company that is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: USCS, ICNS, GCS and GMS. Corporate functions and certain other businesses and operations are included in Corporate & Other.


The following table presents certain selected financial information for the Company's reportable operating segments and Corporate & Other:


Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

(Millions, except where indicated)

USCS

ICNS

GCS

GMS

Corporate & Other (a)

Consolidated

Non-interest revenues

$

1,999

$

1,247

$

2,368

$

1,086

$

77

$

6,777

Interest income

1,369

246

334

1

102

2,052

Interest expense

171

60

129

(65

)

227

522

Total revenues net of interest expense

3,197

1,433

2,573

1,152

(48

)

8,307

Net income (loss)

$

440

$

209

$

500

$

430

$

(239

)

$

1,340

Total assets (billions)

$

87

$

38

$

51

$

26

$

(35

)

$

167

Total equity (billions)

$

7

$

3

$

7

$

3

$

1

$

21

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

(Millions, except where indicated)

USCS

ICNS

GCS

GMS

Corporate & Other (a)

Consolidated

Non-interest revenues

$

3,856

$

2,442

$

4,639

$

2,103

$

126

$

13,166

Interest income

2,677

481

653

1

183

3,995

Interest expense

317

113

238

(123

)

420

965

Total revenues net of interest expense

6,216

2,810

5,054

2,227

(111

)

16,196

Net income (loss)

$

909

$

427

$

918

$

793

$

(470

)

$

2,577

Total assets (billions)

$

87

$

38

$

51

$

26

$

(35

)

$

167

Total equity (billions)

$

7

$

3

$

7

$

3

$

1

$

21

Three Months Ended June 30, 2016

(Millions, except where indicated)

USCS

ICNS

GCS

GMS

Corporate & Other (a)

Consolidated

Non-interest revenues

$

2,069

$

1,242

$

2,280

$

1,087

$

108

$

6,786

Interest income

1,278

234

310

1

62

1,885

Interest expense

139

58

104

(61

)

196

436

Total revenues net of interest expense

3,208

1,418

2,486

1,149

(26

)

8,235

Net income (loss)

$

1,067

$

228

$

576

$

373

$

(229

)

$

2,015

Total assets (billions)

$

81

$

35

$

46

$

24

$

(26

)

$

160

Total equity (billions)

$

7

$

3

$

8

$

2

$

1

$

21

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

(Millions, except where indicated)

USCS

ICNS

GCS

GMS

Corporate & Other (a)

Consolidated

Non-interest revenues

$

4,098

$

2,382

$

4,470

$

2,128

$

216

$

13,294

Interest income

2,669

461

631

1

128

3,890

Interest expense

279

112

199

(120

)

391

861

Total revenues net of interest expense

6,488

2,731

4,902

2,249

(47

)

16,323

Net income (loss)

$

1,761

$

416

$

1,061

$

730

$

(527

)

$

3,441

Total assets (billions)

$

81

$

35

$

46

$

24

$

(26

)

$

160

Total equity (billions)

$

7

$

3

$

8

$

2

$

1

$

21

(a)

Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity.

27

Table of Contents

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Business Introduction


When we use the terms "American Express," "the Company," "we," "our" or "us," we mean American Express Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless we state or the context implies otherwise.


We are a global services company with four reportable operating segments: U.S. Consumer Services (USCS), International Consumer and Network Services (ICNS), Global Commercial Services (GCS) and Global Merchant Services (GMS). Corporate functions and certain other businesses and operations are included in Corporate & Other. We provide our customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Our principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Our range of products and services includes:



•     Charge card, credit card and other payment and financing products

•     Network services

•     Merchant acquisition and processing, servicing and settlement, marketing and point-of-sale marketing and information products and services for merchants

•     Other fee services, including fraud prevention services and the design and operation of customer loyalty programs

•     Expense management products and services

•     Travel-related services

•     Stored-value/prepaid products



Our various products and services are sold globally to diverse customer groups, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations. These products and services are sold through various channels, including online applications, direct mail, in-house teams, third-party vendors and direct response advertising. Business travel-related services are offered through our non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel (the GBT JV).


We compete in the global payments industry with charge, credit and debit card networks, issuers and acquirers, paper-based transactions (e.g., cash and checks), bank transfer models (e.g., wire transfers and ACH), as well as evolving and growing alternative payment and financing providers. As the payments industry continues to evolve, we face increasing competition from non-traditional players that leverage new technologies and customer relationships to create payment or financing solutions.


The following types of revenue are generated from our various products and services:


Discount revenue, our largest revenue source, represents fees generally charged to merchants for accepting our cards as payment for goods or services sold;

Interest on loans, principally represents interest income earned on outstanding balances;

Net card fees, represent revenue earned from annual card membership fees, which varies based on the type of card and the number of cards for each account;

Other fees and commissions, represent foreign currency conversion fees charged to Card Members, Card Member delinquency fees, loyalty coalition-related fees, travel commissions and fees, service fees and fees related to our Membership Rewards program; and

Other revenue, primarily represents revenues arising from contracts with partners of our Global Network Services (GNS) business (including commissions and signing fees), cross-border Card Member spending, insurance premiums earned from Card Members, ancillary merchant-related fees, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, prepaid card and Travelers Cheque-related revenue and earnings from equity method investments (including the GBT JV).




28

Table of Contents


Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures


Certain of the statements in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Refer to the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" section. We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, certain information included within this Form 10-Q constitutes non-GAAP financial measures. Our calculations of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies.

Bank Holding Company


American Express Company is a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve) is our primary federal regulator. As such, we are subject to the Federal Reserve's regulations, policies and minimum capital standards.


Business Environment


Our results for the second quarter continue to reflect solid progress against our current priorities of accelerating revenue growth, optimizing investments and resetting the cost base.  Billed business and revenue for the second quarter increased slightly, while net income was down. The prior year quarter included revenues and expenses related to the Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) relationship in the U.S. that has since been discontinued, the gain from the sale of the related loan portfolio and a restructuring charge. During the current quarter, our strong balance sheet position allowed us to continue to return a significant amount of capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.


Our worldwide billings adjusted for foreign currency exchange rates increased and, after excluding Costco-related billings from the prior year, grew consistent with the first quarter, reflecting growth across our diverse customer segments and geographies. We continued to see strong performance from middle market and small business customers, while spending by large corporations was up only slightly compared to last year. Internationally, our consumer and small business billings growth rates remained strong.


Revenues net of interest expense increased slightly year-over-year on a reported basis. Excluding Costco-related revenues in the prior year and the effect of foreign currency exchange rates, adjusted revenues net of interest expense grew primarily due to an increase in net interest income and higher adjusted billed business, as well as higher net card fees across our premium card portfolios.  Our net interest yield increased year-over-year, due to a mix shift towards non-cobrand lending products, where Card Members tend to revolve more of their loan balances, as well as a lower percentage of loans at introductory rates, specific pricing actions, and a benefit from increases in benchmark interest rates.


Card Member loan and receivable growth was strong year-over-year, as we continue to grow loans from existing customers, as well as through the acquisition of new Card Members. Provisions for losses increased, as expected, as a result of higher Card Member loans and receivables, as well as a slight increase in delinquencies and higher net write-off rates. These rates increased, primarily due to the seasoning of loans related to newer Card Members and a shift towards non-cobrand lending products, which have slightly higher write-off rates. We expect, as a result of these trends, provisions for losses will continue to grow faster than loans during the balance of the year.


Spending on Card Member engagement (the aggregate of rewards, Card Member services and marketing and promotion expenses) increased year-over-year and primarily reflected the recent enhancements to rewards on our U.S. Platinum products, continued strong growth in our Delta cobrand portfolio and higher levels of engagement in many of our premium services.  Operating expenses increased, primarily as a result of the Costco cobrand portfolio sale gain in the prior year, which was classified as an expense reduction in Other expenses.  Excluding the gain and the restructuring charge in the prior year, adjusted operating expenses decreased reflecting progress against our cost reduction initiatives.


The momentum in the first half of the year reflects the investments we have made in a variety of growth opportunities over the last several years. Although competition remains intense and the regulatory environment is uncertain, we remain focused on delivering differentiated value to our merchants, customers and business partners, while delivering appropriate returns to our shareholders.


See "Certain legislative, regulatory and other developments" in "Other Matters" for information on legislative and regulatory changes that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

29

Table of Contents

American Express Company

Consolidated Results of Operations


Refer to the "Glossary of Selected Terminology" for the definitions of certain key terms and related information appearing within this section.


Effective December 1, 2015, we transferred the Card Member loans and receivables related to our cobrand partnerships with Costco and JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) (collectively, the HFS portfolios) to Card Member loans and receivables HFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. On March 18, 2016 and June 17, 2016, we completed the sales of the JetBlue and Costco cobrand card portfolios, respectively. For the periods from December 1, 2015, through the sale completion dates, the primary impacts beyond the HFS classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were to provisions for losses and credit metrics, which do not reflect amounts related to these HFS loans and receivables, as credit costs were reported in Other expenses through a valuation allowance adjustment. Other, non-credit related metrics (i.e., billed business, cards-in-force, net interest yield) reflect amounts related to the HFS portfolios through the sale completion dates. Additionally, for periods after the sale completion dates, activities associated with these cobrand partnerships and the HFS portfolios are no longer included in our Consolidated Results of Operations. Specifically, these impacts include: Discount revenue from Costco in the United States for spend on all American Express cards and from other merchants for spend on the Costco cobrand card; Other fees and commissions and Interest income from Costco cobrand Card Members; and Card Member rewards expense related to the Costco cobrand card, resulting in a lack of comparability between 2017 and 2016.

The discussions in both the Consolidated Results of Operations and Business Segment Results provide commentary on the variances for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2017 compared to same periods in the prior year, as presented in the accompanying tables.


Table 1: Summary of Financial Performance


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Total revenues net of interest expense

$

8,307

$

8,235

$

72

1

%

$

16,196

$

16,323

$

(127

)

(1

)%

Provisions for losses

584

463

121

26

1,157

897

260

29

Expenses

5,774

4,756

1,018

21

11,273

10,226

1,047

10

Net income

1,340

2,015

(675

)

(33

)

2,577

3,441

(864

)

(25

)

Earnings per common share - diluted (a)

$

1.47

$

2.10

$

(0.63

)

(30

)%

$

2.80

$

3.54

$

(0.74

)

(21

)%

Return on average equity (b)

21.7

%

26.4

%

21.7

%

26.4

%

(a)

Earnings per common share - diluted was reduced by the impact of (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $11 million and $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $21 million and $28 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $19 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and $40 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

(b)

Return on average equity (ROE) is computed by dividing (i) one-year period net income ($4.5 billion and $5.6 billion for June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average total shareholders' equity ($20.9 billion and $21.2 billion for June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively).


Table 2: Total Revenue Net of Interest Expense Summary

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Discount revenue

$

4,815

$

4,824

$

(9

)

%

$

9,334

$

9,467

$

(133

)

(1

)%

Net card fees

771

715

56

8

1,519

1,414

105

7

Other fees and commissions

752

702

50

7

1,465

1,382

83

6

Other

439

545

(106

)

(19

)

848

1,031

(183

)

(18

)

Total non-interest revenues

6,777

6,786

(9

)

13,166

13,294

(128

)

(1

)

Total interest income

2,052

1,885

167

9

3,995

3,890

105

3

Total interest expense

522

436

86

20

965

861

104

12

Net interest income

1,530

1,449

81

6

3,030

3,029

1

Total revenues net of interest expense

$

8,307

$

8,235

$

72

1

%

$

16,196

$

16,323

$

(127

)

(1

)%


30

Table of Contents

Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense


Discount revenue was flat for the three month period and decreased slightly for the six month period, primarily driven by Costco-related revenue included in the prior year, substantially offset by billed business growth across other card products in the current periods.

Worldwide billed business was flat for both the three and six month periods. U.S. billed business decreased 4 percent and 5 percent for the three and six month periods respectively, primarily driven by Costco-related volumes in the prior year. Non-U.S. billed business increased 9 percent and 11 percent for the three and six month periods, respectively. See Tables 5, 6 and 7 for more details on billed business performance.

The increase in the average discount rate for both the three and six month periods primarily reflected the absence of Costco merchant volumes in the current year, which were at a lower discount rate than the average, partially offset by rate pressure from merchant negotiations, including those resulting from the recent regulatory changes affecting competitor pricing in the European Union, changes in industry and regional mix and the continued growth of the OptBlue program. We expect the average discount rate will likely decline over time due to a greater shift of existing merchants into OptBlue, merchant negotiations and competition, volume related pricing discounts and certain pricing initiatives mainly driven by pricing regulation (including regulation of competitors' interchange rates).

Net card fees increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by growth in the Platinum and Delta portfolios as well as growth in certain key international markets.

Other fees and commissions increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by an increase in delinquency fees as a result of a change in the date on which late fees are assessed on our U.S. consumer charge cards, partially offset by Costco-related fees in the prior year.

Other revenues decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by a contractual payment from a GNS partner and revenues related to our Loyalty Edge business, both in the prior year.

Interest income increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by growth in average Card Member loans and higher yields in the current year, partially offset by Costco cobrand-related interest income included in the prior year.

Interest expense increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by marginally higher interest rates and higher average long-term debt.


Table 3: Provisions for Losses Summary

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Charge card

$

163

$

153

$

10

7

%

$

376

$

322

$

54

17

%

Card Member loans

404

285

119

42

741

512

229

45

Other

17

25

(8

)

(32

)

40

63

(23

)

(37

)

Total provisions for losses (a)

$

584

$

463

$

121

26

%

$

1,157

$

897

$

260

29

%

(a)

Beginning December 1, 2015 through to the sale completion dates, does not reflect the HFS portfolios.


Provisions for Losses

Charge card provision for losses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by growth in charge volume in the GCS segment and higher net write-offs.

Card Member loans provision for losses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by strong momentum in our lending growth initiatives, as well as a slight increase in delinquencies and higher net write-off rates, primarily due to the seasoning of loans related to newer Card Members and a shift towards non-cobrand lending products, which have slightly higher write-off rates.

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Table of Contents

Other provision for losses decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by improving credit performance in the commercial financing portfolio.

Table 4: Expenses Summary

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Marketing and promotion

$

830

$

788

$

42

5

%

$

1,530

$

1,515

$

15

1

%

Card Member rewards

1,926

1,766

160

9

3,733

3,469

264

8

Card Member services and other

349

281

68

24

670

563

107

19

Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other

3,105

2,835

270

10

5,933

5,547

386

7

Salaries and employee benefits

1,293

1,451

(158

)

(11

)

2,557

2,789

(232

)

(8

)

Other, net (a)

1,376

470

906

#

2,783

1,890

893

47

Total expenses

$

5,774

$

4,756

$

1,018

21

%

$

11,273

$

10,226

$

1,047

10

%

# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.

(a)

Beginning December 1, 2015 through to the portfolio sale completion dates, includes the valuation allowance adjustment associated with the HFS portfolios.

Expenses

Marketing and promotion expenses increased marginally during the three month period and were relatively flat during the six month period.

Card Member rewards expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by an increase in Membership Rewards expense of $243 million and $472 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, partially offset by a reduction in cobrand rewards expense of $84 million and $208 million for the same respective periods. The increases in Membership Rewards expense were primarily driven by enhancements to U.S. Consumer and Small Business Platinum rewards and higher spending volumes. The decreases in cobrand rewards expense reflected Costco-related expenses in the prior year, partially offset by increased spending volumes across other cobrand card products in the current periods.

The Membership Rewards Ultimate Redemption Rate (URR) for current program participants was 95 percent (rounded down) at both June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Card Member services and other expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher usage of cobrand travel-related benefits and the enhanced Platinum card benefits.

Salaries and employee benefits expenses decreased for both the three and six month periods, reflecting restructuring charges in the prior year and benefits from our cost reduction initiatives in the current year.

Other expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by the prior-year gain on the sale of the Costco HFS portfolio and, in the six month period, the gain on the sale of the JetBlue HFS portfolio, also in the prior year. The increases were partially offset by lower technology-related costs and a benefit in the current year from a change in the liability related to non-delivery of goods and services by merchants, as well as the HFS valuation allowance adjustment, Loyalty Edge-related costs and a contribution to the AXP Foundation in the prior year.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily reflecting the geographic mix of business and the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits. In addition, the effective tax rates in the current year periods reflected the resolution of certain prior years' tax items in the six month period.


32

Table of Contents

Table 5: Selected Card-Related Statistical Information

As of or for the

Change

As of or for the

Change

Three Months Ended

2017

Six Months Ended

2017

June 30,

vs.

June 30,

vs.

2017

2016

2016

2017

2016

2016

Card billed business: (billions)

United States

$

177.6

$

185.1

(4

)%

$

343.0

$

361.4

(5

)%

Outside the United States

92.0

84.2

9

178.9

161.7

11

        Worldwide

$

269.6

$

269.3

$

521.9

$

523.1

Total cards-in-force: (millions)

United States

48.9

47.0

4

48.9

47.0

4

Outside the United States

63.3

61.2

3

63.3

61.2

3

        Worldwide

112.2

108.2

4

112.2

108.2

4

Basic cards-in-force: (millions)

United States

38.6

37.0

4

38.6

37.0

4

Outside the United States

52.6

50.5

4

52.6

50.5

4

        Worldwide

91.2

87.5

4

91.2

87.5

4

Average basic Card Member spending: (dollars) (a)

United States

$

5,128

$

4,672

10

$

9,989

$

8,941

12

Outside the United States

3,468

3,319

4

6,752

6,404

5

        Worldwide Average

4,633

4,313

7

9,022

8,280

9

Card Member loans: (billions)

United States

58.5

53.2

10

58.5

53.2

10

Outside the United States

7.5

6.7

12

7.5

6.7

12

        Worldwide

$

66.0

$

59.9

10

$

66.0

$

59.9

10

Average discount rate

2.44

%

2.43

%

2.44

%

2.43

%

Average fee per card (dollars) (a)

$

49

$

42

17

%

$

49

$

41

20

%

(a)

Average basic Card Member spending and average fee per card are computed from proprietary card activities only. Average fee per card is computed based on net card fees divided by average worldwide proprietary cards-in-force.


33

Table of Contents

Table 6: Billed Business Growth

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2017

Percentage Increase

Percentage 

(Decrease) Assuming

Increase

No Changes in

(Decrease)

FX Rates (a)

Worldwide (b)

Total billed business

%

1

%

Proprietary billed business

(1)

GNS billed business (c)

5

5

Airline-related volume (8% of worldwide billed business)

1

1

United States (b)

Billed business

(4)

Proprietary consumer card billed business (d)

(9)

Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business (e)

4

T&E-related volume (26% of U.S. billed business)

(3)

Non-T&E-related volume (74% of U.S. billed business)

(4)

Airline-related volume (7% of U.S. billed business)

(1)

Outside the United States (b)

Billed business

9

11

     Japan, Asia Pacific & Australia (JAPA) billed business

12

13

     Latin America & Canada (LACC) billed business

8

9

     Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA) billed business

7

10

Proprietary consumer card billed business (c)

9

12

Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business (e)

8

%

10

%

(a)

The foreign currency adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the current period apply to the corresponding prior year period against which such results are being compared).

(b)

Captions in the table above not designated as "proprietary" or "GNS" include both proprietary and GNS data.

(c)

Included in the ICNS segment.

(d)

Included in the USCS segment.

(e)

Included in the GCS segment.


34

Table of Contents

Table 7: Billed Business Growth

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2017

Percentage Increase

Percentage 

(Decrease) Assuming

Increase

No Changes in

(Decrease)

FX Rates (a)

Worldwide (b)

Total billed business

%

%

Proprietary billed business

(1)

(1)

GNS billed business (c)

6

6

Airline-related volume (9% of worldwide billed business)

1

2

United States (b)

Billed business

(5)

Proprietary consumer card billed business (d)

(11)

Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business (e)

3

T&E-related volume (26% of U.S. billed business)

(4)

Non-T&E-related volume (74% of U.S. billed business)

(6)

Airline-related volume (8% of U.S. billed business)

(3)

Outside the United States (b)

Billed business

11

12

     Japan, Asia Pacific & Australia billed business

14

14

     Latin America & Canada billed business

9

9

     Europe, the Middle East & Africa billed business

7

11

Proprietary consumer card billed business (c)

8

12

Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business (e)

11

%

12

%

(a)

Refer to Note (a) in Table 6.

(b)

Captions in the table above not designated as "proprietary" or "GNS" include both proprietary and GNS data.

(c)

Included in the ICNS segment.

(d)

Included in the USCS segment.

(e)

Included in the GCS segment.


35

Table of Contents


Table 8: Selected Credit-Related Statistical Information

As of or for the

Change

As of or for the

Change

Three Months Ended

2017

Six Months Ended

2017

June 30,

vs.

June 30,

vs.

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)

2017

2016

2016

2017

2016

2016

Worldwide Card Member loans: (a)

Total loans (billions)

$

66.0

$

59.9

10

$

66.0

$

59.9

10

Loss reserves:

Beginning balance

$

1,248

$

1,012

23

$

1,223

$

1,028

19

Provisions (b)

404

285

42

741

512

45

Net write-offs - principal only (c)

(285

)

(223

)

28

(557

)

(437

)

27

Net write-offs - interest and fees (c)

(55

)

(40

)

38

(106

)

(80

)

33

Other  (d)

8

57

(86

)

19

68

(72

)

Ending balance

$

1,320

$

1,091

21

$

1,320

$

1,091

21

Ending reserves - principal

$

1,247

$

1,037

20

$

1,247

$

1,037

20

Ending reserves - interest and fees

$

73

$

54

35

$

73

$

54

35

% of loans

2.0

%

1.8

%

2.0

%

1.8

%

% of past due

167

%

160

%

167

%

160

%

Average loans (billions) (a)

$

65.1

$

58.8

11

%

$

64.6

$

58.2

11

%

Net write-off rate - principal only (e)

1.8

%

1.5

%

1.7

%

1.5

%

Net write-off rate - principal, interest and fees (e)

2.1

1.8

2.1

1.8

30+ days past due as a % of total (e)

1.2

%

1.1

%

1.2

%

1.1

%

Worldwide Card Member receivables: (a)

Total receivables (billions)

$

49.4

$

45.2

9

%

$

49.4

$

45.2

9

%

Loss reserves:

Beginning balance

$

491

$

446

10

$

467

$

462

1

Provisions (b)

163

153

7

376

322

17

Net write-offs (c)

(179

)

(173

)

3

(373

)

(359

)

4

Other

(3

)

#

5

(2

)

#

Ending balance

$

475

$

423

12

$

475

$

423

12

% of receivables

1.0

%

0.9

%

1.0

%

0.9

%

Net write-off rate - principal only (e)

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.7

Net write-off rate - principal and fees  (e)

1.7

1.8

1.8

2.0

30+ days past due as a % of total  (e)

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

Net loss ratio as a % of charge volume - GCP

0.10

0.09

0.10

0.09

90+ days past billing as a % of total - GCP

0.8

%

0.7

%

0.8

%

0.7

%

# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.

(a)

Beginning December 1, 2015 through to the sale completion dates, does not reflect the HFS portfolios.

(b)

Reflects provisions for principal, interest and/or fees on Card Member loans and receivables. Refer to Table 3 footnote (a).

(c)

Write-offs, less recoveries.

(d)

Includes reserves associated with Card Member loans reclassified from HFS to held for investment. Refer to Changes in Card Member loans reserve for losses under Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(e)

We present a net write-off rate based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) to be consistent with industry convention. In addition, because we consider uncollectible interest and/or fees in our reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented. The net write-off rates and 30+ days past due as a percentage of total for Card Member receivables relate to USCS, ICNS and Global Small Business Services (GSBS) Card Member receivables.


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Table of Contents


Table 9: Net Interest Yield on Card Member Loans

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net interest income

$

1,530

$

1,449

$

3,030

$

3,029

Exclude:

Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio

302

247

554

485

Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio

(155

)

(102

)

(285

)

(205

)

Adjusted net interest income (a)

$

1,677

$

1,594

$

3,299

$

3,309

Average loans  including HFS loan portfolios (billions) (b)

$

65.1

$

67.6

$

64.6

$

69.2

Net interest income divided by average loans

9.4

%

8.6

%

9.4

%

8.8

%

Net interest yield on Card Member loans (a)

10.3

%

9.5

%

10.3

%

9.6

%

(a)

Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to "Glossary of Selected Terminology" for definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

(b)

Beginning December 1, 2015 through to the sale completion dates, for the purposes of the calculation of net interest yield on Card Member loans, average loans included the HFS loan portfolios.

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Table of Contents

Business Segment Results


U.S. Consumer Services



Table 10: USCS Selected Income Statement Data


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Revenues

Non-interest revenues

$

1,999

$

2,069

$

(70

)

(3

)%

$

3,856

$

4,098

(242

)

(6

)%

Interest income

1,369

1,278

91

7

2,677

2,669

8

Interest expense

171

139

32

23

317

279

38

14

Net interest income

1,198

1,139

59

5

2,360

2,390

(30

)

(1

)

Total revenues net of interest expense

3,197

3,208

(11

)

6,216

6,488

(272

)

(4

)

Provisions for losses

345

237

108

46

639

427

212

50

Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses

2,852

2,971

(119

)

(4

)

5,577

6,061

(484

)

(8

)

Expenses

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other

1,469

1,369

100

7

2,766

2,717

49

2

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses

714

(96

)

810

#

1,442

559

883

#

Total expenses

2,183

1,273

910

71

4,208

3,276

932

28

Pretax segment income

669

1,698

(1,029

)

(61

)

1,369

2,785

(1,416

)

(51

)

Income tax provision

229

631

(402

)

(64

)

460

1,024

(564

)

(55

)

Segment income

$

440

$

1,067

$

(627

)

(59

)%

$

909

$

1,761

(852

)

(48

)%

Effective tax rate

34.2

%

37.2

%

33.6

%

36.8

%


# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.



USCS issues a wide range of proprietary consumer cards and provides services to consumers in the United States, including consumer travel services.



Non-interest revenues decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily due to lower discount revenue, which decreased $124 million and $325 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, reflecting decreases in billed business of 9 percent and 11 percent for the three and six month periods, respectively. The decreases in both discount revenue and billed business were driven by Costco-related volumes included in the prior year. The decreases in discount revenue were partially offset, in both the three and six month periods, by an increase in net card fees, primarily from growth in the Platinum and Delta portfolios, as well as higher delinquency fees.

Net interest income increased for the three month period and was relatively flat for the six month period, primarily driven by growth in average Card Member loans and higher yields in the current year, offset (partially in the case of the three month period) by Costco cobrand-related interest income included in the prior year and higher interest expense in the current year, primarily driven by higher cost of funds.

Provisions for losses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by Card Member loans provision, which increased $97 million and $177 million in the three and six month periods, respectively, due to strong momentum in our lending growth initiatives, as well as slight increases in delinquencies and higher net write-off rates primarily due to the seasoning of loans related to newer Card Members and a shift towards non-cobrand lending products, which have slightly higher write-off rates.

38

Table of Contents

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, reflecting higher marketing and promotion and Card Member services and other expenses in both periods, partially offset in the six month period by a decrease in Card Member rewards expenses. Marketing and promotion expenses increased $59 million and $38 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, due to continued spending on growth initiatives. Card Member services and other expenses increased $37 million and $56 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, driven by higher usage of cobrand travel-related benefits and enhanced Platinum card benefits.  Card Member rewards expense increased $4 million for the three month period and decreased $45 million for the six month period, reflecting Costco-related expenses in the prior year, which were more than offset in the three month period by enhancements to Platinum rewards and increased spending volumes.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by the prior-year gain on the sale of the Costco HFS portfolio, partially offset by lower technology and other servicing-related costs in the current year and the prior year HFS valuation allowance adjustment and restructuring charges.

The effective tax rate was lower for both the three and six month periods, primarily reflecting the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits and the resolution of certain prior years' tax items in the six month period.


39

Table of Contents


Table 11: USCS Selected Statistical Information


As of or for the

Change

As of or for the

Change

Three Months Ended

2017

Six Months Ended

2017

June 30,

vs.

June 30,

vs.

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)

2017

2016

2016

2017

2016

2016

Card billed business (billions)

$

84.8

$

93.4

(9

)%

$

162.2

$

182.4

(11

)%

Total cards-in-force

33.8

31.8

6

33.8

31.8

6

Basic cards-in-force

24.2

22.6

7

24.2

22.6

7

Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)

$

3,538

$

3,417

4

$

6,837

$

6,523

5

Total segment assets (billions)

$

86.8

$

81.3

7

$

86.8

$

81.3

7

Segment capital (billions)

$

7.1

$

6.8

4

$

7.1

$

6.8

4

Return on average segment capital (a)

23.3

%

38.9

%

23.3

%

38.9

%

Card Member loans: (b)

Total loans (billions)

$

48.3

$

44.6

8

$

48.3

$

44.6

8

Average loans (billions)

$

47.7

$

43.5

10

$

47.6

$

43.1

10

Net write-off rate – principal only (c)

1.8

%

1.5

%

1.7

%

1.5

%

Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (c)

2.1

%

1.7

%

2.0

%

1.7

%

30+ days past due loans as a % of total

1.1

%

1.1

%

1.1

%

1.1

%

Calculation of Net Interest Yield on

Card Member loans:

Net interest income

$

1,198

$

1,139

$

2,360

$

2,390

Exclude:

Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio

28

20

51

39

Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio

(23

)

(5

)

(41

)

(10

)

Adjusted net interest income (d)

$

1,203

$

1,154

$

2,370

$

2,419

Average loans including HFS loan portfolios (billions) (e)

$

47.7

$

50.8

$

47.6

$

52.3

Net interest income divided by average loans

10.0

%

9.0

%

9.9

%

9.1

%

Net interest yield on Card Member loans (d)

10.1

%

9.1

%

10.0

%

9.3

%

Card Member receivables: (b)

Total receivables (billions)

$

11.3

$

10.6

7

%

$

11.3

$

10.6

7

%

Net write-off rate – principal only (c)

1.2

%

1.3

%

1.4

%

1.5

%

Net write-off rate – principal and fees (c)

1.4

%

1.6

%

1.5

%

1.8

%

30+ days past due as a % of total

1.1

%

1.2

%

1.1

%

1.2

%

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.7 billion and $2.8 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($7.1 billion and $7.3 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively).

(b)

Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).

(c)

Refer to Table 8 footnote (e).

(d)

Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to "Glossary of Selected Terminology" for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

(e)

Refer to Table 9 footnote (b).


40

Table of Contents

International Consumer and Network Services



Table 12: ICNS Selected Income Statement Data


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Revenues

Non-interest revenues

$

1,247

$

1,242

$

5

%

$

2,442

$

2,382

$

60

3

%

Interest income

246

234

12

5

481

461

20

4

Interest expense

60

58

2

3

113

112

1

1

Net interest income

186

176

10

6

368

349

19

5

Total revenues net of interest expense

1,433

1,418

15

1

2,810

2,731

79

3

Provisions for losses

84

78

6

8

150

149

1

1

Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses

1,349

1,340

9

1

2,660

2,582

78

3

Expenses

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other

561

500

61

12

1,066

981

85

9

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses

513

567

(54

)

(10

)

1,027

1,073

(46

)

(4

)

Total expenses

1,074

1,067

7

1

2,093

2,054

39

2

Pretax segment income

275

273

2

1

567

528

39

7

Income tax provision

66

45

21

47

140

112

28

25

Segment income

$

209

$

228

$

(19

)

(8

)%

$

427

$

416

$

11

3

%

Effective tax rate

24.0

%

16.5

%

24.7

%

21.2

%



ICNS issues a wide range of proprietary consumer cards outside the United States and enters into partnership agreements with third-party card issuers and acquirers, licensing the American Express brand and extending the reach of the global network. It also provides travel services to consumers outside the United States.

Non-interest revenues were flat for the three month period and increased for the six month period, primarily driven by higher discount revenue in both periods, due to an increase in both proprietary and non-proprietary (i.e., GNS) billed business, as well as higher net card fees, offset in the three month period by a prior-year contractual payment from a GNS partner. Total billed business increased, for both the three and six months, reflecting higher cards-in-force and average spend per card. Refer to Tables 6, 7 and 13 for additional information on billed business.

Net interest income increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher average loan balances.

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher Card Member rewards expense due to higher spending volumes.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by lower salaries and employee benefits costs, including restructuring charges in the prior year, partially offset by higher technology and other servicing-related costs.

The effective tax rate in all periods reflects the impact of recurring permanent tax benefits both in relation to the segment's ongoing funding activities outside the United States, which is allocated to ICNS under our internal tax allocation process, and on varying levels of pretax income. The effective tax rates for the prior year periods also reflects the allocated share of tax benefits related to the resolution of certain prior years' tax items.


41

Table of Contents


Table 13: ICNS Selected Statistical Information


As of or for the

Change

As of or for the

Change

Three Months Ended

2017

Six Months Ended

2017

June 30,

vs.

June 30,

vs.

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)

2017

2016

2016

2017

2016

2016

Card billed business (billions)

Proprietary

$

28.9

$

26.5

9

%

$

55.5

$

51.2

8

%

GNS

45.8

43.8

5

89.2

84.3

6

  Total

$

74.7

$

70.3

6

$

144.7

$

135.5

7

Total cards-in-force

Proprietary

15.4

15.0

3

15.4

15.0

3

GNS

49.2

48.0

3

49.2

48.0

3

  Total

64.6

63.0

3

64.6

63.0

3

Proprietary basic cards-in-force

10.6

10.3

3

10.6

10.3

3

Average proprietary basic Card Member spending (dollars)

$

2,726

$

2,609

4

$

5,269

$

5,066

4

Total segment assets (billions)

$

37.6

$

35.0

7

$

37.6

$

35.0

7

Segment capital (billions)

$

2.8

$

2.6

8

$

2.8

$

2.6

8

Return on average segment capital (a)

25.2

%

25.5

%

25.2

%

25.5

%

Card Member loans: (b)

Total loans (billions)

$

7.2

$

6.6

9

$

7.2

$

6.6

9

Average loans (billions)

$

7.1

$

6.8

4

$

7.0

$

6.8

3

%

Net write-off rate – principal only  (c)

2.0

%

2.1

%

2.0

%

2.0

%

Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (c)

2.5

%

2.5

%

2.5

%

2.4

%

30+ days past due loans as a % of total

1.7

%

1.7

%

1.7

%

1.7

%

Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Card Member loans:

Net interest income

$

186

$

176

$

368

$

349

Exclude:

Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio

14

10

24

21

Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio

(3

)

(4

)

(6

)

(7

)

Adjusted net interest income (d)

$

197

$

182

$

386

$

363

Average loans (billions)

$

7.1

$

6.8

$

7.0

$

6.8

Net interest income divided by average loans

10.5

%

10.4

%

10.5

%

10.3

%

Net interest yield on Card Member loans (d)

11.2

%

10.8

%

11.1

%

10.8

%

Card Member receivables: (b)

Total receivables (billions)

$

6.0

$

5.6

7

%

$

6.0

$

5.6

7

%

Net write-off rate – principal only (c)

1.9

%

2.2

%

2.0

%

2.2

%

Net write-off rate – principal and fees (c)

2.0

%

2.3

%

2.2

%

2.4

%

30+ days past due as a % of total

1.4

%

1.4

%

1.4

%

1.4

%

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($666 million and $711 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($2.6 billion and $2.8 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively).

(b)

Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).

(c)

Refer to Table 8 footnote (e).

(d)

Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to "Glossary of Selected Terminology" for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.


42

Table of Contents

Global Commercial Services



Table 14: GCS Selected Income Statement Data


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Revenues

Non-interest revenues

$

2,368

$

2,280

$

88

4

%

$

4,639

$

4,470

$

169

4

%

Interest income

334

310

24

8

653

631

22

3

Interest expense

129

104

25

24

238

199

39

20

Net interest income

205

206

(1

)

415

432

(17

)

(4

)

Total revenues net of interest expense

2,573

2,486

87

3

5,054

4,902

152

3

Provisions for losses

154

139

15

11

362

299

63

21

Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses

2,419

2,347

72

3

4,692

4,603

89

2

Expenses

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other

949

841

108

13

1,887

1,607

280

17

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses

697

596

101

17

1,402

1,325

77

6

Total expenses

1,646

1,437

209

15

3,289

2,932

357

12

Pretax segment income

773

910

(137

)

(15

)

1,403

1,671

(268

)

(16

)

Income tax provision

273

334

(61

)

(18

)

485

610

(125

)

(20

)

Segment income

$

500

$

576

$

(76

)

(13

)%

$

918

$

1,061

$

(143

)

(13

)%

Effective tax rate

35.3

%

36.7

%

34.6

%

36.5

%


GCS issues a wide range of proprietary corporate and small business cards and provides payment and expense management services globally. In addition, GCS provides commercial financing products.

Non-interest revenues increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher discount revenue due to increases in billed business, partially offset by Costco-related revenues in the prior year and increased contra-discount revenue in the current year, driven by higher client incentives due to increased billed business. The increase in non-interest revenues was also driven by higher net card fees for both the three and six month periods, primarily due to growth in the U.S. small business Platinum portfolio.

Net interest income was relatively flat for the three month period and decreased for the six month period, primarily driven by higher interest expense, reflecting an increase in the cost of funds, and Costco cobrand interest income in the prior year, substantially offset by an increase in average Card Member loans and higher net interest yield.

Provisions for losses increased for both the three and six month periods due to strong growth in both Card Member receivables and loans, partially offset by improving credit performance in the commercial financing portfolio.

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, driven by higher Card Member rewards expenses, which increased $119 million and $246 million for the three and six month periods, respectively. The higher Card Member rewards expenses were primarily driven by enhancements to Platinum rewards and higher spending volumes, partially offset by Costco-related expenses in the prior year. Marketing and promotion expenses decreased in the three month period, but increased in the six month period reflecting spending on growth initiatives.



Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by the prior-year gain on the sale of the Costco HFS portfolio, partially offset by lower technology-related expenses and the HFS valuation allowance in the prior year.

The effective tax rate was lower for both the three and six months, primarily reflecting the geographic mix of business and the resolution of certain prior years' tax items in the six month period.


43

Table of Contents


Table 15: GCS Selected Statistical Information


As of or for the

Change

As of or for the

Change

Three Months Ended

2017

Six Months Ended

2017

June 30,

vs.

June 30,

vs.

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)

2017

2016

2016

2017

2016

2016

Card billed business (billions)

$

109.0

$

104.3

5

%

$

211.9

$

202.8

4

%

Total cards-in-force

13.8

13.4

3

13.8

13.4

3

Basic cards-in-force

13.8

13.4

3

13.8

13.4

3

Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)

$

7,920

$

7,060

12

$

15,455

$

13,592

14

Total segment assets (billions)

$

51.0

$

46.2

10

$

51.0

$

46.2

10

Segment capital (billions)

$

7.4

$

7.7

(3

)

$

7.4

$

7.7

(3

)

Return on average segment capital (a)

24.2

%

28.1

%

24.2

%

28.1

%

Card Member loans (billions)

$

10.4

$

8.7

20

$

10.4

$

8.7

20

Card Member receivables (billions)

$

32.1

$

29.1

10

$

32.1

$

29.1

10

Card Member loans: (b)

Total loans - GSBS (billions)

$

10.3

$

8.6

20

$

10.3

$

8.6

20

Average loans - GSBS (billions)

$

10.1

$

8.5

19

$

9.8

$

8.3

18

Net write-off rate (principal only) - GSBS (c)

1.5

%

1.3

%

1.5

%

1.3

%

Net write-off rate (principal, interest and fees) - GSBS (c)

1.8

%

1.6

%

1.8

%

1.6

%

30+ days past due as a % of total - GSBS

1.1

%

1.1

%

1.1

%

1.1

%

Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Card Member loans:

Net interest income

$

205

$

206

$

415

$

432

Exclude:

Interest expense not attributable to our Card  Member loan portfolio

99

80

182

152

Interest income not attributable to our Card  Member loan portfolio

(27

)

(29

)

(54

)

(57

)

Adjusted net interest income (d)

$

277

$

257

$

543

$

527

Average loans including HFS loan portfolios (billions) (e)

$

10.2

$

10.0

$

10.0

$

10.1

Net interest income divided by average loans

8.0

%

8.2

%

8.3

%

8.5

%

Net interest yield on Card Member loans (d)

10.9

%

10.3

%

11.0

%

10.5

%

Card Member receivables: (b)

Total receivables - GCP (billions)

$

16.9

$

15.3

10

$

16.9

$

15.3

10

90+ days past billing as a % of total - GCP (f)

0.8

%

0.7

%

0.8

%

0.7

%

Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume) - GCP

0.10

%

0.09

%

0.10

%

0.09

%

Total receivables - GSBS (billions)

$

15.2

$

13.7

11

%

$

15.2

$

13.7

11

%

Net write-off rate (principal only) - GSBS (c)

1.6

%

1.6

%

1.7

%

1.7

%

Net write-off rate (principal and fees) - GSBS (c)

1.8

%

1.9

%

1.9

%

2.0

%

30+ days past due as a % of total - GSBS

1.4

%

1.4

%

1.4

%

1.4

%

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.8 billion and $2.0 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($7.3 billion and $7.2 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively).

(b)

Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).

(c)

Refer to Table 8 footnote (e).

(d)

Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to "Glossary of Selected Terminology" for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

(e)

Refer to Table 9 footnote (b).

(f)

For GCP Card Member receivables, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member's billing statement date. In addition, if we initiate collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.


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Global Merchant Services



Table 16: GMS Selected Income Statement Data


Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Change

June 30,

Change

(Millions, except percentages)

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

2017

2016

2017 vs. 2016

Revenues

Non-interest revenues

$

1,086

$

1,087

$

(1

)

%

$

2,103

$

2,128

$

(25

)

(1

)%

Interest income

1

1

1

1

Interest expense

(65

)

(61

)

(4

)

7

(123

)

(120

)

(3

)

3

Net interest income

66

62

4

6

124

121

3

2

Total revenues net of interest expense

1,152

1,149

3

2,227

2,249

(22

)

(1

)

Provisions for losses

5

(5

)

#

3

13

(10

)

(77

)

Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses

1,152

1,144

8

1

2,224

2,236

(12

)

(1

)

Expenses

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other

37

58

(21

)

(36

)

69

116

(47

)

(41

)

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses

435

489

(54

)

(11

)

908

952

(44

)

(5

)

Total expenses

472

547

(75

)

(14

)

977

1,068

(91

)

(9

)

Pretax segment income

680

597

83

14

1,247

1,168

79

7

Income tax provision

250

224

26

12

454

438

16

4

Segment income

$

430

$

373

$

57

15

%

$

793

$

730

$

63

9

%

Effective tax rate

36.8

%

37.5

%

36.4

%

37.5

%


# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.



GMS operates a global payments network that processes and settles proprietary and non-proprietary card transactions. GMS acquires merchants and provides multi-channel marketing programs and capabilities, services and data analytics, leveraging our global closed-loop network. GMS also operates loyalty coalition businesses in certain countries around the world.



Non-interest revenues were relatively flat for both the three and six month periods, primarily due to lower discount revenue driven by Costco cobrand-related revenues in the prior year as well as higher contra-revenues in the current year, offset by billed business growth across other card products and an increase in loyalty coalition revenues.

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses decreased for both the three and six month periods, reflecting higher levels of spending on growth initiatives in the prior year.


Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by a benefit in the current year from a change in the liability related to non-delivery of goods and services by merchants and growth of the OptBlue program, which does not entail merchant acquirer payments.



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Table 17: GMS Selected Statistical Information


As of or for the

Change

As of or for the

Change

Three Months Ended

2017

Six Months Ended

2017

June 30,

vs.

June 30,

vs.

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)

2017

2016

2016

2017

2016

2016

Loyalty Coalition revenue

$

114

$

104

10

%

$

216

$

198

9

%

Average discount rate

2.44

%

2.43

%

2.44

%

2.43

%

Total segment assets (billions)

$

25.5

$

24.1

6

%

$

25.5

$

24.1

6

%

Segment capital (billions)

$

2.7

$

2.4

13

%

$

2.7

$

2.4

13

%

Return on average segment capital (a)

59.8

%

61.9

%

59.8

%

61.9

%

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.5 billion for both the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($2.5 billion and $2.4 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively).


Corporate & Other


Corporate functions and certain other businesses, including our Prepaid Services business and other operations, are included in Corporate & Other.

Corporate & Other net expense increased to $239 million for the three month period, compared to $229 million in the same period a year ago and decreased to $470 million for the six month period compared to $527 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease for the six month period was primarily driven by prior-year restructuring charges.

Results for both periods included net interest expense related to maintaining the liquidity requirements discussed in "Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity – Liquidity Management," as well as interest expense related to other corporate indebtedness.



CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY


Our balance sheet management objectives are to maintain:


A solid and flexible equity capital profile;


A broad, deep and diverse set of funding sources to finance our assets and meet operating requirements; and


Liquidity programs that enable us to continuously meet expected future financing obligations and business requirements for at least a twelve-month period, even in the event we are unable to continue to raise new funds under our traditional funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.


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Table of Contents

Transitional Basel III


The following table presents our regulatory risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios and those of our significant bank subsidiaries, American Express Centurion Bank (Centurion Bank) and American Express Bank, FSB (American Express Bank), as of June 30, 2017.

Table 18: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital and Leverage Ratios


Basel III

Ratios as of

Standards

June 30,

2017 (a)

2017

Risk-Based Capital

Common Equity Tier 1

5.8

%

   American Express Company

12.3

%

   American Express Centurion Bank

16.9

   American Express Bank, FSB

13.9

Tier 1

7.3

   American Express Company

13.5

   American Express Centurion Bank

16.9

   American Express Bank, FSB

13.9

Total

9.3

   American Express Company

15.2

   American Express Centurion Bank

18.2

   American Express Bank, FSB

15.2

Tier 1 Leverage

4.0

   American Express Company

11.0

   American Express Centurion Bank

16.5

   American Express Bank, FSB

12.0

Supplementary Leverage Ratio (b)

3.0

%

   American Express Company

9.4

   American Express Centurion Bank

12.7

   American Express Bank, FSB

9.9

%

(a)

Transitional Basel III minimum capital requirement and additional capital conservation buffer as defined by the Federal Reserve for calendar year 2017 for advanced approaches institutions.

(b)

The minimum supplementary leverage ratio (SLR) requirement of 3 percent is effective January 1, 2018.


Table 19: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital Components and Risk Weighted Assets

American Express Company

June 30,

($ in Billions)

2017

Risk-Based Capital

Common Equity Tier 1

$

16.4

Tier 1 Capital

18.0

Tier 2 Capital (a)

2.3

Total Capital

20.3

Risk-Weighted Assets

133.5

Average Total Assets to calculate the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

164.2

Total Leverage Exposure to calculate SLR

$

190.4

(a)

Tier 2 capital is the sum of the allowance for loan and receivable losses (limited to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets) and $600 million of subordinated notes adjusted for capital held by insurance subsidiaries.


We seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements and finance such capital in a cost efficient manner; failure to maintain minimum capital levels could affect our status as a financial holding company and cause the regulatory agencies with oversight of American Express, Centurion Bank and American Express Bank to take actions that could limit our business operations.


Our primary source of equity capital has been the generation of net income. Historically, capital generated through net income and other sources, such as the exercise of stock options by employees, has exceeded the annual growth in our capital requirements. To the extent capital has exceeded business, regulatory and rating agency requirements, we have historically returned excess capital to shareholders through our regular common share dividend and share repurchase program.

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We maintain certain flexibility to shift capital across our businesses as appropriate. For example, we may infuse additional capital into subsidiaries to maintain capital at targeted levels in consideration of debt ratings and regulatory requirements. These infused amounts can affect the capital profile and liquidity levels at the American Express parent company level. We do not currently intend or foresee a need to shift capital from non-U.S. subsidiaries with permanently reinvested earnings to a U.S. parent company.


The following are definitions for our regulatory risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratio, which are calculated as per standard regulatory guidance:


Risk-Weighted Assets - Assets are weighted for risk according to a formula used by the Federal Reserve to conform to capital adequacy guidelines. On- and off-balance sheet items are weighted for risk, with off-balance sheet items converted to balance sheet equivalents, using risk conversion factors, before being allocated a risk-adjusted weight. Off-balance sheet exposures comprise a minimal part of the total risk-weighted assets.


Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio - Calculated as Common Equity Tier 1 capital (CET1), divided by risk-weighted assets. CET1 is the sum of common shareholders' equity, adjusted for ineligible goodwill and intangible assets, certain deferred tax assets, as well as certain other comprehensive income items as follows: net unrealized gains/losses on securities and derivatives, and net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit/losses, all net of tax and subject to transition provisions.


Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio - Calculated as Tier 1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets. Tier 1 capital is the sum of CET1, our perpetual preferred stock and third-party non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries adjusted for capital held by insurance subsidiaries and deferred tax assets from net operating losses not deducted from CET1. The minimum requirement for the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is 1.5 percent higher than the minimum for the CET1 risk-based capital ratio. We have $1.6 billion of preferred shares outstanding to help address a portion of the Tier 1 capital requirements in excess of common equity requirements.


Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio - Calculated as the sum of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital, divided by risk-weighted assets. Tier 2 capital is the sum of the allowance for loan and receivable losses (limited to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets), a portion of the unrealized gains on equity securities and $600 million of subordinated notes, adjusted for capital held by insurance subsidiaries.


Tier 1 Leverage Ratio - Calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by our average total consolidated assets for the most recent quarter.


Supplementary Leverage Ratio - Calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by total leverage exposure under Basel III. Leverage exposure, which reflects average total consolidated assets with adjustments for Tier 1 capital deductions, average off-balance sheet derivatives exposures, securities purchased under agreements to resell and credit equivalents of undrawn commitments that are both conditionally and unconditionally cancellable.


Fully Phased-in Basel III

Basel III, when fully phased in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain more capital than prior requirements, with a greater emphasis on common equity. The following table presents our estimates for our regulatory risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios had Basel III been fully phased in as of June 30, 2017. These ratios are calculated using the standardized approach for determining risk-weighted assets. We are currently taking steps toward Basel III advanced approaches implementation in the United States. We believe the presentation of these ratios is helpful to investors by showing the impact of future regulatory capital standards on our capital and leverage ratios.


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Table of Contents


Table 20: Estimated Fully Phased-in Basel III Capital and Leverage Ratios


June 30,

($ in Billions)

2017

Estimated Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III (a)

12.0

%

Estimated Tier 1 Capital Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III (a)

13.1

Estimated Tier 1 Leverage Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III (b)

10.8

Estimated Supplementary Leverage Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III

9.3

%

Estimated Risk-Weighted Assets under Fully Phased-In Basel III (c)

$

135.0

Estimated Average Total Assets to calculate the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (b)

164.0

Estimated Total Leverage Exposure to calculate SLR under Fully Phased-In Basel III (d)

$

190.2

(a)

The Fully Phased-in Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios, non-GAAP measures, are calculated as Common Equity Tier 1 or Tier 1 capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules, as applicable, divided by risk-weighted assets under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules. Refer to Table 21 for a reconciliation of Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules to Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital under Transitional Basel III rules.

(b)

The Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 and supplementary leverage ratios, non-GAAP measures, are calculated by dividing Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by our average total assets and Fully Phased-in total leverage exposure for supplementary leverage ratio purposes under Fully Phased-in Basel III, respectively.

(c)

Estimated Fully Phased-in Basel III risk-weighted assets, a non-GAAP measure, reflect our Basel III risk-weighted assets, with all transition provisions fully phased in. This includes incremental risk weighting applied to deferred tax assets and significant investments in unconsolidated financial institutions, as well as exposures to past due accounts, equities and sovereigns.

(d)

Estimated Fully Phased-in Basel III Leverage Exposure, a non-GAAP measure, reflects average total consolidated assets with adjustments for Tier 1 capital deductions on a fully phased-in basis, off-balance sheet derivatives, undrawn conditionally and unconditionally cancellable commitments and other off-balance sheet liabilities.


The following table presents a comparison of our CET1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital under Transitional Basel III rules to our estimated CET1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules as of June 30, 2017.


Table 21: Transitional Basel III versus Fully Phased-in Basel III


(Billions)

CET1

Tier 1

Risk-Based Capital under Transitional Basel III

$

16.4

$

18.0

Adjustments related to:

AOCI

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

Transition provisions for intangible assets

(0.2

)

(0.2

)

Other

Estimated CET1 and Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III

$

16.1

$

17.7


Fully Phased-in Basel III Risk-Weighted Assets - Reflects our Basel III risk-weighted assets, with all transition provisions fully phased in. This includes incremental risk weighting applied to deferred tax assets and significant investments in unconsolidated financial institutions, as well as exposures to past due accounts, equities and sovereigns.


Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 Leverage Ratio - Calculated by dividing Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by our average total consolidated assets.


Fully Phased-in Basel III Supplementary Leverage Ratio - Calculated by dividing Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by our Fully Phased-in total leverage exposure for supplementary leverage ratio purposes under Fully Phased-in Basel III.


Share Repurchases and Dividends

We return capital to common shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The share repurchases reduce common shares outstanding and more than offset the issuance of new shares as part of employee compensation plans.


During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we returned $1.1 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, to our shareholders in the form of common stock dividends ($0.3 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively) and share repurchases ($0.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively). We repurchased 11 million common shares at an average price of $79.72 in the second quarter of 2017. These dividend and share repurchase amounts collectively represent approximately 83 percent and 87 percent of total capital generated during the three and six-month periods, respectively.

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In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2017, we had $750 million of non-cumulative perpetual preferred shares (the "Series B Preferred Shares") and $850 million of non-cumulative perpetual preferred shares (the "Series C Preferred Shares") outstanding. Dividends declared and paid on Series B Preferred Shares during the second quarter of 2017 were $19 million.


On June 28, 2017, we were informed that the Federal Reserve did not object to our capital plan to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases of up to $4.4 billion during the period beginning with the third quarter of 2017 through and including the second quarter of 2018, as well as an increase in our quarterly dividend to $0.35 per share, from $0.32 per share, beginning with the third quarter 2017 dividend declaration, subject to approval by our Board of Directors. The timing and amount of common shares purchased under our authorized capital plan will depend on various factors, including our business plans, financial performance and market conditions. To facilitate repurchases, we may, from time to time, make purchases pursuant to one or more trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows us to repurchase common shares during periods when we might otherwise be prevented from doing so under applicable law or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods.


Funding Strategy

Our principal funding objective is to maintain broad and well-diversified funding sources to allow us to meet our maturing obligations, cost-effectively finance current and future asset growth in our global businesses as well as to maintain a strong liquidity profile.

Summary of Consolidated Debt

We had the following consolidated debt and customer deposits outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:


Table 22: Summary of Consolidated Debt and Customer Deposits


(Billions)

June 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

Short-term borrowings

$

3.4

$

5.6

Long-term debt

51.9

47.0

Total debt

55.3

52.6

Customer deposits

57.7

53.0

Total debt and customer deposits

$

113.0

$

105.6


Management does not currently expect to make any significant changes to our funding programs in order to satisfy Basel III's Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) standard based upon our current understanding of the requirements, which may be subject to change as we receive additional clarification and implementation guidance from regulators relating to the requirements and as the interpretation of requirements evolves over time.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, we issued (i) $3.3 billion of asset-backed securities from the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) consisting of $1.7 billion of three year Class A Certificates at a fixed rate of 1.77%, and $1.6 billion of two year Class A Certificates at a fixed rate of 1.64%, and (ii) $4.0 billion of senior unsecured notes from American Express Credit Corporation consisting of $1.5 billion of two year notes at a fixed rate of 1.88%, $500 million of two year notes at a  floating rate of  3-month LIBOR plus 33 basis points, and $2.0 billion of ten year notes at a fixed rate of 3.30%.

Our equity capital and funding strategies are designed, among other things, to maintain appropriate and stable unsecured debt ratings from the major credit rating agencies: Moody's Investor Services (Moody's), Standard & Poor's (S&P), Fitch Ratings (Fitch) and Dominion Bond Rating Services (DBRS). Such ratings help support our access to cost-effective unsecured funding as part of our overall funding strategy. Our asset securitization activities are rated separately.



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Table of Contents


Table 23: Unsecured Debt Ratings


Credit Agency

American Express Entity

Short-Term Ratings

Long-Term Ratings

Outlook

DBRS

All rated entities

R-1 (middle)

A (high)

Stable

Fitch

All rated entities

F1

A

Negative

Moody's

TRS and rated operating subsidiaries  (a)

Prime 1

A2

Stable

Moody's

American Express Company

Prime 2

A3

Stable

S&P

TRS  (a)

N/A

A-

Stable

S&P

Other rated operating subsidiaries

A-2

A-

Stable

S&P

American Express Company

A-2

BBB+

Stable

(a)

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.


Downgrades in the ratings of our unsecured debt or asset securitization program securities could result in higher funding costs, as well as higher fees related to borrowings under our unused lines of credit. Declines in credit ratings could also reduce our borrowing capacity in the unsecured debt and asset securitization capital markets. We believe our funding mix, including the proportion of U.S. retail deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), should reduce the impact that credit rating downgrades would have on our funding capacity and costs.


Liquidity Management

We incur liquidity risk that arises in the course of offering our products and services. Our liquidity objective is to maintain access to a diverse set of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources. We seek to maintain liquidity sources, even in the event we are unable to raise new funds under our regular funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions, in amounts sufficient to meet our expected future financial obligations and business requirements for liquidity for a period of at least twelve months. Our liquidity risk policy sets out our objectives and approach to managing liquidity risk.



The liquidity risks that we are exposed to could arise from a wide variety of scenarios. Our liquidity management strategy thus includes a number of elements, including, but not limited to:



Maintaining diversified funding sources (refer to the "Funding Strategy" section for more details);

Maintaining unencumbered liquid assets and off-balance sheet liquidity sources;

Projecting cash inflows and outflows under a variety of economic and market scenarios;

Establishing clear objectives for liquidity risk management, including compliance with regulatory requirements;

Incorporating liquidity risk management as appropriate into our capital adequacy framework.



The amount and type of liquidity resources we maintain can vary over time, based upon the results of stress scenarios required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) and other various regulatory liquidity requirements, such as the LCR, as well as additional stress scenarios required under our liquidity risk policy.


The investment income we receive on liquidity resources, such as cash, is less than the interest expense on the sources of funding for these balances. The net interest costs to maintain these resources have been substantial. The level of future net interest costs depends on the amount of liquidity resources we maintain and the difference between our cost of funding these amounts and their investment yields.


Securitized Borrowing Capacity

As of June 30, 2017, we maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of July 16, 2018, that gives us the right to sell up to $3.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA notes from the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust). On July 14, 2017, we extended the Charge Trust's $3.0 billion facility by two years to mature on July 15, 2020. We also maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of September 17, 2018, that gives us the right to sell up to $2.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA certificates from the Lending Trust. Both facilities are used in the ordinary course of business to fund seasonal working capital needs, as well as to further enhance our contingent funding resources. As of June 30, 2017, no amounts were drawn on the Charge Trust or Lending Trust facilities.



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Table of Contents


Federal Reserve Discount Window

As insured depository institutions, Centurion Bank and American Express Bank may borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, subject to the amount of qualifying collateral that they may pledge. The Federal Reserve has indicated that both credit and charge card receivables are a form of qualifying collateral for secured borrowings made through the discount window. Whether specific assets will be considered qualifying collateral and the amount that may be borrowed against the collateral, remain at the discretion of the Federal Reserve.


We had approximately $61.1 billion as of June 30, 2017 in U.S. credit card loans and charge card receivables that could be sold over time through our securitization trusts or pledged in return for secured borrowings to provide further liquidity, subject in each case to applicable market conditions and eligibility criteria.


Committed Bank Credit Facility

In addition to the secured borrowing facilities described earlier in this section, we maintained a committed syndicated bank credit facility as of June 30, 2017 of $3.0 billion, which expires on December 9, 2018. As of June 30, 2017, no amounts were drawn on this facility.



Unused Credit Outstanding

As of June 30, 2017, we had approximately $259 billion of unused credit outstanding as part of established lending product agreements. Total unused credit does not represent potential future cash requirements, as a significant portion of this unused credit will likely not be drawn. Our charge card products generally have no pre-set limit, and therefore are not reflected in unused credit available to Card Members.




Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flow activity for the six months ended June 30:


Table 24: Cash Flows


(Billions)

2017

2016

Total cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

$

4.3

$

3.2

Investing activities

(4.2

)

12.1

Financing activities

5.0

(4.3

)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

0.1

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

$

5.2

$

11.0


Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our cash flows from operating activities primarily include net income adjusted for (i) non-cash items included in net income and (ii) changes in the balances of operating assets and liabilities, which can vary significantly in the normal course of business due to the amount and timing of payments.


Net cash provided by operating activities was driven by net income of $2.6 billion and $3.4 billion for the current and prior periods, respectively, adjusted for non-cash items including changes in provisions for losses, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, and stock-based compensation. The prior period net income includes gains of $1.2 billion on the sales of the HFS portfolios, which are presented in Net (increase) decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale, within cash flows from investing activities. The increase during the periods of comparison was driven primarily by impacts from movements in Other receivables and Other assets as a result of normal business operating activities.


Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Our cash flows from investing activities primarily include changes in Card Member receivables and loans, including Card Member loans and receivables HFS, along with gains on sales related thereto, as well as changes in our available for sale investment securities portfolio.


The decrease in net cash provided by investing activities primarily reflected the sale of the HFS portfolios in the prior period as well as growth in Card Member loans in the current period.


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Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Our cash flows from financing activities primarily include issuing and repaying debt, changes in customer deposits, issuing and repurchasing our common shares, and paying dividends.


The increase in net cash provided by financing activities primarily resulted from a higher net increase in customer deposits and higher net long-term debt issuances in the current year as well as higher share repurchases in the prior period.


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OTHER MATTERS


Certain Legislative, Regulatory and Other Developments

We are subject to comprehensive government regulation and supervision in jurisdictions around the world, and the costs of compliance are substantial. In recent years, the financial services industry has been subject to rigorous scrutiny, high regulatory expectations, and a stringent and unpredictable regulatory enforcement environment.

Please see the "Supervision and Regulation" and "Risk Factors" sections of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the 2016 Form 10-K) for further information.

Payments Regulation

Legislators and regulators in various countries in which we operate have focused on the operation of card networks, including through antitrust actions, legislation and regulations to change certain practices or pricing of card issuers, merchant acquirers and payment networks, and, in some cases, to establish broad and ongoing regulatory oversight regimes for payment systems.

The European Union, Australia and other jurisdictions have focused on the fees merchants pay to accept cards, including the way bankcard network members collectively set the "interchange" (that is, the fee paid by the bankcard merchant acquirer to the card issuer in "four party" networks like Visa and MasterCard), as well as the rules, contract terms and practices governing merchant card acceptance. Even where we are not directly regulated, regulation of bankcard fees can significantly negatively impact the discount revenue derived from our business, including as a result of downward pressure on our discount rate from decreases in competitor pricing in connection with caps on interchange fees. In some cases, such regulation extends to certain aspects of our business. For example, the EU regulation might apply price caps as well as other regulatory measures in circumstances where three-party networks issue cards with a cobrand partner or through an agent. We have brought a legal challenge and seek a ruling from the EU Court of Justice to clarify the interpretation and validity of that part of the regulation. As a precursor to the Court's final ruling, an advisory opinion was issued on July 6, 2017 advising the Court that (a) the case should be declared inadmissible and (b) if the Court determines to treat the case as admissible, the law should be considered valid and applicable. The advisory opinion is not binding on the Court and there can be no assurance as to the outcome of our legal challenge. For more information on the European Union payments legislation, our related legal challenge and the Australia payments regulation, as well as the potential impacts on our results of operations and business, please see the "Supervision and Regulation" and "Risk Factors" sections of the 2016 Form 10-K.

Broad regulatory oversight over payment systems can also include, in some cases, requirements for international card networks to localize aspects of their operations, such as processing infrastructure, which could increase our costs and diminish the value of our closed loop. The development and enforcement of payment system regulatory regimes generally continue to grow and may adversely affect our ability to compete effectively and maintain and extend our global network.

Surcharging

In certain countries, such as certain Member States in the European Union and Australia, merchants are permitted by law to surcharge card purchases. While surcharging continues to be actively considered in certain jurisdictions, the benefits to customers have not been apparent in countries that have allowed it, and in some cases regulators are addressing concerns about excessive surcharging by merchants. For example, the Reserve Bank of Australia amended its rules to limit surcharging in Australia to the actual cost of card acceptance paid to the merchant acquirer.

Surcharging, particularly where it disproportionately impacts American Express Card Members, which is known as differential surcharging, as well as other steering practices that are permitted by regulation in some countries, could have a material adverse effect on us if it becomes widespread. As revisions to the Payment Services Directive in the European Union are transposed into national law by each Member State, there may be increased instances of differential surcharging of our cards, customer and merchant confusion as to which transactions may be surcharged and Card Member dissatisfaction. On July 19, 2017, the U.K. indicated it would ban surcharging on consumer cards starting January 2018. In addition, the laws of a number of states in the United States that prohibit surcharging are being challenged in litigation brought by merchant groups.

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For more information on the potential impacts of surcharging and other actions that could impair the Card Member experience, please see the "Risk Factors" section of the 2016 Form 10-K.

Consumer Financial Products Regulation



In the United States, our marketing and sale of consumer financial products and our compliance with certain federal consumer financial laws are supervised and examined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has broad rulemaking and enforcement authority over providers of credit, savings and payment services and products and authority to prevent "unfair, deceptive or abusive" acts or practices. In addition, a number of U.S. states have significant consumer credit protection and disclosure laws (in certain cases more stringent than U.S. federal laws). U.S. federal law also regulates abusive debt collection practices, which along with bankruptcy and debtor relief laws, can affect our ability to collect amounts owed to us.

Internal and regulatory reviews to assess compliance with such laws and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, changes to our practices, products and procedures, substantial restitution to our Card Members and increased costs related to regulatory oversight, supervision and examination. Such reviews may also result in additional regulatory actions, including civil money penalties.

These types of reviews will be a continuing focus for the CFPB and regulators more broadly, as well as for the company itself. As an example, federal banking regulators announced they are conducting horizontal reviews of banking sales practices and we are cooperating with regulators in those reviews. Also, in prior years, certain cards issued in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. Territories, largely through our international business, did not uniformly carry the same terms, conditions and features as the cards we offered to Card Members in the continental U.S. We conducted an internal review beginning in 2012, voluntarily provided customer remediation in prior periods and reported this matter to our regulators. We have been cooperating with the CFPB's review as to whether this discontinued practice complied with applicable laws and regulations. We do not believe this matter will have a material adverse impact on our operations or results.

On July 10, 2017, the CFPB issued a final rule that, among other changes, would prohibit providers of certain consumer financial products and services from using a pre-dispute arbitration agreement to bar consumers from filing or participating in a class action. The rule would apply to agreements entered into on or after March 19, 2018. As a result of the rule, we may face increased class claims and therefore be subject to the complexities and costs associated with class action litigation. Given the inherent uncertainties involved in litigation, and the very large or indeterminate damages sought in some class action matters, there is significant uncertainty as to the ultimate impact of this rule.

For more information on consumer financial products regulation, as well as the potential impacts on our results of operations and business, please see the "Supervision and Regulation" and "Risk Factors" sections of the 2016 Form 10-K.

Antitrust Litigation

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and certain states' attorneys general brought an action against us in 2010 alleging that the provisions in our card acceptance agreements with merchants that prohibit merchants from engaging in various actions to discriminate against our card products violate the U.S. antitrust laws. The trial court ruled that the challenged provisions violate U.S. antitrust laws and issued an injunction. Following our appeal of this judgment, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed the trial court decision and directed the trial court to enter a judgment for American Express, which occurred on January 25, 2017. We continue to vigorously defend similar antitrust claims initiated by merchants in other court and arbitration proceedings. See the "Legal Proceedings" section in our 2016 Form 10-K for descriptions of the DOJ and related cases. It is possible that significantly increased merchant steering or other actions impairing the Card Member experience, or the resolution of one or any combination of these merchant claims for damages, could have a material adverse effect on our business. For more information on the potential impacts of an adverse decision in the merchant litigations on our business, please see the "Risk Factors" section of the 2016 Form 10-K.


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Recently Issued Accounting Standards


Refer to the Recently Issued Accounting Standards section of Note 1 to the "Consolidated Financial Statements."


Glossary of Selected Terminology


Adjusted net interest income - A non-GAAP measure that represents net interest income attributable to our Card Member loans and loans HFS (which includes, on a GAAP basis, interest that is deemed uncollectible), excluding the impact of interest expense and interest income not attributable to our Card Member loans. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans.

Asset securitizations - Asset securitization involves the transfer and sale of loans or receivables to a special-purpose entity created for the securitization activity, typically a trust. The trust, in turn, issues securities, commonly referred to as asset-backed securities that are secured by the transferred loans and receivables. The trust uses the proceeds from the sale of such securities to pay the purchase price for the underlying loans or receivables. The loans and receivables of our Lending Trust and Charge Trust securitized are reported as assets and the securities issued by the Trusts are reported as liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Average discount rate - This calculation is generally designed to reflect pricing at merchants accepting general-purpose American Express cards. It represents the percentage of billed business (generated from both proprietary and GNS Card Member spending) retained by us from merchants we acquire, or for merchants acquired by a third party on our behalf, net of amounts retained by such third party.

Basic cards-in-force - Proprietary basic consumer cards-in-force includes basic cards issued to the primary account owner, (i.e., not including additional supplemental cards issued on accounts). Proprietary basic small business and corporate cards-in-force includes both basic and supplemental cards issued. Non-proprietary basic cards-in-force includes cards that are issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements, except for supplemental cards and retail cobrand Card Member accounts which have had no out-of-store spending activity during the prior twelve-month period.

Billed business - Includes activities (including cash advances) related to proprietary cards, cards issued under network partnership agreements (non-proprietary billed business), corporate payment services and certain insurance fees charged on proprietary cards. In-store spending activity within retail cobrand portfolios in GNS, from which we earn no revenue, is not included in non-proprietary billed business. Card billed business is included in the United States or outside the United States based on where the issuer is located.

Capital ratios - Represents the minimum standards established by the regulatory agencies as a measure to determine whether the regulated entity has sufficient capital to absorb on- and off-balance sheet losses beyond current loss accrual estimates. Refer to the Capital Strategy section under "Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity" for further related definitions under Transitional Basel III and Fully Phased-in Basel III.

Card Member - The individual holder of an issued American Express-branded charge, credit and certain prepaid cards.

Card Member loans - Represents the outstanding amount due from Card Members for charges made on their American Express credit cards, as well as any interest charges and card-related fees. Card Member loans also include revolving balances on certain American Express charge card products.

Card Member loans and receivables HFS - Beginning as of December 1, 2015 and continuing until the sales were completed, represents Card Member loans and receivables related to our cobrand partnerships with Costco in the United States and JetBlue. The JetBlue and Costco portfolio sales were completed on March 18 and June 17, 2016, respectively.

Card Member receivables - Represents the outstanding amount due from Card Members for charges made on their American Express charge cards, as well as any card-related fees.

Charge cards - Represents cards that generally carry no pre-set spending limits and are primarily designed as a method of payment and not as a means of financing purchases. Charge Card Members generally must pay the full amount billed each month. No finance charges are assessed on charge cards. Each charge card transaction is authorized based on its likely economics reflecting a Card Member's most recent credit information and spend patterns. Some charge card accounts have additional "Pay Over Time" feature(s) that allow revolving of certain balances.

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Cobrand cards - Cards issued under cobrand agreements with selected commercial firms. Pursuant to the cobrand agreements, we make payments to our cobrand partners, which can be significant, based primarily on the amount of Card Member spending and corresponding rewards earned on such spending and, under certain arrangements, on the number of accounts acquired and retained. In some cases, the partner is liable for providing rewards to the Card Member under the cobrand partner's own loyalty program.

Credit cards - Represents cards that have a range of revolving payment terms, grace periods, and rate and fee structures.


Discount revenue - Represents revenue earned from fees generally charged to merchants who have entered into a card acceptance agreement. The discount fee generally is deducted from our payment for Card Member purchases. Discount revenue is reduced by incentive payments made to merchants, payments to third-party card issuing partners, cash-back reward costs and statement credits, corporate incentive payments and other similar items.


Interest expense - Includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member loans and receivables, general corporate purposes and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred. Interest expense is divided principally into two categories: (i) deposits, which primarily relates to interest expense on deposits taken from customers and institutions, and (ii) debt, which primarily relates to interest expense on our long-term financing and short-term borrowings, (e.g., commercial paper, federal funds purchased, bank overdrafts and other short-term borrowings), as well as the realized impact of derivatives hedging interest rate risk on our long-term debt.

Interest income - Includes (i) interest on loans, (ii) interest and dividends on investment securities and (iii) interest income on deposits with banks and other.

Interest on loans - Assessed using the average daily balance method for Card Member loans and loans HFS. Unless the loan is classified as non-accrual, interest is recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding in accordance with the terms of the applicable account agreement until the outstanding balance is paid or written off.

Interest and dividends on investment securities - Primarily relates to our performing fixed-income securities. Interest income is recognized as earned using the effective interest method, which adjusts the yield for security premiums and discounts, fees and other payments, so a constant rate of return is recognized on the outstanding balance of the related investment security throughout its term. Amounts are recognized until securities are in default or when it is likely that future interest payments will not be made as scheduled.

Interest income on deposits with banks and other - Recognized as earned, and primarily relates to the placement of cash in excess of near-term funding requirements in interest-bearing time deposits, overnight sweep accounts, and other interest-bearing demand and call accounts.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio - Represents the minimum standards established by the regulatory agencies as a measure to determine whether the regulated entity has sufficient liquidity to meet liquidity needs in periods of financial and economic stress.

Merchant acquisition - Represents our process of entering into agreements with merchants to accept American Express-branded cards.

Net card fees - Represents the card membership fees earned during the period. These fees are recognized as revenue over the covered card membership period (typically one year), net of the provision for projected refunds for Card Membership cancellation and deferred acquisition costs.

Net interest yield on Card Member loans - A non-GAAP measure that is computed by dividing adjusted net interest income by average loans, computed on an annualized basis. Reserves and net write-offs related to uncollectible interest are recorded through provisions for losses, and are thus not included in the net interest yield calculation. We believe net interest yield on Card Member loans is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

Net loss ratio - Represents the ratio of GCP charge card write-offs, consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, on Card Member receivables expressed as a percentage of gross amounts billed to corporate Card Members.

Net write-off rate - principal only - Represents the amount of proprietary consumer or small business  Card Member loans or receivables written off, consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries, as a percentage of the average loan or receivables balance during the period.

Net write-off rate - principal, interest and fees - Includes, in the calculation of the net write-off rate, amounts for interest and fees in addition to principal for Card Member loans and fees in addition to principal for Card Member receivables.

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Operating expenses - Represents salaries and employee benefits, professional services, occupancy and equipment, and other expenses.

Return on average equity - Calculated by dividing one-year period net income by one-year average total shareholders' equity.

Return on average segment capital - Calculated by dividing one-year period segment income by one-year average segment capital.

Segment capital - Represents the capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements.

Total cards-in-force - Represents the total number of charge and credit cards that are issued and outstanding and accepted on our network. Non-proprietary cards-in-force includes all charge and credit cards that are issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements, except for retail cobrand Card Member accounts which have no out-of-store spending activity during the prior twelve-month period.


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Market risk is the risk to earnings or asset and liability values resulting from movements in market prices. Our market risk exposures include (i) interest rate risk due to changes in the relationship between the interest rates on our assets (such as loans, receivables and investment securities) and the interest rates on our liabilities (such as debt and deposits); and (ii) foreign exchange risk related to transactions, funding, investments and earnings in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. There were no material changes in these market risks since December 31, 2016.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address our expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "aim," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would," "likely," and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following:

our ability to grow in the future, which will depend in part on the following: revenues growing consistently with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the subsequent bullet; the level of spend in bonus categories on rewards-based and/or cash-back cards and redemptions of Card Member rewards and offers; the impact of any future contingencies, including, but not limited to, litigation-related settlements, judgments or expenses, the imposition of fines or civil money penalties, an increase in Card Member reimbursements, restructurings, impairments and changes in reserves; write-downs of deferred tax assets as a result of tax law or other changes; credit performance remaining consistent with current expectations; the ability to continue to realize benefits from restructuring actions and operating leverage at levels consistent with current expectations; the amount we spend on Card Member engagement and our ability to drive growth from such investments; changes in interest rates beyond current expectations (including the impact of hedge ineffectiveness and deposit rate increases); the impact of regulation and litigation, which could affect the profitability of our business activities, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities, require changes to business practices or alter our relationships with partners, merchants and Card Members; our tax rate remaining in line with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, our geographic mix of income being weighted more to higher tax jurisdictions than expected, changes in tax laws and regulation and unfavorable tax audits and other unanticipated tax items; the impact of accounting changes and reclassifications; and our ability to continue executing the share repurchase program;

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our ability to grow revenues net of interest expense, which could be impacted by, among other things, weakening economic conditions in the United States or internationally, a decline in consumer confidence impacting the willingness and ability of Card Members to sustain and grow spending, continued growth of Card Member loans, a greater erosion of the average discount rate than expected, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, a greater impact on discount revenue from cash back and cobrand partner and client incentive payments, more cautious spending by large and global corporate Card Members, the willingness of Card Members to pay higher card fees, and lower spending on new cards acquired than estimated; and will depend on factors such as our success in addressing competitive pressures and implementing our strategies and business initiatives, including growing profitable spending from existing  and new Card Members, increasing penetration among middle market and small business clients, expanding our international footprint and increasing merchant acceptance;

changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry, including competitive pressure that may impact the prices we charge merchants that accept our cards, competition for cobrand relationships and the success of marketing, promotion or rewards programs;

rewards expense and cost of Card Member services growing inconsistently from expectations, which will depend in part on Card Member behavior as it relates to their spending patterns and actual usage and redemption of rewards, as well as the degree of interest of Card Members in the value proposition we offer; increasing competition, which could result in greater rewards offerings; our ability to enhance card products and services to make them attractive to Card Members; and the amount we spend on the promotion of enhanced services and rewards categories and the success of such promotion;

the actual amount to be spent on marketing and promotion, which will be based in part on management's assessment of competitive opportunities; overall business performance and changes in macroeconomic conditions; the actual amount of advertising and Card Member acquisition costs; competitive pressures that may require additional expenditures; our ability to continue to shift Card Member acquisition to digital channels; contractual obligations with business partners and other fixed costs and prior commitments; management's ability to identify attractive investment opportunities and make such investments, which could be impacted by business, regulatory or legal complexities; and our ability to realize efficiencies, optimize investment spending and control expenses to fund such spending;

our ability to reduce our overall cost base, which will depend in part on the timing and financial impact of reengineering plans, which could be impacted by factors such as our inability to mitigate the operational and other risks posed by potential staff reductions, our inability to develop and implement technology resources to realize cost savings and underestimating hiring and other employee needs; our ability to reduce annual operating expenses, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified below; our ability to optimize marketing and promotion expenses, which could be impacted by the factors identified in the preceding bullet;

the ability to reduce annual operating expenses, which could be impacted by the need to increase significant categories of operating expenses, such as consulting or professional fees, including as a result of increased litigation, compliance or regulatory-related costs, or fraud costs; our ability to develop, implement and achieve substantial benefits from reengineering plans; higher than expected employee levels; the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on costs; the payment of civil money penalties, disgorgement, restitution, non-income tax assessments and litigation-related settlements; impairments of goodwill or other assets; management's decision to increase or decrease spending in such areas as technology, business and product development and sales forces; greater than expected inflation; our ability to balance expense control and investments in the business; the impact of accounting changes and reclassifications; and the level of M&A activity and related expenses;

our delinquency and write-off rates and growth of provisions for losses being higher than current expectations, which will depend in part on changes in the level of loan balances and delinquencies, mix of loan balances, loans and receivables related to new Card Members and other borrowers performing as expected, credit performance of new and enhanced lending products, unemployment rates, the volume of bankruptcies and recoveries of previously written-off loans;

our ability to execute against our lending strategy to grow loans, which may be affected by increasing competition, brand perceptions and reputation, our ability to manage risk in a growing Card Member loan portfolio, and the behavior of Card Members and their actual spending and borrowing patterns, which in turn may be driven by our ability to issue new and enhanced card products, offer attractive non-card lending products, capture a greater share of existing Card Members' spending and borrowings, reduce Card Member attrition and attract new customers;

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the possibility that we will not execute on our plans to significantly increase merchant coverage, which will depend in part on the success of OptBlue merchant acquirers in signing merchants to accept American Express, which could be impacted by the pricing set by the merchant acquirers, the value proposition offered to small merchants and the efforts of OptBlue merchant acquirers to sign merchants for American Express acceptance, as well as the awareness and willingness of Card Members to use American Express cards at small merchants and of those merchants to accept American Express cards;

changes affecting our ability or desire to return capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, which will depend on factors such as approval of our capital plans by our primary regulators, the amount we spend on acquisitions of companies and our results of operations and capital needs and economic environment in any given period;

deposit rates increasing faster or slower than current expectations due to changes in our funding mix, market pressures, regulatory constraints or changes in benchmark interest rates, which could affect net interest yield and our funding costs;

net interest yield on Card Member loans remaining consistent with current expectations, which will be influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changes in consumer behavior that affect loan balances, such as paydown rates, Card Member acquisition strategy, product mix, cost of funds, credit actions, including line size and other adjustments to credit availability, potential pricing changes and deposit rates, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the preceding bullet;

changes in global economic and business conditions, consumer and business spending, the availability and cost of capital, unemployment rates, geopolitical conditions (including potential impacts resulting from the U.S. Administration and the proposed exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union), foreign currency rates and interest rates, all of which may significantly affect demand for and spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan balances and other aspects of our business and results of operations;

changes in capital and credit market conditions, including sovereign creditworthiness, which may significantly affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs, expectations regarding capital and liquidity ratios, access to capital and cost of capital, including changes in interest rates; changes in market conditions affecting the valuation of our assets; or any reduction in our credit ratings or those of our subsidiaries, which could materially increase the cost and other terms of our funding, restrict our access to the capital markets or result in contingent payments under contracts;

legal and regulatory developments, including with regard to broad payment system regulatory regimes, actions by the CFPB and other regulators and the stricter regulation of financial institutions, which could require us to make fundamental changes to many of our business practices, including our ability to continue certain GNS and other partnerships; exert further pressure on the average discount rate and GNS volumes; result in increased costs related to regulatory oversight, litigation-related settlements, judgments or expenses, restitution to Card Members or the imposition of fines or civil money penalties; materially affect our capital or liquidity requirements, results of operations or ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; or result in harm to the American Express brand;

potential actions by the FDIC and credit rating agencies applicable to securitization trusts, which could impact our asset securitization program;

potential changes to the taxation of our businesses, the allowance of deductions for significant expenses, or the incidence of consumption taxes on our transactions, products and services;

changes in the financial condition and creditworthiness of our business partners, such as bankruptcies, restructurings or consolidations, including merchants that represent a significant portion of our business, such as the airline industry, or our partners in GNS or financial institutions that we rely on for routine funding and liquidity, which could materially affect our financial condition or results of operations; and

factors beyond our control such as fire, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, health pandemics, terrorism, cyberattacks or fraud, all of which could significantly affect demand for and spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan balances and other aspects of our business and results of operations or disrupt our global network systems and ability to process transactions.

A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in the 2016 Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various pending and potential legal actions, arbitration proceedings, claims, investigations, examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and matters relating to compliance with laws and regulations (collectively, legal proceedings).

We do not believe we are a party to, nor are any of our properties the subject of, any legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, including the fact that some pending legal proceedings are at preliminary stages or seek an indeterminate amount of damages, it is possible that the outcome of legal proceedings, including the possible resolution of merchant claims, could have a material impact on our results of operations. In addition, it is possible that significantly increased merchant steering or other actions impairing the Card Member experience could have a material adverse effect on our business. Certain legal proceedings involving us or our subsidiaries are described in this section and others, for which there have been no subsequent material developments since the filing of our 2016 Form 10-K, are described in such report. For additional information, see Note 8 to our "Consolidated Financial Statements."

In 2010, the DOJ, along with Attorneys General from Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii (Hawaii has since withdrawn its claim), Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Vermont filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against us, MasterCard International Incorporated and Visa, Inc., alleging a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act (the DOJ case). The complaint included allegations that provisions in our merchant agreements prohibiting merchants from steering a customer to use another network's card or another type of general-purpose card ("anti-steering" and "non-discrimination" contractual provisions) violate the antitrust laws. The complaint sought a judgment permanently enjoining us from enforcing our non-discrimination contractual provisions. The complaint did not seek monetary damages.

Following a non-jury trial in the DOJ case, the trial court found that the challenged provisions were anticompetitive and on April 30, 2015, the court issued a final judgment entering a permanent injunction. Following our appeal of this judgment, on September 26, 2016, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed the trial court decision and directed the trial court to enter a judgment for American Express. Following denial of rehearing en banc by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the trial court entered judgment for American Express on January 25, 2017. On June 2, 2017, the DOJ announced it would not petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit's decision in favor of American Express. At the same time, 11 of the 17 states that are party to the case filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking such a review.



ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


For a discussion of our risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of the 2016 Form 10-K. There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 2016 Form 10-K. However, the risks and uncertainties that we face are not limited to those set forth in the 2016 Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business and the trading price of our securities.


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ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


(c)   ISSUER PURCHASES OF SECURITIES


The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of us during the three months ended June 30, 2017.


Total Number of Shares Purchased

Average Price Paid Per Share

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (c)

Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

April 1-30, 2017

Repurchase program (a)

2,360,576

$

78.69

2,360,576

122,161,288

Employee transactions (b)

N/A

N/A

May 1-31, 2017

Repurchase program (a)

2,983,000

$

77.62

2,983,000

119,178,288

Employee transactions (b)

25,353

$

79.25

N/A

N/A

June 1-30, 2017

Repurchase program (a)

5,266,678

$

81.36

5,266,678

113,911,610

Employee transactions (b)

1,018

$

76.85

N/A

N/A

Total

Repurchase program (a)

10,610,254

$

79.72

10,610,254

113,911,610

Employee transactions (b)

26,371

$

79.16

N/A

N/A

(a)

On September 26, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 150 million shares of common stock from time to time, subject to market conditions and the Federal Reserve's non-objection to our capital plans. This authorization replaced the prior repurchase authorization and does not have an expiration date.

(b)

Includes: (i) shares surrendered by holders of employee stock options who exercised options (granted under our incentive compensation plans) in satisfaction of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation of such holders and (ii) restricted shares withheld (under the terms of grants under our incentive compensation plans) to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting and release of restricted shares. Our incentive compensation plans provide that the value of the shares delivered or attested to, or withheld, be based on the price of our common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.

(c)

Share purchases under publicly announced programs are made pursuant to open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions (including employee benefit plans) as market conditions warrant and at prices we deem appropriate.




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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION


Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) to the Exchange Act, an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.


American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and certain entities that may be considered affiliates of GBT have informed us that during the second quarter of 2017 approximately 95 visas were obtained from Iranian embassies and consulates around the world in connection with certain travel arrangements on behalf of clients. GBT had negligible gross revenues and net profits attributable to these transactions and intends to continue to engage in these activities on a limited basis so long as such activities are permitted under U.S. law.



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


The list of exhibits required to be filed as exhibits to this report are listed on page E-1 hereof, under "Exhibit Index" which is incorporated herein by reference.


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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

(Registrant)

      Date: July 25, 2017

By

/s/ Jeffrey C. Campbell

Jeffrey C. Campbell

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

      Date: July 25, 2017

By

/s/ Linda Zukauckas

Linda Zukauckas

Executive Vice President and

Corporate Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)


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EXHIBIT INDEX


The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:


Exhibit

Description

12

Computation in Support of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

31.1

Certification of Kenneth I. Chenault pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2

Certification of Jeffrey C. Campbell pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1

Certification of Kenneth I. Chenault pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification of Jeffrey C. Campbell pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document







E-1