Upgrade to SI Premium - Free Trial

Form 8-K AMERICAN EXPRESS CO For: Jan 21

January 21, 2015 4:06 PM


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section�13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):� January 21, 2015
��
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York
1-7657
13-4922250
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
200 Vesey Street
�New York, New York
10285
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule�425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule�14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule�14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule�13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
��




Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition and
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
���������
The following information is furnished under Item 2.02 - Results of Operations and Financial Condition and Item 7.01 - Regulation FD Disclosure:

On January 21, 2015, American Express�Company issued a press release regarding its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2014. A copy of such press release is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1. In addition, American Express Company�distributed a 2014 Fourth Quarter/ Full Year Earnings Supplement, which is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.2. Each exhibit is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit
Description
99.1
Press Release, dated January 21, 2015, of American Express Company regarding its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2014.
99.2
2014 Fourth Quarter/ Full Year Earnings Supplement of American Express Company.


-2-





SIGNATURE


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 hereunto duly authorized.


AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
(REGISTRANT)
By:
/s/�Carol V. Schwartz
Name:�Carol V. Schwartz
Title:�Secretary


Date:��January 21, 2015


-3-






EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
99.1
Press Release, dated January 21, 2015, of American Express Company regarding its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2014.
99.2
2014 Fourth Quarter/ Full Year Earnings Supplement of American Express Company.

-4-


EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Marina H. Norville, [email protected], +1.212.640.2832
Mike ONeill, mike.o[email protected], +1.212.640.5951

Investors/Analysts Contacts:
Ken Paukowits,[email protected] , +1.212.640.6348
Rick Petrino, [email protected], +1.212.640.5574

AMERICAN EXPRESS EPS UP 15% FOR THE QUARTER; 14% FOR FULL YEAR
CARD MEMBER SPENDING AND LOANS RISE
INVESTMENT GAIN USED FOR BUSINESS BUILDING
INITIATIVES AND RESTRUCTURING

(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
Quarters Ended
December 31,
Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
Years Ended
December 31,
Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
2014
2013
2014
2013
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense
$
9,107
$
8,547
7%
$
34,292
$
32,974
4%
Net Income
$
1,447
$
1,308
11%
$
5,885
$
5,359
10%
Earnings Per Common Share  Diluted:
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders1
$
1.39
$
1.21
15%
$
5.56
$
4.88
14%
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding
1,033
1,073
(4)%
1,051
1,089
(4)%
Return on Average Equity
29.1%
27.8%
29.1%
27.8%

New York  January 21, 2015 American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today reported fourth-quarter net income of $1.4 billion, up 11 percent from $1.3 billion a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose 15 percent to $1.39, from $1.21 a year ago.

1 Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and $46 million and $47 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
-1-

Fourth-quarter consolidated total revenues net of interest expense rose to $9.1 billion from $8.5 billion a year ago, up 7 percent (9 percent when adjusted for foreign currency translations2). The revenue increase primarily reflected the previously reported gain of $719 million ($453 million after-tax) on the sale of the companys investment in Concur Technologies. The increase also reflected a rise in Card Member spending and higher net interest income. Last years fourth quarter included revenue from the companys business travel operations, which were deconsolidated as a result of the joint venture transaction that closed on June 30, 2014.
Consolidated provisions for losses totaled $582 million, up 22 percent from $479 million a year ago. The increase primarily reflected a build in reserves this quarter compared to a reserve release last year. Credit indicators continued to be at historically strong levels.

Consolidated expenses totaled $6.3 billion, up 3 percent (6 percent FX adjusted2) from $6.1 billion a year ago. As indicated last quarter, the company used a substantial portion of the Concur gain for:
Companywide initiatives to improve operating efficiencies, which entailed a restructuring charge of $313 million ($206 million after-tax);
Incremental investments in growth initiatives, which were largely reflected in higher marketing and promotion expenses; and
The renewal of the companys partnership with Delta Air Lines, which created additional rewards costs of $109 million ($68 million after-tax).

In addition, fourth-quarter results were negatively affected by the impact of foreign currency translations on international operations.

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 35 percent, up from 34 percent from a year ago, driven by the geographic mix of earnings and the resolution of certain prior years items.

The company's return on average equity (ROE) was 29.1 percent, up from 27.8 percent a year ago.

For the full year, the company reported net income of $5.9 billion, up 10 percent from $5.4 billion a year ago. Diluted earnings per share rose 14 percent to $5.56 from $4.88 a year ago.

Revenues net of interest expense for the full year increased 4 percent (5 percent FX adjusted2) to $34.3 billion from $33.0 billion a year ago. Consolidated expenses remained unchanged from 2013 at $23.3 billion. Adjusted for foreign currency translations2, consolidated expenses were up 1 percent.

Solid results this quarter reflected the underlying themes that have characterized our performance throughout 2014: higher Card Member spending, increased loan balances, tight control of operating expenses and a substantial return of capital to shareholders through share repurchases, said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer.

Fourth-quarter Card Member spending rose 6 percent (8 percent FX adjusted). Volumes for the year crossed the trillion dollar mark for the first time, reflecting the progress weve made in building customer loyalty, adding new cards and expanding the network of merchants who accept our products. Loan balances were up 7 percent in the U.S., continuing� the progress weve made throughout 2014. We continue to see opportunities to grow this portfolio with existing and new customers without significantly changing the overall�risk profile of the company.

2 �As reported in this release, FX adjusted information, which constitute non-GAAP financial measures, assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translations into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the three months ended December 31, 2014 apply to the period(s) against which such results are being compared). The company believes the presentation of information on an FX adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare the companys performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
-2-

Tight controls on the cost side of the ledger continued to give us the flexibility to invest in growth opportunities. And, as in the second quarter, a substantial gain allowed us to accelerate some critical initiatives: reengineering to make American Express more efficient; renewing a key partner relationship; and making additional investments to grow our business and drive innovation in the world of payments and commerce.

Weve made very good progress against the backdrop of an uneven global economy and the negative impact of a strengthening U.S. dollar. We see many opportunities for growth, but at the same time, we face competitive and regulatory challenges. Our aim is to continue to capitalize on the opportunities while dealing�with the challenges as we enter 2015.

Segment Results

U.S. Card Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $665 million, down 23 percent from $864 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 5 percent to $4.6 billion from $4.4 billion a year ago. The increase reflected an 8 percent rise in Card Member spending and higher net interest income.

Provisions for losses totaled $399 million, up 25 percent from $319 million a year ago. The increase primarily reflected a build in reserves this quarter compared to a reserve release last year.

Total expenses increased 13 percent to $3.1 billion from $2.8 billion a year ago. The increase reflected a substantial portion of the initiatives related to the Concur gain and were reflected in higher rewards, marketing and operating expenses3.

The effective tax rate was 39 percent compared to 33 percent a year ago, reflecting the impact of certain prior years tax items.

International Card Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $33 million, down 68 percent from $103 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense decreased 5 percent (up 3 percent FX adusted2) to $1.4 billion.

Provisions for losses totaled $95 million, down 14 percent from $110 million a year ago. The decrease reflected a small reserve release in the current quarter compared with a reserve build a year ago.

Total expenses increased 4 percent (10 percent FX adjusted2) to $1.3 billion. The increase primarily reflected higher operating expenses, which included a portion of the restructuring charge, partially offset by a decrease in rewards costs.

3 Operating expenses represent salaries and employee benefits, professional services, occupancy and equipment, communications and other, net.
-3-

Taxes for the quarter reflected the level of pretax income in combination with recurring permanent tax benefits.
Global Commercial Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $594 million, up from $182 million a year ago. The increase reflected the previously mentioned gain on the sale of the companys investment in Concur Technologies. Year-ago results included earnings from the companys business travel operations, which were deconsolidated as a result of the joint venture transaction referred to above. The companys proportional share of the joint ventures net income is now reported in Other Revenues.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 28 percent (32 percent FX adjusted2) to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion. The increase primarily reflected the previously mentioned Concur gain, partially offset by business travel revenues that were in the year-ago quarter.

Provisions for losses totaled $50 million, up from $36 million a year ago.

Total expenses decreased 36 percent (34 percent FX adjusted2) to $586 million from $915 million a year ago. Excluding business travel expenses, fourth quarter adjusted expenses increased 6 percent compared to the year-ago period.4

Global Network & Merchant Services reported fourth-quarter net income of $417 million, up 5 percent from $399 million a year ago.

Total revenues net of interest expense increased 2 percent (6 percent FX adjusted2) to $1.5 billion. The increase primarily reflected higher merchant-related revenues driven by an increase in global Card Member spending.

Provisions for losses totaled $35 million, up from $14 million a year ago, reflecting a reserve build in the current period.

Total expenses decreased 4 percent to $772 million (1 percent FX adjusted2) from $801 million a year ago. The decrease reflected merchant litigation settlement expenses a year ago, partially offset by higher marketing and promotion costs in the current quarter.

Corporate and Other reported fourth-quarter net loss of $262million, compared with net loss of $240 million in the year-ago period. The current quarter included a portion of the previously mentioned restructuring charge.

# # #

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

4 The adjusted expense growth rate for Global Commercial Services is a non-GAAP measure. Management believes this metric is useful in evaluating the ongoing operating performance of the company. See Appendix V in the selected statistical tables for a reconciliation to total expenses for Global Commercial Services on a GAAP basis.
-4-

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card and business travel

The 2014 Fourth Quarter/Full Year Earnings Supplement will be available today on the American Express website at http://ir.americanexpress.com. An investor conference call will be held at 5:00 p.m. (ET) today to discuss fourth-quarter earnings results. Live audio and presentation slides for the investor conference call will be available to the general public at the same website. A replay of the conference call will be available later today at the same website address.

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the companys expected business and financial performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including those contained in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 and the companys other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
-5-

American Express Company
(Preliminary)
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Revenues
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue
$ 4,987 $ 4,915 $ 4,945 $ 4,646 $ 4,869 2 $ 19,493 $ 18,695 4
Net card fees
671 680 687 674 673 (0 ) 2,712 2,631 3
Travel commissions and fees
91 104 500 423 491 (81 ) 1,118 1,913 (42 )
Other commissions and fees
624 642 624 618 626 (0 ) 2,508 2,414 4
Other
1,310 593 585 501 569 # 2,989 2,274 31
Total non-interest revenues
7,683 6,934 7,341 6,862 7,228 6 28,820 27,927 3
Interest income
Interest on loans
1,769 1,753 1,696 1,711 1,715 3 6,929 6,718 3
Interest and dividends on investment securities
43 45 45 46 48 (10 ) 179 201 (11 )
Deposits with banks and other
17 17 18 19 19 (11 ) 71 86 (17 )
Total interest income
1,829 1,815 1,759 1,776 1,782 3 7,179 7,005 2
Interest expense
Deposits
97 91 91 94 110 (12 ) 373 442 (16 )
Long-term debt and other
308 329 352 345 353 (13 ) 1,334 1,516 (12 )
Total interest expense
405 420 443 439 463 (13 ) 1,707 1,958 (13 )
Net interest income
1,424 1,395 1,316 1,337 1,319 8 5,472 5,047 8
Total revenues net of interest expense
9,107 8,329 8,657 8,199 8,547 7 34,292 32,974 4
Provisions for losses
Charge card
198 196 183 215 174 14 792 648 22
Card Member loans
341 265 282 250 290 18 1,138 1,115 2
Other
43 27 24 20 15 # 114 69 65
Total provisions for losses
582 488 489 485 479 22 2,044 1,832 12
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
8,525 7,841 8,168 7,714 8,068 6 32,248 31,142 4
Expenses
Marketing and promotion
913 809 985 613 809 13 3,320 3,043 9
Card Member rewards
1,881 1,695 1,773 1,582 1,717 10 6,931 6,457 7
Card Member services and other
203 205 192 222 188 8 822 767 7
Salaries and employee benefits
1,607 1,290 1,658 1,540 1,489 8 6,095 6,191 (2 )
Professional services
768 731 817 692 830 (7 ) 3,008 3,102 (3 )
Occupancy and equipment
446 432 467 462 510 (13 ) 1,807 1,904 (5 )
Communications
98 91 101 93 97 1 383 379 1
Other, net
384 342 (137 ) 302 448 (14 ) 891 1,411 (37 )
Total
6,300 5,595 5,856 5,506 6,088 3 23,257 23,254 0
Pretax income
2,225 2,246 2,312 2,208 1,980 12 8,991 7,888 14
Income tax provision
778 769 783 776 672 16 3,106 2,529 23
Net income
$ 1,447 $ 1,477 $ 1,529 $ 1,432 $ 1,308 11 $ 5,885 $ 5,359 10
Net income attributable to common shareholders (A)
$ 1,436 $ 1,466 $ 1,517 $ 1,420 $ 1,297 11 $ 5,839 $ 5,312 10
Effective tax rate
35.0% 34.2% 33.9% 35.1% 33.9% 34.5% 32.1%
Earnings Per Common Share
BASIC
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$ 1.40 $ 1.41 $ 1.44 $ 1.34 $ 1.22 15 $ 5.58 $ 4.91 14
Average common shares outstanding
1,028 1,041 1,052 1,060 1,067 (4 ) 1,045 1,082 (3 )
DILUTED
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$ 1.39 $ 1.40 $ 1.43 $ 1.33 $ 1.21 15 $ 5.56 $ 4.88 14
Average common shares outstanding
1,033 1,047 1,058 1,067 1,073 (4 ) 1,051 1,089 (4 )
Cash dividends declared per common share
$ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 13 $ 1.01 $ 0.89 13

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-6-


American Express Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Billions, except percentages, per share amounts and where indicated)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Assets
Cash & cash equivalents
$ 22 $ 21 $ 18 $ 21 $ 19 16
Accounts receivable
47 47 49 47 47 -
Investment securities
4 5 5 5 5 (20 )
Loans
70 66 66 63 67 4
Other assets
16 15 14 15 15 7
Total assets
$ 159 $ 154 $ 152 $ 151 $ 153 4
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Customer deposits
$ 44 $ 43 $ 42 $ 43 $ 42 5
Short-term borrowings
3 3 3 3 5 (40 )
Long-term debt
58 56 55 54 55 5
Other liabilities
33 32 32 31 32 3
Total liabilities
138 134 132 131 134 3
Shareholders' Equity
21 20 20 20 19 11
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 159 $ 154 $ 152 $ 151 $ 153 4
Selected Statistical Information
Return on average equity (B)
29.1% 28.8% 28.8% 28.3% 27.8%
Return on average common equity (B)
29.0% 28.6% 28.5% 28.1% 27.6%
Return on average tangible common equity (B)
35.9% 35.6% 35.8% 35.4% 34.9%
Common shares outstanding (millions)
1,023 1,035 1,046 1,059 1,064 (4 )
Book value per common share (dollars)
$ 20.21 $ 19.54 $ 19.32 $ 18.87 $ 18.32 10
Shareholders' equity
$ 20.7 $ 20.2 $ 20.2 $ 20.0 $ 19.5 6

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-7-


American Express Company
Financial Summary
(Millions)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Total revenues net of interest expense
U.S. Card Services
$ 4,620 $ 4,527 $ 4,477 $ 4,290 $ 4,388 5 $ 17,914 $ 16,995 5
International Card Services
1,355 1,394 1,391 1,352 1,429 (5 ) 5,492 5,401 2
Global Commercial Services
1,585 900 1,269 1,194 1,238 28 4,948 4,853 2
Global Network & Merchant Services
1,477 1,450 1,455 1,365 1,447 2 5,747 5,513 4
9,037 8,271 8,592 8,201 8,502 6 34,101 32,762 4
Corporate & Other
70 58 65 (2 ) 45 56 191 212 (10 )
CONSOLIDATED TOTAL REVENUES NET OF INTEREST EXPENSE
$ 9,107 $ 8,329 $ 8,657 $ 8,199 $ 8,547 7 $ 34,292 $ 32,974 4
Pretax income (loss)
U.S. Card Services
$ 1,083 $ 1,411 $ 1,200 $ 1,406 $ 1,292 (16 ) $ 5,100 $ 4,994 2
International Card Services
1 176 69 203 108 (99 ) 449 643 (30 )
Global Commercial Services
949 309 865 285 287 # 2,408 1,244 94
Global Network & Merchant Services
670 670 578 702 632 6 2,620 2,469 6
2,703 2,566 2,712 2,596 2,319 17 10,577 9,350 13
Corporate & Other
(478 ) (320 ) (400 ) (388 ) (339 ) 41 (1,586 ) (1,462 ) 8
PRETAX INCOME
$ 2,225 $ 2,246 $ 2,312 $ 2,208 $ 1,980 12 $ 8,991 $ 7,888 14
Net income (loss)
U.S. Card Services
$ 665 $ 889 $ 770 $ 876 $ 864 (23 ) $ 3,200 $ 3,193 0
International Card Services
33 142 77 159 103 (68 ) 411 631 (35 )
Global Commercial Services
594 204 561 184 182 # 1,543 860 79
Global Network & Merchant Services
417 427 373 443 399 5 1,660 1,575 5
1,709 1,662 1,781 1,662 1,548 10 6,814 6,259 9
Corporate & Other
(262 ) (185 ) (252 ) (230 ) (240 ) 9 (929 ) (900 ) 3
NET INCOME
$ 1,447 $ 1,477 $ 1,529 $ 1,432 $ 1,308 11 $ 5,885 $ 5,359 10

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-8-

American Express Company
(Preliminary)
Selected Statistical Information (continued)
(Billions, except percentages and where indicated)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Card billed business (C):
United States
$ 182.5 $ 173.0 $ 173.4 $ 159.2 $ 169.1 8 $ 688.1 $ 637.0 8
Outside the United States
86.0 85.1 84.7 78.9 84.9 1 334.7 315.4 6
Total
$ 268.5 $ 258.1 $ 258.1 $ 238.1 $ 254.0 6 $ 1,022.8 $ 952.4 7
Total cards-in-force (D) (millions):
United States
54.9 54.5 54.1 53.5 53.1 3 54.9 53.1 3
Outside the United States
57.3 56.6 55.8 54.7 54.1 6 57.3 54.1 6
Total
112.2 111.1 109.9 108.2 107.2 5 112.2 107.2 5
Basic cards-in-force (D) (millions):
United States
42.6 42.2 42.0 41.5 41.1 4 42.6 41.1 4
Outside the United States
47.0 46.3 45.6 44.6 44.0 7 47 44 7
Total
89.6 88.5 87.6 86.1 85.1 5 89.6 85.1 5
Average discount rate (E)
2.45% 2.49% 2.48% 2.52% 2.48% 2.48% 2.51%
Average basic Card Member spending (dollars) (F)
$ 4,377 $ 4,223 $ 4,288 $ 3,991 $ 4,292 2 $ 16,884 $ 16,334 3
Average fee per card (dollars) (F)
$ 39 $ 40 $ 41 $ 40 $ 41 (5 ) $ 40 $ 40 -
Average fee per card adjusted (dollars) (F)
$ 44 $ 45 $ 45 $ 45 $ 44 - $ 45 $ 44 2
Worldwide Card Member receivables:
Total receivables
$ 44.9 $ 45.1 $ 45.3 $ 44.7 $ 44.2 2 $ 44.9 $ 44.2 2
Loss reserves (millions):
Beginning balance
$ 432 $ 413 $ 414 $ 386 $ 396 9 $ 386 $ 428 (10 )
Provisions (G)
198 196 183 215 174 14 792 648 22
Net write-offs (H)
(156 ) (168 ) (182 ) (177 ) (162 ) (4 ) (683 ) (669 ) 2
Other (I)
(9 ) (9 ) (2 ) (10 ) (22 ) (59 ) (30 ) (21 ) 43
Ending balance
$ 465 $ 432 $ 413 $ 414 $ 386 20 $ 465 $ 386 20
% of receivables
1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 0.9%
Net write-off rate (principal only) - USCS/ICS (J)
1.5% 1.6% 1.8% 1.9%
(L)
1.7%
(L)
Net write-off rate (principal and fees) - USCS/ICS (J)
1.7% 1.8% 2.0% 2.1%
(L)
1.9%
(L)
30 days past due as a % of total - USCS/ICS
1.6% 1.6% 1.5% 1.7%
(L)
1.6%
(L)
Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume) - GCS
0.08% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.08% 0.09% 0.08%
90 days past billing as a % of total - GCS
0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.9% 0.8% 0.9%
Worldwide Card Member loans:
Total loans
$ 70.4 $ 66.1 $ 66.3 $ 64.0 $ 67.2 5 $ 70.4 $ 67.2 5
Loss reserves (millions):
Beginning balance
$ 1,146 $ 1,170 $ 1,191 $ 1,261 $ 1,281 (11 ) $ 1,261 $ 1,471 (14 )
Provisions (G)
341 265 282 250 290 18 1,138 1,115 2
Net write-offs - principal (H)
(237 ) (245 ) (267 ) (274 ) (253 ) (6 ) (1,023 ) (1,141 ) (10 )
Net write-offs - interest and fees (H)
(40 ) (40 ) (42 ) (42 ) (37 ) 8 (164 ) (150 ) 9
Other (I)
(9 ) (4 ) 6 (4 ) (20 ) (55 ) (11 ) (34 ) (68 )
Ending balance
$ 1,201 $ 1,146 $ 1,170 $ 1,191 $ 1,261 (5 ) $ 1,201 $ 1,261 (5 )
Ending reserves - principal
$ 1,149 $ 1,093 $ 1,114 $ 1,135 $ 1,212 (5 ) $ 1,149 $ 1,212 (5 )
Ending reserves - interest and fees
$ 52 $ 53 $ 56 $ 56 $ 49 6 $ 52 $ 49 6
% of loans
1.7% 1.7% 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 1.7% 1.9%
% of past due
167% 165% 171% 159% 169% 167% 169%
Average loans
$ 67.7 $ 66.4 $ 65.2 $ 64.5 $ 64.4 5 $ 66.0 $ 63.3 4
Net write-off rate (principal only) (J)
1.4% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.8%
Net write-off rate (principal, interest and fees) (J)
1.6% 1.7% 1.9% 2.0% 1.8% 1.8% 2.0%
30 days past due loans as a % of total
1.0% 1.1% 1.0% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 1.1%
Net interest income divided by average loans (K)
8.4% 8.5% 8.1% 8.4% 8.1% 8.3% 8.0%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (K)
9.3% 9.3% 9.2% 9.5% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3%

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-9-

U.S. Card Services
(Preliminary)
Selected Income Statement Data
(Millions, except percentages)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Revenues
Discount revenue, net card fees and other
$ 3,279 $ 3,214 $ 3,222 $ 3,017 $ 3,132 5 $ 12,732 $ 12,123 5
Interest income
1,490 1,465 1,408 1,423 1,417 5 5,786 5,565 4
Interest expense
149 152 153 150 161 (7 ) 604 693 (13 )
Net interest income
1,341 1,313 1,255 1,273 1,256 7 5,182 4,872 6
Total revenues net of interest expense
4,620 4,527 4,477 4,290 4,388 5 17,914 16,995 5
Provisions for losses
399 316 339 342 319 25 1,396 1,250 12
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
4,221 4,211 4,138 3,948 4,069 4 16,518 15,745 5
Expenses
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other
2,064 1,790 1,865 1,582 1,789 15 7,301 6,825 7
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses
1,074 1,010 1,073 960 988 9 4,117 3,926 5
Total
3,138 2,800 2,938 2,542 2,777 13 11,418 10,751 6
Pretax segment income
1,083 1,411 1,200 1,406 1,292 (16 ) 5,100 4,994 2
Income tax provision
418 522 430 530 428 (2 ) 1,900 1,801 5
Segment income
$ 665 $ 889 $ 770 $ 876 $ 864 (23 ) $ 3,200 $ 3,193 0
Effective tax rate
38.6% 37.0% 35.8% 37.7% 33.1% 37.3% 36.1%
Selected Statistical Information
(Billions, except percentages and where indicated)
Card billed business
$ 145.0 $ 136.2 $ 136.5 $ 124.3 $ 134.1 8 $ 542.0 $ 501.0 8
Total cards-in-force (millions)
45.6 45.2 44.7 44.1 43.7 4 45.6 43.7 4
Basic cards-in-force (millions)
34.0 33.7 33.3 32.8 32.5 5 34.0 32.5 5
Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)
$ 4,281 $ 4,069 $ 4,133 $ 3,805 $ 4,138 3 $ 16,294 $ 15,689 4
U.S. Consumer Travel:
Travel sales (millions)
$ 817 $ 956 $ 1,027 $ 974 $ 865 (6 ) $ 3,774 $ 3,967 (5 )
Travel commissions and fees/sales
7.5% 7.4% 7.4% 6.5% 7.4% 7.2% 7.1%
Total segment assets
$ 113.2 $ 103.3 $ 101.1 $ 98.9 $ 103.5 9 $ 113.2 $ 103.5 9
Segment capital (M)
$ 10.4 $ 9.9 $ 9.9 $ 9.7 $ 9.3 13 $ 10.4 $ 9.3 13
Return on average segment capital (N)
32.5% 35.5% 35.3% 35.6% 35.6% 32.5% 35.6%
Return on average tangible segment capital (N)
33.6% 36.6% 36.5% 36.9% 37.0% 33.6% 37.0%
Card Member receivables:
Total receivables
$ 22.5 $ 21.3 $ 21.2 $ 20.7 $ 21.8 3 $ 22.5 $ 21.8 3
30 days past due as a % of total
1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.8% 1.6% 1.7% 1.6%
Average receivables
$ 21.8 $ 21.4 $ 21.3 $ 20.6 $ 21.2 3 $ 21.3 $ 20.6 3
Net write-off rate (principal only) (J)
1.4% 1.5% 1.8% 1.8% 1.5% 1.6% 1.7%
Net write-off rate (principal and fees) (J)
1.6% 1.7% 2.0% 2.0% 1.7% 1.8% 1.9%
Card Member loans:
Total loans
$ 62.6 $ 58.0 $ 57.7 $ 55.8 $ 58.4 7 $ 62.6 $ 58.4 7
30 days past due loans as a % of total
1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.1%
Average loans
$ 59.7 $ 58.0 $ 56.8 $ 56.1 $ 55.8 7 $ 57.8 $ 54.7 6
Net write-off rate (principal only) (J)
1.3% 1.4% 1.6% 1.7% 1.5% 1.5% 1.8%
Net write-off rate (principal, interest and fees) (J)
1.5% 1.6% 1.8% 1.9% 1.7% 1.7% 2.0%
Net interest income divided by average loans (O)
9.0% 9.1% 8.9% 9.2% 8.9% 9.0% 8.9%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (O)
9.1% 9.2% 9.1% 9.4% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2%

#- Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-10-

International Card Services
(Preliminary)
Selected Income Statement Data
(Millions, except percentages)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Revenues
Discount revenue, net card fees and other
$ 1,166 $ 1,206 $ 1,208 $ 1,157 $ 1,229 (5 ) $ 4,737 $ 4,644 2
Interest income
260 273 275 277 288 (10 ) 1,085 1,118 (3 )
Interest expense
71 85 92 82 88 (19 ) 330 361 (9 )
Net interest income
189 188 183 195 200 (6 ) 755 757 (0 )
Total revenues net of interest expense
1,355 1,394 1,391 1,352 1,429 (5 ) 5,492 5,401 2
Provisions for losses
95 98 90 87 110 (14 ) 370 388 (5 )
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
1,260 1,296 1,301 1,265 1,319 (4 ) 5,122 5,013 2
Expenses
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other
555 532 577 496 585 (5 ) 2,160 2,013 7
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses
704 588 655 566 626 12 2,513 2,357 7
Total
1,259 1,120 1,232 1,062 1,211 4 4,673 4,370 7
Pretax segment income
1 176 69 203 108 (99 ) 449 643 (30 )
Income tax provision/(benefit)
(32 ) 34 (8 ) 44 5 # 38 12 #
Segment income
$ 33 $ 142 $ 77 $ 159 $ 103 (68 ) $ 411 $ 631 (35 )
Effective tax rate
# 19.3% -11.6% 21.7% 4.6% 8.5% 1.9%
Selected Statistical Information
(Billions, except percentages and where indicated)
Card billed business
$ 34.0 $ 33.9 $ 34.1 $ 31.9 $ 35.5 (4 ) $ 133.8 $ 131.7 2
Total cards-in-force (millions)
15.7 15.8 15.7 15.7 15.7 0 15.7 15.7 0
Basic cards-in-force (millions)
11.0 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.7 3 11.0 10.7 3
Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)
$ 3,109 $ 3,100 $ 3,137 $ 2,942 $ 3,336 (7 ) $ 12,297 $ 12,429 (1 )
International Consumer Travel:
Travel sales (millions)
$ 353 $ 362 $ 354 $ 353 $ 367 (4 ) $ 1,422 $ 1,420 0
Travel commissions and fees/sales
7.4% 6.9% 6.8% 6.2% 7.1% 6.8% 6.9%
Total segment assets
$ 30.7 $ 31.1 $ 31.6 $ 30.4 $ 31.1 (1 ) $ 30.7 $ 31.1 (1 )
Segment capital (M)
$ 3.0 $ 3.0 $ 3.0 $ 3.0 $ 3.1 (5 ) $ 3.0 $ 3.1 (5 )
Return on average segment capital (N)
13.6% 15.8% 15.7% 20.0% 20.9% 13.6% 20.9%
Return on average tangible segment capital (N)
24.6% 28.9% 28.8% 36.8% 38.8% 24.6% 38.8%
Card Member receivables:
Total receivables
$ 7.7 $ 7.3 $ 7.5 $ 7.2 $ 7.8 (1 ) $ 7.7 $ 7.8 (1 )
30 days past billing as a % of total
1.3% 1.4% 1.3% 1.4%
(L)
1.3%
(L)
Net write-off rate (principal only) (J)
1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 2.2%
(L)
1.9%
(L)
Net write-off rate (principal and fees) (J)
1.9% 2.1% 2.0% 2.3%
(L)
2.1%
(L)
90 days past billing as a % of total
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)
1.1%
(L)
1.1%
Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume)
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)
0.19%
(L)
0.20%
Card Member loans:
Total loans
$ 7.7 $ 8.0 $ 8.6 $ 8.2 $ 8.8 (13 ) $ 7.7 $ 8.8 (13 )
30 days past due loans as a % of total
1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.4% 1.6% 1.4%
Average loans
$ 7.9 $ 8.3 $ 8.3 $ 8.3 $ 8.5 (7 ) $ 8.2 $ 8.5 (4 )
Net write-off rate (principal only) (J)
1.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 1.8% 2.0% 1.9%
Net write-off rate (principal, interest and fees) (J)
2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.2% 2.4% 2.3%
Net interest income divided by average loans (O)
9.6% 9.1% 8.8% 9.5% 9.3% 9.2% 8.9%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (O)
10.5% 9.9% 9.6% 10.1% 10.0% 10.0% 9.9%

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-11-

Global Commercial Services
(Preliminary)
Selected Income Statement Data
(Millions, except percentages)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Revenues
Discount revenue, net card fees and other
$ 1,635 $ 957 $ 1,332 $ 1,249 $ 1,298 26 $ 5,173 $ 5,085 2
Interest income
4 4 3 4 4 - 15 13 15
Interest expense
54 61 66 59 64 (16 ) 240 245 (2 )
Net interest expense
(50 ) (57 ) (63 ) (55 ) (60 ) (17 ) (225 ) (232 ) (3 )
Total revenues net of interest expense
1,585 900 1,269 1,194 1,238 28 4,948 4,853 2
Provisions for losses
50 49 43 38 36 39 180 129 40
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
1,535 851 1,226 1,156 1,202 28 4,768 4,724 1
Expenses
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other
178 161 177 166 162 10 682 604 13
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses
408 381 184 705 753 (46 ) 1,678 2,876 (42 )
Total
586 542 361 871 915 (36 ) 2,360 3,480 (32 )
Pretax segment income
949 309 865 285 287 # 2,408 1,244 94
Income tax provision
355 105 304 101 105 # 865 384 #
Segment income
$ 594 $ 204 $ 561 $ 184 $ 182 # $ 1,543 $ 860 79
Effective tax rate
37.4% 34.0% 35.1% 35.4% 36.6% 35.9% 30.9%
Selected Statistical Information
(Billions, except percentages and where indicated)
Card billed business
$ 47.1 $ 46.5 $ 47.6 $ 45.5 $ 45.0 5 $ 186.7 $ 175.4 6
Total cards-in-force (millions)
6.9 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.1 (3 ) 6.9 7.1 (3 )
Basic cards-in-force (millions)
6.9 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.1 (3 ) 6.9 7.1 (3 )
Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)
$ 6,817 $ 6,691 $ 6,781 $ 6,429 $ 6,361 7 $ 26,706 $ 24,924 7
Global Corporate Travel:
Travel sales (millions)
$ 28 $ 80 $ 4,882 $ 4,698 $ 4,793 (99 ) $ 9,688 $ 18,869 (49 )
Travel commissions and fees/sales
7.1% 10.0% 8.2% 7.2% 8.3% 7.7% 8.1%
Total segment assets
$ 18.5 $ 20.6 $ 20.8 $ 21.6 $ 19.2 (4 ) $ 18.5 $ 19.2 (4 )
Segment capital (M)
$ 3.8 $ 3.8 $ 3.8 $ 3.8 $ 3.7 4 $ 3.8 $ 3.7 4
Return on average segment capital (N)
40.9% 30.3% 32.0% 23.2% 23.6% 40.9% 23.6%
Return on average tangible segment capital (N)
74.4% 56.0% 60.3% 44.4% 45.8% 74.4% 45.8%
Card Member receivables:
Total receivables
$ 14.6 $ 16.4 $ 16.5 $ 16.6 $ 14.4 1 $ 14.6 $ 14.4 1
90 days past billing as a % of total
0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.9% 0.8% 0.9%
Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume)
0.08% 0.09% 0.09% 0.09% 0.08% 0.09% 0.08%

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-12-

Global Network & Merchant Services
(Preliminary)
Selected Income Statement Data
(Millions, except percentages)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Years Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Revenues
Discount revenue, fees and other
$ 1,399 $ 1,368 $ 1,366 $ 1,293 $ 1,373 2 $ 5,426 $ 5,229 4
Interest income
17 14 11 10 9 89 52 32 63
Interest expense
(61 ) (68 ) (78 ) (62 ) (65 ) (6 ) (269 ) (252 ) 7
Net interest income
78 82 89 72 74 5 321 284 13
Total revenues net of interest expense
1,477 1,450 1,455 1,365 1,447 2 5,747 5,513 4
Provisions for losses
35 24 18 16 14 # 93 67 39
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
1,442 1,426 1,437 1,349 1,433 1 5,654 5,446 4
Expenses
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other
185 201 277 156 158 17 819 704 16
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses
587 555 582 491 643 (9 ) 2,215 2,273 (3 )
Total
772 756 859 647 801 (4 ) 3,034 2,977 2
Pretax segment income
670 670 578 702 632 6 2,620 2,469 6
Income tax provision
253 243 205 259 233 9 960 894 7
Segment income
$ 417 $ 427 $ 373 $ 443 $ 399 5 $ 1,660 $ 1,575 5
Effective tax rate
37.8% 36.3% 35.5% 36.9% 36.9% 36.6% 36.2%
Selected Statistical Information
(Billions, except percentages and where indicated)
Global Card billed business (P)
$ 268.5 $ 258.1 $ 258.1 $ 238.1 $ 254.0 6 $ 1,022.8 $ 952.4 7
Global Network & Merchant Services:
Total segment assets
$ 18.1 $ 18.2 $ 18.7 $ 18.3 $ 17.1 6 $ 18.1 $ 17.1 6
Segment capital (M)
$ 2.0 $ 2.0 $ 2.0 $ 1.9 $ 2.0 1 $ 2.0 $ 2.0 1
Return on average segment capital (N)
84.0% 82.6% 79.4% 81.2% 76.8% 84.0% 76.8%
Return on average tangible segment capital (N)
92.9% 91.3% 87.8% 89.7% 84.9% 92.9% 84.9%
Global Network Services:
Card billed business
$ 42.5 $ 41.6 $ 40.1 $ 36.6 $ 39.3 8 $ 160.7 $ 144.1 12
Total cards-in-force (millions)
44.0 43.2 42.5 41.3 40.7 8 44.0 40.7 8

# - Denotes a variance of more than 100 percent.

-13-

American Express Company
(Preliminary)
Components of Return on Average Equity (ROE), Return on Average Common Equity (ROCE), and Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE)
Appendix I
(Millions, except percentages)
For the Twelve Months Ended
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
ROE
Net income
$ 5,885 $ 5,746 $ 5,635 $ 5,511 $ 5,359
Average shareholders' equity
$ 20,254 $ 19,948 $ 19,591 $ 19,442 $ 19,254
Return on average equity (Q)
29.1% 28.8% 28.8% 28.3% 27.8%
Reconciliation of ROCE and ROTCE
Net income
$ 5,885 $ 5,746 $ 5,635 $ 5,511 $ 5,359
Preferred shares dividends and related accretion
- - - - -
Earnings allocated to participating share awards and other
46 46 47 48 47
Net income attributable to common shareholders
$ 5,839 $ 5,700 $ 5,588 $ 5,463 $ 5,312
Average shareholders' equity
$ 20,254 $ 19,948 $ 19,591 $ 19,442 $ 19,254
Average preferred shares
114 - - - -
Average common shareholders' equity
$ 20,140 $ 19,948 $ 19,591 $ 19,442 $ 19,254
Average goodwill and other intangibles
3,888 3,941 3,994 4,012 4,055
Average tangible common shareholders' equity
$ 16,252 $ 16,007 $ 15,597 $ 15,430 $ 15,199
Return on average common equity (Q)
29.0% 28.6% 28.5% 28.1% 27.6%
Return on average tangible common equity (R)
35.9% 35.6% 35.8% 35.4% 34.9%

-14-

American Express Company
(Preliminary)
Components of Return on Average Segment Capital (ROSC) and Return on Average Tangible Segment Capital (ROTSC)
Appendix II
(Millions, except percentages)
For the Twelve Months Ended
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
U.S. Card Services
Segment income
$ 3,200 $ 3,399 $ 3,292 $ 3,265 $ 3,193
Average segment capital
$ 9,843 $ 9,580 $ 9,337 $ 9,180 $ 8,974
Average goodwill and other intangibles
319 299 311 323 334
Average tangible segment capital
$ 9,524 $ 9,281 $ 9,026 $ 8,857 $ 8,640
Return on average segment capital (S)
32.5% 35.5% 35.3% 35.6% 35.6%
Return on average tangible segment capital (S)
33.6% 36.6% 36.5% 36.9% 37.0%
International Card Services
Segment income
$ 411 $ 481 $ 481 $ 612 $ 631
Average segment capital
$ 3,020 $ 3,043 $ 3,063 $ 3,053 $ 3,024
Average goodwill and other intangibles
1,350 1,376 1,394 1,389 1,396
Average tangible segment capital
$ 1,670 $ 1,667 $ 1,669 $ 1,664 $ 1,628
Return on average segment capital (S)
13.6% 15.8% 15.7% 20.0% 20.9%
Return on average tangible segment capital (S)
24.6% 28.9% 28.8% 36.8% 38.8%
Global Commercial Services
Segment income
$ 1,543 $ 1,131 $ 1,188 $ 853 $ 860
Average segment capital
$ 3,771 $ 3,736 $ 3,707 $ 3,679 $ 3,647
Average goodwill and other intangibles
1,696 1,715 1,736 1,759 1,768
Average tangible segment capital
$ 2,075 $ 2,021 $ 1,971 $ 1,920 $ 1,879
Return on average segment capital (S)
40.9% 30.3% 32.0% 23.2% 23.6%
Return on average tangible segment capital (S)
74.4% 56.0% 60.3% 44.4% 45.8%
Global Network & Merchant Services
Segment income
$ 1,660 $ 1,642 $ 1,606 $ 1,645 $ 1,575
Average segment capital
$ 1,976 $ 1,989 $ 2,022 $ 2,026 $ 2,050
Average goodwill and other intangibles
189 190 192 193 195
Average tangible segment capital
$ 1,787 $ 1,799 $ 1,830 $ 1,833 $ 1,855
Return on average segment capital (S)
84.0% 82.6% 79.4% 81.2% 76.8%
Return on average tangible segment capital (S)
92.9% 91.3% 87.8% 89.7% 84.9%

-15-

American Express Company
(Preliminary)
Net Interest Yield on Card Member Loans
Appendix III
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)
Quarters Ended
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Net interest income
$ 1,424 $ 1,395 $ 1,316 $ 1,337 $ 1,319
Exclude:
Interest expense not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
$ 250 $ 247 $ 259 $ 263 $ 279
Interest income not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
$ (92 ) $ (90 ) $ (89 ) $ (88 ) $ (91 )
Adjusted net interest income (T)
$ 1,582 $ 1,552 $ 1,486 $ 1,512 $ 1,507
Average loans (billions)
$ 67.7 $ 66.4 $ 65.2 $ 64.5 $ 64.4
Exclude:
Unamortized deferred card fees, net of direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans, and other (billions)
$ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 )
Adjusted average loans (billions) (U)
$ 67.5 $ 66.2 $ 65.0 $ 64.3 $ 64.2
Net interest income divided by average loans (V)
8.4% 8.5% 8.1% 8.4% 8.1%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (W)
9.3% 9.3% 9.2% 9.5% 9.3%

-16-

U.S. Card Services and International Card Services
(Preliminary)
Net Interest Yield on Card Member Loans
Appendix IV
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)
Quarters Ended
Dec 31,
Sep 30,
Jun 30,
Mar 31,
Dec 31,
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
USCS:
Net interest income
$ 1,341 $ 1,313 $ 1,255 $ 1,273 $ 1,256
Exclude:
Interest expense not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
$ 39 $ 39 $ 40 $ 39 $ 43
Interest income not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
$ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ (2 )
Adjusted net interest income (T)
$ 1,377 $ 1,349 $ 1,292 $ 1,309 $ 1,297
Average loans (billions)
$ 59.7 $ 58.0 $ 56.8 $ 56.1 $ 55.8
Exclude:
Unamortized deferred card fees, net of direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans (billions)
$ - $ - $ - $ 0.1 $ -
Adjusted average loans (billions) (U)
$ 59.7 $ 58.0 $ 56.8 $ 56.2 $ 55.8
Net interest income divided by average loans (V)
9.0% 9.1% 8.9% 9.2% 8.9%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (W)
9.1% 9.2% 9.1% 9.4% 9.2%
ICS:
Net interest income
$ 189 $ 188 $ 183 $ 195 $ 200
Exclude:
Interest expense not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
$ 26 $ 24 $ 21 $ 18 $ 21
Interest income not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
$ (9 ) $ (10 ) $ (10 ) $ (10 ) $ (11 )
Adjusted net interest income (T)
$ 206 $ 202 $ 194 $ 203 $ 210
Average loans (billions)
$ 7.9 $ 8.3 $ 8.3 $ 8.3 $ 8.5
Exclude:
Unamortized deferred card fees, net of direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans, and other (billions)
$ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.2 )
Adjusted average loans (billions) (U)
$ 7.7 $ 8.1 $ 8.1 $ 8.1 $ 8.3
Net interest income divided by average loans (V)
9.6% 9.1% 8.8% 9.5% 9.3%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (W)
10.5% 9.9% 9.6% 10.1% 10.0%

-17-

American Express Company
(Preliminary)
Revenue and Expense Reconciliation
Appendix V
(Millions, except percentages)
Quarters Ended
% Change
Twelve Months Ended
% Change
Dec 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
Dec 31,
Dec 31,
Dec 31, 2014 vs.
2014
2013
31-Dec-13
2014
2013
Dec 31, 2013
Consolidated:
Reported total revenues net of interest expense
$ 9,107 $ 8,547 7 $ 34,292 $ 32,974 4
Global Business Travel ("GBT") revenues net of interest expense
- 405 - 801
Adjusted total revenues net of interest expense
9,107 8,142 12 34,292 32,173 7
FX and GBT adjusted total revenues net of interest expense (X)
7,961 14 31,832 8
Reported total expenses
6,300 6,088 3 23,257 23,254 -
GBT expenses
- 362 - 698
Adjusted total expenses
6,300 5,726 10 23,257 22,556 3
FX and GBT adjusted total expenses (X)
5,608 12 22,371 4
Global Commercial Services:
Reported total revenues net of interest expense
1,585 1,238 28 4,948 4,853 2
GBT revenues net of interest expense
- 405 - 801
Adjusted total revenues net of interest expense
1,585 833 90 4,948 4,052 22
FX and GBT adjusted total revenues net of interest expense (X)
813 95 4,018 23
Reported total expenses
586 915 (36 ) 2,360 3,480 (32 )
GBT expenses
- 362 - 698
Adjusted total expenses
$ 586 $ 553 6 $ 2,360 $ 2,782 (15 )
FX and GBT adjusted total expenses (X)
542 8 2,767 (15 )

Note: Full-year GBT revenues and expenses represent operating performance as reported in Q313 and Q4'13. Adjustments do not include other Global Business Travel-related items, including equity earnings from the joint venture and impacts related to a transition services agreement that will phase out over time.

-18-

Appendix VI
(Preliminary)

All Information in the preceding tables is presented on a basis prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless otherwise indicated. Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation.

(A)
Represents net income, less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, $11 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, $12 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, $12 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, and $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013.
(B)
Refer to Appendix I for components of return on average equity, return on average common equity and return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure.
(C)
Card billed business includes activities (including cash advances) related to proprietary cards, cards issued under network partnership agreements (non-proprietary billed business), and certain insurance fees charged on proprietary cards. In-store spend activity within retail co-brand portfolios in Global Network Services, from which the Company earns no revenue, is not included in non-proprietary billed business. Card billed business is reflected in the United States or outside the United States based on where the issuer is located.
(D)
Total cards-in-force represents the number of cards that are issued and outstanding. Proprietary basic consumer cards-in-force includes basic cards issued to the primary account owner and does not include additional supplemental cards issued on that account. Proprietary basic small business and corporate cards-in-force include basic and supplemental cards issued to employee Card Members. Non-proprietary cards-in-force includes all cards that are issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements, except for retail co-brand Card Member accounts that have no out-of-store spend activity during the prior 12 month period.
(E)
This calculation is designed to reflect pricing at merchants accepting general purpose American Express cards. It represents the percentage of billed business (both proprietary and Global Network Services) retained by the Company from merchants it acquires, prior to payments to third parties unrelated to merchant acceptance.
(F)
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, including the amortization of deferred direct acquisition costs divided by average worldwide proprietary cards-in-force. The adjusted average fee per card, which is a non-GAAP measure, is computed in the same manner, but excludes amortization of deferred direct acquisition costs. The amount of amortization excluded for these periods was $79 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, $77 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, $77 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, $73 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, and $64 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The Company presents adjusted average fee per card because the Company believes this metric presents a useful indicator of card fee pricing across a range of its proprietary card products.
(G)
Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components.
(H)
Consists of principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and/or fees, less recoveries.
(I)
Beginning in first quarter 2014, reserves related for card-related fraud losses are reflected in Other liabilities. All periods include foreign currency translation adjustments and other items.
(J)
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's practice is to include uncollectible interest and/or fees as part of its total provision for losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.
(K)
See Appendix III for quarterly calculations of net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, and net interest income divided by average loans, a GAAP measure, and the Company's rationale for presenting net interest yield on Card Member loans. For calculations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, please refer to Annex 3 of the Companys 2014 Fourth Quarter/ Full Year Earnings Supplement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(L)
Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented for ICS and GCS. As a result of system enhancements, beginning in first quarter 2014, 30 days past due as a % of total, net write-off rate (principal only) and net write-off rate (principal and fees) will be presented for ICS.
(M)
Segment capital represents capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements.
(N)
Refer to Appendix II for components of return on average segment capital and return on average tangible segment capital, a non-GAAP measure.
(O)
See Appendix IV for calculations of net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, and net interest income divided by average loans, a GAAP measure, and the Company's rationale for presenting net interest yield on Card Member loans.
(P)
Global Card billed business includes activities (including cash advances) related to proprietary cards, cards issued under network partnership agreements (non-proprietary billed business), and certain insurance fees charged on proprietary cards. In-store spend activity within retail co-brand portfolios in Global Network Services, from which the Company earns no revenue, is not included in non-proprietary billed business.
(Q)
Return on average equity and return on average common equity are calculated by dividing one year period net income/net income attributable to common shareholders by one year average total shareholders equity/average common shareholders' equity, respectively.
(R)
Return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, is computed in the same manner as return on average common equity except the computation of average tangible common shareholders' equity, a non-GAAP measure, excludes from average common shareholders' equity, average goodwill and other intangibles. The Company believes that return on average tangible common equity is a useful measure of the profitability of its business.
(S)
Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing one year period segment income by one year average segment capital. Return on average tangible segment capital, a non-GAAP measure, is computed in the same manner as return on average segment capital except the computation of average tangible segment capital, a non-GAAP measure, excludes average goodwill and other intangibles. The Company believes that return on average tangible segment capital is a useful measure of the profitability of its business.
(T)
Adjusted net interest income, a non-GAAP measure, represents net interest income allocated to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio excluding the impact of interest expense and interest income not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio. The Company believes adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans.
(U)
Adjusted average loans, a non-GAAP measure, represents average Card Member loans excluding the impact of deferred card fees, net of deferred direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans, and other. The Company believes adjusted average loans is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans.
(V)
This calculation includes elements of total interest income and total interest expense that are not attributable to the Card Member loan portfolio, and thus is not representative of net interest yield on Card Member loans. The calculation includes interest income and interest expense attributable to investment securities and other interest-bearing deposits as well as to Card Member loans, and interest expense attributable to other activities, including Card Member receivables.
(W)
Net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, is computed by dividing adjusted net interest income by adjusted average loans, computed on an annualized basis. The calculation of net interest yield on Card Member loans includes interest that is deemed uncollectible. For all presentations of net interest yield on Card Member loans, reserves and net write-offs related to uncollectible interest are recorded through provisions for losses - Card Member loans; therefore, such reserves and net write-offs are not included in the net interest yield calculation. The Company believes net interest yield on Card Member loans is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability of the Company's Card Member loan portfolio.
(X)
Revenue net of interest expense and total expenses on an FX adjusted basis are a non-GAAP measures. FX adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes Q314 foreign exchange rates apply to Q3'13 results). The Companys calculations of non-GAAP measures may differ from the calculations of similarly titled measures of other companies.

-19-
EXHIBIT 99.2




2014
Fourth Quarter/Full Year
Earnings Supplement



The enclosed summary should be read in conjunction with the text and statistical tables included in American Express Companys (the Company or AXP) Fourth Quarter 2014 Earnings Release.


This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date on which they are made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the Companys financial and other goals, are set forth on pages 13-14 of this Supplement, in the Companys 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders, in its 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 and in other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, certain calculations included within this supplement constitute non-GAAP financial measures and may differ from the calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies.

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
FINANCIAL RESULTS
" The Company reported $1.4B of net income in Q414, compared to $1.3B in Q413. This resulted in diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders of $1.39 per share, an increase of 15% from $1.21 a year ago.

" Total revenues net of interest expense were up 7% compared to Q413. The quarter included a pretax gain of $719MM ($453MM after tax) from the sale of the Companys investment in Concur. The prior-year period included the revenue from the Companys business travel operations, which were deconsolidated as a result of the business travel joint venture transaction that closed June 30, 2014. Excluding business travel revenues from Q413 and the Concur gain, adjusted revenue growth was 3% in Q414,1 and 5% on an FX adjusted basis.2

" Q414 return on average equity (ROE) was 29.1%.

BUSINESS METRICS
" Worldwide billed business of $268.5B increased 6% on a reported basis and 8% on an FX adjusted basis, compared to Q413.

" Worldwide Card Member loan balances of $70.4B increased 5% from $67.2B a year ago, reflecting higher Card Member spending levels, partially offset by an increase in paydown rates.

" Worldwide lending write-off rates improved versus the prior year and last quarter to be at or near historical lows. The Companys fourth quarter worldwide net lending write-off rate3 was 1.4%, as compared to 1.5% in Q314 and 1.6% in Q413.

Percentage
Quarters Ended
Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
December 31,
Inc/(Dec)
FX Adjusted2
2014
2013
Card billed business4(billions):
United States
$
182.5
$
169.1
8
%
Outside the United States
86.0
84.9
1
9
%
Total
$
268.5
$
254.0
6
8
Total cards-in-force (millions):
United States
54.9
53.1
3
Outside the United States
57.3
54.1
6
Total
112.2
107.2
5
Basic cards-in-force(millions):
United States
42.6
41.1
4
Outside the United States
47.0
44.0
7
Total
89.6
85.1
5
Average basic Card Member spending5 (dollars):
United States
$
4,686
$
4,507
4
Outside the United States
$
3,547
$
3,729
(5
)
3
Total
$
4,377
$
4,292
2
4

1
Adjusted revenue growth is a non-GAAP measure and excludes the gain on the sale of the Concur investment in Q414 andrevenue from the Companys business travel operations in Q413 from total revenues net of interest expense. Adjusted revenue growth does not exclude other business travel-related items, including transaction-related costs, the equity earnings from the joint venture in Q414, and impacts related to a transition services agreement that will phase out over time. Management believes adjusted revenue growth is useful in evaluating the ongoing operating performance of the Company. See Annex 1 for a reconciliation to total revenues net of interest expense on a GAAP basis.
2
As reported in this Earnings Supplement, FX adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (e.g., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the three months ended December 31, 2014 apply to the period(s) against which such results are being compared).� The Company believes the presentation of information on an FX adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare the Company's performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
3
Rate reflects principal losses only.� Net write-off rates including interest and/or fees are included in the Companys Fourth Quarter 2014 Earnings Release, selected statistical tables.
4
For additional information about discount rate calculations and billed business, please refer to the Companys Fourth Quarter 2014 Earnings Release, selected statistical tables.
1

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW

Additional Billed Business Statistics:
��(Growth vs. Q413)
Percentage
��
Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
Inc/(Dec)
FX Adjusted6
Worldwide7
Total Billed Business
6%
8%
Proprietary billed business
5
7
GNS billed business8
8
15
Airline-related volume (8% of worldwide billed business)
1
4
U.S.7
Billed Business
8
Proprietary consumer card billed business 9
7
Proprietary small business billed business9
10
Proprietary corporate services billed business10
8
T&E-related volume (23% of U.S. billed business)
6
Non-T&E-related volume (77% of U.S. billed business)
9
Airline-related volume (7% of U.S. billed business)
1
Outside the U.S.7
Billed Business
1
9
Japan, Asia Pacific & Australia (JAPA) billed business
7
14
Latin America & Canada (LACC) billed business
(7
)
3
Europe, Middle East, & Africa (EMEA) billed business
1
9
Proprietary consumer and small business billed business11
(4
)
3
JAPA billed business
(2
)
6
LACC billed business
(14
)
(7
)
EMEA billed business
2
9
Proprietary corporate services billed business10
(1
)
7

5
Proprietary card activity only.
6
See Note 2, page 1.
7
Captions not designated as proprietary or GNS include both proprietary and Global Network Services (GNS) data.
8
Included in Global Network and Merchant Services (GNMS).
9
Included in U.S. Card Services (USCS).
10
Included in Global Commercial Services (GCS).
11
Included in International Card Services (ICS).
2

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Preliminary)
Quarters Ended
Percentage
Inc/(Dec)
(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
December 31,
2014
2013
Revenues
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue
$
4,987
$
4,869
2
%
Net card fees
671
673
0
Travel commissions and fees
91
491
(81
)
Other commissions and fees
624
626
0
Other
1,310
569
#
Total non-interest revenues
7,683
7,228
6
Net interest income
1,424
1,319
8
Total revenues net of interest expense
9,107
8,547
7
Provisions for losses
Charge card
198
174
14
Card Member loans
341
290
18
Other
43
15
#
Total provisions for losses
582
479
22
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
8,525
8,068
6
Expenses
Marketing and promotion
913
809
13
Card Member rewards
1,881
1,717
10
Card Member services and other
203
188
8
Salaries and employee benefits
1,607
1,489
8
Professional services
768
830
(7
)
Occupancy and equipment
446
510
(13
)
Communications
98
97
1
Other, net
384
448
(14
)
Total
6,300
6,088
3
Pretax income
2,225
1,980
12
Income tax provision
778
672
16
�Net Income
$
1,447
$
1,308
11
Net income attributable to common shareholders12
$
1,436
$
1,297
11
Earnings Per Common Share  Basic
Net Income attributable to common shareholders
$
1.40
$
1.22
15
Earnings Per Common Share  Diluted
Net Income attributable to common shareholders
$
1.39
$
1.21
15
Average Shares Outstanding
Basic
1,028
1,067
(4
)
Diluted
1,033
1,073
(4
)
# denotes a variance of more than 100%.

12
Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11MM for each of the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
3

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
"
Discount Revenue: Increased 2%, reflecting 6% growth in billed business volumes, partially offset by a decrease in the average discount rate, increases in cash rebate rewards, and incentives earned by corporate clients and other customers, and faster growth in GNS billings than in overall Company billings.
- The average discount rate13of 2.45% in Q414 decreased by 3 bps compared to 2.48% in Q413. The decrease was driven by the timing of certain contract signings and payments to merchant partners, changes in industry mix, and the growth of the OptBlue program, partially offset by the decline in Costco Canada merchant volume. As indicated in prior quarters, changes in the mix of spending by location and industry, volume-related pricing discounts, strategic investments, certain pricing initiatives, competition in the market, pricing regulation (including regulation of competitors interchange rates) and other factors will likely result in continued erosion of the average discount rate over time.

" Net Card Fees: Remained flat versus Q413 and increased 4% on an FX adjusted basis14, reflecting growth in basic cards-in-force in USCS and ICS.

" Travel Commissions and Fees:� Decreased 81% to $91MM,as the revenues from business travel are no longer consolidated in the income statement. Please see Other Items of Note for further detail.

" Other Commissions and Fees: Remained flat versus Q413 and increased 5% on an FX adjusted basis15, driven by higher delinquency fees and Loyalty Partner revenue.

" Other Revenues: Increased to $1.3B from $0.6B, primarily driven by the $719MM pretax gain related to the sale of the Companys investment in Concur as well as revenues received for transitional services provided to the business travel joint venture, partially offset by a prior-year gain of $36MM related to the sale of investment securities in ICBC.

" Net Interest Income: Increased 8% versus Q413, reflecting a 5% increase in average Card Member loans and lower funding costs compared to Q413. Net interest income divided by average loans was 8.4% and worldwide net interest yield, a non-GAAP measure, was 9.3% in both Q414 and Q413.16

" Charge Card Provision for Losses: Increased 14% due to a reserve build in the current quarter versus a small reserve release a year ago, partially offset by lower write-offs.

- Worldwide Charge Card:

Q4'14
Q314
Q4'13
USCS Net write-off rate17
1.4%
1.5%
1.5%
ICS Net write-off rate18
1.8%
1.9%
--
GCS Net loss ratio as a % of charge volume
0.08%
0.09%
0.08%
USCS 30 days past due as a % of total
1.7%
1.6%
1.6%
ICS 30 days past due as a % of total18
1.3%
1.4%
--
GCS 90 days past billings as a % of total
0.8%
0.8%
0.9%
Worldwide Receivables (billions)
$
44.9
$
45.1
$
44.2
Reserves (millions)
$
465
$
432
$
386
% of receivables
1.0%
1.0%
0.9%

13
See Note 4, page 1.
14
See Note 2, page 1.
15
See Note 2, page 1.
16
See Annex 3 for the calculation of net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, and net interest income divided by average loans, a GAAP measure. The Company believes net interest yield on Card Member loans is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability of the Companys Card Member loan portfolio.
17
See Note 3, page 1.
18
Beginning in the first quarter of 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, and Net write-off rate (principal only) have been presented for ICS. For historical Net loss ratio as a % of charge volume for ICS, please refer to the Companys Fourth Quarter 2014 Earnings Release, Selected Statistical tables.
4

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
" Card Member Loan Provision for Losses: Increased 18%, due to a reserve build in the current quarter versus a reserve release a year ago, partially offset by lower write-offs.
-
Worldwide Loans:
Q4'14
Q314
Q413
Net write-off rate19
1.4%
1.5%
1.6%
30 days past due loans as a % of total
1.0%
1.1%
1.1%
Total Loans (billions)
$
70.4
$
66.1
$
67.2
Reserves (millions)
$
1,201
$
1,146
$
1,261
% of total loans
1.7%
1.7%
1.9%
% of past due
167%
165%
169%

" Other Provision for Losses: Increased $28MM from Q413 to $43MM primarily driven by a merchant-related charge in the quarter.

" Marketing and Promotion Expense:� Increased 13% versus a year ago.� The increase reflects the reinvestment of a portion of the Concur gain in growth initiatives.

" Card Member Rewards Expense:Increased 10%, driven by a $109MM charge related to the Delta Air Lines partnership renewal, predominantly in the USCS segment, as well as higher spend volumes within Membership Rewards and Cobrand products, partially offset by a charge in the prior year period due to an enhancement to the ultimate redemption rate estimation process in countries outside the United States.
- The Company's Membership Rewards ultimate redemption rate for program participants remained 95% in Q414, in line with Q314.
" Card Member Services and Other Expense: Increased $15MM from Q413 to $203MM.

" Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense: Increased 8%, predominantly driven by restructuring charges partially offset by prior-year expenses from business travel that are no longer consolidated in the income statement.

" Professional Services Expense: Decreased 7%, driven in part by the expenses from business travel that are no longer consolidated in the income statement, as well as due to higher legal fees in the prior year.
" Occupancy and Equipment Expense:� Decreased 13%, predominantly driven by the expenses from business travel that are no longer consolidated in the income statement and due to lower rental and depreciation expenses versus the prior year.
" Communications Expense: Was $98MM, compared to $97MM in Q413.
" Other, Net Expense: Decreased 14% versus Q413 primarily driven by the expenses from business travel that are no longer consolidated in the income statement.� In addition, the prior year included an expense related to a merchant litigation settlement in the GNMS segment.� These benefits were partially offset by higher fraud expense, primarily due to a benefit from a methodology change in the prior year.

" Pretax Margin: Was 24.4% of total revenues net of interest expense in Q414 compared with 23.2% in Q413.

" Effective Tax Rate: Was 35.0% in Q414 compared with 33.9% in Q413 driven by the geographic mix of earnings and the resolution of certain prior years tax items.


19
See Note 3, page 1.
5

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
CAPITAL

" Capital Distribution to Shareholders: During Q414, approximately 95% of capital generated was distributed to shareholders through the Companys quarterly common share dividend and share repurchases.

The Company repurchased 13MM common shares at an average price of $90.55 in Q414 versus 10MM common shares at an average price of $83.84 in Q413. In Q115 the Company is expected to execute its share repurchase program, subject to market conditions and pursuant to its capital plan submitted to the Federal Reserve in January 2014, to repurchase up to $1.0B of common shares. On January 5, 2015, the Company submitted its capital plan to the Federal Reserve, which included additional share repurchases for 2015. The capital plan includes an analysis of performance and capital availability under certain adverse economic assumptions. The capital plan was submitted to the Federal Reserve pursuant to the Federal Reserves guidance on dividends and capital distributions. The Company expects a response from the Federal Reserve by March 31, 2015.

Shares Outstanding:
Millions of Shares
Q414
Q314
Q413
Beginning of period
1,035
1,046
1,071
Repurchase of common shares
(13
)
(13
)
(10
)
Employee benefit plans, compensation and other
1
2
3
End of period
1,023
1,035
1,064

Capital Ratios: As of December 31, 2014, the Companys key consolidated capital ratios,20 as calculated under the new U.S. regulatory capital standards, known as Basel III, inclusive of transition provisions, were as follows:
($ in billions)
December 31, 2014
Risk-Based Capital
Tier 1
13.6%
Total
15.6%
Tier 1 Leverage
11.8%
Common Equity Tier 1/Risk Weighted Assets (RWA)
13.1%
Total Shareholders' Equity
$
20.7
Tangible Common Equity (TCE)21/RWA
12.0%
Tier 1 Capital
$
18.2
Common Equity Tier 1
$
17.5
Tier 2 Capital
$
2.6
Total Average Assets22
$
154.7
RWA
$
133.3
TCE
$
16.1

The transition provisions for 2014 under Basel III cause the Companys reported capital ratios to be higher than they would have been under the prior regulatory standards, known as Basel I. Specifically, the Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital ratios would have been approximately 45 bps and 40 bps lower, respectively, under Basel I (approximately 12.7% and 13.2%, respectively23). The largest contributor to the difference is the way intangible assets are being treated and ultimately transitioned in over a five-year period under Basel III.

Had the Basel III rules been fully phased in during Q414, the Company estimates that the reported Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital ratios would be approximately 85 bps and 90 bps lower, respectively, than the reported transitional Basel III ratios and approximately 40 bps lower versus Basel I. The Supplementary Leverage Ratio would have been approximately 9.4%.23 These ratios are calculated using the standardized approach. The Company is currently taking steps toward implementing the Basel III advanced approaches in the United States.


20
These ratios represent preliminary estimates as of the date of this Earnings Supplement and may be revised in the Companys December 31, 2014 Form 10-K.
21
Tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, excludes goodwill and other intangibles of $3.9B and preferred shares of $0.7B from total shareholders equity of $20.7B. The Company believes presenting the ratio of tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets is a useful measure of evaluating the strength of the Companys capital position.
22
Presented for the purpose of calculating the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio.
23
The Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital ratios under Basel I and Fully Phased-in Basel III, and the Supplementary Leverage Ratio are non-GAAP measures. The Company believes the presentation of the capital ratios is helpful to investors by showing the impact of Basel III. The impact of the Basel III rule will change over time based upon changes in the size and composition of the Companys balance sheet; and the impact for the fourth quarter of 2014 is not necessarily indicative of the impact in future periods. Refer to Annex 2 for a reconciliation of the capital ratios.
6

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
FUNDING AND LIQUIDITY

" Funding Activities: During Q414, the Company primarily funded its business through deposit-taking and the issuance of unsecured debt and asset-backed securities.

- Deposits:� The Company held the following deposits:

($ in billions)
Dec. 31, 2014
Sept. 30, 2014
Change
U.S. Direct Deposits24
$
26.5
$
26.6
$
(0.1
)
U.S. 3rd Party CDs
7.8
6.4
1.4
U.S. 3rd Party Sweep Accounts
9.0
8.9
0.1
Other Deposits
0.2
0.1
0.1
Card Member Credit Balances
0.7
0.7
-
Total
$
44.2
$
42.7
$
1.5

The total portfolio of U.S. retail Certificates of Deposit (CDs) issued through the direct deposit and third-party programs had a weighted average remaining maturity of 29.5 months and a weighted average rate at issuance of 1.54%.

- Unsecured Debt: On December 5, 2014, the Company issued $600MM of subordinated notes with a maturity of ten years and a coupon of 3.625%.

- Asset-Backed Securitization: On November 19, 2014, the Company issued $1.5B of asset-backed securities from the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (Lending Trust) with a maturity of three years consisting of (i) $1.0B of Class A certificates with a coupon of 1.430%, (ii) $500MM of Class A certificates at a rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 29bps and (iii) $16MM of Class B certificates at a rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 45bps.

- Preferred Share Issuance: On November 10, 2014, the Company issued $750MM of non-cumulative perpetual preferred shares. The shares feature an initial fixed dividend coupon of 5.200% during the first five years and a subsequent floating dividend coupon of 3-month LIBOR plus 3.428%.

- Secured Borrowing Facilities: The Company maintains a $3.0B committed, revolving, and secured facility issued from American Express Issuance Trust II (Charge Trust) and a $2.0B committed, revolving, and secured facility issued from the Lending Trust. As of December 31, 2014, $2.5B was drawn on the Charge Trust facility and $0.0B was drawn on the Lending Trust facility.

- As of December 31, 2014, the Company held $15.2B of excess cash25 and $0.1B of securities held as collateral26 versus $13.4B of long-term debt and CDs27 maturing over the next 12 months.

- Funding Plan: The Companys funding plan for the full year 2015 includes, among other sources, approximately $3B to $9B of unsecured term debt issuance and $3B to $9B of secured term debt issuance. The Companys funding plans are subject to various risks and uncertainties, such as future business growth, the impact of global economic, political and other events on market capacity, demand for securities offered by the Company, regulatory changes, ability to securitize and sell receivables, and the performance of receivables previously sold in securitization transactions. Many of these risks are beyond the Companys control.

- 6.80% Subordinated Debentures due 2036: As of December 31, 2014, the Companys tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, was $16.1B28 and total adjusted assets (which is the same amount as the total consolidated assets as reflected on the Companys balance sheet) were $159.1B.

24
Direct Deposits primarily includes the Personal Savings direct deposit program, which consisted of $26.2B from high-yield savings accounts and $0.3B from retail CDs as of December 31, 2014.
25
Includes $22.3B classified as Cash and Cash Equivalents less $0.8B of Commercial Paper outstanding and $6.3B of cash available to fund day-to-day operations. The $15.2B represents cash residing in the United States.
26
Represents off balance sheet securities held as collateral from a counterparty that had not been sold or re-pledged.
27
Reflects the face amount of unsecured term debt; the long-term debt balance on the Companys consolidated balance sheet includes capitalized leases and certain adjustments which are not included in this balance.
7

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE

" Corporate & Other: Net expense reported in Corporate & Other was $262MM in Q414 compared with $185MM in Q314 and $240MM in Q413.
-- The higher net expense compared to Q314 was primarily driven by restructuring charges in the current quarter.
-- The higher net expense compared to Q413 was primarily driven by restructuring charges in the current quarter, a gain from the sale of investment securities in ICBC in the prior year, partially offset by lower tax expense in the corporate segment during the current quarter.

" Business Travel Joint Venture Transaction: On June 30, 2014, the Company completed its plans to establish a joint venture for its business travel operations. As a result of the transaction, business travel was deconsolidated, which impacts the Companys year-over-year growth rates in Travel Commissions and Fees, where a majority of business travel revenue was recorded, and in Operating Expenses,29 where a majority of business travel expense was recorded. The impact to revenues, expenses and pretax income also affects year-over-year growth rates in the GCS segment. The following schedule contains business travel revenues, expenses and pretax income for 2013, as well as the first two quarters of 2014.

$MM
Q214
Q114
FY 2013
Q413
Q313
Total revenues, net of interest
402
339
1,548
405
396
Provision for losses
(4
)
(2
)
(5
)
(2
)
(2
)
Total revenues, net of interest and provision
398
337
1,543
403
394
Total operating expenses
(335
)
(335
)
(1,412
)
(361
)
(335
)
Other expenses
(2
)
(1
)
(4
)
(1
)
(1
)
Pretax income
61
1
127
41
58

" SAP Acquisition of Concur Technologies: In 2008, American Express entered into an operating agreement and made a strategic investment in Concur Technologies, resulting in a 13.5% ownership stake. SAP acquired Concur in December 2014 and the sale of the Companys investment resulted in a gain of $719MM pretax ($453MM after-tax), which was reflected in Other Revenue within the GCS segment. Our operating agreements with Concur remain outstanding and the Company does not anticipate any immediate changes to this strategic relationship.
" Restructuring Charge: In Q414, the Company took a $313MM restructuring charge ($206MM after-tax) related to actions designed to make the Company more efficient, contain operating expense growth, and, as a result, better enable the Company to invest in new and enhanced products and services.� This will help the Company continue to adapt to a fast-changing and increasingly challenging business environment.� The table below provides detail on the restructuring charge allocation by segment.
Restructuring Initiatives by Segment
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2014
(Millions)
Pretax
After-Tax
��U.S. Card Services
$
29
$
18
��International Card Services
110
74
��Global Commercial Services
31
21
��Global Network and Merchant Services
21
14
��Corporate & Other
122
79
Total
$
313
$
206

" Delta Air Lines Partnership Extension: On December 11, 2014, the Company announced a multi-year renewal of its exclusive cobrand credit card partnership with Delta, as well as other partnership arrangements, including Membership Rewards, merchant acceptance and travel. In connection with this announcement, the Company recorded a charge of $109MM ($68MM after-tax) in Q414. This primarily reflects an increase in the Companys Membership Rewards balance sheet liability to reflect the estimated impact of an increase in the cost per point that the Company will pay to Delta for previously-earned MR points that are expected to be transferred to Delta SkyMiles in the future. This charge was reflected on the Card Member Rewards expense line within the USCS and GCS segments.

28
As defined in the Subordinated Debentures, the Companys tangible common equity means total shareholders equity, excluding preferred stock, of the Company reflected on its consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such fiscal quarter end minus (i) intangible assets and goodwill and (ii) deferred acquisition costs, as determined in accordance with GAAP and reflected in such consolidated balance sheet.
29
Operating Expenses represent salaries and employee benefits, professional services, occupancy and equipment, communications and other, net.
8

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 OVERVIEW
EXPANDED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
During the quarter, American Express continued to invest in growth opportunities through expanded products and services.
In our proprietary issuing and merchant businesses, the Company:
"�
Announced a multiyear renewal of its exclusive cobrand Credit Card with Delta Airlines. The deal includes continuation of Delta as a Card-accepting merchant and as a participant in the Membership Rewards program. In addition, Platinum Card Members from American Express and Delta Reserve Card Members can continue to utilize the Delta Sky Club, Deltas network of proprietary airport lounges.
"�
Continued its support for the Small Business Saturday movement for the fifth straight year by helping ensure that small businesses across the country and around the world got their holiday season off to a strong start as millions of consumers shopped small and made a big impact on local communities. Having originated in the United States, Small Business Saturday has now spread to the U.K., Australia, Israel, Canada, and South Africa.
"�
Launched American Express Token Service, a suite of solutions designed to enable card-issuing partners, processors, acquirers and merchants to create a safer online and mobile payments environment for consumers.
"�
Added a new Membership Rewards program relationship with Airbnb. U.S. Card Members enrolled in the Membership Rewards program can now use Membership Rewards points for Airbnb eGift cards.
"�
Expanded CenturionSM Lounge access to San Francisco International Airport. The Centurion Lounge at SFO is the fourth in a network of lounges across the United States, with locations currently open in McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and New Yorks LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The Centurion Lounge in Miami International Airport is also under construction.
"�
Continued to sign new merchants around the world to the American Express network. In the United States, In-N-Out Burger, a fast food restaurant with 300 locations across California, Arizona, Texas, Nevada and Utah, now accepts the American Express Card. The Company signed Caminos y Puentes Federales (CAPUFE), Mexico's government toll road service provider. Fusion Retail Brands, Australias largest footwear retailer with over 200 locations nationally, now accepts American Express. In Europe, we signed Sibeg  Coca-Cola, the producer and marketer of The Coca-Cola Company drinks in the region of Sicily.
In our Global Network Services (GNS) business, the Company:
" Announced a new merchant acquiring partnership with Bank of Central Asia in Indonesia.
" Supported GNS partners in launching a wide range of new products, including: the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Rewards credit cards with U.S. Bank in the U.S.; the Equity Bank American Express Green Card and the Equity Bank American Express Gold Card with Equity Bank in� Kenya; the Nedbank Greenbacks Shop Card with Nedbank in South Africa; the All World Premier American Express Card and the All World Optimum American Express Card with URALSIB Bank in Russia; the American Express Design Card with Russian Standard Bank in Russia; the Shell easiGO American Express Prepaid Card with Maybank in Malaysia; HanaSK American Express Virtual Pay with HanaSK Card in South Korea; the SPDB E-Go American Express Account with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in China; and the ICICI Bank Coral American Express Credit Card with ICICI Bank in India.
In our Enterprise Growth Group, the Company:
"�
Partnered with the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center to launch a pilot program of the Brooklyn eWallet, a digital payment solution that is directly integrated into the Brooklyn Nets mobile application. The Brooklyn eWallet is built on the American Express Serve platform and allows guests of the Barclays Center to purchase food and drinks directly from their smartphone.
"�
Announced a research pilot to study consumer savings behaviors using the American Express Serve software platform. The research pilot can help identify new ways to promote saving and whether certain behavioral interventions are effective in increasing consumer savings. The program will also help inform research at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
9

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
��
FINANCIAL RESULTS
" Full year 2014 diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders of $5.56 increased 14% from $4.88 last year.

" Total revenues net of interest expense were up 4% compared to 2013. 2014 included a pretax gain of $719MM ($453MM after-tax) from the sale of the Companys investment in Concur as discussed above. The prior year included the revenue from the Companys business travel operations, which were deconsolidated as discussed above. Excluding business travel revenues from Q313 and Q413 and the Concur gain, adjusted revenue growth was 4% in 2014,30 and 5% on an FX adjusted basis.31

" ROE was 29.1% compared to 27.8% in 2013.

BUSINESS METRICS

" Worldwide billed business of $1.0T increased 7% compared with the full year 2013 and represented the first year of over a trillion dollars of spending on the network. Adjusted for the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, worldwide billings grew 9%.28

" Worldwide Card Member loan balances of $70.4B increased 5% from $67.2B a year ago, reflecting higher Card Member spending levels, partially offset by an increase in paydown rates.

" Worldwide credit performance continued to improve modestly, with lending write-off rates at or near historical lows. The Companys full year 2014 worldwide net lending write-off rate32 was 1.5%, down from 1.8% in 2013.

Years Ended
Percentage
Percentage Inc
December 31,
Inc
FX Adjusted28
2014
2013
Card billed business33(billions):
United States
$
688.1
$
637.0
8
%
Outside the United States
334.7
315.4
6
10
%
Total
$
1,022.8
$
952.4
7
9
Average basic Card Member spending34 (dollars):
United States
$
17,947
$
17,211
4
Outside the United States
$
14,070
$
14,056
-
4
Total
$
16,884
$
16,334
3
5


30
Adjusted revenue growth is a non-GAAP measure and excludesthe gain on the sale of the Concur investment in Q414 andrevenue from the Companys business travel operations in Q313 and Q413 from total revenues net of interest expense. Adjusted revenue growth does not exclude other business travel-related items, including transaction-related costs, the equity earnings from the joint venture in Q314 and Q414, and impacts related to a transition services agreement that will phase out over time. Management believes adjusted revenue growth is useful in evaluating the ongoing operating performance of the Company. See Annex 1 for a reconciliation to total revenues net of interest expense on a GAAP basis.
31
See Note 2, page 1.
32
See Note 3, page 1.
33
See Note 4, page 1.
34
See Note 5, page 1.
10

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
Additional Billed Business Statistics:
��(Growth vs. 2013)
Percentage
Percentage Inc
Inc/(Dec)
FX Adjusted35
Worldwide36
Total Billed Business
7
%
9
%
Proprietary billed business
7
7
GNS billed business37
12
15
Airline-related volume (9% of worldwide billed business)
5
6
U.S.36
Billed Business
8
Proprietary consumer card billed business 38
7
Proprietary small business billed business38
10
Proprietary corporate services billed business39
8
T&E-related volume (26% of U.S. billed business)
6
Non-T&E-related volume (74% of U.S. billed business)
9
Airline-related volume (8% of U.S. billed business)
3
Outside the U.S.36
Billed Business
6
10
JAPA billed business
10
14
LACC billed business
(1
)
8
EMEA billed business
7
7
Proprietary consumer and small business billed business40
2
6
JAPA billed business
-
6
LACC billed business
(5
)
2
EMEA billed business
9
8
Proprietary corporate services billed business39
3
6


35
See Note 2, page 1.
36
Captions not designated as proprietary or GNS include both proprietary and GNS data.
37
Included in GNMS.
38
Included in USCS.
39
Included in GCS.
40
Included in ICS.
11

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
Statements of Income
(Preliminary)
Years Ended
Percentage
(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
December 31,
Inc/(Dec)
2014
2013
Revenues
Non-interest revenues
Discount revenue
$
19,493
$
18,695
4 �%
Net card fees
2,712
2,631
3
Travel commissions and fees
1,118
1,913
(42 )
Other commissions and fees
2,508
2,414
4
Other
2,989
2,274
31
Total non-interest revenues
28,820
27,927
3
Net interest income
5,472
5,047
8
Total revenues net of interest expense
34,292
32,974
4
Provisions for losses
Charge card
792
648
22
Card Member loans
1,138
1,115
2
Other
114
69
65
Total provisions for losses
2,044
1,832
12
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses
32,248
31,142
4
Expenses
Marketing and promotion
3,320
3,043
9
Card Member rewards
6,931
6,457
7
Card Member services and other
822
767
7
Salaries and employee benefits
6,095
6,191
(2
)
Professional services
3,008
3,102
(3
)
Occupancy and equipment
1,807
1,904
(5
)
Communications
383
379
1
Other, net
891
1,411
(37
)
Total
23,257
23,254
-
Pretax income
8,991
7,888
14
Income tax provision
3,106
2,529
23
Net Income
$
5,885
$
5,359
10
Net income attributable to common shareholders41
$
5,839
$
5,312
10
Earnings Per Common Share-Basic
Net Income attributable to common shareholders
$
5.58
$
4.91
14
Earnings Per Common Share-Diluted
Net Income attributable to common shareholders
$
5.56
$
4.88
14
Average Shares Outstanding
Basic
1,045
1,082
(3
)
Diluted
1,051
1,089
(4
)


41
Represents net income, less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $46MM and $47MM for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
12

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW

" Discount Revenue: Increased 4%, reflecting 7% growth in billed business volumes, partially offset by a decline in the average discount rate, faster growth in GNS billings than in overall Company billings, and increased cash rebate rewards and corporate client incentives.

- The average discount rate42of 2.48% in 2014 decreased by 3 bps compared to 2.51% in 2013. The decrease was driven by certain contract signings and payments to merchant partners, changes in industry mix, and the growth of the OptBlue program.

" Net Card Fees:� Increased 3%, reflecting an increase in proprietary cards-in-force, and slightly higher average card fees in ICS and USCS.

" Travel Commissions and Fees: Decreased 42% as the revenues from business travel were no longer consolidated in the income statement beginning in Q314.

" Other Commissions and Fees: Increased 4% versus 2013 driven by higher Loyalty Partner revenue and delinquency fees.

" Other Revenues: Increased 31%, primarily driven by the $719MM Concur gain, revenues received for transitional services provided to the business travel joint venture, and higher revenues from the Loyalty Edge business, partially offset by the loss of revenue from the Publishing business.

" Net Interest Income: Increased 8% versus 2013, primarily reflecting a 13% decrease in interest expense due to lower funding costs, and a 5% increase in average Card Member loans. Net interest income divided by average loans was 8.3% in 2014 compared to 8.0% in 2013 and worldwide net interest yield, a non-GAAP measure, was 9.3% in both 2014 and 2013.43

" Charge Card Provision for Losses: Increased 22% due to a reserve build in 2014 versus a reserve release in 2013.

" Card Member Loan Provision for Losses:� Increased 2%, primarily reflecting a smaller reserve release in 2014 than in 2013, partially offset by lower write-offs due to improved credit performance.

" Other Provision for Losses: Was $114MM compared to $69MM in 2013 due in part to a merchant-related charge in Q414.

" Marketing and Promotion Expense: Increased 9% versus 2013 reflecting the reinvestment of a portion of the gains from the business travel joint venture transaction and the sale of the Companys investment in Concur in growth initiatives.

" Card Member Rewards Expense: Increased 7%. Rewards expense increased due to greater MR-related and cobrand spending volumes and a $109M charge related to the Delta Air Lines partnership renewal discussed above, predominantly in the USCS segment. This increase is partially offset by a charge in the prior year due to an enhancement to the ultimate redemption rate estimation process in countries outside the United States.
" Card Member Services and Other Expense: Increased 7% in part driven by higher Card Member usage and redemption.
" Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense: Decreased 2%, driven by prior-year expenses from business travel that were no longer consolidated in the income statement beginning in Q314, partially offset by restructuring charges.
" Professional Services Expense: Decreased 3% versus 2013 driven in part because the expenses from business travel were no longer consolidated in the income statement beginning in Q314, and lower technology and legal costs in the current year. These impacts were partially offset by transaction costs related to the business travel joint venture transaction.

" Occupancy and Equipment Expense:� Decreased 5%, primarily reflecting lower rental and depreciation costs as well as prior year expenses from business travel that were no longer consolidated in the income statement beginning in Q314.

" Communications Expense:� Increased 1%.

42
�See Note 4, page 1.
43
See Annex 3 for the calculation of net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, and net interest income divided by average loans, a GAAP measure.� The Company believes net interest yield on Card Member loans is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability of the Companys Card Member loan portfolio.
13

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
" Other, Net Expense: Decreased 37% in 2014 compared to 2013, reflecting the gain from the business travel joint venture transaction in the current year and the merchant litigation settlement in the prior year, as well as prior year expenses from business travel that are no longer consolidated in the income statement. These benefits were partially offset by higher fraud expense, higher non-income tax items in the current year, and the AXP Foundation contribution in Q214.
" Pretax Margin:� Was 26.2% of total revenues net of interest expense in 2014 compared with 23.9% in 2013.
" Effective Tax Rate:� Was 34.5% in 2014 compared with 32.1% in 2013. The tax rates in both periods reflect the geographic mix of earnings and the resolution of certain prior years tax items.

CAPITAL
" Capital Distribution to Shareholders: During 2014, approximately 86% of capital generated was distributed to shareholders through the Companys quarterly common share dividend and share repurchases.

The Company repurchased 49MM common shares at an average price of $89.60 in 2014 versus 55MM common shares in 2013 at an average price of $72.51.

Shares Outstanding:
Millions of Shares
2014
2013
Beginning of period
1,064
1,105
Repurchase of common shares
(49
)
(55
)
Employee benefit plans, compensation and other
8
14
End of period
1,023
1,064

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE

" Corporate & Other:� Net expense reported in Corporate & Other was $929MM in 2014 compared with $900MM in 2013, driven by restructuring costs and lower gains from the sales of investment securities in ICBC in the current year, partially offset by lower interest costs.

" Reengineering Charges: 2014 net income reflected $420MM ($277MM after-tax) of reengineering charges, net of revisions, related to the Companys initiatives, which included the Q414 restructuring charge of $313MM ($206MM after-tax) and the Q214 restructuring charge of $133MM ($90MM after-tax). The table below shows the full year impact of reengineering costs by segment for 2013 and 2014.
Reengineering Initiatives by Segment
2014
2013
(Millions)
Pretax
After-Tax
Pretax
After-Tax
U.S. Card Services
$
39
$
25
$
(2
)
$
-
International Card Services
135
90
2
1
Global Commercial Services
56
38
(3
)
(3
)
Global Network and Merchant Services
29
19
10
6
Corporate & Other
161
105
29
19
Total
$
420
$
277
$
36
$
23
14

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
ANNEX 1
Revenue Net of Interest Adjusted for Global Business Travel and Gain on Sale of Concur Investment
(Millions)
Q414
Q413
Full Year 2014
Full Year 2013
GAAP Revenue Net of Interest
$
9,107
$
8,547
$
34,292
$
32,974
��Global Business Travel (GBT) Revenue Net of Interest
(405
)
(801
)
��Gain on Sale of Concur Investment
(719
)
(719
)
��Adjusted Revenue Net of Interest Excluding GBT and Concur
8,388
8,142
33,573
32,173
��FX44- Adjusted Revenue Net of Interest Excluding GBT and Concur
7,961
31,832
��YoY% Inc/(Dec) in GAAP Revenue Net of Interest
7%
4%
��YoY% Inc/(Dec) in Adjusted Revenue Net of Interest Excluding GBT and Concur
3%
4%
��YoY% Inc/(Dec) in FX44 �-Adjusted Revenue Net of Interest Excluding GBT and Concur
5%
5%
Note: This schedule adjusts for operating performance of Global Business Travel as reported in Q313 and Q413. It does not include other Global Business Travel-related items, including equity earnings from the joint venture and impacts related to a transition services agreement that will phase out over time.

44
See Note 2, page 1.
15

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
ANNEX 2
The following table presents a comparison of the Company's Tier 1 and Tier 1 common risk-based capital under Basel I rules, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital under Transitional Basel III rules, and estimated Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules, for purposes of calculating the estimated Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital ratios and the supplementary leverage ratio under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules.�
�(Billions, except ratios)
Tier 1/
Tier 1 Common/
Common Equity Tier 1
Risk-Based Capital under Basel I
$
17.6
Adjustments related to:
AOCI
(0.1
)
Transition provisions for intangible assets
0.6
Deferred tax assets
0.1
Other
0.0
Risk-Based Capital under Transitional Basel III
18.2
Adjustments related to:
AOCI
(0.3
)
Transition provisions for intangible assets
(0.7
)
Deferred tax assets
(0.1
)
Other�
0.1
Estimated Risk-Based Capital under Fully Phased-In Basel III(a)
17.2
Risk-Weighted Assets under Basel� I / Transitional Basel III
133.3
Estimated Risk-Weighted Assets under Fully Phased-In Basel� III(a)(b)
134.3
Tier 1 Common ratio under Basel I Rule
12.7%
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio under Transitional Basel III Rule
13.1%
Estimated Common Equity Tier 1 ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III Rule(a)(b)(c)
12.2%
Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio under Basel I Rule
13.2%
Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio under Basel III Transitional Rule
13.6%
Estimated Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III Rule(a)(b)(d)
12.8%
Total Assets
159.1
Estimated Total Assets for Supplementary Leverage Capital Purposes(a)(e)
183.1
Estimated Supplementary Leverage Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III Rule(a)(f)
9.4%
(a) Estimated common equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, risk-weighted assets and total assets for supplementary leverage capital purposes under the fully phased-in Basel III Rule reflect the Companys current interpretation of the fully phased-in Basel III rules using the standardized approach.� The estimated fully phased-in Basel III amounts could change in the future if the Companys business changes.
(b) Differences in the calculation of risk-weighted assets between Basel I/Basel III Transitional and fully phased-in Basel III include adjustments relating to the impact of the 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.
(c) The common equity Tier 1 capital ratio under the fully phased-in Basel III rule is calculated as common equity Tier 1 capital under fully phased-in Basel III rules divided by estimated risk-weighted assets under fully phased-in Basel III rules.
(d) The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio under the fully phased-in Basel III rule is calculated as Tier 1 risk-based capital under the fully phased-in Basel III rule divided by estimated risk-weighted assets under the fully-phased in Basel III rule.
(e) Estimated total assets for supplementary leverage capital purposes under fully phased-in Basel III rules includes adjustments for Tier 1 capital deductions, off-balance sheet derivatives, undrawn unconditionally cancellable commitments and other off-balance sheet liabilities.
(f) The fully phased-in Basel III supplementary leverage ratio is calculated by dividing fully phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by the Companys estimated total assets for supplementary leverage capital purposes under the fully phased-in Basel III rule.
16

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
ANNEX 3
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Card Member Loans
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)
Q414
Q413
Full Year 2014
Full Year 2013
Net interest income
$
1,424
$
1,319
$
5,472
$
5,047
Exclude:
Interest expense not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
250
279
1,019
1,181
Interest income not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio
(92
)
(91
)
(359
)
(361
)
Adjusted net interest income(a)
$
1,582
$
1,507
$
6,132
$
5,867
Average loans (billions)
$
67.7
$
64.4
66.0
62.8
Exclude:
Unamortized deferred card fees, net of direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans, and other (billions)
(0.2
)
(0.2
)
(0.2
)
(0.3
)
Adjusted average loans (billions)(b)
$
67.5
$
64.2
$
65.8
$
62.5
Net interest income divided by average loans(c)
8.4%
8.1%
8.3%
8.0%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans(d)
9.3%
9.3%
9.3%
9.3%

(a) Adjusted net interest income, a non-GAAP measure, represents net interest income allocated to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio excluding the impact of interest expense and interest income not attributable to the Company's Card Member loan portfolio. The Company believes adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans.

(b) Adjusted average loans, a non-GAAP measure, represents average Card Member loans excluding the impact of deferred card fees, net of deferred direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans, and other. The Company believes adjusted average loans is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans.

(c) This calculation includes elements of total interest income and total interest expense that are not attributable to the Card Member loan portfolio, and thus is not representative of net interest yield on Card Member loans. The calculation includes interest income and interest expense attributable to investment securities and other interest-bearing deposits as well as to Card Member loans, and interest expense attributable to other activities, including Card Member receivables.

(d) Net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, is computed by dividing adjusted net interest income by adjusted average loans, computed on an annualized basis. The calculation of net interest yield on Card Member loans includes interest that is deemed uncollectible. For all presentations of net interest yield on Card Member loans, reserves and net write-offs related to uncollectible interest are recorded through provisions for losses  Card Member loans; therefore, such reserves and net write-offs are not included in the net interest yield calculation. The Company believes net interest yield on Card Member loans is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability of the Company's Card Member loan portfolio.
17

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This supplement 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 the Companys expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as believe, expect, estimate, anticipate, optimistic, 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.� The Company undertakes 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:
" the ability to control operating expenses in 2015 and beyond, which will depend in part on unanticipated increases in significant categories of operating expenses, such as consulting or professional fees, compliance or regulatory-related costs and technology costs, the payment of monetary damages and penalties, disgorgement and restitution, the Companys decision to increase or decrease discretionary operating expenses depending on overall business performance, the Companys ability to achieve the expected benefits of the Companys reengineering plans, which will be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the bullet below, the Companys ability to balance expense control and investments in the business, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on costs and results, the impact of accounting changes and reclassifications, and the level of acquisition activity and related expenses;

" the possibility of not achieving the expected timing and financial impact of the Companys restructuring plans, which could be caused by factors such as the Companys inability to mitigate the operational and other risks posed by planned staff reductions, the Companys inability to develop and implement technology resources to realize cost savings, misestimating hiring needs and higher than expected redeployment rates;

" the ability of the Company to meet its on-average and over-time growth targets for revenues net of interest expense, earnings per share and return on average equity, which will depend on factors such as the Companys success in implementing its strategies and business initiatives including growing the Companys share of overall spending, retaining and growing our partner relationships, increasing merchant coverage, enhancing its prepaid offerings, expanding the Global Network Services business and controlling expenses, and on factors outside managements control including the willingness of Card Members to sustain spending, the effectiveness of marketing and loyalty programs, regulatory and market pressures on pricing, credit trends, currency and interest rate fluctuations, and changes in general economic conditions, such as GDP growth, consumer confidence, unemployment and the housing market;

" the ability of the Company to meet its on-average and over-time objective to return 50 percent of capital generated to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, which will depend on factors such as approval of the Companys capital plans by its regulators, the amount the Company spends on acquisitions, the Companys results of operations and capital needs in any given period, and the amount of shares issued by the Company to employees upon the exercise of options;

" 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;

" the impact of final laws and regulations, if any, arising from the European Commissions legislative proposals covering a range of issues affecting the payments industry, which will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the issues presented and decisions made in the European legislative and regulatory processes addressing the proposed regulation of interchange fees and other practices related to card-based payment transactions, the amount of time these processes take to reach completion, and the actual pricing and other requirements ultimately adopted in the final laws and regulations in the European Union and its Member States;
18

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2014 OVERVIEW
" the possibility that the Company will not fully execute on its plans for OptBlue, including increasing merchant acceptance and offsetting decreases in the average discount rate with higher spend volume, 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 and the value proposition offered to small merchants;

" changes affecting the Companys ability or desire to issue preferred shares during the first quarter of 2015, such as actions by bank regulatory agencies, capital needs, any reduction in the Companys credit ratings, which could materially increase the cost and other terms of preferred shares, and market conditions, among other factors;

" changes affecting the Companys ability or desire to execute its share repurchase program, including repurchasing up to $1 billion of its common shares in the first quarter of 2015, such as actions by bank regulatory agencies, acquisitions, results of operations, capital needs and the amount of shares issued by the Company to employees upon the exercise of options, among other factors, which will significantly impact the potential decrease in the Companys capital ratios;

" the Companys funding plan for the full year 2015 being implemented in a manner inconsistent with current expectations, which will depend on various factors such as future business growth, the impact of global economic, political and other events on market capacity, demand for securities offered by the Company, regulatory changes, ability to securitize and sell receivables and the performance of receivables previously sold in securitization transactions;

" litigation, such as class actions or proceedings brought by governmental and regulatory agencies (including the lawsuit filed against us by the U.S. Department of Justice and certain state attorneys general), that could result in (i) the imposition of behavioral remedies against us or us voluntarily making certain changes to our business practices, the effects of which in either case could have a material adverse impact on our business; (ii) the imposition of substantial monetary damages and penalties, disgorgement and restitution; and/or (iii) damage to our global reputation and brand;

" the potential failure of the U.S. Congress to renew legislation regarding the active financing exception to Subpart F of the Internal Revenue Code, which could increase the Companys effective tax rate and have an adverse impact on net income; and

" factors beyond the Companys control such as changes in global economic and business conditions, including consumer and business spending, the availability and cost of capital, unemployment and political conditions, fire, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorism, cyber attacks or fraud, which could significantly affect spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan balances and travel-related spending or disrupt the Companys global network systems and ability to process transactions.

A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2014 and the Companys other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
19

Categories

SEC Filings