American Express Company is a global payments company founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, operating an integrated card-issuing, merchant-acquiring, and card network platform. Its principal products and services include general purpose credit and charge cards, travel, dining, and lifestyle benefits, expense management tools, banking and non-card lending products, merchant acquisition and processing services, and network services. The company serves consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large corporations worldwide through four reportable segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.
American Express maintains direct relationships with both Card Members and merchants, providing data and analytics across both ends of the transaction that distinguish it from bank card networks. Products and services are distributed through mobile and online applications, affiliate marketing, third-party partners, in-house sales teams, and direct mail. The company and its principal operating subsidiary, American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., are bank holding companies subject to supervision by the Federal Reserve. American Express is exploring uses for generative AI and integration into agentic commerce.
