Becoming American Express:
150+ Years of Reinvention and Customer Service

INTRODUCTION
The story of American Express is a fascinating one, filled with interesting and sometimes quirky characters who -- through a combination of brains, perseverance and luck -- shaped the company's development during the past century and a half.

The express company that forwarded freight and valuables evolved into a company that created and sold financial products like money orders and travelers cheques. Following an era of international expansion, the company became an entity perhaps best known for its charge card. Today, American Express is a global travel, financial and card services provider.

The attributes that today are the hallmarks of the American Express brand -- trust, integrity, security, quality, customer service -- all have their roots in this compelling story. In this history, as well, are the genesis and development of the company's aspiration to become the world's most respected service brand.

Corporate Profile

American Express Company is a global travel, financial and network services provider. The Company has three operating segments: Travel Related Services (TRS), American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) and American Express Bank (AEB).

TRS includes the Company's card, travel, merchant and network businesses, as well as the Travelers Cheque and other prepaid products and services. Through its TRS businesses, the Company offers consumers and small businesses a variety of charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques and other stored value products. The Company's Corporate Card services help companies and institutions manage their travel, entertainment and purchasing expenses. TRS' global network services business focuses on partnering with third-party financial institutions that issue American Express-branded cards accepted on the Company's merchant network.

As the world's largest travel agency, the Company offers travel and related consulting services to individuals and corporations around the world.

AEFA is one of the leading financial planning companies in the United States. AEFA has over 12,000 .financial advisors nationwide and offers a wide array of products and services, including financial planning, brokerage services, mutual funds, insurance and other investment products.

AEB provides banking and other financial services to wealthy individuals, financial institutions and retail customers outside the United States.

American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel and financial services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, investment products, insurance and international and online banking. In this section you'll find articles of interest on many important topics.