American Express

American Express has over 150 years of history.

Established in 1850 in New York, American Express Company was one of the foremost and most successful express delivery companies to arise during the rapid westward expansion of the United States. American Express launched a money order business in 1882, and in 1891, introduced world's first traveler's check. Throughout the 1890's and 1900's, the company expanded in European countries, and during the First World War, American Express traveler's checks and delivery services helped many people in Europe. American Express officially entered the travel business in 1915.

American Express faced some troubles in the 1930's but the company rebuilt in the 1950's. The company introduced cards from 1958. In the late 1970's, American Express began global expansion, followed by a string of acquisitions in the 1980's. The company suffered from the Great Depression of 1987, but survived. Within a decade American Express had acquired a strong position, and by 2000, its earnings, market share, core businesses, and share price were strong. American Express faced some damage of life and property due to the attacks of September 11, 2001; however, within a year of tragedy, the workforce reunited. Today, American Express is a world leader in providing charge and credit cards to consumers, small businesses and corporations. It is the largest travel agency of the world, offering travel and related consulting services worldwide.

The mission of American Express is to conduct their business by following these core principles:

–Customer Commitment
–Quality
–Integrity
–Teamwork
–Respect for people
–Good Citizenship
–A will to win
–Personal Accountability

The businesses of American Express are:

–Credit Cards(Personal Cards)
–Business Services--–Small Business
–Corporations
–Merchants
–Financial Services--–Financial Advisors/Financial Accounts
–Brokerage
–Workplace Retirement
–AEFG
–Institutional Investors
–Private Bank
–Tax and Business Services
–Travel Services--–Flights
–Hotels
–Cars
–Cruises
–Vacations
–Last Minute Deals
–Travelers Check Card

Key Statistics:

–American Express holds assets of $113,960 million.
–American Express earned profits of $3,734 million in 2006.
–American Express operates in 130 countries around the world.
–The company has about 65,800 employees.

The organization consist of--

–Board of Directors
–Key Executives

International Ranking

–American Express ranks 193th in the world according to the Fortune Global 500 list.
–American Express ranks 88th in the world according to the list of Forbes Magazine.

Subsidiaries

American Express has a number of subsidiaries in its different business fields such as Travel Impressions and American Express Financial Corporation.

Headquarter Address

American Express Company
World Financial Center
200 Vesey St.
New York, NY 10285
USA
Phone: 212-640-2000
Website URL: www.americanexpress.com