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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2014

or

  [  ]        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from              to             

Commission file number 1-7657

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York				13-4922250
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)				(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
200 Vesey Street, New York, NY				10285
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code                                   (212) 640-2000
None

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

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

Yes   X               No             

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

Yes   X              No             

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x		Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

Yes                  No   X        

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

 

Class						Outstanding at October 17, 2014
Common Shares (par value $0.20 per share)						1,034,676,513 shares

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

Part I.		Financial Information					Page No.
		Item 1.		Financial Statements
				Consolidated Statements of Income – Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			1
				Consolidated Statements of Income – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			2
				Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			3
				Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013			4
				Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013			5
				Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			6
		Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			32
		Item 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			73
		Item 4.		Controls and Procedures			73
Part II.		Other Information
		Item 1.		Legal Proceedings			76
		Item 1A.		Risk Factors			79
		Item 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			80
		Item 5.		Other Information			81
		Item 6.		Exhibits			81
		Signatures					82
		Exhibit Index					E-1

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

(a)

Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million and $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

(a)

Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $35 million and $36 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

On June 30, 2014, the Company completed a transaction to establish a non-consolidated joint venture comprising the former Global Business Travel operations of the Company. This non-cash transaction is further described within Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.	Basis of Presentation

The Company

American Express Company (the Company) is a global services company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. The Company’s principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Effective July 1, 2014, business travel-related services are offered through the non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel (GBT JV). Prior to July 1, 2014, the business travel operations were previously wholly owned. The Company also focuses on generating alternative sources of revenue on a global basis in areas such as online and mobile payments and fee-based services. The Company’s various products and services are sold globally to diverse customer groups, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations. These products and services are sold through various channels, including direct mail, online applications, targeted direct and third-party sales forces and direct response advertising.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the Annual Report).

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

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

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers was issued on May 28, 2014. The guidance establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and will be effective January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance, including the method of implementation, will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, among other items.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

2.	Divestitures

On June 30, 2014, the Company completed a transaction to establish a non-consolidated joint venture, GBT JV, comprising the former Global Business Travel (GBT) operations of the Company, historically reported within the Global Commercial Services (GCS) segment, and an external cash investment. The Company has retained a 50 percent ownership interest in the GBT JV with an estimated fair value of that interest of approximately $900 million, which is accounted for as an equity method investment effective June 30, 2014, and reported in Other assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In exchange for the cash contribution of $900 million paid into the GBT JV, an unrelated investor group holds the remaining 50 percent ownership interest. The investor group’s cash contribution provides the primary basis for the Company’s determination of the estimated fair value of its 50 percent ownership interest.

As a result of the transaction, the Company deconsolidated the GBT net assets and recognized a net gain of $626 million ($409 million after tax), which was reported as a reduction to other expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. Prior to the deconsolidation, the carrying amount of GBT’s assets and liabilities were not material to the Company’s financial position.

The GBT JV operates under the “American Express Global Business Travel” brand, pursuant to a trademark license agreement provided by the Company. The Company has also entered into a transition services agreement and certain other operating agreements with the GBT JV, pursuant to which the Company and the GBT JV provide one another with certain services and that result in related-party receivables and payables. There was no material impact to the Company during the current quarter related to the GBT JV’s results of operations or the related agreements.

 

3.	Accounts Receivable and Loans

The Company’s charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively. For information on the Company’s accounts receivable and loans and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 72 – 76 of the Annual Report.

Accounts receivable by segment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:

 

 

(a)

Includes $6.3 billion and $7.3 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

(b)

Includes $672 million and $836 million due from airlines, of which Delta Air Lines (Delta) comprises $642 million and $628 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

(c)

Includes receivables primarily related to the Company’s International Currency Card portfolios.

 

(d)

Includes approximately $13.5 billion and $13.8 billion of Card Member receivables outside the U.S. as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

(e)

Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) certain merchants for billed discount revenue and (ii) Global Network Services (GNS) partner banks for items such as royalty and franchise fees. Additionally, for 2013 only, the balance also included purchased GNS joint venture receivables. Other receivables are presented net of reserves for losses of $44 million and $71 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Loans as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of:

 

 

(a)

Includes approximately $28.3 billion and $31.2 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

(b)

Other loans primarily represent loans to merchants and a store card loan portfolio. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $11 million and $13 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Card Member Loans and Card Member Receivables Aging

Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table presents the aging of Card Member loans and receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

Beginning in first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, delinquency data is now available and presented on a prospective basis for the indicated aging categories. Comparable data for prior periods is not available. For risk management purposes, the Company has historically utilized 90 days past billing for the International Card Services (ICS) segment, as described below in (b).

 

(b)

Delinquency data for periods other than 90 days past billing is not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data has not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances. For Card Member receivables in GCS as of September 30, 2014 and ICS and GCS as of December 31, 2013, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member’s billing statement date. In addition, if the Company initiates collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Loans and Receivables

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

 

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

Beginning in 2014, write-offs for certain installment loan products have been reclassified from Card Member receivables to Card Member loans. Prior period write-offs have not been reclassified.

 

(c)

Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented. Beginning in first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, Net write-off rate (principal only) and Net write-off rate (principal and fees) have been presented.

Refer to Note 5 on pages 77 – 78 of the Annual Report for additional indicators, including external environmental qualitative factors, management considers in its evaluation process for reserves for losses.

Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables

Impaired loans and receivables are individual larger balance or homogeneous pools of smaller balance loans and receivables for which it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. For information on impaired Card Member loans and receivables and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table provides additional information with respect to the Company’s impaired Card Member loans, which are not significant for GCS, and Card Member receivables, which are not significant for ICS and GCS, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

The Company’s policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (i.e., at 180 days past due). The Company establishes reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude loans modified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR).

 

(b)

Non-accrual loans not in modification programs include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company has ceased accruing interest.

 

(c)

Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR includes $87 million and $92 million that are non-accrual and $20 million and $26 million that are past due 90 days and still accruing interest as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

(d)

Unpaid principal balance consists of Card Member charges billed and excludes other amounts charged directly by the Company such as interest and fees.

 

(e)

Represents the reserve for losses for TDRs, which are evaluated individually for impairment. The Company records a reserve for losses for all impaired loans. Refer to Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment in Note 4 for further information regarding the reserve for losses on loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest and non-accrual loans, which are evaluated collectively for impairment.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table provides information with respect to the Company’s interest income recognized and average balances of impaired Card Member loans, which are not significant for GCS, and Card Member receivables, which are not significant for ICS and GCS, for the three and nine months ended September 30:

 

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Card Member Loans and Receivables Modified as TDRs

The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Card Services (USCS) Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs for the three and nine months ended September 30. The ICS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant. For information on TDRs and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report.

 

 

(a)

Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. Modifications did not reduce the aggregate principal balances except for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, where aggregate principal balances were reduced by $4 million.

 

(b)

The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.

 

(c)

For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions. The Company does not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest bearing.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table provides information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, with respect to the USCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification. A Card Member is considered to have been in default from a modification program after one and up to two consecutive missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables. The defaulted ICS Card Member loan and receivable modifications were not significant.

 

 

(a)

The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4.	Reserves for Losses

Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management’s best estimate of the probable losses inherent in the Company’s outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. For information on the Company’s reserves for losses and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 5 on pages 77 – 78 of the Annual Report.

Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses

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

 

 

(a)

Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components.

 

(b)

Consists of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries of $269 million and $304 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $14 million and $16 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

(c)

Beginning in first quarter 2014, reserves for card related fraud losses of $(7) million are reflected in other liabilities. All periods include foreign currency translation adjustments of $(6) million and $(3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and other items of $(8) million and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Card Member Receivables Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment

The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

Represents receivables modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report for further information.

 

(b)

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

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses

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

 

 

(a)

Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and fee reserves components.

 

(b)

Consists of principal write-offs (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries of $324 million and $343 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $(5) million and $6 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis.

 

(c)

Beginning in first quarter 2014, reserves for card related fraud losses of $(6) million are reflected in other liabilities. All periods include foreign currency translation adjustments of $(7) million and $(8) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and other items of $11 million and $(6) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment

The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

Represents loans modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 4 on pages 74 – 76 of the Annual Report for further information.

 

(b)

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

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

5.	Investment Securities

Investment securities include debt and equity securities that the Company classifies as available for sale. The Company’s investment securities, principally debt securities, are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. For information on the Company’s methodology for determining the fair value of investment securities and related accounting policies, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 71 of the Annual Report.

The following is a summary of investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

Primarily represents the Company’s investment in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) as of December 31, 2013.

 

(c)

Other comprises investments in various mutual funds.

The following table provides information about the Company’s investment securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

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

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

Supplemental Information

Gross realized gains on the sales of investment securities, included in Other revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $20 million and $100 million, respectively. Gross realized gains on the sale of investment securities, included in Other revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were, $37 million and $102 million, respectively. There were no realized losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Contractual maturities of investment securities, excluding equity securities and other securities, as of September 30, 2014 were as follows:

 

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

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

6.	Asset Securitizations

The Company periodically securitizes Card Member receivables and loans arising from its card business through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue securities to third-party investors, collateralized by the transferred assets. For information on the Company’s asset securitizations and related accounting policies, refer to Note 7 on page 80 of the Annual Report.

The following table provides information on the restricted cash held by the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust) and the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, included in Other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

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

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, is the primary beneficiary of both the trusts. Excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, TRS owns approximately $1.0 billion of subordinated securities issued by the Lending Trust as of September 30, 2014.

Under the respective terms of the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust agreements, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the assets of each trust could result in payment of trust expenses, establishment of reserve funds, or in a worst-case scenario, early amortization of investor securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, no such triggering events occurred.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

7.	Customer Deposits

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, customer deposits were categorized as interest bearing or non-interest bearing, as follows:

 

Customer deposits by deposit type as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of September 30, 2014 were as follows:

 

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, in the aggregate, were as follows:

 

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

8.	Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. Derivatives derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate, foreign exchange, and equity index or price. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of the Company’s market risk management. The Company does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes. For information on the Company’s derivative instruments and the related accounting policies, refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report.

In relation to the Company’s credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, the Company is not required to either immediately settle any outstanding liability balances or post collateral upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. Based on the assessment of credit risk of the Company’s derivative counterparties as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company does not have derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments.

The Company’s derivatives are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 71 of the Annual Report for a description of the Company’s methodology for determining the fair value of derivatives.

The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements.

 

(b)

Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivative instrument(s) executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. Additionally, the Company received noncash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interest in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of $111 million and nil as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such noncash collateral economically reduces the Company’s risk exposure to $460 million as of September 30, 2014, but does not reduce the net exposure on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company posted $97 million and $26 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within other receivables on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

A majority of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are subject to master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. In addition, the Company has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments that Qualify for Hedge Accounting

Refer to Note 12 on pages 89 – 90 of the Annual Report for information on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting.

Fair Value Hedges

Interest Rate Contracts

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt. The Company uses interest rate swaps to economically convert certain fixed-rate debt obligations to floating-rate obligations at the time of issuance. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company hedged $18.2 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively, of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps.

Total Return Contract

The Company hedged its exposure to changes in the fair value of its equity investment in ICBC in local currency. The Company used a total return contract (TRC) to transfer this exposure to its derivative counterparty. On July 18, 2014, the Company sold its remaining 34.3 million shares in ICBC and terminated the TRC. As of December 31, 2013, the fair value of the equity investment in ICBC was $122 million (180.7 million shares). Prior to termination, to the extent the hedge was effective, the gain or loss on the TRC offset the gain or loss on the investment in ICBC. Any difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item resulted in hedge ineffectiveness and was recognized in Other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income associated with the Company’s hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt and its investment in ICBC for the three and nine months ended September 30:

 

 

The Company also recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $74 million and $76 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $217 million and $280 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on the Company’s interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Net Investment Hedges

The effective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment was $246 million and $(123) million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and was $113 million and $160 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Any ineffective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges is recognized in other expenses during the period of change. During the three months ended

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company reclassified $(1) million and nil, respectively, and $9 million and nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, from AOCI to earnings as a component of other expenses. No ineffectiveness associated with net investment hedges was reclassified from AOCI into income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

For information on derivatives not designated as hedges, refer to Note 12 on page 90 of the Annual Report.

The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30:

 

 

(a)

Foreign exchange contracts include forwards and embedded foreign currency derivatives.

 

9.	Fair Values

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value

For information about the Company’s valuation techniques for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value and the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 3 on pages 68 – 70 of the Annual Report. Refer to Note 12 on pages 87 – 90 of the Annual Report for additional information about the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s valuation hierarchy, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 8 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value

For information about the valuation techniques used in the measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities carried at other than fair value, refer to Note 3 on pages 70 – 71 of the Annual Report.

The following table discloses the estimated fair value for the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of their future fair values. The fair value of the Company cannot be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.

 

 

(a)

Reflects time deposits.

 

(b)

Includes accounts receivable (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $6.2 billion and $7.3 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively), restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets.

 

(c)

Includes fair values of loans of $28.1 billion and $31.0 billion, and long-term debt of $15.6 billion and $18.8 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

(d)

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

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain assets that are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is applicable if determined to be impaired. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any material impaired assets that were required to be measured at fair value.

 

10.	Guarantees

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

In relation to its maximum potential undiscounted future payments as shown in the table that follows, to date the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees. The Company’s initial recognition of guarantees is at fair value. In addition, the Company establishes reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

The following table provides information related to such guarantees as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

(a)

Represents the notional amounts that could be lost under the guarantees and indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments for Merchant Protection are measured using management’s best estimate of maximum exposure based on all eligible claims in relation to annual billed business volumes.

 

(b)

Included in other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

(c)

Primarily includes Return Protection and Merchant Protection.

 

(d)

Primarily includes guarantees related to the Company’s business dispositions, real estate and joint ventures.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11.	Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

AOCI is comprised of items that have not been recognized in earnings but may be recognized in earnings in the future when certain events occur. Changes in each component of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents the effects of reclassifications out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

 

12.	Income Taxes

The Company is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which the Company has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. The IRS has completed its field examination of the Company’s federal tax returns for years through 2007; however, refund claims for certain years continue to be reviewed by the IRS. In addition, the Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011.

The Company believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $686 million principally as a result of potential resolutions of prior years’ tax items with various taxing authorities. The prior years’ tax items include unrecognized tax benefits relating to the deductibility of certain expenses or losses and the attribution of taxable income to a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions. Of the $686 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $529 million relates to amounts that if recognized would be recorded to shareholders’ equity and would not impact the Company’s results of operations or the effective tax rate.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The effective tax rate was 34.2 percent and 34.4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The effective tax rate was 31.8 percent and 31.4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items as well as the reversal of a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets within the business travel organization.

The tax rates for all periods reflect the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits and geographic mix of business.

 

13.	Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)

The computations of basic and diluted EPS were as follows:

 

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

The dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes 0.2 million and 0.1 million of options from the computation of EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 0.2 million options for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company met specified performance measures related to the Subordinated Debentures of $750 million issued in 2006, and maturing in 2036. If the performance measures were not achieved in any given quarter, the Company would be required to issue common shares and apply the proceeds to make interest payments.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

14.	Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail

The following is a detail of Other commissions and fees:

 

 

(a)

Other primarily includes fee revenue from fees related to Membership Rewards programs.

The following is a detail of Other revenues:

 

 

(a)

Other includes revenues arising from foreign exchange gains on cross-border Card Member spending, merchant-related fees, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, Travelers Cheques-related revenues, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, earnings from equity method investments and other miscellaneous revenue and fees.

The following is a detail of Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other:

 

Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs, which are expensed in the year in which the advertising first takes place. Card Member rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs, including Membership Rewards and co-brand arrangements. Card Member services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to Card Members.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following is a detail of Other, net expenses:

 

 

(a)

Other expense includes general operating expenses, gains (losses) on sale of assets or businesses not classified as discontinued operations (other than the business travel joint venture transaction), litigation, certain internal and regulatory review-related reimbursements and insurance costs or settlements, investment impairments and certain Loyalty Partner-related expenses.

 

15.	Contingencies

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal proceedings concerning matters arising out of the conduct of their respective business activities and are periodically subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and investigations (collectively, governmental examinations). As of September 30, 2014, the Company and various of its subsidiaries were named as a defendant or were otherwise involved in numerous legal proceedings and governmental examinations in various jurisdictions, both in and outside the U.S. The Company discloses its material legal proceedings and governmental examinations under Item 1. “Legal Proceedings” in Part II. “Other Information”, and under “Legal Proceedings” in the Annual Report (collectively, Legal Proceedings).

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

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

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Other matters have progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues so that the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss. Accordingly, for those legal proceedings and governmental examinations disclosed or referred to in Legal Proceedings where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $350 million in excess of any accrued liability related to these matters. This aggregate range represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimated range of possible loss does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated range will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates.

Based on its current knowledge, and taking into consideration its litigation-related liabilities, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding or governmental examination that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, the ultimate outcome of a particular matter could be material to the Company’s operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of the Company’s earnings for that period.

 

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

16.	Reportable Operating Segments

The Company is a leading global payments and travel company that is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: USCS, ICS, GCS and Global Network Merchant Services (GNMS). Corporate functions and certain other businesses, including the Company’s Enterprise Growth Group, as well as other Company operations are included in Corporate & Other.

The following table presents certain selected financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30:

 

 

(a)

Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity.

 

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ITEM 2.

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

Business Introduction

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

We are a global services company with four reportable operating segments: U.S. Card Services (USCS), International Card Services (ICS), Global Commercial Services (GCS) and Global Network and Merchant Services (GNMS). We provide our customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Our principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Effective July 1, 2014, business travel-related services are offered through the non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel (GBT JV). Prior to July 1, 2014, the business travel operations were previously wholly owned. Our range of products and services includes:

 

•

charge and credit card products;

 

•

expense management products and services;

 

•

consumer and business travel services;

 

•

stored-value products such as Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products;

 

•

network services;

 

•

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

 

•

fee services, including fraud prevention services and the design of customized customer loyalty and rewards programs.

Our products and services are sold globally to diverse customer groups, including consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies and large corporations. These products and services are sold through various channels, including direct mail, online applications, in-house and third-party sales forces and direct response advertising.

We compete in the global payments industry with charge, credit and debit card networks, issuers and acquirers, as well as evolving alternative payment mechanisms, systems and products. As the payments industry continues to evolve, we face increasing competition from non-traditional players that leverage new technologies and customers’ existing card accounts and bank relationships to create payment or other fee-based solutions. We are transforming our existing businesses and creating new products and services for the digital marketplace as we seek to enhance our customers’ digital experiences and develop platforms for online and mobile commerce. Emerging technologies also provide an opportunity to deliver financial products and services that help new and existing customer segments move and manage their money, which we are pursuing through our Enterprise Growth Group (EGG).

Our products and services generate the following types of revenue for the Company:

 

•

Discount revenue, our largest revenue source, which represents fees generally charged to merchants when Card Members use their cards to purchase goods and services at merchants on the Company’s network;

 

•

Net card fees, which represent revenue earned for annual card membership fees;

 

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•

Travel commissions and fees, which are earned by charging a transaction or management fee to both customers and suppliers for travel-related transactions (business travel commissions and fees included through June 30, 2014);

 

•

Other commissions and fees, which are earned on foreign exchange conversions, card-related fees and assessments, Loyalty Partner-related fees and other service fees;

 

•

Other revenue, which represents revenues arising from contracts with partners of our Global Network Services (GNS) business (including royalties and signing fees), insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, Travelers Cheques and prepaid card-related revenues, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, earnings from equity method investments (including the GBT JV) and other miscellaneous revenue and fees; and

 

•

Interest on loans, which principally represents interest income earned on outstanding balances.

In addition to funding and operating costs associated with these types of revenue, other major expense categories are related to marketing and rewards programs that add new Card Members and promote Card Member loyalty and spending, provisions for Card Member credit losses and expenses for card-related fraud losses.

Financial Targets

We seek to achieve three financial targets, on average and over time:

 

•

Revenues net of interest expense growth of at least 8 percent;

 

•

Earnings per share (EPS) growth of 12 to 15 percent; and

 

•

Return on average equity (ROE) of 25 percent or more.

If we achieve our EPS and ROE targets, we will seek to return on average and over time approximately 50 percent of the capital we generate to shareholders as dividends or through the repurchases of common stock, which may be subject to certain regulatory restrictions as described herein.

Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures

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

Bank Holding Company

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

Current Business Environment/Outlook

Our results for the third quarter of 2014 reflect increased spending by Card Members, growth in average Card Member loans and continued low write-off rates, while our strong balance sheet allowed us to return a substantial amount of capital to our shareholders.

 

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Card Member billed business increased 9 percent over the prior year, both within and outside the U.S., in line with growth rates in the second quarter, while discount revenue increased 5 percent over the prior year. The gap between billed business growth and discount revenue growth, which was wider this quarter than in recent quarters, was primarily due to accelerated growth of our GNS business and a lower discount rate, as well as higher corporate client incentives and strong growth in our cash rebate rewards products in the current year.

The average discount rate of 2.49 percent for the third quarter of 2014 decreased by 3 basis points from an average rate of 2.52 percent in the third quarter of 2013. In the current quarter, the discount rate was impacted by various factors, including changes in the mix of Card Member spending by industry as well our OptBlue program, through which third-party acquirers contract directly with U.S. small merchants for American Express card acceptance. We continue to believe that OptBlue will bring incremental volumes onto our network, and provide attractive economics for our business. 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 and other factors will likely result in continued erosion of the average discount rate over time.

Average loans continued to grow year over year, which, along with lower funding costs, led to a 9 percent increase in net interest income. Credit write-off rates remained near historically low levels, though we expect, at some point, credit write-off rates will increase from such levels.

Last year’s third quarter results included revenues and expenses from our business travel operations, which were deconsolidated as a result of the previously announced joint venture transaction that closed on June 30, 2014. Total expenses decreased 5 percent from the prior year, primarily reflecting expenses related to business travel operations in the prior year. Excluding those expenses from the year ago period, adjusted expenses rose 1 percent for the third quarter of 2014.¹ Operating expenses for the quarter decreased 11 percent, primarily reflecting expenses related to business travel operations in the prior year. Excluding those expenses from the year ago period, adjusted operating expenses were flat year over year.¹ We remain committed to our goal to have operating expenses grow at an annual rate of less than 3 percent in 2014 after adjusting for the impact of the business travel joint venture transaction and items related to restructuring, transaction-related costs and a contribution to the American Express Foundation discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.

In 2008, we entered into an operating agreement with, and made a strategic investment in, Concur Technologies. During the third quarter, SAP announced its proposed acquisition of Concur. If this proposed transaction is completed, it would result in a gain for us of approximately $700 million. Currently, Concur and SAP’s public expectation is that the transaction will close in the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2015. Given this expected gain, we plan to make additional investments in business building activities and initiatives designed to improve operating efficiencies. Potential growth initiatives could include incremental customer acquisition activities across our core businesses, as well as investments to strengthen partner relationships. These investments would provide valuable flexibility to deal proactively with a global regulatory and competitive environment that is rapidly changing.

 

1

Adjusted total expense growth and adjusted operating expense growth are non-GAAP measures. Management believes these metrics are useful in evaluating the ongoing performance of the Company. The adjusted growth rates are calculated by comparing total expenses of $5,595 million and operating expenses of $2,886 million, each on a GAAP basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, with total expenses of $5,878 million and operating expenses of $3,235 million, each on a GAAP basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, respectively, excluding the following GBT-related expenses from the third quarter 2013: (i) $336 million from total expenses and (ii) $335 million from operating expenses. The adjusted growth rates do not adjust for other GBT-related items, including equity earnings from the joint venture, transaction-related costs and impacts related to a transition service agreement that will phase out over time.

 

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Regulation of the payments industry has increased significantly in recent years and various governments around the world have established or are proposing to establish payment system regulatory regimes. The regulatory environment has heightened the focus that all financial services firms, including us, must have on controls and processes. We expect our products and practices will be a continuing focus of our regulators. See “Certain Legislative, Regulatory and Other Developments” for additional information on the legislative and regulatory environment.

Competition remains extremely intense across the payments business. Traditional competitors and new entrants deploy increasingly greater financial and other resources to attract customers and business partners and to develop new platforms and technologies. To remain competitive, we need to continue to demonstrate the value we deliver to merchants, customers and business partners in all aspects of our relationships. In connection with our co-brand relationships, we are focusing on those relationships that offer the best value to our Card Members while also providing appropriate returns to our business. Changes in our co-brand relationships could have a significant adverse impact on our business and results of operations in the future. The actual impact on our financial performance will depend on factors such as our ability to offer attractive propositions to Card Members, grow other sources of revenue and implement expense control initiatives, although there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful. See Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 for a discussion of the risks related to competition for partner relationships.

While our business is diversified by product and geography, including a range of consumer and commercial card offerings, a large international business and GNS partners around the world, the global economic environment remains challenging. In addition, our results could be adversely affected by volatility in foreign exchange rates, changes in interest rates or the failure of the U.S. Congress to renew legislation regarding our active financing income, which could increase our effective tax rate and have an adverse impact on net income in 2015 and beyond.

 

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American Express Company

Consolidated Results of Operations

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

Table 1: Summary of Financial Performance

 

 

(a)

Earnings per common share — diluted was reduced by the impact of earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $11 million and $12 million for three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $35 million and $36 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

(b)

ROE is computed by dividing (i) one-year period net income ($5.7 billion and $4.7 billion for September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) by (ii) one-year average total shareholders’ equity ($19.9 billion and $19.3 billion for September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively).

 

(c)

Return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, is computed in the same manner as ROE except the computation of average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, excludes from average total shareholders’ equity, average goodwill and other intangibles of $3.9 billion and $4.1 billion as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We believe return on average tangible common equity is a useful measure of the profitability of our business.

Table 2: Total Revenue Net of Interest Expense Summary

 

Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense

Discount revenue increased $256 million or 5 percent and $680 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases were driven by growth in billed business of 9 percent, partially offset by a decrease in the average discount rate, faster growth in GNS billings than in overall Company billings, as we share the discount revenue we earn from merchants with our GNS issuing bank partners, and higher cash rebate rewards and corporate client incentives. Billed business increased 9 percent and 8 percent for the three and nine month periods, respectively, in both the U.S. and outside the U.S. See Tables 5, 6 and 7 for more detail on billed business performance. The average discount rate was 2.49 percent for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2.52 percent for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. See “Current Business Environment/Outlook” for information on the changes in the average discount rate.

Net card fees increased $22 million or 3 percent and $83 million or 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily reflecting growth in total cards-in-force.

 

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Travel commissions and fees decreased $386 million or 79 percent and $395 million or 28 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to the business travel joint venture transaction, resulting in a lack of comparability between periods.

Other commissions and fees increased $32 million or 5 percent and $96 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases were primarily driven by higher revenue from our Loyalty Partner business and higher delinquency fees.

Other revenue decreased $8 million or 1 percent and $26 million or 2 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by the loss of revenue following the sale of our publishing business in October 2013. The decrease in the three month period was partially offset by revenues received for transitional services provided to the GBT JV, higher Loyalty Edge revenue and a net increase in gains realized upon the sales of investments in Concur Technologies and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). The decrease in the nine month period was partially offset by lower Card Member reimbursements, higher Loyalty Edge revenue, revenues received for transitional services provided to the GBT JV and a net increase in gains realized upon the sales of investments in Concur Technologies and ICBC.

Interest income increased $48 million or 3 percent and $127 million or 2 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases reflected higher interest on loans, driven by growth in average Card Member loans, which was partially offset by higher Card Member reimbursements.

Interest expense decreased $64 million or 13 percent and $193 million or 13 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decreases were primarily driven by lower funding costs.

Table 3: Provisions for Losses Summary

 

 

#

Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent

Provisions for Losses

Charge card provision for losses increased $37 million or 23 percent and $120 million or 25 percent for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, driven primarily by higher write-offs and a larger reserve build in the current year due to higher average Card Member receivables. Card Member loans provision for losses increased $17 million or 7 percent and decreased $28 million or 3 percent for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase for the three month period was driven by a lower reserve release, partially offset by lower net write-offs due to improved credit performance. The decrease in the nine month period was driven by lower net write-offs due to improved credit performance, partially offset by a lower reserve release.

 

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Table 4: Expenses Summary

 

Expenses

Marketing and promotion expense decreased $18 million or 2 percent and increased $173 million or 8 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in the nine month period was driven by the reinvestment, in the second quarter, of a significant portion of the gain from the business travel joint venture transaction in growth initiatives across all segments.

Card Member rewards expense increased $76 million or 5 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase reflected higher co-brand rewards expense of $28 million, primarily related to higher spending volumes, and an increase in Membership Rewards expense of $48 million, both of which were partially offset by a change in estimate of certain rewards-related reserves. The increase in Membership Rewards expense was primarily due to an $86 million increase related to higher new points earned, in line with higher spending volume, partially offset by a $38 million decrease in the liability related to points previously earned but not yet redeemed. The decrease was driven by slower average growth in the Ultimate Redemption Rate (URR) and favorable changes in the weighted average cost per point (WAC) assumptions as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Card Member rewards expense increased $310 million or 7 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase reflected higher co-brand rewards expense of $130 million, primarily related to higher spending volumes, and an increase in Membership Rewards expense of $180 million, both of which were partially offset by a change in estimate of certain rewards-related reserves. The increase in Membership Rewards expense was primarily due to a $222 million increase related to higher new points earned, in line with higher spending volume, partially offset by a $42 million decrease in the liability related to points previously earned but not yet redeemed. The decrease was driven by slower average growth in the URR and favorable changes in WAC assumptions as compared to the same period in the prior year.

The Membership Rewards URR for current program participants was 95 percent (rounded up) at September 30, 2014, an increase from 94 percent (rounded down) at September 30, 2013. The increase in the URR reflected greater engagement in our Membership Rewards program.

Card Member services and other expense increased $8 million or 4 percent and $40 million or 7 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by increased engagement levels and use of certain Card Member benefits.

 

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Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased $254 million or 16 percent and $214 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to the business travel joint venture transaction, resulting in a lack of comparability between periods. The decrease in the nine month period was partially offset by a restructuring charge in the second quarter of 2014.

Other expense decreased $95 million or 6 percent and $518 million or 11 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to the business travel joint venture transaction, resulting in a lack of comparability between periods. The nine month period also reflected the net gain recognized as a result of the business travel joint venture transaction in the second quarter of 2014, partially offset by a charitable contribution to the American Express Foundation and a change in the estimated value of certain investments in our Community Reinvestment Act portfolio.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 34.2 percent and 31.8 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate was 34.4 percent and 31.4 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax rates in all periods primarily reflected the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits and the geographic mix of business. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflected the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items as well as the reversal of a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets within the business travel organization.

Table 5: Selected Statistical Information

 

 

(a)

Average basic Card Member spending and average fee per card are computed from proprietary card activities only. Average fee per card is computed based on net card fees, 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 was $77 million and $67 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $227 million and $198 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We present adjusted average fee per card because we believe this metric presents a useful indicator of card fee pricing across a range of our proprietary card products.

 

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The table below summarizes selected statistics for billed business and average spend during the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period in the prior year:

Table 6: Selected Statistical Information

 

 

(a)

The foreign currency adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the three months ended September 30, 2014 apply to the corresponding year-earlier period against which such results are being compared). We believe the presentation of information on a foreign currency adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare our performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

(b)

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

 

(c)

Included in the GNMS segment.

 

(d)

Included in the USCS segment.

 

(e)

Included in the GCS segment.

 

(f)

Included in the ICS segment.

 

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The table below summarizes selected statistics for billed business and average spend during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period in the prior year:

Table 7: Selected Statistical Information

 

 

(a)

The foreign currency adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 apply to the corresponding year-earlier period against which such results are being compared). We believe the presentation of information on a foreign currency adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare our performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

(b)

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

 

(c)

Included in the GNMS segment.

 

(d)

Included in the USCS segment.

 

(e)

Included in the GCS segment.

 

(f)

Included in the ICS segment.

 

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Table 8: Selected Statistical Information

 

 

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#

Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent

 

(a)

Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and/or fees on Card Member loans and principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components on Card Member receivables.

 

(b)

Write-offs, less recoveries.

 

(c)

Card Member receivables includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(6) million and $3 million and other adjustments of $(3) million for both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Card Member loans includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(6) million and $3 million and other adjustments of $2 million and $(1) million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Refer to Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the components of other for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

(d)

Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billing as a % of receivables were presented for ICS. Beginning in first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, net write-off rate (principal only) and net write-off rate (principal and fees) have been presented.

 

(e)

We present a net write-off rate based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) to be consistent with industry convention. In addition, because our practice is to include uncollectible interest and/or fees as part of our total provision for losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.

 

(f)

Refer to Table 9 for the calculation of net interest yield on Card Member loans, a non-GAAP measure, net interest income divided by average loans, a GAAP measure, and our rationale for presenting net interest yield on Card Member loans.

Table 9: Net Interest Yield on Card Member Loans

 

 

(a)

Adjusted average loans, adjusted net interest income, and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. We believe adjusted net interest income and adjusted average loans are useful to investors because they are components of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

 

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Business Segment Results

For information about our reportable operating segments, refer to the Business Segment Results Overview beginning on page 25 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

U.S. Card Services

Table 10: USCS Selected Income Statement Data

 

USCS issues a wide range of card products and services to consumers and small businesses in the U.S., and provides consumer travel services to Card Members and other consumers.

Discount revenue, net card fees and Other revenues increased $164 million or 5 percent and $462 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases were primarily driven by higher discount revenue, resulting from billed business growth, partially offset by a decrease in the average discount rate and higher cash rebate rewards. Billed business increased 9 percent and 8 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily reflecting 5 percent and 4 percent increases in average spending per proprietary basic card for the three and nine month periods, respectively, and 4 percent higher cards-in-force.

Interest income increased $57 million or 4 percent and $148 million or 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by higher average Card Member loans, partially offset by higher Card Member reimbursements.

Interest expense decreased $20 million or 12 percent and $77 million or 14 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, due to lower funding costs.

 

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Provisions for losses increased $31 million or 11 percent and $66 million or 7 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to a larger reserve release in the prior year, partially offset by the benefit of lower net write-offs for Card Member loans due to improved credit performance.

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased $34 million or 2 percent and $201 million or 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily reflecting higher Card Member rewards. Card Member rewards expense increased $50 million and $185 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases reflected higher co-brand expense, which increased approximately $16 million and $103 million for the three and nine month periods, respectively, primarily reflecting higher spending volumes, and increased Membership Rewards expense of $34 million and $82 million for the same periods, both of which were partially offset by a change in estimate of certain rewards-related reserves. The increases in Membership Rewards expense were primarily due to higher new points earned partially offset by slower growth in the URR and favorable changes in the WAC assumptions, as compared to the same periods in the prior year.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased $22 million or 2 percent and $105 million or 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily related to higher card-related fraud losses. The nine month period also reflected a change in the estimated value of certain investments in our Community Reinvestment Act portfolio and higher restructuring charges compared to the prior year.

 

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Table 11: USCS Selected Statistical Information

 

 

*

Proprietary cards only.

 

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($3.4 billion and $2.8 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($9.6 billion and $8.9 billion for both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013). 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 from average segment capital average goodwill and other intangibles of $299 million and $345 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We believe return on average tangible segment capital is a useful measure of the profitability of our business.

 

(b)

Refer to footnote (e) within Table 8.

 

(c)

Adjusted net interest income, adjusted average loans, and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income and adjusted average loans are useful to investors because they are components of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provide a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

 

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International Card Services

Table 12: ICS Selected Income Statement Data

 

 

#

Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent

ICS issues proprietary consumer and small business cards outside the U.S. and operates a coalition loyalty business in various countries.

Discount revenue, net card fees and Other revenues increased $45 million or 4 percent and $156 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by Loyalty Partner-related fees, higher discount revenue and an increase in net card fees. Billed business increased 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily reflecting an increase in basic cards-in-force. Refer to Tables 6 and 7 for additional information on billed business by region.

 

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Interest income decreased $8 million or 3 percent and $5 million or 1 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in the three month period was primarily driven by higher Card Member reimbursements and a slightly lower net interest yield. The decrease in the nine month period was primarily driven by lower average loan balances.

Interest expense decreased $1 million or 1 percent and $14 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by lower funding costs.

Provisions for losses increased $2 million or 2 percent and decreased $3 million or 1 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Refer to Table 13 for the lending and charge card write-off rates for 2014 and 2013.

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased $34 million or 7 percent and $177 million or 12 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases were primarily driven by higher Card Member rewards expense, reflecting higher spending volumes, and higher marketing and promotion expense, related to the reinvestment, in the second quarter, of a significant portion of the gain from the business travel joint venture transaction in growth initiatives. Card Member rewards expense in the nine month period included a charge related to enhancements in the Membership Rewards URR estimation process for certain international countries. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, marketing and promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expense increased 15 percent for the nine month period.²

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased $12 million or 2 percent and $78 million or 5 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in the three month period is primarily driven by a prior year net benefit related to the sale of real estate, partially offset by lower salary and benefits expense in the current period. The increase in the nine month period is primarily driven by a second quarter restructuring charge and a Canadian value-added tax benefit in the prior year.

The effective tax rate in all periods reflected the recurring permanent tax benefit related to the segment’s ongoing funding activities outside the U.S., which is allocated to ICS under our internal tax allocation process. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 also reflected the allocated share of tax benefits related to the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items, and an additional benefit due to the renewal by the U.S. Congress of the active financing legislation on January 2, 2013. The effective tax rate in each of the periods reflected the impact of recurring permanent tax benefits on varying levels of pretax income.

 

2

The foreign currency adjusted information, a non-GAAP measure, assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the current year apply to the corresponding year period against which such results are being compared). We believe the presentation of information on a foreign currency adjusted basis is helpful to investors by making it easier to compare our performance in one period to that of another period without the variability caused by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

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Table 13: ICS Selected Statistical Information

 

 

 

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*

Proprietary cards only.

 

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($0.5 billion and $0.6 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($3.0 billion for both the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013). 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 from average segment capital average goodwill and other intangibles of $1.4 billion for both the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. We believe that return on average tangible segment capital is a useful measure of the profitability of our business.

 

(b)

Historically, due to system constraints, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billing as a % of receivables were presented. Beginning in first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, net write-off rate – principal only, net write-off rate – principal and fees and 30 days past due as a % of total will be presented.

 

(c)

Refer to footnote (e) within Table 8.

 

(d)

Adjusted net interest income, adjusted average loans and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. We believe adjusted net interest income and adjusted average loans are useful to investors because they are components of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provide a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.

Global Commercial Services

Table 14: GCS Selected Income Statement Data

 

GCS offers global corporate payment services to large and mid-sized companies. The Company’s business travel operations, which had been reflected in GCS, were deconsolidated effective June 30, 2014 in connection with the GBT JV transaction, discussed previously; therefore, there is a lack of comparability against periods prior to the deconsolidation. The Company’s proportional share of the GBT JV’s net income is now reported within other revenues.

Discount revenue, net card fees and other revenues decreased $320 million or 25 percent and $249 million or 7 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to the business travel joint venture transaction, resulting in a lack of comparability between periods, partially offset by higher discount revenue resulting from an increased level of Card Member spending. Billed business increased 8 percent and 7 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, primarily driven by a 9 percent and 7 percent increase in average spending per proprietary basic card for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Billed business volume increased 10 percent and 8 percent within the U.S. for the three and nine month ended periods, respectively, while billed business volume outside the U.S. increased 3 percent and 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

Net interest expense decreased $1 million or 2 percent and $3 million or 2 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year.

 

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Provisions for losses increased $20 million or 69 percent and $37 million or 40 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by higher net write-offs. Refer to Table 15 for the charge card net loss ratio as a percentage of charge volume. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, provisions for losses increased 75 percent for the three month period.³

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased $13 million or 9 percent and $62 million or 14 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by higher rewards costs. The increase in the nine month period was also driven by the reinvestment, in the second quarter, of a significant portion of the gain from the business travel joint venture transaction in growth initiatives.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased $322 million or 46 percent and $853 million or 40 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily reflecting the impact of the business travel joint venture transaction. The nine month period also reflected the net gain recognized as a result of the business travel joint venture transaction, partially offset by transaction-related costs and a restructuring charge, all of which occurred in the second quarter of 2014.

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflected the reversal of a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets associated with certain of the Company’s non-U.S. business travel operations, as well as the allocated share of tax benefits related to the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items.

 

3

Refer to footnote 2 on page 48 relating to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

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Table 15: GCS Selected Statistical Information

 

 

*

Proprietary cards only.

 

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.1 billion and $0.7 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($3.7 billion and $3.6 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively). 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 from average segment capital average goodwill and other intangibles of $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We believe that return on average tangible segment capital is a useful measure of the profitability of our business.

Global Network & Merchant Services

Table 16: GNMS Selected Income Statement Data

 

 

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GNMS operates a global payments network that processes and settles proprietary and non-proprietary card transactions. GNMS acquires merchants and provides point-of-sale products, multi-channel marketing programs and capabilities, services and data, leveraging the Company’s global closed-loop network. It enters into partnership agreements with third-party card issuers and acquirers to license the American Express brand and extend the reach of the global network.

Discount revenue, net card fees and Other revenues increased $59 million or 5 percent and $171 million or 4 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases are primarily driven by higher merchant-related revenues, driven by a 9 percent and 8 percent increase in global card billed business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, partially offset by a change in the mix of Card Member spending by industry and a decrease in the average discount rate.

Net interest income increased $12 million or 17 percent and $33 million or 16 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily driven by increased revenues from our Merchant Financing business. The interest expense credit relates to internal transfer pricing and funding rates, which resulted in a net benefit for GNMS due to its merchant payables. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, net interest income increased 24 percent for the three month period and 23 percent for the nine month period.⁴

Provisions for losses increased $11 million or 85 percent and $5 million or 9 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily reflecting higher merchant-related provision expenses.

Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased $1 million or 1 percent and $88 million or 16 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The nine month period was primarily driven by the reinvestment, in the second quarter, of a significant portion of the gain from the business travel joint venture transaction in growth initiatives.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased $3 million or 1 percent and $2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year.

 

4

Refer to footnote 2 on page 48 relating to changes in foreign exchange rate.

 

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Table 17: GNMS Selected Statistical Information

 

 

 

 

(a)

Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.6 billion and $1.5 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($2.0 billion and $2.1 billion for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively). 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 from average segment capital average goodwill and other intangibles of $0.2 billion for both the twelve months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. We believe that return on average tangible segment capital is a useful measure of the profitability of our business.

Corporate & Other

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

Corporate & Other net expense decreased to $185 million and increased to $667 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to $210 million and $660 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The decrease in the three month period was primarily driven by lower interest expense. The nine month period reflected a charitable contribution to the American Express Foundation combined with incremental investments in growth initiatives and a second quarter restructuring charge, partially offset by lower salary and benefits expense.

Results for all periods disclosed included net interest expense related to maintaining the liquidity pool discussed in “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity – Liquidity Management”, as well as interest expense related to other corporate indebtedness.

 

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Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity

Our balance sheet management objectives are to maintain:

 

•

A solid and flexible equity capital profile;

 

•

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

 

•

Liquidity programs that enable us to continuously meet expected future financing obligations and business requirements for at least a 12-month period, even in the event we are unable to continue to raise new funds under our traditional funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.

Capital Strategy

Our objective is to retain sufficient levels of capital generated through earnings and other sources to maintain a solid equity capital base and to provide flexibility to support future business growth. We believe capital allocated to growing businesses with a return on risk-adjusted equity in excess of our costs will generate shareholder value.

The level and composition of our consolidated capital position are determined through our internal capital adequacy assessment process, which reflects our business activities, as well as marketplace conditions and requirements or expectations of credit rating agencies, regulators and shareholders, among others. Our consolidated capital position is also influenced by subsidiary capital requirements. As a bank holding company, we are also subject to regulatory requirements administered by the U.S. federal banking agencies. The Federal Reserve has established specific capital adequacy guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items.

Beginning in 2014, as a Basel III Advanced Approaches institution, we report our capital ratios using Basel III capital definitions, inclusive of transition provisions, and Basel I risk-weighted assets. Beginning in 2015, we will report our capital ratios using the Basel III capital definitions, inclusive of transition provisions, and the Basel III Standardized Approach for calculating risk-weighted assets. The Basel III standards will be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. We have also adopted Basel III in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions.

During 2014, we began reporting capital adequacy standards on a parallel basis to regulators under Basel requirements for a Basel III Advanced Approaches institution. The parallel period will continue until we receive regulatory approval to exit parallel reporting and subsequently begin publicly reporting our capital ratios using both Basel III Standardized and Advanced Approaches.

 

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The following table presents our regulatory risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios and those of our significant bank subsidiaries, as well as additional ratios widely utilized in the marketplace, as of September 30, 2014.

Table 18: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital and Leverage Ratios

 

 

(a)

Transitional Basel III minimum and conservation buffer as defined by the Federal Reserve for calendar year 2014 for Advanced Approaches institutions.

 

(b)

Refer to page 57 for discussion on tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure.

The transition provisions for 2014 under Basel III cause our 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 risk-based capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios would have been approximately 35 basis points lower under Basel I. The largest contributor to the difference is the way intangible assets are being treated and ultimately transitioned in over a 5-year period under Basel III.

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

Risk-Weighted Assets — Assets are weighted for risk according to a formula used by the Federal Reserve to conform to capital adequacy guidelines. On and off-balance sheet items are weighted for risk, with off-balance sheet items converted to balance sheet equivalents, using risk conversion factors, before being allocated a risk-adjusted weight. The off-balance sheet items comprise a minimal part of the overall calculation. Risk-weighted assets under Basel I as of September 30, 2014 were $128.9 billion.

Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio — The Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is calculated as Common Equity Tier 1 capital, divided by risk-weighted assets. Common Equity Tier 1 is the sum of common shareholders’ equity, adjusted for ineligible goodwill and intangible assets, certain deferred tax assets, as well as certain other comprehensive income items as follows: net unrealized gains/losses on securities and derivatives, and net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses, all net of tax. Common Equity Tier 1 capital as of September 30, 2014 was $17.6 billion.

 

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Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio — The Tier 1 capital ratio is calculated as Tier 1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets. Tier 1 capital is the sum of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, certain perpetual preferred stock (not applicable to us), and third-party non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries. Tier 1 capital as of September 30, 2014 was $17.6 billion.

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio — The total risk-based capital ratio is calculated as the sum of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital, divided by risk-weighted assets. Tier 2 capital is the sum of the allowance for receivable and loan losses (limited to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets) and a portion of the unrealized gains on equity securities, plus a $750 million subordinated hybrid security, for which we received approval from the Federal Reserve for treatment as Tier 2 capital. Tier 2 capital as of September 30, 2014 was $1.9 billion. The $750 million subordinated hybrid security does not meet the requirements of Tier 2 capital under Basel III, and is being transitioned out of capital beginning in 2014. As a result, the amount included in Tier 2 capital is $375 million. See “Fully Phased-in Basel III” section.

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio — The Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by our average total consolidated assets for the most recent quarter. Average total consolidated assets as of September 30, 2014 were $151.6 billion.

The following provides a definition for Tangible Common Equity to Risk-Weighted Assets ratio, which is widely used in the marketplace, although it may be calculated differently by different companies:

Common Equity and Tangible Common Equity to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratios — Common equity equals our shareholders’ equity of $20.2 billion as of September 30, 2014, and tangible common equity, a non-GAAP measure, equals common equity less goodwill and other intangibles of $3.8 billion as of September 30, 2014. We believe presenting the ratio of tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets is a useful measure of evaluating the strength of our capital position.

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

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

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

 

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Fully Phased-in Basel III

Basel III, when fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain more capital than prior requirements, with a greater emphasis on common equity. We estimate that had Basel III been fully phased-in during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our reported Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios would have been 12.9 percent and our reported Tier 1 leverage ratio would have been 11.1 percent. As of September 30, 2014, had the Basel III rules been fully phased-in, our supplementary leverage ratio would be 9.3 percent.⁵ These ratios are calculated using the Standardized Approach for determining risk-weighted assets.

As noted previously, we are currently taking steps toward Basel III Advanced Approaches implementation in the U.S. Our $750 million subordinated hybrid security, which was previously fully included in Tier 2 capital (but not in Tier 1 capital), does not meet the requirements of Tier 2 capital under Basel III. The phase-out of this subordinated hybrid security from Tier 2 capital began in the first quarter of 2014, which affects our total risk-based capital ratio. However, this ratio is expected to remain well in excess of the required minimum.

The Basel capital standards establish minimum requirements for the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios that are 1.5% higher than the minimum requirements for Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios. This difference between Tier 1 capital, which includes common equity and qualifying preferred securities, and Common Equity Tier 1 is also present in the minimum capital requirements within Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR), beginning with the 2014 plan submissions. The Company’s 2014 CCAR capital plan thus included the issuance of Tier 1 eligible preferred shares, to finance a portion of the Tier 1 capital requirements in excess of common equity requirements. We anticipate that the issuance of amounts included in our capital plan will occur during the fourth quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015, subject to market conditions.

The following provides definitions for Fully Phased-in Basel III capital ratios as defined by the Basel III rules using the Standardized Approach. All calculations are non-GAAP measures.

Fully Phased-in Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio – The Fully Phased-in Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is calculated as Common Equity Tier 1 under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules divided by risk-weighted assets under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules.

Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio – The Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is calculated as Tier 1 capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules divided by risk-weighted assets under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules.

 

5

The Fully Phased-in Basel III capital ratios are non-GAAP measures. We believe the presentation of the capital ratios is helpful to investors by showing the impact of future regulatory capital standards on our capital ratios.

 

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The following table presents a comparison of our Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital under Transitional Basel III rules to our estimated Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules.

Table 19: Transitional Basel III versus Fully Phased-in Basel III

 

Fully Phased-in Basel III Risk-Weighted Assets — The Fully Phased-in Basel III risk-weighted assets reflect our Basel I risk-weighted assets, adjusted under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules. This includes incremental risk weighting applied to deferred tax assets and significant investments in unconsolidated financial institutions, as well as exposures to past due accounts, equities and sovereigns. The Fully Phased-in Basel III risk-weighted assets as of September 30, 2014 were estimated to be $130.1 billion.

Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 Leverage Ratio — The Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by our average total consolidated assets.

Basel III Supplementary Leverage Ratio — The supplementary leverage ratio under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules is calculated by dividing Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by our total assets for supplementary leverage capital purposes under Basel III. Total assets for supplementary leverage capital purposes reflect total consolidated assets with adjustments for Tier 1 capital deductions, off-balance sheet derivatives, undrawn unconditionally cancellable commitments and other off-balance sheet liabilities. Total assets for supplementary leverage capital purposes as of September 30, 2014 were estimated to be $179.9 billion.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

We have a share repurchase program to return excess capital to shareholders. The share repurchases reduce shares outstanding and offset, in whole or part, the issuance of new shares as part of employee compensation plans.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we returned $1.4 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, to our shareholders in the form of dividends ($0.3 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively) and share repurchases ($1.1 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively). We repurchased 13 million common shares at an average price of $88.49 in the third quarter of 2014. These dividend and share repurchase amounts represent approximately 89 percent and 83 percent of total capital generated during the three and nine month periods, respectively. These percentages for 2014 are significantly greater than the on average and over time target to distribute approximately 50 percent of the capital to shareholders as dividends or through the repurchases of common stock. These distribution percentages result from the strength of our capital ratios and the amount of capital we generate from net income and through employee stock plans in relation to the amount of capital required to support our organic business growth and through acquisitions. We are expecting to execute our share repurchase program, subject to market conditions and pursuant to our capital plan, which includes up to $1.15 billion in share repurchases for the remainder of 2014.

 

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Funding Strategy

Our principal funding objective is to maintain broad and well-diversified funding sources to allow us to meet our maturing obligations, cost-effectively finance current and future asset growth in our global businesses as well as to maintain a strong liquidity profile. The diversity of funding sources by type of debt instrument, by maturity and by investor base, among other factors, provides additional insulation from the impact of disruptions in any one type of debt, maturity or investor. The mix of our funding in any period will seek to achieve cost efficiency consistent with both maintaining diversified sources and achieving our liquidity objectives. Our funding strategy and activities are integrated into our asset-liability management activities. We have in place a funding policy covering American Express Company and all of our subsidiaries.

Our proprietary card businesses are the primary asset-generating businesses, with significant assets in both domestic and international Card Member receivable and lending activities. Our financing needs are in large part a consequence of our proprietary card-issuing businesses and the maintenance of a liquidity position to support all of our business activities, such as merchant payments. We generally pay merchants for card transactions prior to reimbursement by Card Members and therefore fund the merchant payments during the period Card Member loans and receivables are outstanding. We also have additional financing needs associated with general corporate purposes, including acquisition activities.

We seek to raise funds to meet all of our financing needs, including seasonal and other working capital needs, while also seeking to maintain sufficient highly liquid assets to meet our net cash flow needs under stressed environments, which include the scheduled maturities of funding obligations. We currently expect to satisfy Basel III’s Liquidity Coverage Ratio standard, based upon our current understanding of the requirements, through our current funding programs and liquidity strategies.

During the third quarter of 2014, we issued (i) $1.0 billion of Class A asset-backed securities from American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) with a maturity of three years and a coupon of 1.26 percent, (ii) $1.5 billion of Class A asset-backed securities from the Lending Trust with a maturity of three years and a coupon of 1.49 percent, (iii) $1.9 billion of dual-tranche senior unsecured notes from American Express Credit Corporation (Credco) with a maturity of five years consisting of $1.5 billion of fixed-rate senior notes with a coupon of 2.25 percent and $400 million of floating-rate senior notes at 3-month LIBOR plus 49 basis points and (iv) $1.0 billion of dual-tranche senior unsecured notes from Credco with a maturity of three years consisting of $700 million of fixed-rate senior notes with a coupon of 1.55 percent and $300 million of floating-rate senior notes at 3-month LIBOR plus 30 basis points.

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

 

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Table 20: Unsecured Debt Ratings

 

 

(a)

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

 

(b)

S&P does not provide a rating for TRS short-term debt.

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

Deposit Programs

We offer deposits within our American Express Centurion Bank (Centurion Bank) and American Express Bank, FSB (FSB) subsidiaries (together, the Banks). These funds are currently insured up to $250,000 per account holder through the FDIC. Our ability to obtain deposit funding and offer competitive interest rates is dependent on the Banks’ capital levels. We, through the FSB, have a direct retail deposit program, Personal Savings from American Express, to supplement our distribution of deposit products sourced through third-party distribution channels. The direct retail program makes FDIC-insured certificates of deposit (CDs) and high-yield savings account products available directly to consumers.

We held the following deposits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

Table 21: Customer Deposits

 

 

(a)

The weighted average remaining maturity and weighted average rate at issuance on the total portfolio of U.S. retail CDs, issued through direct and third-party programs, were 25.9 months and 1.65 percent, respectively, as of September 30, 2014.

Asset Securitization Programs

We periodically securitize Card Member receivables and loans arising from our card business, as the securitization market provides us with cost-effective funding. Securitization of Card Member receivables and loans is accomplished through the transfer of those assets to a trust, which in turn issues securities collateralized by the transferred assets to third party investors. The proceeds from issuance are distributed to us, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, as consideration for the transferred assets.

 

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The receivables and loans being securitized are reported as assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related securities issued to third-party investors are reported as long-term debt.

Under the respective terms of the securitization trust agreements, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the assets of each trust could result in payment of trust expenses, establishment of reserve funds, or in a worst-case scenario, early amortization of investor securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, no such triggering events occurred.

Liquidity Management

Our liquidity objective is to maintain access to a diverse set of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources. We maintain liquidity sources in amounts sufficient to meet business requirements and expected future financial obligations for a period of at least twelve months in the event we are unable to raise new funds under our regular funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions. We have in place a liquidity risk policy that sets out our approach to managing liquidity risk on an enterprise-wide basis.

We incur and accept liquidity risk arising in the normal course of offering our products and services. The liquidity risks that we are exposed to can arise from a variety of sources, and thus our liquidity management strategy includes a variety of parameters, assessments and guidelines, including, but not limited to:

 

•

Maintaining a diversified set of funding sources (refer to Funding Strategy section for more details);

 

•

Maintaining unencumbered liquid assets and off-balance sheet liquidity sources available to meet obligations; and

 

•

Projecting cash inflows and outflows from a variety of sources and under a variety of scenarios, including contingent liquidity exposures such as collateral requirements for derivative transactions.

 

•

Trade-offs between the risk of insufficient liquidity and our profitability are incorporated into the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process.

We maintain liquidity resources sufficient to meet our projected net cash flow needs during stressed environments over various time horizons, including 30-day and 12-month periods. Our liquidity resources include highly liquid assets, as well as a variety of other contingent liquidity resources, such as access to undrawn amounts under our secured borrowing facilities and committed bank credit facilities. In addition, the Company has access to secured borrowing at the Federal Reserve discount window.

As of September 30, 2014, we had $15.6 billion in excess cash and $0.1 billion of securities held as collateral available to fund long-term maturities, which includes $21.3 billion classified as cash and cash equivalents, less $5.7 billion of cash available to fund day-to-day operations. The $15.6 billion represents cash residing in the U.S.

 

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The upcoming approximate maturities of our long-term unsecured debt issued in connection with asset-backed securitizations and long-term certificates of deposit are as follows:

Table 22: Debt Maturities

 

 

 

(a)

Reflects the face amount of unsecured term debt; the long-term debt balance on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes capitalized leases of $0.1 billion and certain adjustments that are not included in this balance.

Our financing needs for the next 12 months are expected to arise from these debt and deposit maturities as well as changes in business needs, including changes in outstanding Card Member loans and receivables and acquisition activities.

We consider various factors in determining the amount of liquidity we maintain, such as economic and financial market conditions, seasonality in business operations, growth in our businesses, potential acquisitions or dispositions, the cost and availability of alternative liquidity sources, and regulatory and credit rating agency considerations.

The yield we receive on our cash and readily marketable securities is, generally, less than the interest expense on the sources of funding for these balances. Thus, we incur substantial net interest costs on these amounts. The level of net interest costs will be dependent on the size of our cash and readily marketable securities holdings, as well as the difference between our cost of funding these amounts and their investment yields.

Securitized Borrowing Capacity

As of September 30, 2014, we maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of July 15, 2016, that gives us the right to sell up to $3.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA notes from the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust). We also maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of September 15, 2017, that gives us the right to sell up to $2.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA certificates from the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust). Both facilities are used in the ordinary course of business to fund seasonal working capital needs, as well as to further enhance our contingent funding resources. As of September 30, 2014, no amounts were drawn on the Charge Trust facility or the Lending Trust facility.

Federal Reserve Discount Window

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

We had approximately $52 billion as of September 30, 2014 in U.S. credit card loans and charge card receivables that could be sold over time through our existing securitization trusts, or pledged in return for secured borrowings to provide further liquidity, subject in each case to applicable market conditions and eligibility criteria.

 

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Committed Bank Credit Facilities

In addition to the secured borrowing facilities described earlier in this section, we maintained committed syndicated bank credit facilities as of September 30, 2014 of $7.0 billion through facilities in the U.S. and Australia. Our total committed bank credit facilities expire as follows:

Table 23: Expiration of Committed Syndicated Bank Credit Facilities

 

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flow activity, followed by a discussion of the major drivers impacting operating, investing and financing cash flows.

Table 24: Cash Flows

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

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

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net cash provided by operating activities was $8.6 billion as a result of net income of $4.4 billion adjusted by non cash items such as certain changes in provisions for losses, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, stock-based compensation and the pretax gain of $641 million related to the GBT JV transaction. The increase in accounts payable and other liabilities, which is a source of cash, was driven by higher discount business volumes and associated payables to merchants.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net cash provided by operating activities was $8.2 billion as a result of net income of $4.1 billion adjusted by non cash items such as certain changes in provisions for losses, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes and stock-based compensation. In addition, other sources of cash include an increase in accounts payable and other liabilities, driven by higher discount business volumes, as well as a decrease in Other assets due to the utilization of certain prepaid co-brand rewards points.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Our investing activities primarily include changes in Card Member loans and receivables and our available for sale investment portfolio.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net cash used in investing activities was $3.0 billion consisting of a net increase in Card Member receivables, primarily driven by increases in Card Member spend, as well as purchases of premises and equipment, net of sales.

 

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net cash used in investing activities was $1.5 billion consisting of a net increase in Card Member receivables, driven by higher Card Member spend, as well as purchases of premises and equipment, net of sales. This was partially offset by a net decrease in Card Member loans resulting from higher pay downs.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

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

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net cash used in financing activities was $3.7 billion driven by $3.2 billion in repurchases of American Express common shares as well as a $0.9 billion net reduction in short- and long-term debt.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net cash used in financing activities was $6.6 billion driven by a $5.6 billion net reduction in short- and long-term debt as well as $3.2 billion in repurchases of American Express common shares, partially offset by a net increase in customer deposits of $2.3 billion.

Certain Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately $278 billion of unused credit available to Card Members as part of established lending product agreements. Total unused credit available to Card Members does not represent potential future cash requirements, as a significant portion of this unused credit will likely not be drawn. Our charge card products generally have no pre-set limit, and therefore are not reflected in unused credit available to Card Members.

To mitigate counterparty credit risk related to derivatives, the Company accepted noncash collateral in the form of security interests in U.S. Treasury securities from its derivatives counterparties with a fair value of $111 million as of September 30, 2014, none of which was sold or repledged.

 

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OTHER REPORTING MATTERS

Certain Legislative, Regulatory and Other Developments

As a participant in the financial services industry, and as a bank holding company, we are subject to comprehensive examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve and to a range of laws and regulations that impact our business and operations. In light of legislative initiatives over the last several years and continuing regulatory reform implementation, compliance requirements and expenditures have risen for financial services firms, including us, and we expect compliance requirements and expenditures will continue to rise in the future.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) contains a wide array of provisions intended to govern the practices and oversight of financial institutions and other participants in the financial markets. Among other matters, the law created an independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB), which has broad rulemaking authority over providers of credit, savings, payment and other consumer financial products and services with respect to certain federal consumer financial laws. Moreover, the CFPB has examination and enforcement authority with respect to certain federal consumer financial laws for providers of consumer financial products and services, including American Express Company and certain of our subsidiaries. The CFPB is directed to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts or practices, and to ensure that all consumers have access to fair, transparent and competitive markets for consumer financial products and services.

The review of products and practices to prevent unfair, deceptive or abusive conduct will be a continuing focus of the CFPB and banking regulators more broadly, as well as our own internal reviews. Internal and regulatory reviews have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, changes to our practices, products and procedures. Such reviews are also likely to continue to result in increased costs related to regulatory oversight, supervision and examination, and additional restitution to our Card Members and may result in additional regulatory actions, including civil money penalties.

In December 2013, we announced that certain of our subsidiaries reached settlements with several banking regulators, including the CFPB, to resolve regulatory reviews of marketing and billing practices related to several credit card add-on products. For a description of these settlements, see “Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

In October 2012, we announced that American Express Company and certain of our subsidiaries reached settlements with several bank regulators, including the CFPB, relating to certain aspects of our U.S. consumer card practices, which requires us to undertake certain actions that have continued in 2014. For a description of these settlements, see “Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Dodd-Frank prohibits payment card networks from restricting merchants from offering discounts or incentives to customers to pay with particular forms of payment, such as cash, check, credit or debit card, or restricting merchants from setting certain minimum, and for certain merchants maximum, transaction amounts for credit cards, as long as any such discounts or incentives or any minimum or maximum transaction amounts do not discriminate on the basis of the issuer or network and comply with applicable federal or state disclosure requirements.

Under Dodd-Frank, the Federal Reserve is also authorized to regulate interchange fees paid to financial institutions on debit card and certain general-use prepaid card transactions to ensure that they are “reasonable and proportional” to the cost of processing individual transactions, and to prohibit payment card networks and issuers from requiring transactions to be processed on a single payment network or fewer than two unaffiliated networks. The Federal Reserve’s rule provides that the regulations on interchange and routing do not apply to a three-party network like American Express when it acts as both the issuer and the network for prepaid cards, and we are therefore not a “payment card network” as that term is defined and used for the specific purposes of the rule.

 

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Dodd-Frank also authorizes the Federal Reserve to establish enhanced prudential regulatory requirements, including capital, leverage and liquidity standards, risk management requirements, concentration limits on credit exposures, mandatory resolution plans (so-called “living wills”) and stress tests for, among others, large bank holding companies, such as American Express Company, that have greater than $50 billion in assets. We are also required to develop and maintain a “capital plan,” and to submit the capital plan to the Federal Reserve for our quantitative and qualitative review under the Federal Reserve’s CCAR process. In addition, certain derivative transactions are now required to be centrally cleared, which have increased our collateral posting requirements.

Certain aspects of Dodd-Frank are subject to further rule making and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on us or across the industry.

Department of Justice Litigation

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and certain states’ attorneys general have brought an action against us alleging that the provisions in our card acceptance agreements with merchants that prohibit merchants from discriminating against our card products at the point of sale violate the U.S. antitrust laws. See Part II, Item 1. “Legal Proceedings” for descriptions of the DOJ action and related cases. Visa and MasterCard, which were also defendants in the DOJ and state action, entered into a settlement agreement and have been dismissed as parties pursuant to that agreement. The settlement enjoins Visa and MasterCard, with certain exceptions, from adopting or enforcing rules or entering into contracts that prohibit merchants from engaging in various actions to steer cardholders to other card products or payment forms at the point of sale. If similar conditions were imposed on American Express, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Other Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives

Various countries in which we operate have been considering and in some cases adopting legislation and rules that would or do impose changes on certain practices of card issuers, merchant acquirers and payment networks including antitrust actions, legislation to regulate particular practices or prices and the establishment of broad and ongoing regulatory oversight regimes for payment systems. Regulators and legislators outside the U.S. have focused on the fees merchants pay to accept cards, including the way bankcard network members collectively set the “interchange” (that is, the fee paid by the bankcard merchant acquirer to the card issuer in “four-party” payment networks, like Visa and MasterCard), as well as terms of merchant acceptance rules and contracts. Although, unlike the Visa and MasterCard networks, the American Express “three-party” payment network does not have interchange fees or collectively set any fees or rules, antitrust actions and government regulation relating to merchant pricing or terms of merchant rules and contracts could affect all networks directly or indirectly. For example, the European Commission’s (the Commission) decision to make binding Visa Europe’s commitments to cap its cross-border credit card multilateral interchange fees to 30 basis points and change its rules on how cross-border interchange is applied could negatively impact the discount revenue we derive from our business in the European Union (EU) as a result of downward marketplace pressure on merchant fees, including our discount rates. Broad regulatory oversight over payment systems can also include, in some cases, requirements for international card networks to be locally licensed and/or to localize aspects of their operations. The development and enforcement of regulatory regimes may adversely affect our ability to maintain or increase our revenues and extend our global network.

 

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In January 2012, the Commission published a Green Paper (a document to begin a process of consultation toward potential regulation) covering a range of issues affecting the payments industry. The Commission completed the consultation process and on July 24, 2013, issued its recommendations, which included draft legislation now under consideration within the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. The Commission’s recommendations included a number of proposals that would likely have significant impact across the industry and would apply either in whole or in part to American Express. The proposed changes include:

 

•

Price caps — The Commission proposed capping interchange fees at 20 basis points for debit and prepaid cards and 30 basis points for credit and charge cards. Although American Express does not have interchange fees, as four-party networks such as Visa and MasterCard have, the caps would be deemed to apply to elements of the financial arrangements agreed between American Express and each GNS partner in the EU. The discount rates American Express agrees with merchants would not be capped, but the interchange caps could exert downward pressures on merchant fees across the industry, including American Express discount rates. The Commission proposed to exclude commercial card transactions generally from the scope of these caps.

 

•

Network rules on card acceptance — The Commission proposed to prohibit honor-all-cards and anti-steering rules across all card networks. In addition, the draft proposals sought harmonization of surcharging rules so that, across the EU, transactions that are subject to the interchange caps may not be surcharged, but transactions falling outside the scope of the caps could be surcharged up to cost.

 

•

Network licensing — The Commission proposed to require all networks, including three-party payment networks that operate with licensing arrangements, which would include our GNS business, to establish objective, proportionate and non-discriminatory criteria under which a financial institution could qualify to be licensed to operate on the network. In addition, the scope of network licenses would be required to cover the entire EU. These requirements are inconsistent with the flexibility and discretion that American Express has had to date in deciding when, where and with whom to grant a license in the GNS business.

 

•

Separation of network processing — The Commission proposed to require card networks to separate their network processing functions (in which transactions between different issuers and acquirers are processed for authorization, clearing and settlement). This proposal does not apply to three-party payment networks, such as American Express, but may be deemed applicable in situations where a different GNS issuer and acquirer is involved in a transaction, which represent a very small percentage of transactions on the American Express network. Further clarification of the applicability of this requirement is needed where, as with GNS, licensing arrangements do not give rise to inter-bank transactions or relationships.

These proposals are currently subject to debate and amendment by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union in a complex legislative process that will also involve the Commission. The Parliament held a preliminary vote in April 2014 broadly in favor of the Commission’s proposals with some amendments, including the application of price caps to transactions on three-party networks above an unspecified share threshold and three-party network cards issued with co-brand partners or via agents; the inclusion of commercial cards within the scope of price caps; and the ability of Member States to ban surcharging altogether. The Council has yet to establish its position on the proposals and the Parliament will need to finalize its position in another vote, before the Commission, Parliament and Council ultimately agree on a compromise text. It is therefore too early to assess the exact scope and impact of any final legislation.

 

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In certain countries, such as Australia, and in certain Member States in the EU, merchants are permitted by law to surcharge card purchases. While surcharging continues to be actively considered in certain jurisdictions, the benefits to customers have not been apparent in countries that have allowed it, and in some cases regulators are addressing concerns about excessive surcharging by merchants. Surcharging, particularly where it disproportionately impacts American Express Card Members, which is known as differential surcharging, could have a material adverse effect on us if it becomes widespread. The Reserve Bank of Australia allows us and other networks to limit a merchant’s right to surcharge to “the reasonable cost of card acceptance.” In the EU, the Consumer Rights Directive prohibits merchants from surcharging card purchases more than the merchants’ cost of acceptance in those Member States that permit surcharging.

Although neither a legislative nor regulatory initiative, the settlement by MasterCard and Visa in a U.S. merchant class litigation required, among other things, MasterCard and Visa to permit U.S. merchants, subject to certain conditions, to surcharge credit cards, while allowing them to continue to prohibit surcharges on debit and prepaid card transactions. In December 2013, we announced the proposed settlement of a number of U.S. merchant class action lawsuits, which, if approved, would change certain surcharging provisions in our U.S. card acceptance agreements. For a further description of the proposed settlement, see Item 1. “Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Refer to “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for a discussion of capital adequacy requirements established by federal banking regulators.

Glossary of Selected Terminology

Adjusted average loans — Represents average Card Member loans excluding the impact of deferred card fees, net of direct acquisition costs of Card Member loans and certain other immaterial items.

Adjusted net interest income — Represents net interest income attributable to our Card Member loans portfolio excluding the impact of interest expense and interest income not attributable to our Card Member loans portfolio.

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

Average discount rate — 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 GNS) retained by us from merchants we acquire, prior to payments to third parties unrelated to merchant acceptance.

Basel III supplementary leverage ratio — Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for the definition.

Basic cards-in-force — 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 basic cards-in-force includes cards that are issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements, except for supplemental cards and retail co-brand Card Member accounts which have had no out-of-store spend activity during the prior 12-month period.

 

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Billed business — Includes activities (including cash advances) related to proprietary cards, cards issued under network partnership agreements (non-proprietary billed business), corporate payments and certain insurance fees charged on proprietary cards. In-store spend activity within retail co-brand portfolios in GNS, from which we earn no revenue, is not included in non-proprietary billed business. Card billed business is reflected in the U.S. or outside the U.S. based on where the issuer is located.

Capital ratios — Represents the minimum standards established by the regulatory agencies as a measure to determine whether the regulated entity has sufficient capital to absorb on- and off-balance sheet losses beyond current loss accrual estimates.

Card Member — The individual holder of an issued American Express branded charge or credit card.

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

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

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

Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio — Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for the definitions under Transitional Basel III and Fully Phased-in Basel III.

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

Discount revenue — Represents revenue earned from fees generally charged to merchants with whom we have entered into a card acceptance agreement for processing Card Member transactions. The discount fee generally is deducted from our payment reimbursing the merchant for Card Member purchases. Discount revenue is reduced by other payments made to merchants, third-party card issuing partners, cash-back reward costs, corporate incentive payments and other contra-revenue items.

Four-party network — A payment network, such as Visa or MasterCard, in which the card issuer and merchant acquirer are different entities and the network does not have direct relationships with merchants or cardholders.

Interest expense — Interest expense includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member loans, charge card product receivables, general corporate purposes, and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred. Interest expense is divided principally into two categories: (i) deposits, which primarily relates to interest expense on deposits taken from customers and institutions and (ii) long-term debt, which primarily relates to interest expense on our long-term financing and short-term borrowings, which primarily relates to interest expense on commercial paper, federal funds purchased, bank overdrafts and other short-term borrowings.

 

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

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

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

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

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

Merchant acquisition — Represents the signing of merchants to accept American Express-branded cards.

Net card fees — Represents the card membership fees earned during the period. These fees are recognized as revenue over the covered card membership period (typically one year), net of provision for projected refunds for cancellation of card membership.

Net interest yield on Card Member loans — Net interest yield on Card Member loans 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.

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Return on average tangible segment capital — Computed in the same manner as return on average segment capital except the computation of average tangible segment capital excludes from average segment capital average goodwill and other intangibles.

Risk-weighted assets — Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for the definitions under Basel I and Fully Phased-in Basel III.

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

Three-party network — A payment network, such as American Express, that acts as both the card issuer and merchant acquirer.

Tier 1 leverage ratio — Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for the definitions under Transitional Basel III and Fully Phased-in Basel III.

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio — Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for the definitions under Transitional Basel III and Fully Phased-in Basel III.

Total cards-in-force — Represents the number of cards that are issued and outstanding. 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 which have no out-of-store spend activity during the prior 12-month period.

Total risk-based capital ratio — Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for the definition.

Travel sales — Represents the total dollar amount of travel transaction volume for airline, hotel, car rental, and other travel arrangements made for consumers and small businesses. We earn revenue on these transactions by charging a transaction or management fee.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk to earnings or value resulting from movements in market prices. Our market risk exposure is primarily generated by interest rate risk in our card, insurance and Travelers Cheque businesses, as well as our investment portfolios, and foreign exchange risk in our operations outside the United States. As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (refer to “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”):

 

•

the detrimental effect on our annual net interest income of a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would be approximately $227 million; and

 

•

the adverse impact on pretax income of a hypothetical 10 percent strengthening of the U.S. dollar related to anticipated overseas operating results for the next 12 months would be approximately $192 million.

These sensitivities are based on the 2013 year-end positions, and assume that all relevant maturities and types of interest rates and foreign exchange rates that affect our results would increase instantaneously and simultaneously and to the same degree. There were no material changes in these market risks since December 31, 2013.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address our expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “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. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

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•

the ability to hold annual operating expense growth to less than 3 percent during 2014, 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, our decision to increase or decrease discretionary operating expenses depending on overall business performance, our ability to achieve the expected benefits of our reengineering plans, our 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 expenses;

 

•

the actual amount to be spent by us on investments in the business during the fourth quarter 2014 and the actual amount of any potential gain arising from the proposed acquisition, by SAP, of Concur Technologies we decide to invest in business building activities and initiatives designed to improve operating efficiencies, which will be based in part on the likelihood and timing of the closing of the proposed Concur acquisition, the magnitude of any gain we recognize as a result of the Concur acquisition, which will depend on the ultimate purchase price paid by SAP, management’s ability to identify attractive investment opportunities and make such investments, which could be impacted by business, regulatory or legal complexities, our ability to develop and implement technology and other resources to realize efficiencies and the ability to control operating, infrastructure and rewards expenses as business expands or changes, including the changing behavior of Card Members;

 

•

changes affecting our ability or desire to repurchase up to $1.15 billion of our common shares for the remainder of 2014, such as acquisitions, results of operations, capital needs and the amount of shares issued by us to employees upon the exercise of options, among other factors, which will significantly impact the potential decrease in our capital ratios;

 

•

changes affecting our ability or desire to issue preferred shares during the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, such as actions by bank regulatory agencies, capital needs, any reduction in our credit ratings, which could materially increase the cost and other terms of preferred shares, and market conditions, among other factors;

 

•

the possibility that we will not fully execute on our 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;

 

•

our ability to meet our 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 our success in implementing our strategies and business initiatives including growing our share of overall spending, increasing merchant coverage, enhancing our prepaid offerings, expanding the GNS business and controlling expenses, and on factors outside management’s 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;

 

•

our ability to meet our 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 our capital plans by our regulators, the amount we spend on acquisitions, our results of operations and capital needs in any given period, and the amount of shares issued by us to employees upon the exercise of options;

 

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uncertainty relating to the outcomes and costs associated with merchant class actions, including the success or failure of the settlement agreement, such as objections to the settlement agreement by plaintiffs and other parties and uncertainty and timing related to the approval of the settlement agreement by the Court, which can be impacted by appeals;

 

•

changes in global economic and business conditions, including consumer and business spending, the availability and cost of credit, unemployment and political conditions, all of which may significantly affect spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan balances and other aspects of our business and results of operations;

 

•

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

 

•

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;

 

•

legal and regulatory developments wherever we do business, including legislative and regulatory reforms in the U.S., such as the establishment of the CFPB and Dodd-Frank’s stricter regulation of large, interconnected financial institutions, which could make fundamental changes to many of our business practices or materially affect our capital or liquidity requirements, results of operations, or ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; actions and potential future actions by the FDIC and credit rating agencies applicable to securitization trusts, which could impact our ABS program; or potential changes to the taxation of our businesses, the allowance of deductions for significant expenses, or the incidence of consumption taxes on our transactions, products and services;

 

•

changes in the 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 co-brand relationships and the success of marketing, promotion or rewards programs;

 

•

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

 

•

the impact of final laws and regulations, if any, arising from the European Commission’s 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;

 

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our ability to maintain and expand our presence in the digital payments space, including online and mobile channels, which will depend on our success in evolving our business models and processes for the digital environment, building partnerships and executing programs with companies, and utilizing digital capabilities that can be leveraged for future growth;

 

•

factors beyond our control such as fire, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, health pandemics, terrorism, cyber attacks or fraud, which could significantly affect spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan balances and travel-related spending or disrupt our global network systems and ability to process transactions; and

 

•

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 our effective tax rate and have an adverse impact on net income.

A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We and our subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal and arbitration proceedings, including class actions, arising out of the conduct of our respective business activities. We believe we have meritorious defenses to each of these actions and intend to defend them vigorously. In the course of our business, we and our subsidiaries are also subject to governmental examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and investigations. We believe we are not a party to, nor are any of our properties the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration, regulatory or investigative proceedings that would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, it is possible that the outcome of any such proceeding could have a material impact on results of operations in any particular reporting period as the proceedings are resolved. Certain legal proceedings involving us or our subsidiaries are further described in this section and others, for which there have been no subsequent material developments since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, are described in such report.

For those legal proceedings and governmental examinations described in this section and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which we are able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $350 million in excess of the accrued liability (if any) related to those matters. This aggregate range represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimated range of possible loss does not represent our maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated range will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates. For additional information, refer to Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Corporate Matters

During the last few years as regulatory interest in credit card network pricing to merchants or terms of merchant rules and contracts has increased, we have responded to many inquiries from banking and competition authorities throughout the world.

 

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

The DOJ matter was coordinated pre-trial with individual and putative class actions pending in the Eastern District of New York against American Express brought by merchants alleging that our “anti-steering” provisions in its merchant acceptance agreements with the plaintiffs violate federal antitrust laws. As alleged by the plaintiffs, these provisions prevent merchants from offering consumers incentives to use alternative forms of payment when consumers wish to use an American Express-branded card. Plaintiffs seek damages and injunctive relief.

In July 2004, we were named as a defendant in a putative class action captioned The Marcus Corporation v. American Express Company, et al., in which the plaintiffs allege an unlawful antitrust tying arrangement between certain of our charge cards and credit cards in violation of various state and federal laws. The plaintiffs in these actions seek injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of damages.

In December 2013, we announced a proposed settlement of the Marcus case and the putative class actions challenging our anti-steering or non-discrimination provisions. The settlement, which provides for certain injunctive relief for the proposed classes, received preliminary approval in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The final approval hearing was held on September 17, 2014 and we are awaiting decision.

Trial of the DOJ matter concluded on August 18, 2014. Closing arguments were held on October 9, 2014 following submission of post-trial briefs. A trial date for the individual merchant actions has not been set. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment in the individual merchant actions is pending.

We are a defendant in a class action captioned Kaufman v. American Express Travel Related Services, which was filed on February 14, 2007, and is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Plaintiffs’ principal allegation is that our gift cards violate consumer protection statutes because consumers allegedly have difficulty spending small residual amounts on the gift cards prior to the imposition of monthly service fees. The Court preliminarily certified a settlement class consisting of (with some exceptions) “all purchasers, recipients and holders of all gift cards issued by American Express from January 1, 2002 through the date of preliminary approval of the settlement.” We are also a defendant in Goodman v. American Express Travel Related Services, a putative class action pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, that involves allegations similar to those made in Kaufman. Plaintiffs in Goodman have intervened in the Kaufman proceedings and will be subject to any final settlement in Kaufman that may be approved over their objections. A final settlement approval hearing was held on June 11, 2014 and we are awaiting decision.

U.S. Card Services and Global Merchant Services Matters

In July 2004, a purported class action complaint, Ross, et al. v. American Express Company, American Express Travel Related Services and American Express Centurion Bank, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that we conspired with Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club in the setting of foreign currency conversion rates and in the inclusion of arbitration clauses in certain of their cardholder agreements. The suit seeks injunctive relief and unspecified damages. The class is defined as “all Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club general-purpose cardholders who used cards issued by any of the MDL Defendant Banks.” American Express Card Members are not part of the class. The settlement of the claims asserted on behalf of the damage class concerning foreign currency conversion rates was approved in 2012. On April 10, 2014, following a trial of the claims asserted by the injunction class concerning cardholder arbitration clauses, the Court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims and granted judgment in favor of us. Plaintiffs have appealed.

 

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In October 2009, a putative class action, captioned Lopez, et al. v. American Express Bank, FSB and American Express Centurion Bank, was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The amended complaint sought to certify a class of California American Express Card Members whose interest rates were changed from fixed to variable in or around August 2009 or otherwise increased. On August 20, 2014, plaintiffs filed an amended nationwide complaint and an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of a settlement of the claims alleged in that complaint. The settlement provides for certain relief to class members, attorneys’ fees and costs of up to $6 million. On September 22, 2014, the motion for preliminary approval was denied without prejudice to renew. The parties are responding to the court’s questions regarding the class notice and claims processes and the request for preliminary approval will be renewed.

In September 2010, a putative class action, captioned Meeks v. American Express Centurion Bank, was filed in Fulton County Superior Court, Georgia and later moved to federal court. Plaintiffs sought to certify a nationwide class of all American Express Card Members who received unilateral interest rate increases despite their accounts being in good standing. In 2013, two putative class actions, captioned Seldes v. American Express Centurion Bank and Manhattan Steamboat LLC v. American Express Bank, FSB, were filed by plaintiffs making allegations similar to those in Meeks and seeking to certify nationwide classes. These actions have been dismissed with prejudice.

In October 2012, a putative class action captioned Clarke v. American Express Company, et al. was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that American Express Company, American Express Travel Related Services, Inc., American Express Centurion Bank and American Express Bank, FSB violated state consumer protection laws, state common law and federal statutory law in the marketing, selling and implementation of a credit card product known as “Account Protector.” The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages along with injunctive and declaratory relief. Plaintiffs have dismissed this action without prejudice.

International Matters

In a class action captioned Sylvan Adams v. Amex Bank of Canada, filed in the Superior Court of Quebec, District of Montreal in 2004, plaintiffs allege that prior to December 2003, Amex Bank of Canada charged a foreign currency conversion commission on transactions to purchase goods and services in currencies other than Canadian dollars and failed to disclose the commissions in monthly billing statements or solicitations directed to prospective Card Members. The action further alleges that conversion commissions made on foreign currency transactions are credit charges under the Quebec Consumer Protection Act (the “QCPA”) and cannot be charged prior to the 21-day grace period under the QCPA. The class, consisting of all personal and small business Card Members residing in Quebec that purchased goods or services in a foreign currency prior to December 2003, claims reimbursement of all foreign currency conversion commissions, CDN$1,000 in punitive damages per class member, interest and fees and costs. On June 11, 2009, following trial, the Superior Court rendered a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs against Amex Bank of Canada and awarded damages in the amount of approximately CDN$13.1 million plus interest on the non-disclosure claims, and punitive damages in the amount of CDN$2.5 million. The Court of Appeal overturned the decision in part, with regard to the award of punitive damages. Amex Bank of Canada further appealed and that appeal was heard in the Supreme Court of Canada on February 13, 2014. On September 19, 2014, the Supreme Court denied the appeal.

 

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In a class action captioned Marcotte v. Bank of Montreal, et al., filed in the Superior Court of Quebec, District of Montreal in 2003, against Amex Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Scotiabank, National Bank of Canada, Laurentian Bank of Canada and Citibank Canada, plaintiffs alleges that conversion commissions made on foreign currency transactions are credit charges under the QCPA and cannot be charged prior to the 21-day grace period under the QCPA. The class includes all persons residing in Quebec holding a credit card issued by one of the defendants to whom fees were charged since April 17, 2000, for transactions made in foreign currency before expiration of the period of 21 days following the statement of account. The class claims reimbursement of all foreign currency conversions, CDN$400 per class member for trouble, inconvenience and punitive damages, interest and fees and costs. On June 11, 2009, following trial, the Superior Court rendered a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs against Amex Bank of Canada and awarded damages in the amount of approximately CDN$8.3 million plus interest on the QCPA and non-disclosure claims and punitive damages in the amount of CDN$25 per Card Member. The Court of Appeal overturned the decision against Amex Bank of Canada and certain of the other co-defendants. The remaining co-defendants and the plaintiffs appealed and that appeal was heard by the Supreme Court of Canada on February 13, 2014. On September 19, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada denied the co-defendants’ appeal but granted plaintiffs’ appeal in part, partially restoring the trial court’s award against Amex Bank of Canada as well as the punitive damages award against all defendants.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For a discussion of our risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the Annual Report) and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 (the Second Quarter Form 10-Q). There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report, as supplemented and updated in the Second Quarter Form 10-Q. However, the risks and uncertainties that we face are not limited to those set forth in the Annual Report and Second Quarter Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business and the trading price of our securities.

 

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

 

(c)

ISSUER PURCHASES OF SECURITIES

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases of the Company’s common stock made by or on behalf of the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 

 

 

(a)

As of September 30, 2014, there were approximately 71 million shares of common stock remaining under Board authorization. Such authorization does not have an expiration date and, at present, there is no intention to modify or otherwise rescind such authorization.

 

(b)

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

 

(c)

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

 

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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.

A travel company that may be considered an affiliate of ours, American Express Nippon Travel Agency, Inc. (“Nippon Travel Agency”), has informed us that during the third quarter of 2014 it obtained 15 visas from the Iranian embassy in Japan in connection with certain travel arrangements on behalf of clients. Nippon Travel Agency had negligible gross revenues and net profits attributable to these transactions. Nippon Travel Agency has informed us that it intends to continue to engage in this activity so long as such activity is permitted under U.S. law.

 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

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

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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

 

Exhibit		Description
12		Computation in Support of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1		Certification of Kenneth I. Chenault pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2		Certification of Jeffrey C. Campbell pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1		Certification of Kenneth I. Chenault pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2		Certification of Jeffrey C. Campbell pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

E-1