American Express is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travellers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

Headquartered in the World Financial Center in New York City, American Express has approximately 84,000 employees worldwide.

American Express' vision is "To become the world's most respected service brand."

American Express has five core business units:

Global Financial Services Group
U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services Group
Global Corporate Services Group
Global Establishment Services, Travelers Cheque Group and Global Network Services
Interactive Services and New Businesses.

Each business unit operates on five key attributes, which the American Express brand represents:

Customer Commitment: American Express is seen as providing superior service every day and extraordinary support when customers need special assistance. Customers know that American Express will take their problems seriously and go to great lengths to solve them.

Security, All Over the World: American Express provides a "safety net" to customers worldwide through reliable service wherever and whenever customers need help, a global network of travel service offices, worldwide access to cash, and 24-hour access to customer service.

Trust and Integrity: American Express is a company with integrity, and therefore treats customers fairly and honestly. In addition, American Express employees are trusting and proactive: they believe in their customers, are willing to act as advocates to fairly settle disputes, and make forthright financial product recommendations with a full assessment of risk and performance expectations.

Supports and Signals Success: American Express is about "aspirations" - it helps customers reach their goals and attain even greater success by enabling them to travel, conduct business, and enjoy the fruits of their efforts. In addition, American Express makes customers feel special by offering products and services that yield exceptional treatment and a range of desirable rewards. People believe they are recognised by others when they use American Express products and services.

Quality: American Express offers high-quality products and services that have outstanding value for price and are flexible, functional and responsive to customers' needs. American Express also anticipates what customers will want and need in the future - so that it will always offer innovative products and services that are "right for the times."