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

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018

or

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

For the Transition Period from ____ to ____

Commission file number 1-7657

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

New York 13-4922250
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10285
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code                                         (212) 640-2000        

None
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes       No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes       No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
         Large accelerated filer
                         Accelerated filer
         Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
                         Smaller reporting company
                         Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes       No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class  Outstanding at JulyApril 18, 20172018
Common Shares (par value $0.20 per share)  883,979,644860,362,205 Shares

 

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 
       
Part I. Page No.
 Item 1.   
    1
    2
    3
4
    54
    65
 Item 2.  2830
 Item 3.  5957
 Item 4.  5957
Part II.  
 Item 1.  6260
 Item 1A.  6260
 Item 2.  6361
 Item 5.  6462
 Item 6.  6462
 6563
 E-1
 
 



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
       
Three Months Ended June 30 (Millions, except per share amounts)
 2017  2016 
Revenues      
Non-interest revenues      
Discount revenue $4,815  $4,824 
Net card fees  771   715 
Other fees and commissions  752   702 
Other  439   545 
Total non-interest revenues  6,777   6,786 
Interest income        
Interest on loans  1,947   1,818 
Interest and dividends on investment securities  23   34 
Deposits with banks and other  82   33 
Total interest income  2,052   1,885 
Interest expense        
Deposits  176   150 
Long-term debt and other  346   286 
Total interest expense  522   436 
Net interest income  1,530   1,449 
Total revenues net of interest expense  8,307   8,235 
Provisions for losses        
Charge card  163   153 
Card Member loans  404   285 
Other  17   25 
Total provisions for losses  584   463 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  7,723   7,772 
Expenses        
Marketing and promotion  830   788 
Card Member rewards  1,926   1,766 
Card Member services and other  349   281 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,293   1,451 
Other, net  1,376   470 
Total expenses  5,774   4,756 
Pretax income  1,949   3,016 
Income tax provision  609   1,001 
Net income $1,340  $2,015 
Earnings per Common Share (Note 15): (a)
        
Basic $1.47  $2.11 
Diluted $1.47  $2.10 
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:        
Basic  890   938 
Diluted  893   941 
Cash dividends declared per common share $0.32  $0.29 
(a)Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million and $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $19 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

1

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

       
Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions, except per share amounts)
 2017  2016 
Revenues      
Non-interest revenues      
Discount revenue $9,334  $9,467 
Net card fees  1,519   1,414 
Other fees and commissions  1,465   1,382 
Other  848   1,031 
Total non-interest revenues  13,166   13,294 
Interest income        
Interest on loans  3,807   3,756 
Interest and dividends on investment securities  46   70 
Deposits with banks and other  142   64 
Total interest income  3,995   3,890 
Interest expense        
Deposits  325   300 
Long-term debt and other  640   561 
Total interest expense  965   861 
Net interest income  3,030   3,029 
Total revenues net of interest expense  16,196   16,323 
Provisions for losses        
Charge card  376   322 
Card Member loans  741   512 
Other  40   63 
Total provisions for losses  1,157   897 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  15,039   15,426 
Expenses        
Marketing and promotion  1,530   1,515 
Card Member rewards  3,733   3,469 
Card Member services and other  670   563 
Salaries and employee benefits  2,557   2,789 
Other, net  2,783   1,890 
Total expenses  11,273   10,226 
Pretax income  3,766   5,200 
Income tax provision  1,189   1,759 
Net income $2,577  $3,441 
Earnings per Common Share (Note 15): (a)
        
Basic $2.81  $3.55 
Diluted $2.80  $3.54 
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:        
Basic  895   949 
Diluted  898   952 
Cash dividends declared per common share $0.64  $0.58 
Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions, except per share amounts)
 2018  2017 
Revenues      
Non-interest revenues      
Discount revenue $5,889  $5,387 
Net card fees  830   748 
Other fees and commissions  781   711 
Other  377   361 
Total non-interest revenues  7,877   7,207 
Interest income        
Interest on loans  2,326   1,862 
Interest and dividends on investment securities  21   23 
Deposits with banks and other  115   60 
Total interest income  2,462   1,945 
Interest expense        
Deposits  270   149 
Long-term debt and other  351   294 
Total interest expense  621   443 
Net interest income  1,841   1,502 
Total revenues net of interest expense  9,718   8,709 
Provisions for losses        
Charge card  242   213 
Card Member loans  499   337 
Other  34   23 
Total provisions for losses  775   573 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  8,943   8,136 
Expenses        
Marketing and business development  1,345   1,285 
Card Member rewards  2,347   2,061 
Card Member services  409   317 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,326   1,264 
Other, net  1,434   1,370 
Total expenses  6,861   6,297 
Pretax income  2,082   1,839 
Income tax provision  448   588 
Net income $1,634  $1,251 
Earnings per Common Share (Note 15):(a)
        
Basic $1.86  $1.36 
Diluted $1.86  $1.35 
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share:        
Basic  859   899 
Diluted  861   903 
Cash dividends declared per common share $0.35  $0.32 
(a)Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $21$13 million and $28$10 million for the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $40$21 million for both the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and 2016.2017.

 


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
21



AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30, 
(Millions) 2017  2016  2017  2016 
Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions)
 2018  2017 
Net income $1,340  $2,015  $2,577  $3,441  $1,634  $1,251 
Other comprehensive income (loss):                        
Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax     5   6   7 
Net unrealized debt securities (losses) gains, net of tax  (11)  6 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax  33   (130)  349   (126)  30   316 
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax  9   6   1   32   28   (8)
Other comprehensive income (loss)  42   (119)  356   (87)
Other comprehensive income  47   314 
Comprehensive income $1,382  $1,896  $2,933  $3,354  $1,681  $1,565 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
      
 June 30,  December 31,  March 31,  December 31, 
(Millions, except share data) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Assets            
Cash and cash equivalents            
Cash and due from banks $2,709  $3,278  $3,627  $5,148 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (includes securities purchased under resale agreements: 2017, $102; 2016, $115)  26,363   20,779 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (includes securities purchased under resale agreements: 2018, $49; 2017, $48)  27,315   27,709 
Short-term investment securities  1,370   1,151   150   70 
Total cash and cash equivalents  30,442   25,208   31,092   32,927 
Accounts receivable                
Card Member receivables (includes gross receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2017, $7,949; 2016, $8,874), less reserves: 2017, $475; 2016, $467  48,930   46,841 
Other receivables, less reserves: 2017, $32; 2016, $45  2,832   3,232 
Card Member receivables (includes gross receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2018, $7,807; 2017, $8,919), less reserves: 2018, $565; 2017, $521  53,676   53,526 
Other receivables, less reserves: 2018, $31; 2017, $31  3,194   3,209 
Loans                
Card Member loans (includes gross loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2017, $24,521; 2016, $26,129), less reserves: 2017, $1,320; 2016, $1,223  64,651   64,042 
Other loans, less reserves: 2017, $54; 2016, $42  1,855   1,419 
Card Member loans (includes gross loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2018, $24,058; 2017, $25,695), less reserves: 2018, $1,786; 2017, $1,706  71,034   71,693 
Other loans, less reserves: 2018, $91; 2017, $80  2,872   2,607 
Investment securities  3,360   3,157   3,388   3,159 
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization: 2017, $5,596; 2016, $5,145  4,445   4,433 
Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities: 2017, $55; 2016, $38)  10,482   10,561 
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization: 2018, $5,732; 2017, $5,455  4,271   4,329 
Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities: 2018, $147; 2017, $62)  10,429   9,746 
Total assets $166,997  $158,893  $179,956  $181,196 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
Liabilities                
Customer deposits $57,726  $53,042  $66,665  $64,452 
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products  2,503   2,812   2,435   2,555 
Accounts payable  12,106   11,190   14,038   14,657 
Short-term borrowings  3,426   5,581   1,852   3,278 
Long-term debt (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities: 2017, $16,002; 2016, $15,113)  51,945   46,990 
Long-term debt (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities: 2018, $15,800; 2017, $18,560)  52,461   55,804 
Other liabilities  18,116   18,777   22,892   22,189 
Total liabilities  145,822   138,392  $160,343  $162,935 
Contingencies (Note 8)                
Shareholders’ Equity                
Preferred shares, $1.662/3 par value, authorized 20 million shares; issued and outstanding 1,600 shares as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
      
Common shares, $0.20 par value, authorized 3.6 billion shares; issued and outstanding 885 million shares as of June 30, 2017 and 904 million shares as of December 31, 2016  177   181 
Preferred shares, $1.662/3 par value, authorized 20 million shares; issued and outstanding 1,600 shares as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
      
Common shares, $0.20 par value, authorized 3.6 billion shares; issued and outstanding 860 million shares as of March 31, 2018 and 859 million shares as of December 31, 2017  172   172 
Additional paid-in capital  12,456   12,733   12,225   12,210 
Retained earnings  10,970   10,371   9,597   8,307 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss                
Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax of: 2017, $8; 2016, $5  13   7 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2017, $(362); 2016, $24  (1,913)  (2,262)
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax of: 2017, $(194); 2016, $(186)  (528)  (529)
Net unrealized debt securities losses, net of tax of: 2018, $(2); 2017, $1  (11)   
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2018, $(415); 2017,$(363)  (1,931)  (1,961)
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax of: 2018, $(176); 2017, $(179)  (439)  (467)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss  (2,428)  (2,784)  (2,381)  (2,428)
Total shareholders’ equity  21,175   20,501   19,613   18,261 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $166,997  $158,893  $179,956  $181,196 
 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions)
 2017  2016 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities      
Net income $2,577  $3,441 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Provisions for losses  1,157   897 
Depreciation and amortization  615   536 
Deferred taxes and other  2   (852)
Stock-based compensation  152   133 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:        
Other receivables  832   293 
Other assets  181   (107)
Accounts payable and other liabilities  (902)  (697)
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products  (330)  (444)
Net cash provided by operating activities  4,284   3,200 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities        
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities  1   45 
Maturities and redemptions of  available-for-sale investment securities  1,502   567 
Purchases of investments  (1,768)  (791)
Net (increase) decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale(a)
  (3,169)  13,002 
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales: 2017, $1; 2016, $2  (538)  (649)
Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired  (174)  (162)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash  (12)  126 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (4,158)  12,138 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities        
Net increase (decrease)  in customer deposits  4,666   (594)
Net decrease in short-term borrowings  (2,124)  (2,520)
Issuance of long-term debt  17,124   3,778 
Principal payments on long-term debt  (12,349)  (1,558)
Issuance of American Express common shares  44   75 
Repurchase of American Express common shares  (1,767)  (2,914)
Dividends paid  (620)  (601)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  4,974   (4,334)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  134   1 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  5,234   11,005 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  25,208   22,762 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $30,442  $33,767 
(a)Refer to Note 2 for additional information.
Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions)
 2018  2017 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities      
Net income $1,634  $1,251 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Provisions for losses  775   573 
Depreciation and amortization  348   296 
Deferred taxes and other  (254)  18 
Stock-based compensation  84   89 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:        
Other receivables  122   786 
Other assets  (85)  351 
Accounts payable and other liabilities  (431)  (2,072)
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products  (130)  (132)
Net cash provided by operating activities  2,063   1,160 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities        
Maturities and redemptions of investment securities  886   860 
Purchases of investments  (1,215)  (1,294)
Net decrease in Card Member receivables and loans(a)
  348   1,450 
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales: 2018, nil; 2017, nil  (237)  (277)
Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired  (475)  (28)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (693)  711 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities        
Net increase in customer deposits  2,206   735 
Net decrease in short-term borrowings  (1,489)  (1,941)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings  3,984   8,420 
Payments of long-term borrowings  (7,203)  (3,801)
Issuance of American Express common shares  11   31 
Repurchase of American Express common shares  (134)  (926)
Dividends paid  (324)  (313)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (2,949)  2,205 
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (178)  107 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  (1,757)  4,183 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period  33,264   25,494 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $31,507  $29,677 

(a)  Refer to Note 2 for additional information.
Supplementary cash flow information
  Mar-18  Dec-17  Mar-17  Dec-16 
Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets $31,092  $32,927  $29,366  $25,208 
Restricted cash included in Other assets per Consolidated Balance Sheets  415   337   311   286 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $31,507  $33,264  $29,677  $25,494 
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’sOur principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Business travel-related services are offered through the non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel (the GBT JV). The Company’sOur 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 mobile and online applications, direct mail, online applications, in-house andsales teams, third-party sales forcesvendors and direct response advertising.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 (the Annual Report). If not materially different, certain footnote disclosures included therein have been omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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

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

Discount Revenue

Discount revenue primarily represents the amount we earn on transactions occurring at merchants that have entered into a card acceptance agreement with us, or a Global Network Services (GNS) partner or other third-party merchant acquirer, for facilitating transactions between the merchants and Card Members. The amount of fees charged, or merchant discount, varies with, among other factors, the industry in which the merchant conducts business, the merchant’s overall transaction volume, the timing and method of payment to the merchant, the method of submission of transactions and, in certain instances, the geographic scope of the card acceptance agreement signed with us (e.g., local or global) and the transaction amount. The merchant discount is generally deducted from the payment to the merchant and recorded as discount revenue at the time the Card Member transaction occurs.
The card acceptance agreements, which outline the agreed-upon terms for charging the merchant discount fee, vary in duration. Our contracts with small- and medium-sized merchants generally have no fixed contractual duration, while those with large merchants are generally for fixed periods, which typically range from three to seven years in duration. Our fixed-period agreements may include auto-renewal features, which may allow the existing terms to continue beyond the stated expiration date until a new agreement is reached.  We satisfy our obligations under these agreements over the contract term, often on a daily basis, through the processing of Card Member transactions and the availability of our payment network.

In cases where we are the card issuer and the merchant acquirer is a third party (which is the case, for example, under our OptBlue program, or with certain of our GNS partners), we receive a network rate fee in our settlement with the merchant acquirer, which is individually negotiated between us and that merchant acquirer and is recorded as discount revenue at the time the Card Member transaction occurs. In our role as the operator of the American Express network, we also settle with merchants on behalf of our GNS card issuing partners, who in turn receive an issuer rate that is individually negotiated between that issuer and us and is recorded as expense in Marketing and business development (see below) or as contra-revenue in Other revenue. In contrast with networks such as those operated by Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated, there are no collectively set interchange rates or network rates on the American Express network, and no fees are agreed or due between the GNS partners on the network.

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Net Card Fees

Net card fees represent revenue earned from annual card membership fees, which vary based on the type of card and the number of cards for each account. These fees, net of acquisition costs and a reserve for projected refunds for Card Member cancellations, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the twelve-month card membership period as Net Card Fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The unamortized net card fee balance is reported in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other Fees and Commissions
Other fees and commissions includes certain fees charged to Card Members, including delinquency fees and foreign currency conversion fees, which are primarily recognized in the period in which they are charged to the Card Member. Other fees and commissions also includes Membership Rewards program fees, which are deferred and recognized over the period covered by the fee, typically one year, the unamortized portion of which is included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, Other fees and commissions includes loyalty coalition-related fees, travel commissions and fees and service fees earned from merchants, that are recognized when the service is performed, which is generally in the period the fee is charged. Refer to Note 13 for additional information.
Contra-revenue
Payments made through contractual arrangements with our merchants, GNS partners, and other customers are classified as expense where we receive goods, services or other benefits, for which the fair value is determinable and measurable. If these conditions are not met, the payment is classified as contra-revenue with the related revenue transaction (e.g., Discount revenue or Other revenue) and recorded when incurred.

Interest Income

Interest on Card Member loans is assessed using the average daily balance method. 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 relate to our performing fixed-income securities. Interest income is recognized as earned using the effective interest method, which adjusts the yield for security premiums and discounts, fees and other payments, so that a constant rate of return is recognized on the investment security’s outstanding balance. Amounts are recognized until securities are in default or when it becomes likely that future interest payments will not be made as scheduled.
Interest 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.

Interest Expense

Interest expense includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member loans and receivables, general corporate purposes and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred. Interest expense is divided principally into two categories: (i) deposits, which primarily relates to interest expense on deposits taken from customers and institutions, and (ii) debt, which primarily relates to interest expense on our long-term debt and short-term borrowings, as well as the realized impact of derivatives used to hedge interest rate risk on our long-term debt.

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Marketing and Business Development

As further described below under “Recently Adopted Accounting Standards,” effective January 1, 2018, in conjunction with the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard, the previously disclosed “Marketing and Promotion” line on the Consolidated Statements of Income was changed to “Marketing and Business Development” to reflect the inclusion of certain reclassified costs from Contra-discount revenue and Other expenses. Marketing and business development provides a more comprehensive view of costs related to building and growing our business, including the reclassified costs.

Marketing and business development expense includes costs incurred in the development and initial placement of advertising, which are expensed in the year in which the advertising first takes place. Also included in Marketing and business development expense are Card Member statement credits for qualifying charges on eligible card accounts, corporate incentive payments earned on achievement of preset targets, and certain payments to GNS card issuing partners. These costs are generally expensed as incurred.

Card Member Rewards
We issue charge and credit cards that allow Card Members to participate in various rewards programs (e.g., Membership Rewards, cobrand and cash back). Rewards expense is recognized in the period Card Members earn rewards, generally by spending on their enrolled card products.  We record a Card Member rewards liability that represents the estimated cost of points earned that are expected to be redeemed. Card Member rewards liabilities are impacted over time by enrollment levels, attrition, the volume of points earned and redeemed, and the associated redemption costs. Changes in the Card Member rewards liabilities during the period are taken as a charge or release to the Card Member rewards line.
Effective January 1, 2018, in conjunction with the new revenue recognition standard, Card Member rewards also includes cash-back rewards, which were reclassified from contra discount revenue.
Classification of various items


Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation.presentation, including the reclassification of certain business development expenses from Other expenses to Marketing and business development, that were not directly attributable to the adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The accounting standard establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance, as amended, supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and is effective January 1, 2018.
Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, the Company anticipates using the full retrospective method, which applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented. The Company has been working on the implementation of the standard since its issuance in 2014 and has made significant progress in evaluating the potential impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. There will be changes to the recognition timing and classification of revenues and expenses, including potential changes to the presentation of certain credit and charge card related costs that are currently netted against discount revenue. The Company does not expect a significant impact to pretax income upon adoption. The Company is also in the process of implementing changes to its accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls to support the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements under the new standard.
In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The guidance, which is effective January 1, 2018, makes targeted changes to current GAAP, specifically to the classification and measurement of equity securities, and to certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company makes investments in non-public companies currently recognized under cost method accounting.  Under the new guidance, these investments will be prospectively adjusted for observable price changes upon identification of identical or similar transactions of the same issuer. The Company continues to evaluate the impact this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the impact the standard will have on its accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls.
6

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on leases. The guidance, which is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, requires virtually all leases to be recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company currently anticipates adoptingWe will adopt the standard effective January 1, 2019, using the2019.  The new guidance currently requires a modified retrospective transition approach, which requires recordingwould cause us to record existing operating leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets upon adoption and in the comparative period. The Company isIn January 2018, the FASB released an exposure draft that, if issued in its current form, would provide us with the option to adopt the provisions of the new guidance prospectively, without adjusting the comparative periods presented.  We are in the process of upgrading its existingour lease administration software for new lease accounting functionality,and changing business processes and internal controls in preparation for the implementation.adoption. Specifically, the Company iswe are currently reviewing itsour lease portfolio and isare evaluating and interpreting the requirements under the guidance, including the available accounting policy elections, in order to determine the impacts to the Company’son our financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption.
7

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, which is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The guidance introduces a new credit reserving model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) model, which is based on expected losses, and differs significantly from the incurred loss approach used today. The CECL model requires measurement of expected credit losses not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information. In addition, for available-for-sale debt securities, the new guidance replaces the other-than-temporary impairment model, and requires the recognition of an allowance for reductions in a security’s fair value attributable to declines in credit quality, instead of a direct write-down of the security when a valuation decline is determined to be other-than-temporary. The guidance also requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption. The Company doesWe do not intend to adopt the new standard early and isare currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on itsour financial position, results of operations and cash flows; however, it is expected that the CECL model will alter the assumptions used in estimating credit losses on Card Member loans and receivables, among other financial instruments (e.g., investments in available-for-sale debt securities), and may result in material increases to the Company’sour credit reserves as the new guidance involves earlier recognition of expected losses for the life of the assets.  The Company hasWe have established an enterprise-wide, cross-discipline governance structure to implement the new standard. The Company is currently identifyingstandard, and continue to identify and conclude on key interpretive issues and isalong with evaluating our existing credit loss forecasting models and processes in relation to the new guidance to determine what modifications may be required.

In February 2018, as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) to retained earnings. The optional guidance is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating whether we will adopt the new guidance along with any impacts on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, none of which are expected to be material.


Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted new revenue recognition guidance issued by the FASB related to contracts with customers. The scope of the new guidance excludes financial instruments such as credit and charge card arrangements. We elected to adopt the standard using the full retrospective method, which we believe is most useful to our investors. Under the full retrospective method, we are applying the standard back to January 1, 2016. As shown below, the most significant impacts of adoption are changes to the classification of certain revenues and expenses, including certain credit and charge card related costs previously netted against discount revenue, such as Card Member cash-back reward costs and statement credits, corporate incentive payments, as well as payments to third-party GNS card issuing partners. Under the new revenue standard, these costs are not considered components of the transaction price of our card acceptance agreements with merchants and thus are not netted against discount revenue, but instead are recognized as expenses. Our payments to third-party GNS card issuing partners are presented net of related revenues earned from the partners.

The impact to the 2017 fiscal quarters and years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

 Increase (Decrease) 
 Three months ended Year Ended December 
 (Millions)December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2017 March 31, 2017 2017 2016 
Revenues            
Discount revenue $981  $930  $928  $868  $3,707  $3,699 
Other  (78)  (71)  (64)  (65)  (278)  (253)
Expenses                        
Marketing and business development  617   591   593   549   2,350   2,420 
    Card Member rewards $286  $268  $271  $254  $1,079  $1,026 

In addition, the cumulative impact to our retained earnings on January 1, 2016 was an increase of $55.2 million.


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Table of Contents
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The adoption of the new guidance also resulted in changes to the recognition timing of certain revenues, the impact of which is not material to net income. Similarly, the adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets or Statements of Cash Flows. We had no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  Contracts assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. In adopting the guidance, we implemented changes to our accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls to support the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements under the new standard.  Such changes were not material.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, which was effective and adopted by us as of January 1, 2018. The guidance makes targeted changes to GAAP; specifically to the classification and measurement of equity securities, and to certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial assets and liabilities. This applies to investments we make in non-public companies in the ordinary course of business, which historically were recognized under the cost method of accounting. These investments will be prospectively adjusted through earnings for observable price changes upon the identification of identical or similar transactions of the same company. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We implemented changes to our accounting policies, business processes and internal controls in support of the new guidance.  Such changes were not material.
In August 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance providing targeted improvements to the accounting for hedging activities, effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted in any interim period or fiscal year before the effective date. The guidance introduces a number of amendments, several of which are optional, that are designed to simplify the application of hedge accounting, improve financial statement transparency and more closely align hedge accounting with an entity’s risk management strategies. Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted the guidance, with no material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, along with associated changes to our accounting policies, business processes and internal controls in support of the new guidance.  Such changes were not material.



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Table of Contents
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2.  Business Events

During the fourthfirst quarter of 2015, it was determined2018, we acquired from Citibank, N.A. its existing Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. cobrand credit card loan portfolio (the acquired Hilton portfolio). The Hilton portfolio had an outstanding principal and interest balance of approximately $1 billion at acquisition. None of the Company would sell the Card Membercredit card loans and receivablesacquired were considered purchased credit impaired at acquisition date. The cash outflows related to its cobrand partnerships with JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) in the United States (the HFS portfolios). As a result, the HFS portfolios were presented as held for sale (HFS) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Card Member loans and receivables HFS as of December 31, 2015.

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

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


7

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 3.  Loans and Accounts Receivable

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

Card Member loans by segment and Other loans as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 20162017 consisted of:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
U.S. Consumer Services(a)
 $48,348  $48,758  $52,655  $53,668 
International Consumer and Network Services  7,245   6,971   8,667   8,651 
Global Commercial Services  10,378   9,536   11,498   11,080 
Card Member loans  65,971   65,265   72,820   73,399 
Less: Reserve for losses  1,320   1,223   1,786   1,706 
Card Member loans, net $64,651  $64,042  $71,034  $71,693 
Other loans, net(b)
 $1,855  $1,419  $2,872  $2,607 
(a)Includes approximately $24.5$24.1 billion and $26.1$25.7 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. The balance as of March 31, 2018 also includes the acquired Hilton portfolio (refer to Note 2).
(b)Other loans primarily represent personal and commercial financing products. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $54$91 million and $42$80 million as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.

Card Member accounts receivable by segment and Other receivables as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 20162017 consisted of:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
U.S. Consumer Services (a)
 $11,344  $12,302  $11,659  $13,143 
International Consumer and Network Services  5,988   5,966   7,071   7,803 
Global Commercial Services  32,073   29,040   35,511   33,101 
Card Member receivables  49,405   47,308   54,241   54,047 
Less: Reserve for losses  475   467   565   521 
Card Member receivables, net $48,930  $46,841  $53,676  $53,526 
Other receivables, net (b)
 $2,832  $3,232  $3,194  $3,209 
(a)Includes $7.9$7.8 billion and $8.9 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.
(b)
Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) Global Network Services (GNS) partner banksGNS partners for items such as royalty and franchise fees, (ii) tax-related receivables, (iii) certain merchants for billed discount revenue, and (iii)(iv) loyalty coalition partners for points issued, as well as program participation and servicing fees. Other receivables are presented net of reservesreserves for losses of $32$31 million and $45$31 million as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.

 
810

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Card Member Loans and Card Member Receivables Aging
Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table presents the aging of Card Member loans and receivables as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

2018 (Millions)
Current 30-59 Days Past Due 60-89 Days Past Due 90+ Days Past Due Total 
Card Member Loans:          
U.S. Consumer Services $51,922  $201  $156  $376  $52,655 
International Consumer and Network Services  8,524   46   31   66   8,667 
Global Commercial Services                    
Global Small Business Services  11,278   45   33   71   11,427 
Global Corporate Payments(a)
(b) (b) (b)   1   71 
Card Member Receivables:                    
U.S. Consumer Services  11,510   48   35   66   11,659 
International Consumer and Network Services  6,967   33   22   49   7,071 
Global Commercial Services                    
Global Small Business Services $15,931  $93  $68  $126  $16,218 
Global Corporate Payments(a)
(b) (b) (b)  $163  $19,293 
                    
2017 (Millions)
 Current  30-59 Days Past Due  60-89 Days Past Due  90+ Days Past Due  Total Current 30-59 Days Past Due 60-89 Days Past Due 90+ Days Past Due Total 
Card Member Loans:                                   
U.S. Consumer Services $47,797  $155  $119  $277  $48,348  $52,961  $201  $162  $344  $53,668 
International Consumer and Network Services  7,124   38   25   58   7,245   8,530   37   28   56   8,651 
Global Commercial Services                                        
Global Small Business Services $10,207  $35  $25  $57  $10,324   10,892   43   31   59   11,025 
Global Corporate Payments(a)
 (b)  (b)  (b)  $  $54 (b) (b) (b)      55 
Card Member Receivables:                                        
U.S. Consumer Services $11,220  $42  $24  $58  $11,344   12,993   53   33   64   13,143 
International Consumer and Network Services  5,903   25   16   44   5,988   7,703   29   21   50   7,803 
Global Commercial Services                                        
Global Small Business Services $14,967  $75  $41  $102  $15,185  $15,868  $91  $54  $106  $16,119 
Global Corporate Payments(a)
 (b)  (b)  (b)  $136  $16,888 (b) (b) (b)  $148  $16,982 
                    
2016 (Millions)
 Current  30-59 Days Past Due  60-89 Days Past Due  90+ Days Past Due  Total 
Card Member Loans:                    
U.S. Consumer Services $48,216  $156  $119  $267  $48,758 
International Consumer and Network Services  6,863   32   24   52   6,971 
Global Commercial Services                    
Global Small Business Services $9,378  $34  $23  $49  $9,484 
Global Corporate Payments(a)
 (b)  (b)  (b)  $  $52 
Card Member Receivables:                    
U.S. Consumer Services $12,158  $45  $30  $69  $12,302 
International Consumer and Network Services  5,888   22   15   41   5,966 
Global Commercial Services                    
Global Small Business Services $14,047  $77  $47  $102  $14,273 
Global Corporate Payments(a)
 (b)  (b)  (b)  $135  $14,767 
(a)For Global Corporate Payments (GCP) Card Member loans and receivables in Global Commercial Services (GCS), delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member’s billing statement date. In addition, if the Company initiateswe initiate collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member loan and receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes. See also (b).
(b)Delinquency data for periods other than 90 days past billing is not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data has not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances.

 
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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 sixthree months ended June 30:March 31:
  2017 2016  2018  2017 
  Net Write-Off Rate   Net Write-Off Rate    Net Write-Off Rate     Net Write-Off Rate    
  
Principal Only(a)
 
Principal, Interest & Fees(a)
 30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total 
Principal Only(a)
 
Principal, Interest & Fees(a)
 30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total  
Principal Only(a)
  
Principal, Interest & Fees(a)
  30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total  
Principal Only(a)
  
Principal, Interest & Fees(a)
  30+ Days Past Due as a % of Total 
Card Member Loans:Card Member Loans:                               
U.S. Consumer Services 1.7%2.0%1.1%1.5%1.7%1.1%
International Consumer and Network Services 2.0%2.5%1.7%2.0%2.4%1.7%
Global Small Business Services 1.5%1.8%1.1%1.3%1.6%1.1%
U.S. Consumer Services  2.0%  2.4%  1.4%  1.7%  2.0%  1.2%
International Consumer and Network Services  2.1%  2.6%  1.6%  2.0%  2.5%  1.7%
Global Small Business Services  1.6%  1.9%  1.3%  1.6%  1.8%  1.2%
Card Member Receivables:Card Member Receivables:                                     
U.S. Consumer Services 1.4%1.5%1.1%1.5%1.8%1.2%
International Consumer and Network Services 2.0%2.2%1.4%2.2%2.4%1.4%
Global Small Business Services 1.7%1.9%1.4%1.7%2.0%1.4%
              
      2017 2016 
      Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume 90+ Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume 90+ Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables 
Card Member Receivables:         
 Global Corporate Payments0.10%0.8%0.09%0.7%
U.S. Consumer Services  1.3%  1.5%  1.3%  1.5%  1.7%  1.3%
International Consumer and Network Services  2.0%  2.2%  1.5%  2.1%  2.3%  1.5%
Global Small Business Services  1.7%  1.9%  1.8%  1.8%  2.0%  1.6%
 2018 2017 
        Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume 90+ Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume 90+ Days Past Billing as a % of Receivables 
Card Member Receivables:            
   Global Corporate Payments  0.10%  0.8%  0.11%  0.7%
(a)The Company presentsWe 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 the Company considerswe consider uncollectible interest and/or fees in estimating its reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.

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

 
 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following tables provide additional information with respect to the Company’sour impaired Card Member loans and receivables. Impaired Card Member receivables are not significant for International Consumer and Network Services (ICNS) as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016;2017; therefore, this segment’s receivables are not included in the following tables.
  As of June 30, 2017 
                      
        
Accounts Classified as a TDR(c)
          
2017 (Millions)
 
Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest(a)
  
Non-Accruals(b)
  
In Program(d)
  
Out of Program(e)
  Total Impaired Balance  Unpaid Principal Balance  Allowance for TDRs 
Card Member Loans:                     
U.S. Consumer Services $175  $156  $153  $132  $616  $560  $47 
International Consumer and Network Services  58            58   57    
Global Commercial Services  33   34   26   27   120   110   9 
Card Member Receivables:                            
U.S. Consumer Services        10   8   18   18   4 
Global Commercial Services        25   15   40   40   9 
Total $266  $190  $214  $182  $852  $785  $69 

 As of March 31, 2018 
               
     
Accounts Classified as a TDR(c)
       
2018 (Millions)
Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest(a)
 
Non-Accruals(b)
 
In Program(d)
 
Out of Program(e)
 Total Impaired Balance Unpaid Principal Balance Allowance for TDRs 
Card Member Loans:              
U.S. Consumer Services $254  $182  $209  $125  $770  $691  $52 
International Consumer and Network Services  66            66   65    
Global Commercial Services  46   35   38   25   144   134   8 
Card Member Receivables:                            
U.S. Consumer Services        19   10   29   29   1 
Global Commercial Services        48   21   69   69   3 
Total $366  $217  $314  $181  $1,078  $988  $64 

 As of December 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2017 
                                   
       
Accounts Classified as a TDR(c)
              
Accounts Classified as a TDR(c)
       
2016 (Millions)
 
Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest(a)
  
Non-Accruals(b)
  
In Program(d)
  
Out of Program(e)
  Total Impaired Balance  Unpaid Principal Balance  Allowance for TDRs 
2017 (Millions)
Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest(a)
 
Non-Accruals(b)
 
In Program(d)
 
Out of Program(e)
 Total Impaired Balance Unpaid Principal Balance Allowance for TDRs 
Card Member Loans:                                   
U.S. Consumer Services $178   139   165   129   611   558   51  $233  $168  $178  $131  $710  $639  $49 
International Consumer and Network Services  52            52   51      56            56   55    
Global Commercial Services  30   30   26   26   112   103   9   38   31   31   27   127   118   8 
Card Member Receivables:                                                        
U.S. Consumer Services        11   6   17   17   7         15   9   24   24   1 
Global Commercial Services        28   10   38   38   21         37   19   56   56   2 
Total $260  $169  $230  $171  $830  $767  $88  $327  $199  $261  $186  $973  $892  $60 
(a)The Company’sOur policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (typically 180 days past due). The Company establishesWe establish reserves for interest that it believeswe believe will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude Card Member loans classified as a TDR.
(b)Non-accrual loans not in modification programs primarily include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company haswe have ceased accruing interest. Amounts presented exclude Card Member loans classified as a TDR.
(c)Accounts classified as a TDR include $18$15 million and $20$15 million that are over 90 days past due and accruing interest and $7$4 million and $11$5 million that are non-accruals as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.
(d)In Program TDRs include Card Member accounts that are currently enrolled in a modification program.
(e)Out of Program TDRs include $139$137 million and $132$141 million of Card Member accounts that have successfully completed a modification program and $43$44 million and $39$45 million of Card Member accounts that were not in compliance with the terms of the modification programs as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.


 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table provides information with respect to the Company’sour average balances of, and interest income recognized from impaired Card Member loans and the average balances of impaired Card Member receivables for the three and six months ended June 30:March 31:
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 2018 2017 
(Millions) Average Balance  Interest Income Recognized  Average Balance  Interest Income Recognized 
Card Member Loans:            
U.S. Consumer Services $618  $16  $616  $32 
International Consumer and Network Services  56   4   55   8 
Global Commercial Services  120   4   117   8 
Card Member Receivables:                
U.S. Consumer Services  18      18    
Global Commercial Services  41      40    
Total $853  $24  $846  $48 
        
                  Interest   Interest 
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2016
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2016
 Average Income Average Income 
(Millions) Average Balance  Interest Income Recognized  Average Balance  Interest Income Recognized Balance Recognized Balance Recognized 
Card Member Loans:                        
U.S. Consumer Services $551  $12  $555  $24  $740  $21  $616  $16 
International Consumer and Network Services  54   4   53   8   61   5   53   4 
Global Commercial Services  102   3   103   6   136   5   116   4 
Card Member Receivables:                                
U.S. Consumer Services  13      12      27      18    
Global Commercial Services  25      20      63      40    
Total $745  $19  $743  $38  $1,027  $31  $843  $24 

Card Member Loans and Receivables Modified as TDRs


The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Consumer Services (USCS) and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and 2016.2017. The ICNS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant; therefore, this segment is not included in the following TDR disclosures.

 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017  June 30, 2017 
 
Number of Accounts (in thousands)
 
Outstanding Balances
($ in millions)(a)
  
Average Interest Rate Reduction
(% Points)
  
Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)
  
Number of Accounts (in thousands)
 
Outstanding Balances
($ in millions)(a)
  
Average Interest Rate Reduction (% Points)
  
Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings:                        
Card Member Loans  7  $46   10  (b)   15  $103   11  (b) 
Card Member Receivables  1   18  (c)   32   3   46  (c)   26 
Total  8  $64           18  $149         
                                 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Number of Outstanding Average Interest  Average Payment 
 June 30, 2016  June 30, 2016  Accounts 
Balances(a)
 Rate Reduction  Term Extensions 
 
Number of Accounts (in thousands)
 
Outstanding Balances
($ in millions)(a)
  
Average Interest Rate Reduction
(% Points)
  
Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)
  
Number of Accounts (in thousands)
 
Outstanding Balances
($ in millions)(a)
  
Average Interest Rate Reduction (% Points)
  
Average Payment Term Extension (# of Months)
  (in thousands) ($ in millions) (% Points)  (# of Months) 
Troubled Debt Restructurings:                                           
Card Member Loans  7  $50   10  (b)   15  $107   11  (b)   11  $81   11  (b) 
Card Member Receivables  2   27  (c)   17   5   65  (c)   17   1   29  (c)   28 
Total  9  $77           20  $172           12  $110         
             
  
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
  Number of Outstanding Average Interest  Average Payment 
  Accounts 
Balances(a)
 Rate Reduction  Term Extensions 
  (in thousands) ($ in millions) (% Points)  (# of Months) 
Troubled Debt Restructurings:            
Card Member Loans  8  $57   13  (b) 
Card Member Receivables  2   28  (c)   22 
Total  10  $85         
(a)Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables. Modifications did not reduce the principal balance.
(b)For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions.
(c)The Company doesWe do 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 with respect to the USCS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and 2016.2017. A Card Member is considered in default of a modification program after one and up to two missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables.
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2018 2017 
June 30, 2017 June 30, 2017 
Number of
Accounts
 
Aggregated
Outstanding
Balances
Upon Default(a)
 
Number of
Accounts
 
Aggregated
Outstanding
Balances
Upon Default(a)
 
 
Number of Accounts
(in thousands)
 
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default
($ in millions)(a)
  
Number of Accounts
(in thousands)
 
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default
($ in millions)(a)
 (thousands) (millions) (thousands) (millions) 
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:            
Troubled Debt Restructurings That        
Subsequently Defaulted:        
Card Member Loans  2  $10   4  $21   2  $9   2  $11 
Card Member Receivables  1   2   2   3   1   2   1   1 
Total  3  $12   6  $24   3  $11   3  $12 
                
                
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
June 30, 2016 June 30, 2016 
 
Number of Accounts
(in thousands)
 
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default
($ in millions)(a)
  
Number of Accounts
(in thousands)
 
Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default
($ in millions)(a)
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted:                
Card Member Loans  1  $9   2  $18 
Card Member Receivables  1   1   2   2 
Total  2  $10   4  $20 
(a)The outstanding balances upon default include principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans, and principal and fees on Card Member receivables.



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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 inherent losses in the Company’sour outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments.

Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses

The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the sixthree months ended June 30:March 31:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Balance, January 1 $1,223  $1,028  $1,706  $1,223 
Provisions(a)
  741   512   499   337 
Net write-offs(b)
                
Principal  (557)  (437)  (358)  (272)
Interest and fees  (106)  (80)  (71)  (51)
Other(c)
  19   68   10   11 
Balance, June 30 $1,320  $1,091 
Balance, March 31 $1,786  $1,248 
(a)Provisions for principal, interest and fee reserve components.
(b)Principal write-offs are presented less recoveries of $205$106 million and $179$100 million, and include net write-offs from TDRs of $21$7 million and $17$12 million, for the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis.not significant.
(c)Includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $10$6 million and $(2)$7 million and other adjustments of $9$4 million and $3$4 million for the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. The six months ended June 30, 2016 also includes reserves of $7 million in the first quarter and $60 million in the second quarter associated with $20 million and $245 million of retained Card Member loans, respectively, reclassified from HFS to held for investment during those periods as a result of retaining certain loans in connection with the respective sales of JetBlue and Costco cobrand card portfolios.

Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment
The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment(a)
 $338  $346  $397  $367 
Related reserves (a)
 $56  $60  $60  $57 
Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment(b)
 $65,633  $64,919  $72,423  $73,032 
Related reserves (b)
 $1,264  $1,163  $1,726  $1,649 
(a)Represents loans modified as a TDR and related reserves.
(b)Represents current loans and loans less than 90 days past due, loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest, and non-accrual loans. The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of loans, and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

14

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses
The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the sixthree months ended June 30:March 31:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Balance, January 1 $467  $462  $521  $467 
Provisions(a)
  376   322   242   213 
Net write-offs(b)
  (373)  (359)  (199)  (194)
Other(c)
  5   (2)  1   5 
Balance, June 30 $475  $423 
Balance, March 31 $565  $491 
(a)Provisions for principal and fee reserve components.
(b)Principal and fee componentswrite-offs are presented less recoveries of $181$88 million and $202$93 million, including net write-offs (recoveries) from TDRs of $7$(2) million and $16$6 million, for the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.
(c)
Includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $14$10 million and $(1)$9 million and other adjustments of $(9) million and $(1)$(4) million for the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.

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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Card Member Receivables Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment
The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment, and related reserves, as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment(a)
 $58  $55  $98  $80 
Related reserves (a)
 $13  $28  $4  $3 
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment $49,347  $47,253  $54,143  $53,967 
Related reserves (b)
 $462  $439  $561  $518 
(a)Represents receivables modified as a TDR and related reserves.
(b)The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of receivables, and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to receivables that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

5.  Investment Securities

Investment securities principally include available-for-sale debt securities the Company classifies as available-for-sale and carriescarried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI),AOCI, net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method.
Investment securities also include equity securities carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income; prior to January 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses were recorded in AOCI, net of income taxes.

The following is a summary of investment securities as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

 2017  2016 2018 2017 
    Gross  Gross  Estimated     Gross  Gross  Estimated   Gross Gross Estimated   Gross Gross Estimated 
    Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair     Unrealized  Unrealized  Fair   Unrealized Unrealized Fair   Unrealized Unrealized Fair 
Description of Securities (Millions)
 Cost  Gains  Losses  Value  Cost  Gains  Losses  Value Cost Gains Losses Value Cost Gains Losses Value 
Available-for-sale debt securities:                
State and municipal obligations $1,563  $20  $(2) $1,581  $2,019  $28  $(11) $2,036  $1,122  $8  $(5) $1,125  $1,369  $11  $(3) $1,377 
U.S. Government agency obligations  12         12   12         12   10         10   11         11 
U.S. Government treasury obligations  1,114   9  ��(4)  1,119   465   3   (8)  460   1,678   4   (21)  1,661   1,051   3   (9)  1,045 
Corporate debt securities              19         19   29         29   28         28 
Mortgage-backed securities (a)
  79   2      81   92   3      95   63   2   (1)  64   67   2      69 
Equity securities  1         1   1         1 
Foreign government bonds and obligations  518   1   (1)  518   486   1   (1)  486   451         451   581         581 
Other (b)
  50      (2)  48   50      (2)  48 
Equity securities (b)
  51      (3)  48   51      (3)  48 
Total $3,337  $32  $(9) $3,360  $3,144  $35  $(22) $3,157  $3,404  $14  $(30) $3,388  $3,158  $16  $(15) $3,159 
(a)Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae.
(b)Other comprisesEquity securities comprise investments in variouscommon stock and mutual funds.


 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following table provides information about the Company’s investmentour available-for-sale debt securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
 2017  2016 2018 2017 
 Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Less than 12 months  12 months or more Less than 12 months 12 months or more Less than 12 months 12 months or more 
    Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross   Gross   Gross   Gross   Gross 
Description of Securities (Millions)
 Estimated Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Estimated Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Estimated Fair Value  Unrealized Losses  Estimated Fair Value  Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses 
State and municipal obligations $99  $(2) $  $  $153  $(11) $  $  $144  $(4) $  $  $157  $(3) $  $ 
U.S. Government treasury obligations  366   (4)        298   (8)        811   (14)  173   (7)  650   (3)  175   (6)
Other        32   (2)        32   (2)
Equity securities(a)
     N/A      N/A         36   (2)
Total $465  $(6) $32  $(2) $451  $(19) $32  $(2) $955  $(18) $173  $(7) $807  $(6) $211  $(8)

(a)Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity securities are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and are no longer assessed for other-than-temporary impairment.


The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

 Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total 
Ratio of Fair Value to       Gross        Gross        Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross 
Amortized Cost Number of  Estimated  Unrealized  Number of  Estimated  Unrealized  Number of  Estimated  Unrealized Number of Estimated Unrealized Number of Estimated Unrealized Number of Estimated Unrealized 
(Dollars in millions) Securities  Fair Value  Losses  Securities  Fair Value  Losses  Securities  Fair Value  Losses Securities Fair Value Losses Securities Fair Value Losses Securities Fair Value Losses 
2018:                  
90%–100%  30  $955  $(18)  5  $173  $(7)  35  $1,128  $(25)
Total as of March 31, 2018  30  $955  $(18)  5  $173  $(7)  35  $1,128  $(25)
                                    
2017:                                                               
90%–100%  23  $465  $(6)  6  $32  $(2)  29  $497  $(8)  34  $807  $(6)  13  $211  $(8)  47  $1,018  $(14)
Total as of June 30, 2017  23  $465  $(6)  6  $32  $(2)  29  $497  $(8)
                                    
2016:                                    
90%–100%  33  $411  $(13)  6  $32  $(2)  39  $443  $(15)
Less than 90%  4   40   (6)           4   40   (6)
Total as of December 31, 2016  37  $451  $(19)  6  $32  $(2)  43  $483  $(21)
Total as of December 31, 2017  34  $807  $(6)  13  $211  $(8)  47  $1,018  $(14)

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

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

Contractual maturities for investment securities with stated maturities as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 were as follows:

    Estimated     Estimated 
(Millions) Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value 
Due within 1 year $623  $623  $465  $465 
Due after 1 year but within 5 years  979   984   1,653   1,639 
Due after 5 years but within 10 years  294   298   218   214 
Due after 10 years  1,390   1,406   1,017   1,022 
Total $3,286  $3,311  $3,353  $3,340 

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 CompanyWe periodically securitizessecuritize Card Member loans and receivables arising from itsour card businesses through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts.trusts, American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) and American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust and together with the Lending Trust, the Trusts). The trustsTrusts then issue debt securities collateralized by the transferred assets to third-party investors.

We perform the servicing and key decision making for the Trusts, and therefore have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Trusts’ economic performance, which are the collection of the underlying Card Member loans and receivables. In addition, we hold all of the variable interests in both Trusts, with the exception of the debt securities issued to third-party investors. As of March 31, 2018, our ownership of variable interests was $9.2 billion for the Lending Trust and $7.1 billion for the Charge Trust. These variable interests held by us provide us with the right to receive benefits and the obligation to absorb losses, which could be significant to both the Lending Trust and the Charge Trust. Based on these considerations, we are the primary beneficiary of both Trusts and therefore consolidate both Trusts.

The following table provides information on the restricted cash held by the American Express Credit Account MasterLending Trust (the Lending Trust) and the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust collectively the Trusts) as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Lending Trust $53  $35  $145  $55 
Charge Trust  2   3   2   7 
Total $55  $38  $147  $62 


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

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

Under the respective terms of the Lending Trust and the Charge Trust agreements, the occurrence of certain triggering events associated with the performance of the assets of each Trust could result in payment of trust expenses, establishment of reserve funds, or, in a worst-case scenario, early amortization of debt securities.

During the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, no such triggering events occurred.

 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
7.  Customer Deposits

As of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, customer deposits were categorized as interest bearing or non-interest bearing as follows:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
U.S.:            
Interest bearing $57,012  $52,316  $65,913  $63,666 
Non-interest bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2017, $309 million; 2016, $331 million)  348   367 
Non-interest bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2018, $319 million; 2017, $358 million)  353   395 
Non-U.S.:                
Interest bearing  29   58   42   34 
Non-interest bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2017, $325 million; 2016, $285 million)  337   301 
Non-interest bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2018, $344 million; 2017, $344 million)  357   357 
Total customer deposits $57,726  $53,042  $66,665  $64,452 

Customer deposits by deposit type as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 20162017 were as follows:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
U.S. retail deposits:            
Savings accounts – Direct $30,276  $30,980  $34,544  $31,915 
Certificates of deposit:(a)
                
Direct  285   291   325   290 
Third-party (brokered)  14,997   11,925   16,453   16,684 
Sweep accounts – Third-party (brokered)  11,454   9,120   14,591   14,777 
Other retail deposits:        
Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits  80   110 
Other deposits:        
U.S. non-interest bearing deposits  34   37 
Non-U.S. deposits  55   47 
Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S.  634   616   663   702 
Total customer deposits $57,726  $53,042  $66,665  $64,452 
(a)The weighted average remaining maturity and weighted average interest rate at issuance on the total portfolio of U.S. retail certificates of deposit issued through direct and third-party programs were 4639 months and 2.052.16 percent, respectively, as of June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.
The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 were as follows:
(Millions) U.S.  Non-U.S.  Total  U.S.  Non-U.S.  Total 
2017 $2,400  $7  $2,407 
2018  4,463   9   4,472  $4,984  $16  $5,000 
2019  3,447      3,447   4,610   11   4,621 
2020  3,069      3,069   3,693      3,693 
2021  917      917   1,317      1,317 
2022  2,149      2,149 
After 5 years  986      986   25      25 
Total $15,282  $16  $15,298  $16,778  $27  $16,805 

As of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, in the aggregate, were as follows:

(Millions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
U.S. $103  $117  $126  $114 
Non-U.S.  5   7   17   11 
Total $108  $124  $143  $125 

 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

8.  Contingencies

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


In addition to the matters disclosed under “Legal Proceedings,” the Company iswe are being challenged in a number of countries regarding itsour application of value-added taxes (VAT) to certain of itsour international transactions, which are in various stages of audit, or are being contested in legal actions (collectively, VAT matters). While the Company believes it haswe believe we have complied with all applicable tax laws, rules and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions, the tax authorities may determine that the Company oweswe owe additional VAT. In certain jurisdictions where the Company iswe are contesting the assessments, it waswe were required to pay the VAT assessments prior to contesting.

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

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

For those disclosed material legal proceedings and VAT matters where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related reserve for legal or tax contingencies or where there is no such reserve, and for which the Company iswe are able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $450$420 million in excess of any reserves related to those matters. This range represents management’s estimate based on currently available information and does not represent the Company’sour maximum loss exposure; actual results may vary significantly. As such legal proceedings evolve, the Companywe may need to increase itsour range of possible loss or reserves.

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

 
1921

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

9.   Derivatives and Hedging Activities

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

In relation to the Company’sour credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it haswe have with itsour various counterparties, the Company iswe are 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 itsour assessment of the credit risk of the Company’sour derivative counterparties as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, no credit risk adjustment to the derivative portfolio was required.

The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

 Other Assets Fair Value  Other Liabilities Fair Value  Other Assets Fair Value  Other Liabilities Fair Value 
(Millions) 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:                        
Fair value hedges - Interest rate contracts(a)
 $39  $111  $  $69  $3  $11  $95  $34 
Net investment hedges - Foreign exchange contracts  28   347   265   35   71   117   167   89 
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments  67   458   265   104   74   128   262   123 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:                                
Foreign exchange contracts, including certain embedded derivatives(b)
  144   308   170   176   77   82   117   95 
Total derivatives, gross  211   766   435   280   151   210   379   218 
Less: Cash collateral netting(c)(d)
  (20)  (54)  (1)  (68)     (6)  (94)  (45)
Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(e)
  (73)  (157)  (73)  (157)  (85)  (80)  (85)  (80)
Total derivatives, net(f)
 $118  $555  $361  $55  $66  $124  $200  $93 
(a)Effective January 2017, the Central Clearing Party (CCP) changed the legal characterization ofFor centrally cleared derivatives, variation margin payments for centrally cleared derivatives to beare legally characterized as settlement payments as opposed to collateral. As of June 30, 2017Accordingly, the amounts disclosed for centrally cleared derivatives are fully collateralized. The Companybased on gross assets and gross liabilities, net of variation margin. We also maintained several bilateral interest rate contracts that are not subject to the CCP’s rule change and amounts related to such contracts are shown gross of any collateral exchanged.
(b)Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements.
(c)Primarily representsRepresents the offsetting of the fair value of bilateral interest rate contracts and certain foreign exchange contracts with the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivatives executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.collateral.
(d)
The Company held no non-cash collateral as of June 30, 2017. As of December 31, 2016, the Company received non-cash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interests in U.S. Treasury securities, with a fair value of $18We posted $125 million none of which was sold or repledged.  Such non-cash collateral economically reduced the Company’s risk exposure to $537and $146 million as of DecemberMarch 31, 2016, but did not reduce the net exposure on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company posted $170 million and $169 million as of June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively, as initial margin on itsour centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.
(e)Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
(f)The Company has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
A majority of the Company’sour derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 20162017 are subject to master netting agreements with itsour derivative counterparties. The Company hasWe have no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fair Value Hedges
The Company isWe are exposed to interest rate risk associated with itsour fixed-rate long-term debt obligations. At the time of issuance, certain fixed-rate debt obligations are designated in fair value hedging relationships, using interest rate swaps, to economically convert the fixed interest rate to a floating interest rate. The Company has $19.5We have $23.4 billion and $17.7$23.8 billion of fixed-rate debt obligations designated in fair value hedging relationships as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.
 
The following table represents the total amounts of income and expense line items associated with the fair value hedges of our fixed-rate long-term debt on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31:

 Gains (losses) 
(Millions)2018 2017 
 
Interest expense(a)
 Other expenses 
Hedged items $210  $50 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments  (191)  (75)
Total $19  $(25)
(a)We adopted new accounting guidance providing targeted improvements to the accounting for hedging activities effective January 1, 2018. In compliance with the standard, amounts previously recorded in Other expenses have been prospectively recorded in Total interest expense. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.
 
2022

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table summarizescarrying values of the gains (losses) recognized in Other expenses associated withhedged liabilities, recorded within Long-term debt on the Company’sConsolidated Balance Sheets, were $22.9 billion and $23.6 billion as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, including offsetting amounts of $392 million and $182 million for the respective periods, related to the cumulative amount of fair value hedges for the three and six months ended June 30:hedging adjustments.

  
Three Months Ended
June 30,
  
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(Millions)2017 2016 2017 2016 
Interest rate derivative contracts $6  $61  $(69) $226 
Hedged items  (25)  (53)  25   (224)
Net hedge ineffectiveness $(19) $8  $(44) $2 

The Company alsoWe recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $37$14 million and $59$44 million for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $81 million and $118 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on the Company’sour interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Net Investment Hedges

The effective portion of the gain or losslosses on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was a loss of $102were $162 million and a gain of $135$229 million for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and a lossrespectively. Accumulated gains within AOCI of $331$1 million and a gain of $43 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with any ineffective portion recognized in Other expenses during the period. The net hedge ineffectiveness recognized was nil for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Other amounts related to foreign exchange contracts reclassified from AOCI into Other expenses included nil and a gain of $5 million for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and nil and a gain of $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.were reclassified into Other expenses upon investment sales or liquidations.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are intended to offset the related foreign exchange gains or losses of the underlying foreign currency exposures. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives and the related underlying foreign currency exposures resulted in a net losslosses of $4$21 million and a net gain of $6$17 million for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and net losses of $21 million and $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are recognized in Other expenses.
The changes in the fair value of an embedded derivative resulted in a loss of $3 million and nil for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and a loss of $2 million and a gain of $6$1 million for the sixthree months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, whichand are recognized in Card Member services and other expense.



10.
10. Fair Values


Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value

The following table summarizes the Company’sour financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

 2017  2016 2018 2017 
(Millions) Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Assets:                                        
Investment securities:(a)
                                        
Equity securities and other $49  $1  $48  $  $49  $1  $48  $ 
Equity securities $48  $1  $47  $  $48  $1  $47  $ 
Debt securities  3,311   1,119   2,192      3,108   460   2,648      3,340   1,661   1,679      3,111   1,045   2,066    
Derivatives(a)
  211      211      765      765      151      151      210      210    
Total Assets  3,571   1,120   2,451      3,922   461   3,461      3,539   1,662   1,877      3,369   1,046   2,323    
Liabilities:                                                                
Derivatives(a)
  435      435      280      280      379      379      218      218    
Total Liabilities $435  $  $435  $  $280  $  $280  $  $379  $  $379  $  $218  $  $218  $ 
(a)Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 9 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.

 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the Company’sour financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at amortized cost, and not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016.2017. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, and require management’s judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can theour fair value of the Company be estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
 Carrying  Corresponding Fair Value Amount  Carrying  Corresponding Fair Value Amount 
2017 (Billions)
 Value  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
2018 (Billions)
 Value  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Financial Assets:                              
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value                              
Cash and cash equivalents(a)
 $30  $30  $28  $2  $  $31  $31  $30  $1  $ 
Other financial assets(b)
  52   52      52      57   57      57    
Financial assets carried at other than fair value                                        
Loans, net(c)
  67   67         67   74   75         75 
                                        
Financial Liabilities:                                        
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value  67   67      67      77   77      77    
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value                                        
Certificates of deposit(d)
  15   15      15      17   17      17    
Long-term debt(c)
 $52  $53  $  $53  $  $52  $53  $  $53  $ 
                    
 Carrying  Corresponding Fair Value Amount 
2016 (Billions)
 Value  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Financial Assets:                    
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value                    
Cash and cash equivalents(a)
 $25  $25  $22  $3  $ 
Other financial assets(b)
  51   51      51    
Financial assets carried at other than fair value                    
Loans, net(c)
  65   66         66 
                    
Financial Liabilities:                    
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value  67   67      67    
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value                    
Certificates of deposit(d)
  12   12      12    
Long-term debt(c)
 $47  $48  $  $48  $ 
  Carrying  Corresponding Fair Value Amount 
2017 (Billions)
 Value  Total  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Financial Assets:               
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value               
Cash and cash equivalents(a)
 $33  $33  $32  $1  $ 
Other financial assets(b)
  57   57      57    
Financial assets carried at other than fair value                    
Loans, net(c)
  74   75         75 
                     
Financial Liabilities:                    
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value  76   76      76    
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value                    
Certificates of deposit(d)
  17   17      17    
    Long-term debt(c)
 $56  $57  $  $57  $ 
(a)Level 2 amounts reflect time deposits and short-term investments.
(b)Includes Card Member receivables (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $7.9$7.8 billion and $8.8$8.9 billion held by a consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively), Other receivables, restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets.
(c)Balances include amounts held by a consolidated VIE for which the fair values of Card Member loans were $24.4$23.9 billion and $26.0$25.6 billion as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively, and the fair values of long-term debt were $16.1$15.7 billion and $15.2$18.6 billion as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.
(d)Presented as a component of customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company hasWe have 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 they are determined to be impaired. During the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company2017, we did not have any material assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment. Equity investments previously held at cost that are adjusted through earnings for observable price changes are not material.

 
 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

11. Guarantees

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

As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the maximum potential undiscounted future payments and related liability resulting from these arrangementsguarantees and indemnifications provided by us in the ordinary course of business were $1 billion and $50$46 million, respectively, and related primarily to the Company’sour real estate and business dispositions. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the maximum potential undiscounted future payments and related liability were $48$1 billion and $86$52 million, respectively. Amounts related to the Company’s Card Member protection plans were included as of December 31, 2016, in addition to its real estate and business dispositions.

To date the Company haswe have not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees or indemnifications. The Company’sOur recognition of these instruments is at fair value. In addition, the Company establisheswe establish reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.



12. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

AOCI is comprised of items that have not been recognized in earnings but may be recognized in earnings in the future when certain events occur. Changes in each component for the three and six months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Millions), net of tax
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
Balances as of March 31, 2017 $13  $(1,946) $(537) $(2,470)
Net unrealized gains (losses)            
Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings            
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations     135      135 
Net losses related to hedges of investments in foreign operations     (102)     (102)
Pension and other postretirement benefit        9   9 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss     33   9   42 
Balances as of June 30, 2017 $13  $(1,913) $(528) $(2,428)
                 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Millions), net of tax
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
Balances as of December 31, 2016 $7  $(2,262) $(529) $(2,784)
Net unrealized gains  6         6 
Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings            
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations(a)
     680      680 
Net losses related to hedges of investments in foreign operations     (331)     (331)
Pension and other postretirement benefit        1   1 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss  6   349   1   356 
Balances as of June 30, 2017 $13  $(1,913) $(528) $(2,428)
2018 (Millions), net of tax
 Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Debt Securities  Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments  Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Gains (Losses)  Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
Balances as of December 31, 2017 $  $(1,961) $(467) $(2,428)
Net unrealized losses  (13)        (13)
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations     192      192 
Net losses related to hedges of investments in foreign operations     (162)     (162)
Pension and other postretirement benefits        28   28 
Other(a)
  2         2 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income  (11)  30   28   47 
Balances as of March 31, 2018 $(11) $(1,931) $(439) $(2,381)
             
2017 (Millions), net of tax
 Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities  Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments  Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Gains (Losses)  Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
Balances as of December 31, 2016 $7  $(2,262) $(529) $(2,784)
Net unrealized gains  6         6 
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations     545      545 
Net losses related to hedges of investments in foreign operations     (229)     (229)
Pension and other postretirement benefits        (8)  (8)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  6   316   (8)  314 
Balances as of March 31, 2017 $13  $(1,946) $(537) $(2,470)
(a)Represents unrealized gains and losses pertaining to equity securities moved from AOCI to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018, due to the prospective adoption of the financial instruments guidance effective January 1, 2018 (refer to Note 1).

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


 
2325


AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Millions), net of tax
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
Balances as of March 31, 2016 $60  $(2,040) $(522) $(2,502)
Net unrealized gains  5         5 
Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations     (265)     (265)
Net gains related to hedges of investments in foreign operations     135      135 
Pension and other postretirement benefit        6   6 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss  5   (130)  6   (119)
Balances as of June 30, 2016 $65  $(2,170) $(516) $(2,621)
                 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Millions), net of tax
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Losses) Gains Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
Balances as of December 31, 2015 $58  $(2,044) $(548) $(2,534)
Net unrealized gains  9         9 
Decrease due to amounts reclassified into earnings  (2)        (2)
Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations     (169)     (169)
Net gains related to hedges of investments in foreign operations     43      43 
Pension and other postretirement benefit        32   32 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss  7   (126)  32   (87)
Balances as of June 30, 2016 $65  $(2,170) $(516) $(2,621)

The following table shows the tax impact for the three and six months ended June 30March 31 for the changes in each component of AOCI presented above:

 Tax expense (benefit) 
  Three Months Ended June 30, 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(Millions)2017 2016 2017 2016 
Investment securities $  $2  $3  $2 
Foreign currency translation adjustments(a)
  12   22   (179)  37 
Net investment hedges  (67)  78   (207)  24 
Pension and other postretirement benefits  1   10   (8)  29 
Total tax impact $(54) $112  $(391) $92 

(a)    Includes $289 million of tax benefits recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2017 (Refer to Note 14).
  Tax expense (benefit) 
(Millions) 2018  2017 
Investment securities $(3) $3 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  2   (191)
Net investment hedges  (54)  (140)
Pension and other postretirement benefits  3   (9)
Total tax impact $(52) $(337)


24

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:Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

   Gains (losses) recognized in earnings 
   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
   Amount  Amount 
Description  (Millions)
Income Statement Line Item2017 2016 2017 2016 
Available-for-sale securities             
Reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on investment securitiesOther non-interest revenues $  $  $  $4 
Related income tax expenseIncome tax provision           (2)
Reclassification to net income related to available-for-sale securities            2 
Total  $  $  $  $2 
   Gains (losses) recognized in earnings
   Amount
Description  (Millions)
Income Statement Line Item2018 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments     
Reclassification of translation adjustments and related hedgesOther expenses  1  
    Related income taxIncome tax provision  (1) 
    Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments     
Total  $ $


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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
13.  Non-Interest RevenueOther Fees and Expense DetailCommissions, Other Revenues and Other Expenses

The following is a detail of Other fees and commissions:commissions for the three months ended March 31:

 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30, 
(Millions) 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017 
Fees charged to Card Members:      
Delinquency fees $218  $192  $432  $392  $242  $214 
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue  212   207   411   403   225   199 
Other customer fees:        
Loyalty coalition-related fees  114   104   216   198   111   102 
Travel commissions and fees  90   87   174   167   99   90 
Other(a)
  118   112   232   222 
Service fees and other(a)
  104   106 
Total Other fees and commissions $752  $702  $1,465  $1,382  $781  $711 
(a)Other primarily includes serviceMembership Rewards program fees and feesthat are not related to Membership Rewards programs.contracts with customers.

The following is a detail of Other revenues:revenues for the three months ended March 31:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
June 30, June 30, 
(Millions)2017 2016 2017 2016  2018  2017 
Global Network Services partner revenues $150  $197  $306  $342  $79  $94 
Other(a)
  289   348   542   689   298   267 
Total Other revenues $439  $545  $848  $1,031  $377  $361 
(a)Other includes revenues arising from net revenue earned on cross-border Card Member spending, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, merchant-related fees, prepaid card and Travelers Cheque-related revenues, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, Prepaid card and Travelers Cheque-related revenues, earnings from equity method investments (including the GBT JV) and other miscellaneous revenue and fees.

Revenue expected to be recognized in future periods related to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less and contracts with variable consideration (e.g. discount revenue) are not required to be disclosed. Non-interest revenue expected to be recognized in future periods through remaining contracts with customers is not material.

The following is a detail of Other expenses:expenses for the three months ended March 31:

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
June 30, June 30, 
(Millions)2017 2016 2017 2016  2018  2017 
Occupancy and equipment $520  $474 
Professional services $521  $628  $1,033  $1,232   457   501 
Occupancy and equipment  484   438   959   903 
Gain on sale of HFS portfolios(a)
     (1,091)     (1,218)
Other(b)
  371   495   791   973 
Other(a)
  457   395 
Total Other expenses $1,376  $470  $2,783  $1,890  $1,434  $1,370 
(a)Refer to Note 2 for additional information.
(b)OtherFor the three months ended March 31, 2018, other expense primarilyincludes the loss on a transaction involving the operations of our prepaid reloadable and gift card business and gains on the re-measurement of certain equity investments previously carried at cost. For both periods, other expense also includes general operating expenses, Card and merchant-related fraud losses, communication expenses, foreign currency-related gains and losses certain loyalty coalition-related expenses and insurance costs. In addition, for 2016, Other expenses includes the valuation allowance adjustment associated with loans and receivables HFS.

 
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
14.  Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 31.221.5 percent and 33.232.0 percent for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and 31.6 percent and 33.8 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The changeschange in tax rates primarily reflectedreflects the geographic mix of business andreduction in the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits. In addition, the effectiveU.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the Tax Act. The tax rates in the current year reflectedboth periods also reflect the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items. In 2017, we recorded an estimated net discrete tax charge of $2.6 billion related to the Tax Act that was accounted for as a provisional charge under SAB 118. There were no material changes to these estimates for the current period. We continue to analyze the impacts of the Tax Act; therefore, the 2017 charge continues to be provisional.

The Company isWe are under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which the Company haswe have significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. In February 2017, the Company received notification that all matters outstanding with the IRS for tax years 1997-2007 were resolved.  The resolution of such matters did not have a material impact on the Company’sour effective tax rate. The Company isWe are currently under examination with the IRS for tax years 2008 through 2014.
The Company believesWe believe it is reasonably possible that itsour unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $133$319 million, principally as a result of potential resolutions of prior years’ tax items with various taxing authorities. The prior years’ tax items include unrecognized tax benefits relating to the deductibility of certain expenses or losses and the attribution of taxable income to a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions. Of the $133$319 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $90$291 million relates to amounts that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate in a future period. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $280 million. The decrease was primarily due to the resolution with the IRS of an uncertain tax position in January 2017, which resulted in the recognition of $289 million in shareholders’ equity, specifically within AOCI.


15.  Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)

The computations of basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:

 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30, 
(Millions, except per share amounts) 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017 
Numerator:                  
Basic and diluted:                  
Net income $1,340  $2,015  $2,577  $3,441  $1,634  $1,251 
Preferred dividends  (19)  (19)  (40)  (40)  (21)  (21)
Net income available to common shareholders  1,321   1,996   2,537   3,401  $1,613  $1,230 
Earnings allocated to participating share awards(a)
  (11)  (17)  (21)  (28)  (13)  (10)
Net income attributable to common shareholders $1,310  $1,979  $2,516  $3,373  $1,600  $1,220 
Denominator: (a)
                        
Basic: Weighted-average common stock  890   938   895   949   859   899 
Add: Weighted-average stock options (b)
  3   3   3   3   2   4 
Diluted  893   941   898   952   861   903 
        
Basic EPS $1.47  $2.11  $2.81  $3.55  $1.86  $1.36 
Diluted EPS $1.47  $2.10  $2.80  $3.54  $1.86  $1.35 
(a)The Company’sOur unvested restricted stock awards, which include the right to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities. Calculations of EPS under the two-class method exclude from the numerator any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities. The related participating securities are similarly excluded from the denominator.
(b)The dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes from the computation of EPS 1.20.6 million and 2.51.2 million of options for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and 1.2 million and 1.7 million of options for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive.


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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



16.  Reportable Operating Segments

The Company isWe are a global services company that is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: USCS, ICNS, GCS and GMS.Global Merchant Services (GMS). Corporate functions and certain other businesses and operations are included in Corporate & Other. Effective January 1, 2018, we changed the methodology used to allocate certain corporate overhead costs and interest income and expense to the operating segments. Prior period amounts have been revised to conform to the current period presentation.

The following table presents certain selected financial information for the Company’sour reportable operating segments and Corporate & Other:Other as of or for the three months ended March 31:

                               Corporate &    
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Millions, except where indicated)
 USCS  ICNS  GCS  GMS  
Corporate & Other(a)
  Consolidated 
Non-interest revenues $1,999  $1,247  $2,368  $1,086  $77  $6,777 
(Millions, except where indicated) USCS  ICNS  GCS  GMS  
Other(a)
  Consolidated 
2018                  
Total non-interest revenues $2,294  $1,551  $2,838  $1,110  $84  $7,877 
Revenue from contracts with customers(b)
  1,799   1,093   2,495   1,110   84   6,581 
Interest income  1,369   246   334   1   102   2,052   1,656   294   377      135   2,462 
Interest expense  171   60   129   (65)  227   522   253   78   171   (63)  182   621 
Total revenues net of interest expense  3,197   1,433   2,573   1,152   (48)  8,307   3,697   1,767   3,044   1,173   37   9,718 
Net income (loss) $440  $209  $500  $430  $(239) $1,340  $640  $291  $552  $472  $(321) $1,634 
Total assets (billions)
 $87  $38  $51  $26  $(35) $167  $94  $42  $58  $29  $(43) $180 
Total equity (billions)
 $7  $3  $7  $3  $1  $21 
                        
                        
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(Millions, except where indicated)
 USCS  ICNS  GCS  GMS  
Corporate & Other(a)
  Consolidated 
Non-interest revenues $3,856  $2,442  $4,639  $2,103  $126  $13,166 
2017                        
Total non-interest revenues $2,118  $1,400  $2,603  $1,021  $65  $7,207 
Revenue from contracts with customers(b)
  1,657   1,009   2,297   1,021   63   6,047 
Interest income  2,677   481   653   1   183   3,995   1,310   235   319      81   1,945 
Interest expense  317   113   238   (123)  420   965   161   54   123   (43)  148   443 
Total revenues net of interest expense  6,216   2,810   5,054   2,227   (111)  16,196   3,267   1,581   2,799   1,064   (2)  8,709 
Net income (loss) $909  $427  $918  $793  $(470) $2,577  $494  $252  $409  $357  $(261) $1,251 
Total assets (billions)
 $87  $38  $51  $26  $(35) $167  $85  $36  $52  $26  $(38) $161 
Total equity (billions)
 $7  $3  $7  $3  $1  $21 
                        
                        
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
(Millions, except where indicated)
 USCS  ICNS  GCS  GMS  
Corporate & Other(a)
  Consolidated 
Non-interest revenues $2,069  $1,242  $2,280  $1,087  $108  $6,786 
Interest income  1,278   234   310   1   62   1,885 
Interest expense  139   58   104   (61)  196   436 
Total revenues net of interest expense  3,208   1,418   2,486   1,149   (26)  8,235 
Net income (loss) $1,067  $228  $576  $373  $(229) $2,015 
Total assets (billions)
 $81  $35  $46  $24  $(26) $160 
Total equity (billions)
 $7  $3  $8  $2  $1  $21 
                        
                        
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
(Millions, except where indicated)
 USCS  ICNS  GCS  GMS  
Corporate & Other(a)
  Consolidated 
Non-interest revenues $4,098  $2,382  $4,470  $2,128  $216  $13,294 
Interest income  2,669   461   631   1   128   3,890 
Interest expense  279   112   199   (120)  391   861 
Total revenues net of interest expense  6,488   2,731   4,902   2,249   (47)  16,323 
Net income (loss) $1,761  $416  $1,061  $730  $(527) $3,441 
Total assets (billions)
 $81  $35  $46  $24  $(26) $160 
Total equity (billions)
 $7  $3  $8  $2  $1  $21 
(a)Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity.
(b)Includes discount revenue, certain other fees and commissions and other revenues from customers.


17.  Subsequent Event

Effective April 1, 2018, American Express Centurion Bank and American Express Bank, FSB were merged to become American Express National Bank, regulated, supervised and examined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The merger did not have any impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



 
 
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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:segments used for financial reporting in the first quarter: U.S. Consumer Services (USCS), International Consumer and Network Services (ICNS), Global Commercial Services (GCS) and Global Merchant Services (GMS). Corporate functions and certain other businesses and operations are included in Corporate & Other.

During the first quarter of 2018, we announced organizational changes that combined our U.S. and International consumer businesses into a global consumer services organization, and combined our merchant and network-related businesses, among other changes. Our financial disclosures will reflect these organizational changes starting in the second quarter of 2018, which is consistent with when our executives will begin to review financial information aligned to the new segments. Our reportable operating segments will be as follows:
Global Consumer Services Group, including our U.S. and International Consumer Card Services businesses;
Global Merchant and Network Services, including our Global Merchant Services business, the Global Network Services business, and our Loyalty Coalition programs; and
Global Commercial Services, including our Global Corporate Payments business and our small business services.
We provide our customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Our principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Our range of products and services includes:


•     Charge card, credit card and other payment and financing products
•     Network services
•     Merchant acquisition and processing, servicing and settlement, marketing and point-of-sale marketing and information products and services for merchants
Network services
•     Other fee services, including fraud prevention services and the design and operation of customer loyalty programs
•     Expense management products and services
•     Travel-related services
•     Stored-value/prepaid products


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

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

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

Discount revenue, our largest revenue source, represents fees generally charged to merchants for accepting our cards as payment for goods or services sold;
Interest on loans, principally represents interest income earned on outstanding balances;
Net card fees, represent revenue earned from annual card membership fees, which varies based on the type of card and the number of cards for each account;
Other fees and commissions, represent Card Member delinquency fees, foreign currency conversion fees charged to Card Members, Card Member delinquency fees, loyalty coalition-related fees, travel commissions and fees, service fees and fees related to our Membership Rewards program; and
Other revenue, primarily represents revenues arising from contracts with partners of our Global Network Services (GNS) business (including commissions and signing fees)fees less issuer rate payments), cross-border Card Member spending, insurance premiums earned from Card Members, ancillary merchant-related fees, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, prepaid card and Travelers Cheque-related revenue and earnings from equity method investments (including the GBT JV).



28

TableEffective January 1, 2018, we adopted new revenue recognition guidance using the full retrospective method, which applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented, starting January 1, 2016. The adoption changed the recognition timing and classification of Contentscertain revenues and expenses, including changes to the presentation of certain credit and charge card related costs that were previously netted against discount revenue. The adoption did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, net income, equity or cash flows. Refer to Note 1 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information. In addition, we reclassified certain business development expenses, from other expenses to marketing and business development, which was not directly attributable to the adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance.

Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures

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

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

Business Environment

Our results for the secondfirst quarter reflect a solid start to the year as we continue to reflect solid progress againstinvest across our current prioritiesfour key focus areas – strengthening our leadership position with premium consumers, extending our strong position in the commercial payments space, making American Express an essential part of accelerating revenue growth, optimizing investmentsour customers’ digital lives and resettingstrengthening our global, integrated network. The increase in earnings per share versus the cost base.  Billed business and revenue for the second quarter increased slightly, while net income was down. The prior year quarter included revenues and expenses relatedreflected growth across our businesses as well as a lower tax provision due to the Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) relationshipreduction in the U.S. that has since been discontinued, the gaincorporate income tax rate resulting from the sale of the related loan portfolioTax Cuts and a restructuring charge. During the current quarter, our strong balance sheet position allowed us to continue to return a significant amount of capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

Jobs Act (the Tax Act).
Our worldwide billings adjusted for foreign currency exchange ratesbilled business increased and, after excluding Costco-related billings from12 percent over the prior year, grew consistent with the first quarter, reflecting growth across all of our diverse customer segments and geographies. We continued to seeOur U.S. and international proprietary consumer card issuing businesses saw a sequential improvement in billings growth. U.S. billings growth benefited from the acquisition from Citibank, N.A. of the portion of the Hilton cobrand portfolio that we did not previously own (the acquired Hilton portfolio), growth from existing customers and strong performancegrowth in our Platinum portfolios, which was driven by prior year investments.  Commercial billings growth also accelerated driven by growth from large and global commercial customers, as well as middle market and small business customers, while spending by large corporations was up only slightly comparedcustomers. As anticipated, Global Network Services billed business grew at a slower rate than our proprietary business due to last year. Internationally, our consumerthe impact of the evolving regulatory environment in Europe and small business billings growth rates remained strong.Australia.

31

Revenues net of interest expense increased slightly year-over-year ongrew, reflecting higher Card Member spending, loans and fee income, partially offset by a reported basis. Excluding Costco-related revenuesdecline in the prior yearaverage discount rate.  We are focused on driving discount revenue growth, not on maximizing the average discount rate, which has led us to selectively adjust such rate in order to drive higher volume growth and the effect of foreign currency exchange rates, adjusted revenues net of interest expense grew primarily due to an increase in net interest income and higher adjusted billed business, as well as higher net card fees across our premium card portfolios.overall economics.  Our net interest yield increased year-over-year, dueprimarily related to a shift in mix shiftover time towards non-cobrand lending products where Card Members tend to revolvethat generally attract more of theirrevolving loan balances, as well as a lower percentage of total loans at introductory interest rates and specific pricing actions, and a benefit from increases in benchmarkactions.  We continue to expect net interest rates.

yield to stabilize sequentially.
Card Member loan and receivable growth was strongloans grew year-over-year as we continuecontinued to grow loans fromexpand our lending relationships with existing customers as well as through the acquisition ofand acquired new Card Members.Members, including the previously mentioned acquired Hilton portfolio.   Provisions for losses increased as expected, as a result of higher Card Member loans and receivables as well as a slight increaseand increases in lending delinquencies and higher net write-off rates.  TheseThe increases in the delinquencies and net write-off rates increased,were in line with our expectations and primarily due to the seasoning of loans related to newer Card Membersrecent loan vintages and a shift in mix over time towards non-cobrand lending products, which have slightly higher write-off rates.rates but also drive higher net interest yields.  We expect as a result of these trends relating to lending write-off rates, delinquencies and provisions for losses will continue to grow faster than loans during the balance of the year.

continue.
Spending on Card Membercustomer engagement (the aggregate of rewards, Card Member services and marketing and promotionbusiness development expenses) increased year-over-year, and primarily reflected the recent enhancements to rewards on our U.S. Platinum products, continued strongdriven in part by growth in our Delta cobrand portfoliorewards, which reflects the growth in billings, and continued higher levels of engagement inusage across many of our premium travel services. OperatingMarketing and business development expense increased due to partner payments related to our recent cobrand agreements and higher corporate client incentives. We expect marketing and business development expenses increased, primarily as a resultto be higher over the balance of the Costco cobrand portfolio sale gain inyear due to increased investments.  Operating expense increased year-over-year, reflecting the prior year, which was classified as an expense reduction in Other expenses.  Excludingimpact of foreign currency exchange rate changes and a number of discrete items, including a loss on a transaction related to our prepaid business operations and gains on the gain and the restructuring charge in the prior year, adjusted operating expenses decreased reflecting progress againstre-measurement of certain equity investments previously held at cost.
As previously announced, we have suspended our cost reduction initiatives.

The momentum inshare buyback program for the first half of 2018 in order to rebuild our capital, and as a result, we saw our capital ratios improve during the year reflectsfirst quarter.  We continued to return capital to shareholders through our dividend distributions.
While we continue to see some headwinds from a rising interest rate environment, regulation in countries around the investments we have made in a variety of growth opportunities over the last several years. Althoughworld and intense competition, remains intense and the regulatory environment is uncertain, we remain focused on delivering differentiated value to our merchants, customers and business partners, while delivering appropriate returns to our shareholders.

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

 
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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.

Effective December 1, 2015, we transferred the Card Member loans and receivables related to our cobrand partnerships with Costco and JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) (collectively, the HFS portfolios) to Card Member loans and receivables HFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. On March 18, 2016 and June 17, 2016, we completed the sales of the JetBlue and Costco cobrand card portfolios, respectively. For the periods from December 1, 2015, through the sale completion dates, the primary impacts beyond the HFS classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were to provisions for losses and credit metrics, which do not reflect amounts related to these HFS loans and receivables, as credit costs were reported in Other expenses through a valuation allowance adjustment. Other, non-credit related metrics (i.e., billed business, cards-in-force, net interest yield) reflect amounts related to the HFS portfolios through the sale completion dates. Additionally, for periods after the sale completion dates, activities associated with these cobrand partnerships and the HFS portfolios are no longer included in our Consolidated Results of Operations. Specifically, these impacts include: Discount revenue from Costco in the United States for spend on all American Express cards and from other merchants for spend on the Costco cobrand card; Other fees and commissions and Interest income from Costco cobrand Card Members; and Card Member rewards expense related to the Costco cobrand card, resulting in a lack of comparability between 2017 and 2016.
The discussions in both the Consolidated Results of Operations and Business Segment Results provide commentary on the variances for the three and six month periodsmonths ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 compared to same periodsperiod in the prior year, as presented in the accompanying tables. Effective January 1, 2018, we changed the methodology used to allocate certain corporate overhead costs and interest income and expense to the operating segments. Prior period amounts have been revised to conform to the current period presentation.

Table 1: Summary of Financial Performance

 Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended        Three Months Ended       
 June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages and per share amounts) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Total revenues net of interest expense $8,307  $8,235  $72   1% $16,196  $16,323  $(127)  (1)% $9,718  $8,709  $1,009   12%
Provisions for losses  584   463   121   26   1,157   897   260   29   775   573   202   35 
Expenses  5,774   4,756   1,018   21   11,273   10,226   1,047   10   6,861   6,297   564   9 
Pretax income  2,082   1,839   243   13 
Income tax provision  448   588   (140)  (24)
Net income  1,340   2,015   (675)  (33)  2,577   3,441   (864)  (25)  1,634   1,251   383   31 
Earnings per common share - diluted(a)
 $1.47  $2.10  $(0.63)  (30)% $2.80  $3.54  $(0.74)  (21)%
Earnings per common share — diluted(a)
 $1.86  $1.35  $0.51   38%
Return on average equity(b)
  21.7%  26.4%          21.7%  26.4%          15.2%  24.9%        
Effective tax rate  21.5%  32.0%        
(a)Earnings per common share — diluted was reduced by the impact of (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items of $11$13 million and $17$10 million for the three months ended June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively, and $21 million and $28 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $19$21 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and 2016, and $40 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.2017.
(b)Return on average equity (ROE) is computed by dividing (i) one-year period net income ($4.53.1 billion and $5.6$5.2 billion for June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average total shareholders’ equity ($20.920.5 billion and $21.2$20.8 billion for June 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively).

Table 2: Total Revenue Net of Interest Expense Summary
 Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended     Three Months Ended    
 June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Discount revenue $4,815  $4,824  $(9)  % $9,334  $9,467  $(133)  (1)% $5,889  $5,387  $502   9%
Net card fees  771   715   56   8   1,519   1,414   105   7   830   748   82   11 
Other fees and commissions  752   702   50   7   1,465   1,382   83   6   781   711   70   10 
Other  439   545   (106)  (19)  848   1,031   (183)  (18)  377   361   16   4 
Total non-interest revenues  6,777   6,786   (9)     13,166   13,294   (128)  (1)  7,877   7,207   670   9 
Total interest income  2,052   1,885   167   9   3,995   3,890   105   3   2,462   1,945   517   27 
Total interest expense  522   436   86   20   965   861   104   12   621   443   178   40 
Net interest income  1,530   1,449   81   6   3,030   3,029   1      1,841   1,502   339   23 
Total revenues net of interest expense $8,307  $8,235  $72   1% $16,196  $16,323  $(127)  (1)% $9,718  $8,709  $1,009   12%

30

Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense

Discount revenue was flat for the three month period and decreased slightly for the six month period,increased, primarily drivendue to growth in billed business, partially offset by Costco-related revenue includeda decrease in the prior year, substantially offset by billed business growth across other card products in the current periods.
average discount rate. Worldwide billed business was flat for both the three and six month periods. U.S. billed business decreased 4increased by 12 percent, driven by 10 percent and 517 percent for the threeincreases in U.S. and six month periods respectively, primarily driven by Costco-related volumes in the prior year. Non-U.S.non-U.S. billed business, increased 9 percent and 11 percent for the three and six month periods, respectively. See Tables 5 6 and 76 for more details on the average discount rate and billed business performance.
The increasedecrease in the average discount rate for both the three and six month periods primarily reflected the absence of Costco merchant volumes in the current year, which were at a lower discount rate than the average, partially offset by rate pressurereductions from merchant negotiations, including those resulting from the recent regulatory changes affecting competitor pricing in the European Union, changes in industry and regional mix andcertain international markets, the continued growth of the OptBlue program.program, and changes in industry and geographic mix. We expect the average discount rate will likelycontinue to decline over time due to a greater shift of existing merchants into OptBlue, merchant negotiations and competition, volume related pricing discounts, and certain pricing initiatives mainly driven by pricing regulation (including regulation of competitors’ interchange rates).
Net card fees increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by growth in the Platinum and Delta portfolios as well as growth in certain key international markets.
Other fees and commissions increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by an increase in delinquency fees as a result of a change in the date on which late fees are assessed on our U.S. consumer charge cards, partially offset by Costco-related fees in the prior year.
Other revenues decreased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by a contractual payment from a GNS partner and revenues related to our Loyalty Edge business, both in the prior year.
Interest income increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by growth in average Card Member loans and higher yields in the current year, partially offset by Costco cobrand-related interest income included in the prior year.
Interest expense increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by marginally higher interest rates and higher average long-term debt.

Table 3: Provisions for Losses Summary
  Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended   
  June 30, Change  June 30, Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016 2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016 2017 vs. 2016 
Charge card $163  $153  $10   7% $376  $322  $54   17%
Card Member loans  404   285   119   42   741   512   229   45 
Other  17   25   (8)  (32)  40   63   (23)  (37)
Total provisions for losses(a)
 $584  $463  $121   26% $1,157  $897  $260   29%
(a)Beginning December 1, 2015 through to the sale completion dates, does not reflect the HFS portfolios.

Provisions for Losses
Charge card provision for losses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by growth in charge volume in the GCS segment and higher net write-offs.
Card Member loans provision for losses increased for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by strong momentum in our lending growth initiatives, as well as a slight increase in delinquencies and higher net write-off rates, primarily due to the seasoning of loans related to newer Card Members and a shift towards non-cobrand lending products, which have slightly higher write-off rates.other factors.
 
 
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Net card fees increased, primarily driven by growth in certain key international countries as well as growth in the Platinum and Delta portfolios.
Other fees and commissions increased, primarily driven by increases in delinquency fees, due to a change in the late fee assessment date for certain U.S. charge cards, foreign exchange conversion revenue and loyalty coalition-related fees.
Other revenues increased, primarily driven by an increase in the profit distribution from the GBT JV.
Interest income increased, primarily reflecting higher average Card Member loans and higher yields. The growth in average Card Member loans was primarily driven by expanding relationships with existing customers, as well as the inclusion of the acquired Hilton portfolio. The increase in yields was primarily driven by a greater percentage of loans at higher rate buckets, specific pricing actions, and a mix shift over time towards non-cobrand lending products, where Card Members tend to revolve more of their loan balances.
Interest expense increased, primarily driven by higher interest rates and higher average deposits and long-term debt, partially offset by fair value hedge ineffectiveness previously reported in Other expense.

Table 3: Provisions for Losses Summary

 Three Months Ended   
 March 31, Change 
(Millions, except percentages)2018 2017 2018 vs. 2017 
Charge card $242  $213  $29   14%
Card Member loans  499   337   162   48 
Other  34   23   11   48 
Total provisions for losses $775  $573  $202   35%

Provisions for Losses

Charge card provision for losses increased, primarily driven by growth in receivables due to increased billed business.

Card Member loans provision for losses increased, driven by continued strong loan growth and higher delinquencies and write-offs due to the seasoning of recent loan vintages and a shift in mix over time towards non-cobrand products.

Other provision for losses decreased for both the three and six month periods,increased, primarily driven by improving credit performancedue to growth in the commercial financingnon-card lending portfolio.

Table 4: Expenses Summary
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended    
  June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016 
Marketing and promotion $830  $788  $42   5% $1,530  $1,515  $15   1%
Card Member rewards  1,926   1,766   160   9   3,733   3,469   264   8 
Card Member services and other  349   281   68   24   670   563   107   19 
Total marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other  3,105   2,835   270   10   5,933   5,547   386   7 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,293   1,451   (158)  (11)  2,557   2,789   (232)  (8)
Other, net(a)
  1,376   470   906   #   2,783   1,890   893   47 
Total expenses $5,774  $4,756  $1,018   21% $11,273  $10,226  $1,047   10%

# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.
  Three Months Ended    
  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Marketing and business development(a)
 $1,345  $1,285  $60   5%
Card Member rewards  2,347   2,061   286   14 
Card Member services  409   317   92   29 
Total marketing, business development, rewards, Card Member services  4,101   3,663   438   12 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,326   1,264   62   5 
Other, net(a)
  1,434   1,370   64   5 
Total expenses $6,861  $6,297  $564   9%
(a)Beginning December 1, 2015 throughIncludes reclassification of certain business development expenses from Other expenses to Marketing and business development that are not directly attributable to the portfolio sale completion dates, includesadoption of the valuation allowance adjustment associated withnew revenue recognition guidance. The prior period has been conformed to the HFS portfolios.current period presentation.

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Expenses
Marketing and promotionbusiness development expenses increased, marginally during the three month periodprimarily due to higher cobrand partner payments as a result of recent cobrand agreements, and were relatively flat during the six month period.increased corporate client incentives driven by higher volumes, partially offset by lower spending on growth initiatives.
Card Member rewards expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by an increasedue to increases in Membership Rewards expense of $243$141 million and $472 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, partially offset by a reduction in cobrand rewards expense of $84$127 million, and $208 million for the same respective periods. The increases in Membership Rewards expenseboth of which were primarily driven by enhancements to U.S. Consumer and Small Business Platinum rewards and higher spending volumes. The decreases in cobrand rewards expense reflected Costco-related expenses in the prior year, partially offset by increased spending volumes across other cobrand card products in the current periods.
The Membership Rewards Ultimate Redemption Rate (URR) for current program participants was 95 percent (rounded down) at both June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and 2016.2017.
Card Member services and other expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher usage of cobrand travel-related benefits and the enhanced Platinum card benefits.
Salaries and employee benefits expenses decreased for both the threeincreased, primarily driven by increases in payroll costs and six month periods, reflecting restructuring charges in the prior year and benefits from our cost reduction initiatives in the current year.incentive compensation.
Other expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by a loss on a transaction involving the prior-year gain on the saleoperations of the Costco HFS portfolioour prepaid reloadable and in the six month period, the gain on the sale of the JetBlue HFS portfolio, also in the prior year. The increases weregift card business, partially offset by lower technology-related costs and a benefit ingains on the current year from a change in the liability related to non-deliveryre-measurement of goods and services by merchants, as well as the HFS valuation allowance adjustment, Loyalty Edge-related costs and a contribution to the AXP Foundation in the prior year.certain equity investments previously carried at cost.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate decreased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily reflecting the geographic mix of business and the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits. In addition, the effective tax ratesreduction in the current year periods reflectedU.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items in the six month period.Tax Act.

 
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Table 5: Selected Card-Related Statistical Information
 As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change 
 Three Months Ended  2017  Six Months Ended  2017  Three Months Ended  2018 
 June 30,  vs.  June 30,  vs.  March 31,  vs. 
 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016  2018  2017  2017 
Card billed business: (billions)
                           
United States $177.6  $185.1   (4)% $343.0  $361.4   (5)% $182.5  $165.4   10%
Outside the United States  92.0   84.2   9   178.9   161.7   11   101.3   86.9   17 
Worldwide $269.6  $269.3     $521.9  $523.1     $283.8  $252.3   12 
Proprietary $236.9  $208.9   13 
Global Network Services  46.9   43.4   8 
Worldwide $283.8  $252.3   12 
Total cards-in-force: (millions)
                                    
United States  48.9   47.0   4   48.9   47.0   4   51.3   48.2   6 
Outside the United States  63.3   61.2   3   63.3   61.2   3   62.9   63.0    
Worldwide  114.2   111.2   3 
Proprietary  66.4   62.2   7 
Global Network Services  47.8   49.0   (2)
Worldwide  112.2   108.2   4   112.2   108.2   4   114.2   111.2   3 
Basic cards-in-force: (millions)
                                    
United States  38.6   37.0   4   38.6   37.0   4   40.4   38.1   6 
Outside the United States  52.6   50.5   4   52.6   50.5   4   52.4   52.2    
Worldwide  91.2   87.5   4   91.2   87.5   4   92.8   90.3   3 
Average basic Card Member spending: (dollars)(a)
                                    
United States $5,128  $4,672   10  $9,989  $8,941   12  $5,015  $4,859   3 
Outside the United States  3,468   3,319   4   6,752   6,404   5   3,869   3,283   18 
Worldwide Average  4,633   4,313   7   9,022   8,280   9  $4,677  $4,387   7 
Card Member loans: (billions)
                                    
United States  58.5   53.2   10   58.5   53.2   10  $63.9  $56.6   13 
Outside the United States  7.5   6.7   12   7.5   6.7   12   8.9   7.0   27 
Worldwide $66.0  $59.9   10  $66.0  $59.9   10  $72.8  $63.6   14 
Average discount rate  2.44%  2.43%      2.44%  2.43%    
Average discount rate(b)
  2.37%  2.43%    
Average fee per card (dollars)(a)
 $49  $42   17% $49  $41   20% $51  $48   6%
(a)Average basic Card Member spending and average fee per card are computed from proprietary card activities only.  Average fee per card is computed based on net card fees divided by average worldwide proprietary cards-in-force.

(b)Effective January 1, 2018, we began including billings volumes related to certain business-to-business products in the calculation of the average discount rate to reflect our expanding business to business product offerings.  Prior period rates have been revised to conform to the current period presentation.
 
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Table 6: Billed Business Growth
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017  March 31, 2018 
   Percentage Increase     Percentage Increase 
 Percentage  (Decrease) Assuming  Percentage  (Decrease) Assuming 
 Increase No Changes in  Increase  No Changes in 
 (Decrease) 
FX Rates(a)
  (Decrease)  
FX Rates(a)
 
Worldwide(b)
           
Total billed business %1%  12%  10%
Proprietary billed business (1)    13   11 
GNS billed business(c)
 5 5   8   3 
Airline-related volume (8% of worldwide billed business) 1 1 
Airline-related volume (9% of worldwide billed business)  10   6 
United States(b)
             
Billed business (4)     10     
Proprietary consumer card billed business(d)
 (9)     11     
Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business(e)
 4     10     
T&E-related volume (26% of U.S. billed business) (3)   
Non-T&E-related volume (74% of U.S. billed business) (4)   
Airline-related volume (7% of U.S. billed business) (1)   
T&E-related volume (27% of U.S. billed business)  8     
Non-T&E-related volume (73% of U.S. billed business)  11     
Airline-related volume (8% of U.S. billed business)  7     
Outside the United States(b)
             
Billed business 9 11   17   9 
Japan, Asia Pacific & Australia (JAPA) billed business 12 13   16   10 
Latin America & Canada (LACC) billed business 8 9   12   11 
Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA) billed business 7 10   20   7 
Proprietary consumer card billed business(c)
 9 12   25   16 
Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business(e)
 8%10%  23%  14%
(a)The foreign currency adjusted information assumes a constant exchange rate between the periods being compared for purposes of currency translation into U.S. dollars (i.e., assumes the foreign exchange rates used to determine results for the current period apply to the corresponding prior year period against which such results are being compared).
(b)Captions in the table above not designated as “proprietary” or “GNS” include both proprietary and GNS data.
(c)Included in the ICNS segment.
(d)Included in the USCS segment.
(e)Included in the GCS segment.

 
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Table 7: Billed Business Growth
  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2017 
    Percentage Increase 
  Percentage  (Decrease) Assuming 
  Increase No Changes in 
  (Decrease) 
FX Rates(a)
 
Worldwide(b)
     
Total billed business %%
Proprietary billed business (1) (1) 
GNS billed business(c)
 6 6 
Airline-related volume (9% of worldwide billed business) 1 2 
United States(b)
     
Billed business (5)   
Proprietary consumer card billed business(d)
 (11)   
Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business(e)
 3   
T&E-related volume (26% of U.S. billed business) (4)   
Non-T&E-related volume (74% of U.S. billed business) (6)   
Airline-related volume (8% of U.S. billed business) (3)   
Outside the United States(b)
     
Billed business 11 12 
     Japan, Asia Pacific & Australia billed business 14 14 
     Latin America & Canada billed business 9 9 
     Europe, the Middle East & Africa billed business 7 11 
Proprietary consumer card billed business(c)
 8 12 
Proprietary small business and corporate services billed business(e)
 11%12%
(a)Refer to Note (a) in Table 6.
(b)Captions in the table above not designated as “proprietary” or “GNS” include both proprietary and GNS data.
(c)Included in the ICNS segment.
(d)Included in the USCS segment.
(e)Included in the GCS segment.

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Table 8:7: Selected Credit-Related Statistical Information
  As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change 
  Three Months Ended  2017  Six Months Ended  2017 
  June 30,  vs.  June 30,  vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016 
Worldwide Card Member loans: (a)
                  
Total loans (billions)
 $66.0  $59.9   10  $66.0  $59.9   10 
Loss reserves:                        
Beginning balance $1,248  $1,012   23  $1,223  $1,028   19 
Provisions (b)
  404   285   42   741   512   45 
Net write-offs — principal only (c)
  (285)  (223)  28   (557)  (437)  27 
Net write-offs — interest and fees (c)
  (55)  (40)  38   (106)  (80)  33 
Other  (d)
  8   57   (86)  19   68   (72)
Ending balance $1,320  $1,091   21  $1,320  $1,091   21 
Ending reserves — principal $1,247  $1,037   20  $1,247  $1,037   20 
Ending reserves — interest and fees $73  $54   35  $73  $54   35 
% of loans  2.0%  1.8%      2.0%  1.8%    
% of past due  167%  160%      167%  160%    
Average loans (billions)(a)
 $65.1  $58.8   11% $64.6  $58.2   11%
Net write-off rate — principal only (e)
  1.8%  1.5%      1.7%  1.5%    
Net write-off rate — principal, interest and fees (e)
  2.1   1.8       2.1   1.8     
30+ days past due as a % of total (e)
  1.2%  1.1%      1.2%  1.1%    
                         
Worldwide Card Member receivables: (a)
                        
Total receivables (billions)
 $49.4  $45.2   9% $49.4  $45.2   9%
Loss reserves:                        
Beginning balance $491  $446   10  $467  $462   1 
Provisions (b)
  163   153   7   376   322   17 
Net write-offs (c)
  (179)  (173)  3   (373)  (359)  4 
Other     (3)  #   5   (2)  # 
Ending balance $475  $423   12  $475  $423   12 
% of receivables  1.0%  0.9%      1.0%  0.9%    
Net write-off rate — principal only (e)
  1.5   1.6       1.6   1.7     
Net write-off rate — principal and fees  (e)
  1.7   1.8       1.8   2.0     
30+ days past due as a % of total  (e)
  1.3   1.3       1.3   1.3     
Net loss ratio as a % of charge volume — GCP  0.10   0.09       0.10   0.09     
90+ days past billing as a % of total — GCP  0.8%  0.7%      0.8%  0.7%    
# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.
  As of or for the  Change 
  Three Months Ended  2018 
  March 31,  vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2018  2017  2017 
Worldwide Card Member loans:         
Total loans (billions)
 $72.8  $63.6   14%
Loss reserves:            
Beginning balance $1,706  $1,223   39 
Provisions (a)
  499   337   48 
Net write-offs — principal only (b)
  (358)  (272)  32 
Net write-offs — interest and fees (b)
  (71)  (51)  39 
Other  10   11   (9)
Ending balance $1,786  $1,248   43 
Ending reserves — principal $1,691  $1,179   43 
Ending reserves — interest and fees $95  $69   38 
% of loans  2.5%  2.0%    
% of past due  174%  158%    
Average loans (billions)
 $72.7  $63.9   14 
Net write-off rate — principal only (c)
  2.0%  1.7%    
Net write-off rate — principal, interest and fees (c)
  2.4%  2.0%    
30+ days past due as a % of total (c)
  1.4%  1.2%    
             
Worldwide Card Member receivables:            
Total receivables (billions)
 $54.2  $47.6   14 
Loss reserves:            
Beginning balance $521  $467   12 
Provisions (a)
  242   213   14 
Net write-offs (b)
  (199)  (194)  3 
Other  1   5   (80)
Ending balance $565  $491   15%
% of receivables  1.0%  1.0%    
Net write-off rate — principal only (c)
  1.6%  1.7%    
Net write-off rate — principal and fees  (c)
  1.8%  2.0%    
30+ days past due as a % of total  (c)
  1.5%  1.5%    
Net loss ratio as a % of charge volume — GCP  0.10%  0.11%    
90+ days past billing as a % of total — GCP  0.8%  0.7%    
(a)Beginning December 1, 2015 through to the sale completion dates, does not reflect the HFS portfolios.
(b)Reflects provisions for principal, interest and/or fees on Card Member loans and receivables. Refer to Table 3 footnote (a).
(c)(b)Write-offs, less recoveries.
(d)Includes reserves associated with Card Member loans reclassified from HFS to held for investment. Refer to Changes in Card Member loans reserve for losses under Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(e)(c)We present a net write-off rate based on principal losses only (i.e., excluding interest and/or fees) to be consistent with industry convention. In addition, because we consider uncollectible interest and/or fees in our reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented. The net write-off rates and 30+ days past due as a percentage of total for Card Member receivables relate to USCS, ICNS and Global Small Business Services (GSBS) Card Member receivables.

 
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Table 9:8: Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member Loans
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  March 31, 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017 
Net interest income $1,530  $1,449  $3,030  $3,029  $1,841  $1,502 
Exclude:                        
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio(a)  302   247   554   485   302   247 
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio(b)  (155)  (102)  (285)  (205)  (213)  (130)
Adjusted net interest income (a)(c)
 $1,677  $1,594  $3,299  $3,309  $1,930  $1,619 
Average loans including HFS loan portfolios (billions)(b)
 $65.1  $67.6  $64.6  $69.2 
Net interest income divided by average loans  9.4%  8.6%  9.4%  8.8%
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (a)
  10.3%  9.5%  10.3%  9.6%
Average Card Member loans (billions)
 $72.7  $63.9 
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans(c)
  10.1%  9.4%
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (c)
  10.8%  10.3%
(a)Primarily represents interest expense attributable to maintaining our corporate liquidity pool and funding Card Member receivables.
(b)Primarily represents interest income attributable to Other loans, interest-bearing deposits and our Travelers Cheque and other stored-value investment portfolio.
(c)Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on average Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it represents the interest expense and interest income attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio and is a component of net interest yield on average Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.
(b)Beginning December 1, 2015 through Net interest yield on average Card Member loans reflects adjusted net interest income divided by average Card Member loans, computed on an annualized basis. Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans, computed on an annualized basis, a GAAP measure, includes elements of total interest income and total interest expense that are not attributable to the sale completion dates, for the purposes of the calculationCard Member loan portfolio, and thus is not representative of net interest yield on average Card Member loans, average loans included the HFS loan portfolios.loans.
 
 
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Business Segment Results

U.S. Consumer Services


Table 10:9: USCS Selected Income Statement Data

  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended    
  June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016 
Revenues                        
Non-interest revenues $1,999  $2,069  $(70)  (3)% $3,856  $4,098   (242)  (6)%
Interest income  1,369   1,278   91   7   2,677   2,669   8    
Interest expense  171   139   32   23   317   279   38   14 
Net interest income  1,198   1,139   59   5   2,360   2,390   (30)  (1)
Total revenues net of interest expense  3,197   3,208   (11)     6,216   6,488   (272)  (4)
Provisions for losses  345   237   108   46   639   427   212   50 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  2,852   2,971   (119)  (4)  5,577   6,061   (484)  (8)
Expenses                                
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other  1,469   1,369   100   7   2,766   2,717   49   2 
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  714   (96)  810   #   1,442   559   883   # 
Total expenses  2,183   1,273   910   71   4,208   3,276   932   28 
Pretax segment income  669   1,698   (1,029)  (61)  1,369   2,785   (1,416)  (51)
Income tax provision  229   631   (402)  (64)  460   1,024   (564)  (55)
Segment income $440  $1,067  $(627)  (59)% $909  $1,761   (852)  (48)%
Effective tax rate  34.2%  37.2%          33.6%  36.8%        

# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Revenues            
Non-interest revenues $2,294  $2,118  $176   8%
Interest income  1,656   1,310   346   26 
    Interest expense  253   161   92   57 
Net interest income  1,403   1,149   254   22 
Total revenues net of  interest expense  3,697   3,267   430   13 
Provisions for losses  423   294   129   44 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  3,274   2,973   301   10 
Expenses                
Marketing, business development, rewards, Card Member services  1,771   1,564   207   13 
    Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  690   671   19   3 
Total expenses  2,461   2,235   226   10 
Pretax segment income  813   738   75   10 
Income tax provision  173   244   (71)  (29)
Segment income $640  $494  $146   30%
Effective tax rate  21.3%  33.1%        

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


Non-interest revenues decreased for both the three and six month periods,increased, primarily due to lowerdriven by discount revenue, which decreased $124increased $142 million, and $325 million for the three and six month periods, respectively,or 9 percent, reflecting decreasesan increase in billed business of 9 percent and 11 percent for the three and six month periods, respectively. The decreases in both discount revenue and billed business were driven by Costco-related volumes included in the prior year. The decreases in discount revenue were partially offset, in both the three and six month periods, by an increase in netpercent. Net card fees and other fees and commissions increased, driven primarily fromby growth in the Platinum and Delta portfolios as well asand higher delinquency fees.fees, respectively.
Net interest income increased, for the three month period and was relatively flat for the six month period, primarily driven by growth in average Card Member loans and higher yields, in the current year,partially offset (partially in the case of the three month period) by Costco cobrand-related interest income included in the prior year and higher interest expense, in the current year, primarily driven by higher cost of funds. The growth in average Card Member loans was primarily driven by expanding relationships with existing customers, as well as the inclusion of the acquired Hilton portfolio. The increase in yields was primarily driven by a greater percentage of loans at higher rate buckets, specific pricing actions, and a mix shift over time towards non-cobrand lending products, where Card Members tend to revolve more of their loan balances.
ProvisionsProvision for losses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by Card Member loansloan provision, which increased $97by $136 million and $177 million in the three and six month periods, respectively,primarily due to strong momentum in our lending growth initiatives, as well as slight increases inand higher delinquencies and higher net write-off rates primarilywrite-offs due to thecontinued seasoning of loans related to newer Card Membersrecent loan vintages and a shift in mix over time towards non-cobrand lending products, which have slightly higher write-off rates.
38

products.
Marketing, promotion,business development, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased foracross all expense categories. Card Member rewards expense increased $132 million, driven by increased spending volumes across both the threeproprietary and six month periods, reflecting higher marketing and promotion andcobrand portfolios. Card Member services and other expenses in both periods, partially offset in the six month period by a decrease in Card Member rewards expenses. Marketing and promotion expenses increased, $59 million and $38 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, due to continued spending on growth initiatives. Card Member services and other expenses increased $37 million and $56 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, driven by higher usage of cobrand travel-related benefits and enhanced Platinum card benefits. Card Member rewards expenseMarketing and business development expenses increased, $4 million for the three month period and decreased $45 million for the six month period, reflecting Costco-related expenses in the prior year, which were more thandriven by higher cobrand partner payments, partially offset in the three month period by enhancements to Platinum rewards and increasedlower spending volumes.on growth initiatives.
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by the prior-year gain on the sale of the Costco HFS portfolio, partially offset by lowerhigher technology and other servicing-related costs, partially offset by gains on the re-measurement, in the current yearperiod, of certain equity investments previously carried at cost and the prior year HFS valuation allowance adjustment and restructuring charges.period hedge ineffectiveness now included in Interest expense.
The effective tax rate was lower for both the three and six month periods,decreased, primarily reflecting the level of pretax income in relation to recurring permanent tax benefits and the resolution of certain prior years’ tax itemsreduction in the six month period.U.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the Tax Act.

 
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Table 11:10: USCS Selected Statistical Information

 As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change 
 Three Months Ended  2017  Six Months Ended  2017  Three Months Ended  2018 
 June 30,  vs.  June 30,  vs.  March 31,  vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016  2018  2017  2017 
Card billed business (billions)
 $84.8  $93.4   (9)% $162.2  $182.4   (11)% $86.0  $77.5   11%
Total cards-in-force  33.8   31.8   6   33.8   31.8   6   36.1   33.2   9 
Basic cards-in-force  24.2   22.6   7   24.2   22.6   7   25.8   23.7   9 
Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)
 $3,538  $3,417   4  $6,837  $6,523   5  $3,371  $3,297   2 
Total segment assets (billions)
 $86.8  $81.3   7  $86.8  $81.3   7  $93.8  $85.3   10 
Segment capital (billions)
 $7.1  $6.8   4  $7.1  $6.8   4 
Return on average segment capital (a)
  23.3%  38.9%      23.3%  38.9%    
Card Member loans: (b)
                        
Card Member loans:            
Total loans (billions)
 $48.3  $44.6   8  $48.3  $44.6   8  $52.7  $46.7   13 
Average loans (billions)
 $47.7  $43.5   10  $47.6  $43.1   10  $52.9  $47.2   12 
Net write-off rate – principal only (c)
  1.8%  1.5%      1.7%  1.5%    
Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (c)
  2.1%  1.7%      2.0%  1.7%    
Net write-off rate – principal only (a)
  2.0%  1.7%    
Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (a)
  2.4%  2.0%    
30+ days past due loans as a % of total  1.1%  1.1%      1.1%  1.1%      1.4%  1.2%    
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on                        
Card Member loans:                        
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member loans:            
Net interest income $1,198  $1,139      $2,360  $2,390      $1,403  $1,149     
Exclude:                                    
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio  28   20       51   39     
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio  (23)  (5)      (41)  (10)    
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b)
  37   34     
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (c)
  (38)  (18)    
Adjusted net interest income (d)
 $1,203  $1,154      $2,370  $2,419      $1,402  $1,165     
                        
Average loans including HFS loan portfolios (billions)(e)
 $47.7  $50.8      $47.6  $52.3     
                        
Net interest income divided by average loans  10.0%  9.0%      9.9%  9.1%    
Net interest yield on Card Member loans(d)
  10.1%  9.1%      10.0%  9.3%    
Card Member receivables: (b)
                        
Average Card Member loans (billions)
 $52.9  $47.2     
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (d)
  10.6%  9.7%    
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans(d)
  10.7%  10.0%    
Card Member receivables:            
Total receivables (billions)
 $11.3  $10.6   7% $11.3  $10.6   7% $11.7  $10.9   7%
Net write-off rate – principal only (c)
  1.2%  1.3%      1.4%  1.5%    
Net write-off rate – principal and fees (c)
  1.4%  1.6%      1.5%  1.8%    
Net write-off rate – principal only (a)
  1.3%  1.5%    
Net write-off rate – principal and fees (a)
  1.5%  1.7%    
30+ days past due as a % of total  1.1%  1.2%      1.1%  1.2%      1.3%  1.3%    
(a)Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.7 billion and $2.8 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($7.1 billion and $7.3 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)Refer to Table 7 footnote (c).
(b)Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).
(c)Refer to Table 8 footnote (e)(b).
(d)Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.
(e)Refer to Table 98 footnote (b)(c).


 
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Table of Contents

International Consumer and Network Services


Table 12:11: ICNS Selected Income Statement Data

  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended    
  June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016 
Revenues                        
Non-interest revenues $1,247  $1,242  $5   % $2,442  $2,382  $60   3%
Interest income  246   234   12   5   481   461   20   4 
Interest expense  60   58   2   3   113   112   1   1 
Net interest income  186   176   10   6   368   349   19   5 
Total revenues net of interest expense  1,433   1,418   15   1   2,810   2,731   79   3 
Provisions for losses  84   78   6   8   150   149   1   1 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  1,349   1,340   9   1   2,660   2,582   78   3 
Expenses                                
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other  561   500   61   12   1,066   981   85   9 
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  513   567   (54)  (10)  1,027   1,073   (46)  (4)
Total expenses  1,074   1,067   7   1   2,093   2,054   39   2 
Pretax segment income  275   273   2   1   567   528   39   7 
Income tax provision  66   45   21   47   140   112   28   25 
Segment income $209  $228  $(19)  (8)% $427  $416  $11   3%
Effective tax rate  24.0%  16.5%          24.7%  21.2%        

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Revenues            
Non-interest revenues $1,551  $1,400  $151   11%
Interest income  294   235   59   25 
Interest expense  78   54   24   44 
Net interest income  216   181   35   19 
Total revenues net of interest expense  1,767   1,581   186   12 
Provisions for losses  108   66   42   64 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  1,659   1,515   144   10 
Expenses                
Marketing, business development, rewards, Card Member services  857   726   131   18 
    Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  432   441   (9)  (2)
Total expenses  1,289   1,167   122   10 
Pretax segment income  370   348   22   6 
Income tax provision  79   96   (17)  (18)
Segment income $291  $252  $39   15%
Effective tax rate  21.4%  27.6%        

ICNS issues a wide range of proprietary consumer cards outside the United States and enters into partnership agreements with third-party card issuers and acquirers, licensing the American Express brand and extending the reach of the global network. It also provides travel services to consumers outside the United States.
Non-interest revenues were flat for the three month period and increased, for the six month period, primarily driven by higher discount revenue, in both periods,which increased $98 million, due to an increase in both proprietary and non-proprietary (i.e., GNS) billed business as well as higher netand the impact of changes in the foreign exchange rates. Net card fees offsetand other fees and commissions increased, primarily driven by growth in the three month period by a prior-year contractual payment from a GNS partner.cards-in-force and higher delinquency fees, respectively. Total billed business increased, for both the three and six months, reflecting higher proprietary cards-in-force and average spend per card. Refer to Tables 6, 7 and 1312 for additional information on billed business.
Net interest income increased for both the three and six month periods,period, primarily driven by higher average loan balances.balances, partially offset by higher cost of funds.
Provisions for losses increased due to strong growth in both Card Member receivables and loans resulting in higher delinquencies and write-offs.

Marketing, promotion,business development, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher Card Member rewards expense, which increased $83 million, due to higher spending volumes.volumes, and marketing and business development expense primarily due to increased investment levels in our proprietary business.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by lower salaries and employee benefits costs, including restructuring charges in the prior year, partially offset by higher technology and other servicing-related costs.
The effective tax rate decreased, primarily reflecting the reduction in all periods reflects the impactU.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of recurring permanent tax benefits both in relation to the segment’s ongoing funding activities outside the United States, which is allocated to ICNS under our internal tax allocation process, and on varying levels of pretax income. The effective tax rates for the prior year periods also reflects the allocated share of tax benefits related to the resolution of certain prior years’ tax items.Tax Act.

 
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Table 13:12: ICNS Selected Statistical Information

 As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change 
 Three Months Ended  2017  Six Months Ended  2017  Three Months Ended  2018 
 June 30,  vs.  June 30,  vs.  March 31,  vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016  2018  2017  2017 
Card billed business (billions)
                           
Proprietary $28.9  $26.5   9% $55.5  $51.2   8% $33.3  $26.6   25%
GNS  45.8   43.8   5   89.2   84.3   6   47.0   43.4   8 
Total $74.7  $70.3   6  $144.7  $135.5   7  $80.3  $70.0   15 
Total cards-in-force                                    
Proprietary  15.4   15.0   3   15.4   15.0   3   16.2   15.3   6 
GNS  49.2   48.0   3   49.2   48.0   3   47.8   49.0   (2)
Total  64.6   63.0   3   64.6   63.0   3   64.0   64.3    
Proprietary basic cards-in-force  10.6   10.3   3   10.6   10.3   3   11.3   10.5   8 
Average proprietary basic Card Member spending (dollars)
 $2,726  $2,609   4  $5,269  $5,066   4  $3,001  $2,542   18 
Total segment assets (billions)
 $37.6  $35.0   7  $37.6  $35.0   7  $42.0  $36.1   16 
Segment capital (billions)
 $2.8  $2.6   8  $2.8  $2.6   8 
Return on average segment capital (a)
  25.2%  25.5%      25.2%  25.5%    
Card Member loans: (b)
                        
Card Member loans:            
Total loans (billions)
 $7.2  $6.6   9  $7.2  $6.6   9  $8.7  $6.8   28 
Average loans (billions)
 $7.1  $6.8   4  $7.0  $6.8   3% $8.6  $6.9   25 
Net write-off rate – principal only (c)
  2.0%  2.1%      2.0%  2.0%    
Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (c)
  2.5%  2.5%      2.5%  2.4%    
Net write-off rate – principal only (a)
  2.1%  2.0%    
Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (a)
  2.6%  2.5%    
30+ days past due loans as a % of total  1.7%  1.7%      1.7%  1.7%      1.6%  1.7%    
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Card Member loans:                        
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member loans:            
Net interest income $186  $176      $368  $349      $216  $181     
Exclude:                                    
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio  14   10       24   21     
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio  (3)  (4)      (6)  (7)    
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b)
  21   12     
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio(c)
  (4)  (4)    
Adjusted net interest income (d)
 $197  $182      $386  $363      $233  $189     
                        
Average loans (billions)
 $7.1  $6.8      $7.0  $6.8     
                        
Net interest income divided by average loans  10.5%  10.4%      10.5%  10.3%    
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (d)
  11.2%  10.8%      11.1%  10.8%    
Card Member receivables: (b)
                        
Average Card Member loans (billions)
 $8.6  $6.9     
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (d)
  10.0%  10.5%    
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (d)
  10.9%  11.1%    
Card Member receivables:            
Total receivables (billions)
 $6.0  $5.6   7% $6.0  $5.6   7% $7.1  $5.5   29%
Net write-off rate – principal only (c)
  1.9%  2.2%      2.0%  2.2%    
Net write-off rate – principal and fees(c)
  2.0%  2.3%      2.2%  2.4%    
30+ days past due as a % of total  1.4%  1.4%      1.4%  1.4%    
Net write-off rate – principal only (a)
  2.0%  2.1%    
Net write-off rate – principal and fees(a)
  2.2%  2.3%    
30+ days past due loans as a % of total  1.5%  1.5%    
(a)Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($666 million and $711 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($2.6 billion and $2.8 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)Refer to Table 7 footnote (c).
(b)Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).
(c)Refer to Table 8 footnote (e)(b).
(d)Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.Table 8 footnote (c).

 
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Table of Contents
Global Commercial Services


Table 14:13: GCS Selected Income Statement Data

 Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended     Three Months Ended       
 June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Revenues                                    
Non-interest revenues $2,368  $2,280  $88   4% $4,639  $4,470  $169   4% $2,838  $2,603  $235   9%
Interest income  334   310   24   8   653   631   22   3   377   319   58   18 
Interest expense  129   104   25   24   238   199   39   20   171   123   48   39 
Net interest income  205   206   (1)     415   432   (17)  (4)  206   196   10   5 
Total revenues net of interest expense  2,573   2,486   87   3   5,054   4,902   152   3   3,044   2,799   245   9 
Provisions for losses  154   139   15   11   362   299   63   21   240   208   32   15 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  2,419   2,347   72   3   4,692   4,603   89   2   2,804   2,591   213   8 
Expenses                                                
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other  949   841   108   13   1,887   1,607   280   17 
Marketing, business development, rewards, Card Member services  1,373   1,290   83   6 
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  697   596   101   17   1,402   1,325   77   6   714   684   30   4 
Total expenses  1,646   1,437   209   15   3,289   2,932   357   12   2,087   1,974   113   6 
Pretax segment income  773   910   (137)  (15)  1,403   1,671   (268)  (16)  717   617   100   16 
Income tax provision  273   334   (61)  (18)  485   610   (125)  (20)  165   208   (43)  (21)
Segment income $500  $576  $(76)  (13)% $918  $1,061  $(143)  (13)% $552  $409  $143   35%
Effective tax rate  35.3%  36.7%          34.6%  36.5%          23.0%  33.7%        

GCS issues a wide range of proprietary corporate and small business cards and provides payment and expense management services globally. In addition, GCS provides commercial financing products.
Non-interest revenues increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by higher discount revenue, which increased $203 million, due to increasesgrowth in billed business, partially offset by Costco-related revenues in the prior year and increased contra-discount revenue in the current year, driven by higher client incentives due to increased billed business. The increase in non-interest revenues was also driven by higher other fees and commissions and higher net card fees, for both the three and six month periods, primarily due to higher delinquency fees and growth in the U.S. small business Platinum portfolio.portfolio, respectively.
Net interest income was relatively flat for the three month period and decreased for the six month period,increased, primarily driven by higher interest expense, reflecting an increase in theaverage loan balances, partially offset by higher cost of funds and Costco cobrand interest income in the prior year, substantially offset by an increase inhigher average Card Member loans and higher net interest yield.debt.
Provisions for losses increased, for both the three and six month periodsprimarily due to strong growth in both Card Member receivables and loans, partially offset by improving credit performance in the commercial financingcharge portfolio.
Marketing, promotion,business development, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods,primarily driven by higherincreases in Card Member rewards expenses, which increased $119 million and $246 million for the three and six month periods, respectively. The higher Card Member rewards expenses were primarily driven by enhancementsexpense, due to Platinum rewards and higher spending volumes, partially offset by Costco-related expenses in the prior year. Marketing and promotion expenses decreased in the three month period, but increased in the six month period reflecting spending on growth initiatives.volumes.


Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses increased, for both the three and six month periods, primarily driven by the prior-year gain on the sale of the Costco HFS portfolio,higher technology costs, partially offset by lower technology-related expenses and the HFS valuation allowanceprior-period hedge ineffectiveness now included in the prior year.interest expense.
The effective tax rate was lower for both the three and six months,decreased, primarily reflecting the geographic mix of business and the resolution of certain prior years’ tax itemsreduction in the six month period.U.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the Tax Act.

 
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Table 15:14: GCS Selected Statistical Information

 As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change 
 Three Months Ended  2017  Six Months Ended  2017  Three Months Ended  2018 
 June 30,  vs.  June 30,  vs.  March 31,  vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016  2018  2017  2017 
Card billed business (billions)
 $109.0  $104.3   5% $211.9  $202.8   4% $115.7  $102.8   13%
Total cards-in-force  13.8   13.4   3   13.8   13.4   3   14.1   13.7   3 
Basic cards-in-force  13.8   13.4   3   13.8   13.4   3   14.1   13.7   3 
Average basic Card Member spending (dollars)
 $7,920  $7,060   12  $15,455  $13,592   14  $8,233  $7,533   9 
Total segment assets (billions)
 $51.0  $46.2   10  $51.0  $46.2   10  $57.8  $51.5   12 
Segment capital (billions)
 $7.4  $7.7   (3) $7.4  $7.7   (3)
Return on average segment capital (a)
  24.2%  28.1%      24.2%  28.1%    
Card Member loans (billions)
 $10.4  $8.7   20  $10.4  $8.7   20  $11.5  $10.0   15 
Card Member receivables (billions)
 $32.1  $29.1   10  $32.1  $29.1   10  $35.5  $31.2   14 
Card Member loans: (b)
                        
Card Member loans:            
Total loans - GSBS (billions)
 $10.3  $8.6   20  $10.3  $8.6   20  $11.4  $10.0   14 
Average loans - GSBS (billions)
 $10.1  $8.5   19  $9.8  $8.3   18  $11.1  $9.6   16 
Net write-off rate (principal only) - GSBS (c)
  1.5%  1.3%      1.5%  1.3%    
Net write-off rate (principal, interest and fees) - GSBS (c)
  1.8%  1.6%      1.8%  1.6%    
Net write-off rate (principal only) - GSBS (a)
  1.6%  1.6%    
Net write-off rate (principal, interest and fees) - GSBS (a)
  1.9%  1.8%    
30+ days past due as a % of total - GSBS  1.1%  1.1%      1.1%  1.1%      1.3%  1.2%    
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Card Member loans:                        
Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member loans:            
Net interest income $205  $206      $415  $432      $206  $196     
Exclude:                                    
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio  99   80       182   152     
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio  (27)  (29)      (54)  (57)    
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b)
  126   96     
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (c)
  (36)  (27)    
Adjusted net interest income(d)
 $277  $257      $543  $527      $296  $265     
                        
Average loans including HFS loan portfolios (billions)(e)
 $10.2  $10.0      $10.0  $10.1     
                        
Net interest income divided by average loans  8.0%  8.2%      8.3%  8.5%    
Net interest yield on Card Member loans (d)
  10.9%  10.3%      11.0%  10.5%    
Card Member receivables: (b)
                        
Average Card Member loans (billions)
 $11.2  $9.7     
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans(d)
  7.4%  8.1%    
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (d)
  10.7%  11.1%    
Card Member receivables:            
Total receivables - GCP (billions)
 $16.9  $15.3   10  $16.9  $15.3   10  $19.3  $16.6   16 
90+ days past billing as a % of total - GCP (f)
  0.8%  0.7%      0.8%  0.7%    
90+ days past billing as a % of total - GCP (e)
  0.8%  0.7%    
Net loss ratio (as a % of charge volume) - GCP  0.10%  0.09%      0.10%  0.09%      0.10%  0.11%    
Total receivables - GSBS (billions)
 $15.2  $13.7   11% $15.2  $13.7   11% $16.2  $14.6   11%
Net write-off rate (principal only) - GSBS (c)
  1.6%  1.6%      1.7%  1.7%    
Net write-off rate (principal and fees) - GSBS (c)
  1.8%  1.9%      1.9%  2.0%    
Net write-off rate (principal only) - GSBS (a)
  1.7%  1.8%    
Net write-off rate (principal and fees) - GSBS (a)
  1.9%  2.0%    
30+ days past due as a % of total - GSBS  1.4%  1.4%      1.4%  1.4%      1.8%  1.6%    
(a)Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.8 billion and $2.0 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($7.3 billion and $7.2 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)Refer to Table 7 footnote (c).
(b)Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).
(c)Refer to Table 8 footnote (e)(b).
(d)Adjusted net interest income and net interest yield on Card Member loans are non-GAAP measures. Refer to “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of these terms. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it is a component of net interest yield on Card Member loans, which provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.Table 8 footnote (c).
(e)Refer to Table 9 footnote (b).
(f)For GCPGlobal Corporate Payments (GCP) Card Member receivables, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member’s billing statement date. In addition, if we initiate collection procedures on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes.

 
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Global Merchant Services


Table 16:15: GMS Selected Income Statement Data

  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended    
  June 30,  Change  June 30,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016  2017  2016  2017 vs. 2016 
Revenues                        
Non-interest revenues $1,086  $1,087  $(1)  % $2,103  $2,128  $(25)  (1)%
Interest income  1   1         1   1       
Interest expense  (65)  (61)  (4)  7   (123)  (120)  (3)  3 
Net interest income  66   62   4   6   124   121   3   2 
Total revenues net of interest expense  1,152   1,149   3      2,227   2,249   (22)  (1)
Provisions for losses     5   (5)  #   3   13   (10)  (77)
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  1,152   1,144   8   1   2,224   2,236   (12)  (1)
Expenses                                
Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other  37   58   (21)  (36)  69   116   (47)  (41)
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  435   489   (54)  (11)  908   952   (44)  (5)
Total expenses  472   547   (75)  (14)  977   1,068   (91)  (9)
Pretax segment income  680   597   83   14   1,247   1,168   79   7 
Income tax provision  250   224   26   12   454   438   16   4 
Segment income $430  $373  $57   15% $793  $730  $63   9%
Effective tax rate  36.8%  37.5%          36.4%  37.5%        

# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent.

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change 
(Millions, except percentages) 2018  2017  2018 vs. 2017 
Revenues            
Non-interest revenues $1,110  $1,021  $89   9%
Interest expense  (63)  (43)  (20)  47 
Net interest income  63   43   20   47 
Total revenues net of interest expense  1,173   1,064   109   10 
Provisions for losses  5   3   2   67 
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses  1,168   1,061   107   10 
Expenses                
Marketing, business development, rewards, Card Member services  74   71   3   4 
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses  440   432   8   2 
Total expenses  514   503   11   2 
Pretax segment income  654   558   96   17 
Income tax provision  182   201   (19)  (9)
Segment income $472  $357  $115   32%
Effective tax rate  27.8%  36.0%        

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


Non-interest revenues were relatively flat for both the three and six month periods,increased, primarily due to lower discount revenue driven by Costco cobrand-related revenues in the prior year as well as higher contra-revenues in the current year, offset by billed business growth across other card products and an increase in loyalty coalition revenues.discount revenue, which reflected growth in billed business, partially offset by a decline in the average discount rate.
Net interest income increased, reflecting a higher interest expense credit relating to internal transfer pricing, which results in a net benefit for GMS due to its merchant payables.
Marketing, promotion,business development, rewards, Card Member services and other expenses decreased for both the three and six month periods,increased, reflecting higher levels of spending on growth initiatives, partially offset by a reduction in the prior year.external sales agent commissions.

Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased for both the three and six month periods,increased, primarily driven by a benefitincreased payroll costs.
The effective tax rate decreased, primarily reflecting the reduction in the current year fromU.S. federal statutory tax rate as a change in the liability related to non-delivery of goods and services by merchants and growthresult of the OptBlue program, which does not entail merchant acquirer payments.Tax Act.


Table 16: GMS Selected Statistical Information

 As of or for the Change 
 Three Months Ended 2018 
 March 31, vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)2018 2017 2017 
Loyalty Coalition revenue $111  $102   9%
Average discount rate(a)
  2.37%  2.43%    
Total segment assets (billions)
 $29.3  $25.9   13%
(a)Effective January 1, 2018, we changed the methodology used to calculate the average discount rate. Prior period rates have been revised to conform to the current period presentation.


 
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Table 17: GMS Selected Statistical Information

  As of or for the  Change  As of or for the  Change 
  Three Months Ended  2017  Six Months Ended  2017 
  June 30,  vs.  June 30,  vs. 
(Millions, except percentages and where indicated) 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016 
Loyalty Coalition revenue $114  $104   10% $216  $198   9%
Average discount rate  2.44%  2.43%      2.44%  2.43%    
Total segment assets (billions)
 $25.5  $24.1   6% $25.5  $24.1   6%
Segment capital (billions)
 $2.7  $2.4   13% $2.7  $2.4   13%
Return on average segment capital (a)
  59.8%  61.9%      59.8%  61.9%    
(a)Return on average segment capital is calculated by dividing (i) one-year period segment income ($1.5 billion for both the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016) by (ii) one-year average segment capital ($2.5 billion and $2.4 billion for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively).

Corporate & Other

Corporate functions and certain other businesses, including our Prepaid Services business, and other operations, are included in Corporate & Other.
Corporate & Other net expense increased to $239was $321 million for the three month period,months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $229 million in the same period a year ago and decreased to $470 million for the six month period compared to $527$261 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease for the six month periodincrease was primarily driven by prior-year restructuring charges.a loss on a transaction involving the operations of our prepaid reloadable and gift card business, partially offset by gains on the re-measurement of certain equity investments previously carried at cost.
Results for both periods included net interest expense related to maintaining the liquidity requirements discussed in “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity – Liquidity Management,” as well as interest expense related to other corporate indebtedness.


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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 twelve-month period, even in the event we are unable to continue to raise new funds under our traditional funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.

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Transitional Basel III

The following table presents our regulatory risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios and those of our significant bank subsidiaries, American Express Centurion Bank (Centurion Bank) and American Express Bank, FSB, (American Express Bank), as of June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.  Effective April 1, 2018, American Express Centurion Bank and American Express Bank, FSB were merged to become American Express National Bank.

Table 18:17: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital and Leverage Ratios

  Basel III Basel III Ratios as of 
  Standards June 30,March 31, 
  
20172018(a)
 20172018 
Risk-Based Capital     
 
Common Equity Tier 1 5.86.4%  
 
   American Express Company   12.39.4%
   American Express Centurion Bank   16.914.2 
   American Express Bank, FSB   13.912.3 
Tier 1 7.37.9   
   American Express Company   13.510.5 
   American Express Centurion Bank   16.914.2 
   American Express Bank, FSB   13.912.3 
Total 9.39.9   
   American Express Company   15.212.2 
   American Express Centurion Bank   18.215.4 
   American Express Bank, FSB   15.213.6 
Tier 1 Leverage 4.0   
   American Express Company   11.08.8 
   American Express Centurion Bank   16.510.8 
   American Express Bank, FSB   12.010.8 
Supplementary Leverage Ratio(b)
 3.0%  
  
   American Express Company   9.47.6 
   American Express Centurion Bank   12.78.6 
   American Express Bank, FSB   9.98.9%
(a)Transitional Basel III minimum capital requirement and additional transitional capital conservation buffer as defined by the Federal Reserve for calendar year 20172018 for advanced approaches institutions.
(b)TheWe became subject to the minimum supplementary leverage ratio (SLR) requirement of 3 percent is effective January 1, 2018.

Table 19:18: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital Components and Risk Weighted Assets
American Express Company June 30,  March 31, 
($ in Billions) 2017  2018 
Risk-Based Capital(a)      
Common Equity Tier 1 $16.4  $13.9 
Tier 1 Capital  18.0   15.5 
Tier 2 Capital(a)(b)
  2.3   2.4 
Total Capital  20.3   17.9 
        
Risk-Weighted Assets  133.5   147.4 
Average Total Assets to calculate the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio  164.2   175.0 
Total Leverage Exposure to calculate SLR $190.4 
Total Leverage Exposure to calculate supplementary leverage ratio $204.4 
(a)Regulatory capital adjustments and deductions have been fully transitioned effective January 1, 2018.
(b)Tier 2 capital is the sum of the allowance for loan and receivable losses (limited to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets) and $600 million of subordinated notes adjusted for capital held by insurance subsidiaries.
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We seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements and finance such capital in a cost efficient manner; failure to maintain minimum capital levels could affect our status as a financial holding company and cause the regulatory agencies with oversight of American Express Centurion Bank and American Express National Bank to take actions that could limit our business operations.

Our primary source of equity capital has been the generation of net income. Historically, capitalCapital generated through net income and other sources, such as the exercise of stock options by employees, has exceeded the annualis used to maintain a strong balance sheet, support asset growth and engage in our capital requirements. To the extent capital has exceeded business, regulatory and rating agency requirements, we have historically returnedacquisitions, with excess capitalavailable for distribution to shareholders through our regular common share dividenddividends and share repurchase program.
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generated capital we allocate to support asset  growth will be greater going forward than it has been historically due to projected asset growth.
We maintain certain flexibility to shift capital across our businesses as appropriate. For example, we may infuse additional capital into subsidiaries to maintain capital at targeted levels in consideration of debt ratings and regulatory requirements. These infused amounts can affect the capital profile and liquidity levels at the American Express parent company level. We do not currently intend or foresee a need to shift capital from non-U.S. subsidiaries with permanently reinvested earnings to a U.S. parent company.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  June 30, 
($ in Billions) 2017 
Estimated Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III(a)
  12.0%
Estimated Tier 1 Capital Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III (a)
  13.1 
     
Estimated Tier 1 Leverage Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III(b)
  10.8 
Estimated Supplementary Leverage Ratio under Fully Phased-In Basel III  9.3%
     
Estimated Risk-Weighted Assets under Fully Phased-In Basel III(c)
 $135.0 
Estimated Average Total Assets to calculate the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio(b)
  164.0 
Estimated Total Leverage Exposure to calculate SLR under Fully Phased-In Basel III (d)
 $190.2 
(a)The Fully Phased-in Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios, non-GAAP measures, are calculated as Common Equity Tier 1 or Tier 1 capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules, as applicable, divided by risk-weighted assets under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules. Refer to Table 21 for a reconciliation of Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III rules to Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital under Transitional Basel III rules.
(b)The Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 and supplementary leverage ratios, non-GAAP measures, are calculated by dividing Fully Phased-in Basel III Tier 1 capital by our average total assets and Fully Phased-in total leverage exposure for supplementary leverage ratio purposes under Fully Phased-in Basel III, respectively.
(c)Estimated Fully Phased-in Basel III risk-weighted assets, a non-GAAP measure, reflect our Basel III risk-weighted assets, with all transition provisions fully phased in. This includes incremental risk weighting applied to deferred tax assets and significant investments in unconsolidated financial institutions, as well as exposures to past due accounts, equities and sovereigns.
(d)Estimated Fully Phased-in Basel III Leverage Exposure, a non-GAAP measure, reflects average total consolidated assets with adjustments for Tier 1 capital deductions on a fully phased-in basis, off-balance sheet derivatives, undrawn conditionally and unconditionally cancellable commitments and other off-balance sheet liabilities.

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

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

(Billions) CET1  Tier 1 
Risk-Based Capital under Transitional Basel III $16.4  $18.0 
Adjustments related to:        
AOCI  (0.1)  (0.1)
Transition provisions for intangible assets  (0.2)  (0.2)
Other      
Estimated CET1 and Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital under Fully Phased-in Basel III $16.1  $17.7 

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

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

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

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

We decided to suspend our share buyback program for the first half of 2018 in order to rebuild our capital levels and ratios. We intend to continue our quarterly dividends during the first half of 2018 at the current level.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we returned $1.1$0.3 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, to our shareholders in the form of common stock dividends ($0.3 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively) and share repurchases ($0.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively). We repurchased 11 million common shares at an average price of $79.72 in the second quarter of 2017.dividends. These dividend and share repurchase amounts collectivelydividends represent approximately 83 percent and 8719 percent of total capital generated during the three and six-month periods, respectively.quarter.
 
 
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Authorization for share repurchases and dividends beginning in the second half of 2018 was submitted as part of our capital plan within the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) 2018 process as discussed below.

In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had $750 million of non-cumulative perpetual preferred shares (the “SeriesSeries B Preferred Shares”)Shares) and $850 million of non-cumulative perpetual preferred shares (the “SeriesSeries C Preferred Shares”)Shares) outstanding. Dividends declared and paid on Series BC Preferred Shares during the secondfirst quarter of 20172018 were $19$21 million.

On June 28, 2017, we were informed thatBank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets, including us, are required to develop and maintain a capital plan, and to submit the capital plan to the Federal Reserve did not objectfor review under its CCAR process. All such bank holding companies were required to oursubmit their capital planplans and stress testing results to return capitalthe Federal Reserve by April 5, 2018. The Federal Reserve is expected to shareholders through share repurchases of up to $4.4 billion duringpublish the period beginning withdecisions for all the third quarter of 2017 through andbank holding companies participating in CCAR 2018, including the second quarterreasons for any objection to capital plans, by June 30, 2018. In addition, the Federal Reserve will separately publish the results of 2018, as well as an increase in our quarterly dividendits supervisory stress test under both the supervisory severely adverse and adverse scenarios. The information to $0.35 per share, from $0.32 per share, beginning withbe released will include, among other things, the third quarter 2017 dividend declaration, subject to approval by our BoardFederal Reserve’s projection of Directors. The timingcompany-specific information, including post-stress capital ratios and amountthe minimum value of common shares purchased under our authorized capital plan will depend on various factors, including our business plans, financial performance and market conditions. To facilitate repurchases, we may, from time to time, make purchases pursuant to one or more trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 underthese ratios over the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows us to repurchase common shares during periods when we might otherwise be prevented from doing so under applicable law or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods.planning horizon.

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.

We meet our funding needs through a variety of sources, including direct and third-party distributed deposits and debt instruments, such as senior unsecured debentures, asset securitizations, borrowings through secured borrowing facilities and a long-term committed bank borrowing facility. While we diversify our funding sources by maintaining scale and relevance in unsecured debentures, asset securitizations and deposits, we currently expect that the Personal Savings High Yield Savings Account direct retail deposit program will become a larger proportion over time.
Summary of Consolidated Debt
We had the following consolidated debt and customer deposits outstanding as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

Table 22:19: Summary of Consolidated Debt and Customer Deposits

(Billions) June 30, 2017  December 31, 2016  March 31, 2018  December 31, 2017 
Short-term borrowings $3.4  $5.6  $1.8  $3.3 
Long-term debt  51.9   47.0   52.5   55.8 
Total debt  55.3   52.6   54.3   59.1 
Customer deposits  57.7   53.0   66.7   64.5 
Total debt and customer deposits $113.0  $105.6  $121.0  $123.6 

Management does not currently expect to make any significant changes to our funding programs in order to satisfy Basel III’s Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) standard based upon our current understanding of the requirements, which may be subject to change as we receive additional clarification and implementation guidance from regulators relating to the requirements and as the interpretation of requirements evolves over time.
During the three months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we issued (i) $3.3$2.0 billion of asset-backed securities from the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust) consisting of $1.7 billion of three year Class A Certificates at a fixed rate of 1.77%, and $1.6$1.0 billion of two year Class A Certificates at a fixed rate of 1.64%,2.67 percent, $500 million of five year Class A Certificates at a fixed rate of 3.01 percent and $500 million of five year Class A Certificates at a floating rate of 1-month LIBOR plus 32 basis points, and (ii) $4.0$2.0 billion of senior unsecured notes from American Express Credit CorporationCompany consisting of $1.5$1.6 billion of twofive year notes at a fixed rate of 1.88%, $5003.40 percent and $400 million of twofive year notes at a floating rate of  3-month LIBOR plus 3365 basis points, and $2.0 billion of ten year notes at a fixed rate of 3.30%.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 securitization activities are rated separately.

 

 
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Table 23:20: Unsecured Debt Ratings

Credit AgencyAmerican Express EntityShort-Term RatingsLong-Term Ratings Outlook
DBRSAll rated entitiesR-1 (middle)A (high) Stable
FitchAll rated entitiesF1 A NegativeStable
Moody’s
TRS and rated operating subsidiaries (a)
Prime 1 A2 Stable
Moody'sAmerican Express CompanyPrime 2 A3 Stable
S&P
TRS  (a)
N/AN/A A- Stable
S&POther rated operating subsidiariesA-2A-2 A- Stable
S&PAmerican Express CompanyA-2    BBB+ Stable
(a)American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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

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


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


Maintaining diversified funding sources (refer to the “Funding Strategy” section for more details);
Maintaining unencumbered liquid assets and off-balance sheet liquidity sources;
Projecting cash inflows and outflows under a variety of economic and market scenarios;
Establishing clear objectives for liquidity risk management, including compliance with regulatory requirements; and
Incorporating liquidity risk management as appropriate into our capital adequacy framework.


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

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

Securitized Borrowing Capacity
As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of July 16, 2018, that15, 2020, which gives us the right to sell up to $3.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA notes from the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust). On July 14, 2017, we extended the Charge Trust’s $3.0 billion facility by two years to mature on July 15, 2020. We also maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of September 17, 2018, that15, 2020, which gives us the right to sell up to $2.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA certificates from the Lending Trust. Both facilities are used in the ordinary course of business to fund seasonal working capital needs, as well as to further enhance our contingent funding resources. As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, no amounts were drawn on the Charge Trust or Lending Trust facilities.



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

We had approximately $61.1$70.1 billion as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 in U.S. credit card loans and charge card receivables that could be sold over time through our securitization trusts or pledged in return for secured borrowings to provide further liquidity, subject in each case to applicable market conditions and eligibility criteria.

Committed Bank Credit Facility
In addition to the secured borrowing facilities described earlier in this section, we maintained a committed syndicated bank credit facility as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 of $3.0$3.5 billion, which expires on December 9, 2018.October 16, 2020. As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, no amounts were drawn on this facility.


Unused Credit Outstanding
As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had approximately $259$289 billion of unused credit outstanding as part of established lending product agreements. Total unused credit does not represent potential future cash requirements, as a significant portion of this unused credit will likely not be drawn. Our charge card products generally have no pre-set limit, and therefore are not reflected in unused credit available to Card Members.



Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flow activity for the sixthree months ended June 30:March 31:

Table 24:21: Cash Flows

(Billions) 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Total cash provided by (used in):      
Total cash (used in) provided by:      
Operating activities $4.3  $3.2  $2.0  $1.2 
Investing activities  (4.2)  12.1   (0.7)  0.7 
Financing activities  5.0   (4.3)  (2.9)  2.2 
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  0.1      (0.2)  0.1 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents $5.2  $11.0 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $(1.8) $4.2 


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

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

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

The decreaseincrease in net cash provided byused in investing activities was primarily reflected the sale of the HFS portfoliosdriven by a net increase in the prior periodinvestment securities portfolio.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our cash flows from financing activities primarily include changes in long-term debt, short-term borrowings and customer deposits as well as growthour regular common share dividend and share repurchase program.

The increase in Card Member loansnet cash used in the current period.financing activities was primarily driven by a net decrease in long-term debt and short-term borrowings, partially offset by an increase in customer deposits.

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

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

OTHER MATTERS

Certain Legislative, Regulatory and Other Developments
We are subject to comprehensive government regulation and supervision in jurisdictions around the world, and the costs of compliance are substantial. In recent years, the financial services industry has been subject to rigorous scrutiny, high regulatory expectations, and a stringent and unpredictable regulatory enforcement environment.
Please see the “Supervision and Regulation” and “Risk Factors” sections of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 (the 20162017 Form 10-K) for further information.
Payments Regulation
Legislators and regulators in various countries in which we operate have focused on the operation of card networks, including through antitrust actions, legislation and regulations to change certain practices or pricing of card issuers, merchant acquirers and payment networks, and, in some cases, to establish broad and ongoing regulatory oversight regimes for payment systems.
The European Union, Australia and other jurisdictions have focused on the fees merchants pay to accept cards, including the way bankcard network members collectively set the “interchange” (that is, the fee paid by the bankcard merchant acquirer to the card issuer in “four party” networks like Visa and MasterCard), as well as the rules, contract terms and practices governing merchant card acceptance. Even where we are not directly regulated, regulation of bankcard fees can significantly negatively impact the discount revenue derived from our business, including as a result of downward pressure on our discount rate from decreases in competitor pricing in connection with caps on interchange fees. In some cases, such regulation extends to certain aspects of our business. For example, the EU regulation might apply price caps as well as other regulatory measures in circumstances where three-party networks issue cards with a cobrand partner or through an agent. We have brought a legal challenge and seek a ruling from the EU Court of Justice to clarify the interpretation and validity of that part of the regulation. As a precursor to the Court’s final ruling, an advisory opinion was issued on July 6, 2017 advising the Court that (a) the case should be declared inadmissible and (b) if the Court determines to treat the case as admissible, the law should be considered valid and applicable. The advisory opinion is not binding on the Court and there can be no assurance as to the outcome of our legal challenge. For more information on the European Union payments legislation, our related legal challenge and the AustraliaAustralian payments regulation, as well as the potential impacts on our results of operations and business, please see the “Supervision and Regulation” and “Risk Factors” sections of the 20162017 Form 10-K.
Broad regulatory oversight over payment systems can also include, in some cases, requirements for international card networks to localize aspects of their operations, such as processing infrastructure, which could increase our costs and diminish the value of our closed loop. The development and enforcement of payment system regulatory regimes generally continue to grow and may adversely affect our ability to compete effectively and maintain and extend our global network.
Surcharging
In certain countries, such as certain Member States in the European Union and Australia, merchants are permitted by law to surcharge card purchases. While surcharging continues to be actively considered in certain jurisdictions, the benefits to customers have not been apparent in countries that have allowed it, and in some cases regulators are addressing concerns about excessive surcharging by merchants. For example, the Reserve Bank of Australia amended its rules to limit surcharging in Australia to the actual cost of card acceptance paid to the merchant acquirer.
Surcharging, particularly where it disproportionately impacts American Express Card Members, which is known as differential surcharging, as well as other steering practices that are permitted by regulation in some countries, could have a material adverse effect on us if it becomes widespread. As revisions to the Payment Services Directive in the European Union are transposed into national law by each Member State, there may be increased instances of differential surcharging of our cards, customer and merchant confusion as to which transactions may be surcharged and Card Member dissatisfaction. On July 19, 2017, the U.K. indicated it would ban surcharging on consumer cards starting January 2018. In addition, the laws of a number of states in the United States that prohibit surcharging are being challenged in litigation brought by merchant groups.
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For more information on the potential impacts of surcharging and other actions that could impair the Card Member experience, please see the “Risk Factors” section of the 20162017 Form 10-K.


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Consumer Financial Products Regulation


In the United States, our marketing, sale and saleservicing of consumer financial products and our compliance with certain federal consumer financial laws are supervised and examined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has broad rulemaking and enforcement authority over providers of credit, savings and payment services and products and authority to prevent “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts or practices. In addition, a number of U.S. states have significant consumer credit protection, disclosure and disclosureother laws (in certain cases more stringent than U.S. federal laws). U.S. federal law also regulates abusive debt collection practices, which along with bankruptcy and debtor relief laws, can affect our ability to collect amounts owed to us.us or subject us to regulatory scrutiny.
Internal and regulatory reviews to assess compliance with such laws and regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, changes to our practices, products and procedures, substantial restitution to our Card Members and increased costs related to regulatory oversight, supervision and examination. Such reviews may also result in additional regulatory actions, including civil money penalties.
These types of reviews will be a continuing focus for the CFPB and regulators more broadly, as well as for the companyCompany itself. As an example, federal banking regulators announced they are conducting horizontal reviews of banking sales practices and we are cooperating with regulators in those reviews. Also, in prior years, certain cards issued in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. Territories, largely through our international business, did not uniformly carry the same terms, conditions and features as the cards we offered to Card Members in the continental U.S. We conducted an internal review beginning in 2012, voluntarily provided customer remediation in prior periods and reported this matter to our regulators. We have been cooperating with the CFPB’s review as to whether this discontinued practice complied with applicable laws and regulations. We do not believe this matter will have a material adverse impact on our operations or results.
On July 10, 2017, the CFPB issued a final rule that, among other changes, would prohibit providers of certain consumer financial products and services from using a pre-dispute arbitration agreement to bar consumers from filing or participating in a class action. The rule would apply to agreements entered into on or after March 19, 2018. As a result of the rule, we may face increased class claims and therefore be subject to the complexities and costs associated with class action litigation. Given the inherent uncertainties involved in litigation, and the very large or indeterminate damages sought in some class action matters, there is significant uncertainty as to the ultimate impact of this rule.
For more information on consumer financial products regulation, as well as the potential impacts on our results of operations and business, please see the “Supervision and Regulation” and “Risk Factors” sections of the 20162017 Form 10-K.
Antitrust Litigation
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and certain states’ attorneys general brought an action against us in 2010 alleging that the provisions in our card acceptance agreements with merchants that prohibit merchants from engaging in various actions to discriminate against our card products violate the U.S. antitrust laws. The trial court ruled that the challenged provisions violate U.S. antitrust laws and issued an injunction. Following our appeal of this judgment, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed the trial court decision and directed the trial court to enter a judgment for American Express, which occurred on January 25, 2017. We continue to vigorously defend this and similar antitrust claims initiated by merchants in other court and arbitration proceedings. See Part II, Item 1. “Legal Proceedings” below and the “Legal Proceedings” section in our 20162017 Form 10-K for descriptions of the DOJ and related cases. It is possible that significantly increased merchant steering or other actions impairing the Card Member experience, or the resolution of one or any combination of these merchant claims for damages, could have a material adverse effect on our business. For more information on the potential impacts of an adverse decision in the merchant litigations on our business, please see the “Risk Factors” section of the 20162017 Form 10-K.

Privacy, Data Protection, Information and Cyber Security
Regulatory and legislative activity in the areas of privacy, data protection and information and cyber security continues to increase worldwide. We have established and continue to maintain policies that provide a framework for compliance with applicable laws, meet evolving customer expectations and support and enable business innovation and growth. Global financial institutions like us have experienced a significant increase in information and cyber security risk in recent years and will likely continue to be the target of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks, including computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, ransomware, social engineering attacks (including phishing and impersonation), hacking, denial-of-service attacks and other attacks and similar disruptions from the unauthorized use of or access to computer systems. For more information on privacy, data protection and information and cyber security regulation and the potential impacts of a major information or cyber security incident on our results of operations and business, please see the “Supervision and Regulation” and “Risk Factors” sections of the 2017 Form 10-K.
 

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

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

Glossary of Selected Terminology

Adjusted net interest income — A non-GAAP measure that represents net interest income attributable to our Card Member loans and loans HFS (which includes, on a GAAP basis, interest that is deemed uncollectible), excluding the impact of interest expense and interest income not attributable to our Card Member loans. We believe adjusted net interest income is useful to investors because it represents the interest expense and interest income attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio and it is a component of net interest yield on average Card Member loans.
Asset securitizations — Asset securitization involves the transfer and sale of loans or receivables to a special-purpose entity created for the securitization activity, typically a trust. The trust, in turn, issues securities, commonly referred to as asset-backed securities that are secured by the transferred loans and receivables. The trust uses the proceeds from the sale of such securities to pay the purchase price for the underlying loans or receivables. The loans and receivables of our Lending Trust and Charge Trust (collectively, the Trusts) securitized are reported as assets and the securities issued by the Trusts are reported as liabilities on our Consolidated“Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Average discount rate — This calculation is generally designed to reflect pricing at merchants accepting general-purposegeneral purpose American Express cards. It represents the percentage of billed business (generated from both proprietary and GNS Card Member spending) retained by us from merchants we acquire, or for merchants acquired by a third party on our behalf, net of amounts retained by such third party.
Basic cards-in-force — Proprietary basic consumer cards-in-force includes basic cards issued to the primary account owner, (i.e., not including additional supplemental cards issued on accounts). Proprietary basic small business and corporate cards-in-force includes both basic and supplemental cards issued. Non-proprietary basic cards-in-force includes cards that are issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements, except for supplemental cards and retail cobrand Card Member accounts which have had no out-of-store spending activity during the prior twelve-month period.
Billed business — Includes activities (including cash advances) related to proprietary cards, cards issued under network partnership agreements (non-proprietary billed business), corporate payment services and certain insurance fees charged on proprietary cards. In-store spending activity within retail cobrand portfolios in GNS, from which we earn no revenue, is not included in non-proprietary billed business. Card billed business is included in the United States or outside the United States based on where the issuer is located.
Capital ratios — Represents the minimum standards established by the regulatory agencies as a measure to determine whether the regulated entity has sufficient capital to absorb on- and off-balance sheet losses beyond current loss accrual estimates. Refer to the Capital Strategy section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for further related definitions under Transitional Basel III and Fully Phased-in Basel III.
Card Member — The individual holder of an issued American Express-branded charge, credit and certain prepaid cards.
Card Member loans — Represents the outstanding amount due from Card Members for charges made on their American Express credit cards, as well as any interest charges and card-related fees. Card Member loans also include revolving balances on certain American Express charge card products.
Card Member loans and receivables HFS — Beginning as of December 1, 2015 and continuing until the sales were completed, represents Card Member loans and receivables related to our cobrand partnerships with Costco in the United States and JetBlue. The JetBlue and Costco portfolio sales were completed on March 18 and June 17, 2016, respectively.
Card Member receivables — Represents the outstanding amount due from Card Members for charges made on their American Express charge cards, as well as any card-related fees.fees, other than revolving balances on certain American Express charge cards with Pay Over Time features.  Such revolving balances are included within Card Member loans.
Charge cards — Represents cards that generally carry no pre-set spending limits and are primarily designed as a method of payment and not as a means of financing purchases. Charge Card Members generally must pay the full amount billed each month. No finance charges are assessed on charge cards. Each charge card transaction is authorized based on its likely economics reflecting a Card Member’s most recent credit information and spend patterns. Some charge card accounts have additional “PayPay Over Time”Time feature(s) that allow revolving of certain balances.
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charges.
Cobrand cards — Cards issued under cobrand agreements with selected commercial firms. Pursuant to the cobrand agreements, we make payments to our cobrand partners, which can be significant, based primarily on the amount of Card Member spending and corresponding rewards earned on such spending and, under certain arrangements, on the number of accounts acquired and retained. In some cases, the partner is liable for providing rewards to the Card Member under the cobrand partner’s own loyalty program.
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Credit cards — Represents cards that have a range of revolving payment terms, grace periods, and rate and fee structures.

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

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

Interest income — Includes (i) interest on loans, (ii) interest and dividends on investment securities and (iii) interest income on deposits with banks and other.
Interest on loans — Assessed using the average daily balance method for Card Member loans and loans HFS.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 recognized as earned using the effective interest method, which adjusts the yield for security premiums and discounts, fees and other payments, so a constant rate of return is recognized on the outstanding balance of the related investment security throughout its term. Amounts are recognized until securities are in default or when it is likely that future interest payments will not be made as scheduled.
Interest income on deposits with banks and other — Recognized as earned, and primarily relates to the placement of cash in excess of near-term funding requirements in interest-bearing time deposits, overnight sweep accounts, and other interest-bearing demand and call accounts.
Liquidity Coverage Ratio — Represents the minimum standards established by the regulatory agencies as a measure to determine whether the regulated entity has sufficient liquidity to meet liquidity needs in periods of financial and economic stress.
Merchant acquisition — Represents our process of entering into agreements with merchants to accept American Express-branded cards.
Net card fees — Represents the card membership fees earned during the period. These fees are recognized as revenue over the covered card membership period (typically one year), net of the provision for projected refunds for Card Membership cancellation and deferred acquisition costs.
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans —A non-GAAP measure that is computed by dividing adjusted net interest income by average Card Member loans, computed on an annualized basis. Reserves and net write-offs related to uncollectible interest are recorded through provisions for losses, and are thus not included in the net interest yield calculation. We believe net interest yield on average Card Member loans is useful to investors because it provides a measure of profitability of our Card Member loan portfolio.
Net loss ratio — Represents the ratio of GCP charge card write-offs, consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries, on Card Member receivables expressed as a percentage of gross amounts billed to corporate Card Members.
Net write-off rate principal only — Represents the amount of proprietary consumer or small business Card Member loans or receivables written off, consisting of principal (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries, as a percentage of the average loan or receivables balance during the period.
Net write-off rate principal, interest and fees — Includes, in the calculation of the net write-off rate, amounts for interest and fees in addition to principal for Card Member loans and fees in addition to principal for Card Member receivables.
Operating expenses — Represents salaries and employee benefits, professional services, occupancy and equipment, and other expenses.
Return on average equity — Calculated by dividing one-year period net income by one-year average total shareholders’ equity.
Return on average segment capital — Calculated by dividing one-year period segment income by one-year average segment capital.
Segment capital — Represents the capital allocated to a segment based upon specific business operational needs, risk measures, and regulatory capital requirements.
Total cards-in-force — Represents the total number of charge and credit cards that are issued and outstanding and accepted on our network. Non-proprietary cards-in-force includes all charge and credit cards that are issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements, except for retail cobrand Card Member accounts which have no out-of-store spending activity during the prior twelve-month period.

 


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk to earnings or asset and liability values resulting from movements in market prices. Our market risk exposures include (i) interest rate risk due to changes in the relationship between the interest rates on our assets (such as loans, receivables and investment securities) and the interest rates on our liabilities (such as debt and deposits); and (ii) foreign exchange risk related to transactions, funding, investments and earnings in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. There were no material changes in these market risks since December 31, 2016.2017.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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

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


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements, which address our expected business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the following:
our ability to grow in the future, which will depend in part on the following: revenues growing consistently with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the subsequent bullet; the level of spend in bonus categories on rewards-based and/or cash-back cards and redemptions of Card Member rewards and offers;credit performance remaining consistent with current expectations; the impact of any future contingencies, including, but not limited to, litigation-related settlements, judgments or expenses, the imposition of fines or civil money penalties, an increase in Card Member reimbursements, restructurings, impairments and changes in reserves; write-downs of deferred tax assets as a result of tax law or other changes; credit performance remaining consistent with current expectations; the ability to continue to realize benefits from restructuring actions andcontrol operating leverage at levels consistent with current expectations;expense growth; the amount we spend on Card Membercustomer engagement and our ability to drive growth from such investments; changes in interest rates beyond current expectations (including the impact of hedge ineffectiveness and deposit rate increases); a greater impact from certain cobrand agreements than expected, which could be affected by volumes and Card Member engagement; the impact of regulation and litigation, which could affect the profitability of our business activities, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities, require changes to business practices or alter our relationships with partners, merchants and Card Members; our tax rate remaining in line with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, changes to the fourth quarter 2017 provisional tax charge due to changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made as well as actions we may take as a result of the Tax Act, our geographic mix of income, being weighted more to higher tax jurisdictions than expected,further changes in tax laws and regulation, and unfavorable tax audits and other unanticipated tax items; and the impact of accounting changes and reclassifications; and our ability to continue executing the share repurchase program;
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our ability to grow revenues net of interest expense, which could be impacted by, among other things, weakening economic conditions in the United States or internationally, a decline in consumer confidence impacting the willingness and ability of Card Members to sustain and grow spending, continued growth of Card Member loans, a greater erosion of the average discount rate than expected, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, a greater impact on discount revenue from cash back and cobrand partner and client incentive payments, more cautious spending by large and global corporate Card Members, the willingness of Card Members to pay higher card fees, and lower spending on new cards acquired than estimated; and will depend on factors such as our success in addressingability to address competitive pressures and implementingimplement our strategies and business initiatives, including growing profitable spending from existingwithin the premium consumer segment, commercial payments, the global network and new Card Members, increasing penetration among middle market and small business clients, expanding our international footprint and increasing merchant acceptance;digital environment;
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changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry, including competitive pressure that may impact the prices we charge merchants that accept our cards, competition for cobrand relationships, competition from new and non-traditional competitors and the success of marketing, promotion or rewards programs;
the erosion of the average discount rate by a greater amount than anticipated, including as a result of changes in the mix of spending by location and industry, merchant negotiations (including merchant incentives, concessions and volume-related pricing discounts), competition, pricing regulation (including regulation of competitors’ interchange rates in the European Union and elsewhere), a greater shift of existing merchants into the OptBlue program and other factors;
our delinquency and write-off rates and growth of provisions for losses being higher or lower than current expectations, which will depend in part on changes in the level of loan and receivable balances and delinquencies, mix of balances, loans and receivables related to new Card Members and other borrowers performing as expected, credit performance of new and enhanced lending products, unemployment rates, the volume of bankruptcies, collections capabilities and recoveries of previously written-off loans and receivables;
our ability to continue to grow loans and receivables, which may be affected by increasing competition, brand perceptions and reputation, our ability to manage risk, the behavior of Card Members and their actual spending and borrowing patterns, and our ability to issue new and enhanced card products, offer attractive non-card lending products, capture a greater share of existing Card Members’ spending and borrowings, reduce Card Member attrition and attract new customers;
our net interest yield on average Card Member loans not remaining consistent with current levels, which will be influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changes in consumer behavior that affect loan balances, such as paydown rates, Card Member acquisition strategy, product mix, cost of funds, credit actions, including line size and other adjustments to credit availability, potential pricing changes and deposit rates, which could be impacted by, among other things, changes in benchmark interest rates, competitive pressure and regulatory constraints;
rewards expense and cost of Card Member services growing inconsistently from expectations, which will depend in part on Card Member behavior as it relates to their spending patterns, including the level of spend in bonus categories, and actual usage andthe redemption of rewards and offers, as well as the degree of interest of Card Members in the value proposition we offer; increasing competition, which could result in greater rewards offerings; our ability to enhance card products and services to make them attractive to Card Members; and the amount we spend on the promotion of enhanced services and rewards categories and the success of such promotion;
the actual amount to be spent on marketing and promotion,business development, which will be based in part on management’s assessment of competitive opportunities; overall business performance and changes in macroeconomic conditions; the actual amount of advertising and Card Member acquisition costs; competitive pressures that may require additional expenditures; our ability to continue to shift Card Member acquisition to digital channels; contractual obligations with business partners and other fixed costs and prior commitments; management’s ability to identify attractive investment opportunities and make such investments, which could be impacted by business, regulatory or legal complexities; and our ability to realize efficiencies, optimize investment spending and control expenses to fund such spending;
our ability to reduce our overall cost base, which will depend in part on the timing and financial impact of reengineering plans, which could be impacted by factors such as our inability to mitigate the operational and other risks posed by potential staff reductions, our inability to develop and implement technology resources to realize cost savings and underestimating hiring and other employee needs; our ability to reduce annualcontrol operating expenses, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified below; our ability to optimize marketing and promotion expenses, which could be impacted by the factors identified in the preceding bullet;
the ability to reduce annual operating expenses,expense growth, which could be impacted by the need to increase significant categories of operating expenses, such as consulting or professional fees, including as a result of increased litigation, compliance or regulatory-related costs, or fraud costs; our abilitycontinuing to develop, implement and achieve substantial benefits from reengineering plans;plans, which could be impacted by factors such as an inability to mitigate the operational and other risks posed by potential staff reductions and underestimating hiring and other employee needs; higher than expected employee levels; an ability to innovate efficient channels of customer interactions, such as chat supported by artificial intelligence, or customer acquisition; the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on costs; the payment of civil money penalties, disgorgement, restitution, non-income tax assessments and litigation-related settlements; impairments of goodwill or other assets; management’s decision to increase or decrease spending in such areas as technology, business and product development and sales forces; greater than expectedgreater-than-expected inflation; our ability to balance expense control and investments in the business; the impact of accounting changes and reclassifications; and the level of M&A activity and related expenses;
our delinquencyability to satisfy our commitments to certain of our cobrand partners as part of the ongoing operations of the business, which will be impacted in part by competition, brand perceptions and write-off ratesreputation, and growth of provisions for losses being higher thanour ability to develop and market value propositions that appeal to current expectations,cobrand Card Members and new customers and offer attractive services and rewards programs, which will depend in part on changesongoing investment in the level of loan balancesmarketing and delinquencies, mix of loan balances, loanspromotion expenses, new product innovation and receivables related to new Card Members and other borrowers performing as expected, credit performance of new and enhanced lending products, unemployment rates, the volume of bankruptcies and recoveries of previously written-off loans;
our ability to execute against our lending strategy to grow loans, which may be affected by increasing competition, brand perceptions and reputation, our ability to manage risk in a growingdevelopment, Card Member loan portfolio,acquisition efforts and the behavior of Card Membersenrollment processes, including through digital channels, and their actual spendinginfrastructure to support new products, services and borrowing patterns, which in turn may be driven by our ability to issue new and enhanced card products, offer attractive non-card lending products, capture a greater share of existing Card Members’ spending and borrowings, reduce Card Member attrition and attract new customers;benefits;
 
 
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the possibility that we will not execute on our plans to significantly increase merchant coverage, which will depend in part on the success of OptBlue merchant acquirers in signing merchants to accept American Express, which could be impacted by the pricing set by the merchant acquirers, the value proposition offered to small merchants and the efforts of OptBlue merchant acquirers to sign merchants for American Express acceptance, as well as the awareness and willingness of Card Members to use American Express cards at small merchants and of those merchants to accept American Express cards;
changes affecting our ability or desire toplans regarding the return of capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, which will depend on factors such as the pace at which we are able to rebuild our capital levels and regulatory ratios, including from earnings and a lower effective tax rate; changes in the stress testing and capital planning process and the approval of our capital plans by our primary regulators in 2018; the amount we spend on acquisitions of companiescompanies; and our results of operations and capital needs andthe economic environment in any given period;
implementation of legislation and additional guidance or context from the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Treasury Department, state and foreign taxing authorities, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or others regarding the Tax Act, and any future changes or amendments to that legislation;
a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems, processes or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyber attacks, which could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, privacy and/or security of data, disrupt our operations, reduce the use and acceptance of our cards and lead to regulatory scrutiny, litigation, remediation and response costs, and reputational harm;
our deposit rates increasing faster or slower than current expectations and changes affecting our ability to accept, maintain or grow Personal Savings deposits due to changes in our funding mix, market pressures, regulatory constraints ordemand, changes in benchmark interest rates or regulatory restrictions on our ability to obtain deposit funding or offer competitive interest rates, which could affect our net interest yield and ability to fund our funding costs;
net interest yield on Card Member loans remaining consistent with current expectations, which will be influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changes in consumer behavior that affect loan balances, such as paydown rates, Card Member acquisition strategy, product mix, cost of funds, credit actions, including line size and other adjustments to credit availability, potential pricing changes and deposit rates, which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the preceding bullet;businesses;
changes in global economic and business conditions, consumer and business spending generally, the availability and cost of capital, unemployment rates, geopolitical conditions, (including potential impacts resulting from the U.S. Administration and the proposed exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union),trade policies, foreign currency rates and interest rates, all of which may significantly affect demand for and spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan and receivable 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 or restrict our access to the capital markets or result in contingent payments under contracts;markets;
legal and regulatory developments, including with regard to broad payment system regulatory regimes, actions by the CFPB and other regulators and the stricter regulation of financial institutions, which could require us to make fundamental changes to many of our business practices, including our ability to continue certain GNS and other partnerships; exert further pressure on the average discount rate and GNS volumes; result in increased costs related to regulatory oversight, litigation-related settlements, judgments or expenses, restitution to Card Members or the imposition of fines or civil money penalties; materially affect our capital or liquidity requirements, results of operations or ability to pay dividends or repurchase our stock; or result in harm to the American Express brand;
potential actionsuncertainty relating to the ultimate outcome of the antitrust lawsuit filed against us by the FDICU.S. Department of Justice and credit rating agencies applicable to securitization trusts, which couldcertain state attorneys general, including the review of the case by the U.S. Supreme Court and the impact our asset securitization program;on existing private merchant cases and potentially additional litigation and/or arbitrations;
potentialour funding plan being implemented in a manner inconsistent with current expectations, which will depend on various factors such as future business growth, the impact of global economic, political and other events on market capacity, demand for securities we offer, regulatory changes, ability to securitize and sell receivables and the taxationperformance of our businesses, the allowance of deductions for significant expenses, or the incidence of consumption taxes on our transactions, products and services;receivables previously sold in securitization transactions;
changes in the financial condition and creditworthiness of our business partners, such as bankruptcies, restructurings or consolidations, including merchants that represent a significant portion of our business, such as the airline industry, or our partners in GNS or financial institutions that we rely on for routine funding and liquidity, which could materially affect our financial condition or results of operations; and
factors beyond our control such as fire, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, health pandemics or terrorism, cyberattacks or fraud, allany of which could significantly affect demand for and spending on American Express cards, delinquency rates, loan and receivable balances and other aspects of our business and results of operations or disrupt our global network systems and ability to process transactions.
A further description of these uncertainties and other risks can be found in the 20162017 Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various pending and potential legal actions, arbitration proceedings, claims, investigations, examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and matters relating to compliance with laws and regulations (collectively, legal proceedings).
We do not believe we are a party to, nor are any of our properties the subject of, any legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, including the fact that some pending legal proceedings are at preliminary stages or seek an indeterminate amount of damages, it is possible that the outcome of legal proceedings, including the possible resolution of merchant claims, could have a material impact on our results of operations. In addition, it is possible that significantly increased merchant steering or other actions impairing the Card Member experience could have a material adverse effect on our business. Certain legal proceedings involving us or our subsidiaries are described in this section and others, for which there have been no subsequent material developments since the filing of our 20162017 Form 10-K, are described in such report. For additional information, see Note 8 to our “Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 In 2010, the DOJ, along with Attorneys General from Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii (Hawaii has since withdrawn its claim), Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Vermont filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against us MasterCard International Incorporated and Visa, Inc., alleging a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act (the DOJ case).Act. The complaint included allegations that provisions in our merchant agreements prohibiting merchants from steering a customer to use another network’s card or another type of general-purpose card (“anti-steering” and “non-discrimination” contractual provisions) violate the antitrust laws. The complaint sought a judgment permanently enjoining us from enforcing our non-discrimination contractual provisions. The complaint did not seek monetary damages.
Following a non-jury trial, in the DOJ case, the trial court found that the challenged provisions were anticompetitive and on April 30, 2015, the court issued a final judgment entering a permanent injunction. Following our appeal of this judgment, on September 26, 2016, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed the trial court decision and directed the trial court to enter a judgment for American Express. Following denialin favor of rehearing en banc by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the trial court entered judgment for American Express was entered on January 25, 2017. On June 2, 2017, the DOJ announced it would not petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit’s decision in favor of American Express. At the same time, 11Eleven of the 17 states that are party to the case filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking such a review.review of the Second Circuit’s decision. On October 16, 2017, the Supreme Court granted certiorari and oral argument was held on February 26, 2018 in the case, now captioned Ohio v. American Express Co.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

For a discussion of our risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the 20162017 Form 10-K. There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 20162017 Form 10-K. However, the risks and uncertainties that we face are not limited to those set forth in the 20162017 Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business and the trading price of our securities.
ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c)   ISSUER PURCHASES OF SECURITIES

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of us during the three months ended June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.

 Total Number of Shares Purchased  Average Price Paid Per Share  
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(c)
  Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs  Total Number of Shares Purchased  Average Price Paid Per Share  
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(c)
  Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 
                        
April 1-30, 2017            
January 1-31, 2018            
Repurchase program(a)
  2,360,576  $78.69   2,360,576   122,161,288            85,002,419 
Employee transactions(b)
        N/A   N/A         N/A   N/A 
                                
May 1-31, 2017                
February 1-28, 2018                
Repurchase program(a)
  2,983,000  $77.62   2,983,000   119,178,288            85,002,419 
Employee transactions(b)
  25,353  $79.25   N/A   N/A   841,343  $99.39   N/A   N/A 
                                
June 1-30, 2017                
March 1-31, 2018                
Repurchase program(a)
  5,266,678  $81.36   5,266,678   113,911,610            85,002,419 
Employee transactions(b)
  1,018  $76.85   N/A   N/A   43  $97.98   N/A   N/A 
                                
Total                                
Repurchase program(a)
  10,610,254  $79.72   10,610,254   113,911,610            85,002,419 
Employee transactions(b)
  26,371  $79.16   N/A   N/A   841,386  $99.39   N/A   N/A 
(a)On September 26, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 150 million shares of common stock from time to time, subject to market conditions and the Federal Reserve’s non-objection to our capital plans. This authorization replaced the prior repurchase authorization and does not have an expiration date.  See "MD&A – Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity" for additional information regarding share repurchases.
(b)Includes: (i) shares surrendered by holders of employee stock options who exercised options (granted under our incentive compensation plans) in satisfaction of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation of such holders and (ii) restricted shares withheld (under the terms of grants under our incentive compensation plans) to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting and release of restricted shares. Our incentive compensation plans provide that the value of the shares delivered or attested to, or withheld, be based on the price of our common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.
(c)Share purchases under publicly announced programs are made pursuant to open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions (including employee benefit plans) as market conditions warrant and at prices we deem appropriate.



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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

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

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and certain entities that may be considered affiliates of GBT have informed us that during the second quarter of 2017ended March 31, 2018, approximately 9540 visas were obtained from Iranian embassies and consulates around the world in connection with certain travel arrangements on behalf of clients.clients and reservations were booked at two hotels that may be owned, directly or indirectly, or may otherwise be affiliated with, the Government of Iran. GBT had negligible gross revenues and net profits attributable to these transactions and intends to continue to engage in these activities on a limited basis so long as such activities are permitted under U.S. law.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

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

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SIGNATURES

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

       
    AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
      (Registrant)
    
      Date: JulyApril 25, 20172018   By /s/ Jeffrey C. Campbell
      Jeffrey C. Campbell
      Executive Vice President and
      Chief Financial Officer
    
      Date: JulyApril 25, 20172018   By /s/ Linda ZukauckasRichard Petrino
      Linda ZukauckasRichard Petrino
      
Executive Vice President and
Corporate Controller
      (Principal Accounting Officer)

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:Report. The exhibit numbers preceded by an asterisk (*) indicate exhibits electronically filed herwith. All other exhibit numbers indicate exhibits previously filed and are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit 
Description 
10.1
10.2
*10.3
*12
*31.1
*31.2
*32.1
*32.2
*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.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document






E-1