Form 8-K - Current report

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 16, 2025

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York

1-7657

13-4922250

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 Vesey Street

New York, New York 10285

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(212) 640-2000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares (par value $0.20 per Share)

AXP

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

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


Item 8.01			Other Events

On January 16, 2025, American Express Company posted the following statement to its newsroom site :

“American Express has entered into agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice and reached an agreement in principle with the Staff of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to resolve previously disclosed investigations into historical sales practices for certain U.S. small business customers, which the company ended in 2021 or earlier. We cooperated extensively with these agencies and our regulators and took decisive voluntary action to address these issues, including discontinuing certain products several years ago, conducting a comprehensive internal review, taking appropriate disciplinary measures, making organizational changes, and enhancing policies, compliance, and training programs. Pursuant to the agreements and after crediting, American Express will pay approximately $230 million in total to resolve these matters. The costs associated with the agreements were largely reserved for in prior periods and do not impact the 2024 guidance previously provided. We expect the resolution with the Federal Reserve to be finalized in the coming weeks.”

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including those described in American Express’ 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. American Express undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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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/ James J. Killerlane III
						Name: James J. Killerlane III
						Title: Corporate Secretary

Date: January 16, 2025

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Document and Entity Information	Jan. 16, 2025
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 16, 2025
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN EXPRESS CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000004962
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity File Number	1-7657
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-4922250
Entity Address, Address Line One	200 Vesey Street
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10285
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	640-2000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares (par value $0.20 per Share)
Trading Symbol	AXP
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false