American Express Co 10-Q for FY2021 Q1
American Express Co (AXP)
10-Q
2021-04-23
For: 2021-03-31
View Original
Added on
April 09, 2026
About this 10-Q
American Express Co filed this 10-Q on April 23, 2021, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (FY2021 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2021, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $9.06B
- down 12.1% from $10.31B a year earlier
- Net income
- $2.24B
- up 509.0% from net income of $367M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $2.74
- up 568.3% from $0.41 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2021
or
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from ____ to ____
Commission file number 1-7657
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||||||||
| (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.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
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.
| ☑ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | 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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No þ
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 April 19, 2021 | ||||||||||
| Common Shares (par value $0.20 per share) | Shares | ||||||||||
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
| Page No. | |||||||||||||||||
Throughout this report the terms “American Express,” “we,” “our” or “us,” refer to American Express Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless stated or the context implies otherwise. The use of the term “partner” or “partnering” in this report does not mean or imply a formal legal partnership, and is not meant in any way to alter the terms of American Express’ relationship with any third parties. Refer to the “MD&A― Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of other key terms used in this report.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (MD&A)
Business Introduction
We are a globally integrated payments company that provides our customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Our principal products and services are credit and charge card products, along with travel and lifestyle related services, offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Our range of products and services includes:
•Credit card, charge card and other payment and financing products
•Merchant acquisition and processing, servicing and settlement, 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 and lifestyle services
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, affiliate marketing, customer referral programs, third-party vendors and business partners, direct mail, telephone, in-house sales teams, 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 card networks, issuers and acquirers, paper-based transactions (e.g., cash and checks), bank transfer models (e.g., wire transfers and Automated Clearing House (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, business models and customer relationships to create payment or financing solutions.
The following types of revenue are generated from our various products and services:
•Discount revenue, our largest revenue source, 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;
•Interest on loans, principally represents interest income earned on outstanding balances;
•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;
•Other fees and commissions, primarily represent Card Member delinquency fees, foreign currency conversion fees charged to Card Members, loyalty coalition-related fees, service fees earned from merchants, travel commissions and fees, and Membership Rewards program fees; and
•Other revenue, primarily represents revenues arising from contracts with partners of our GNS business (including commissions and signing fees less issuer rate payments), cross-border Card Member spending, ancillary merchant-related fees, earnings (losses) from equity method investments (including the GBT JV), insurance premiums earned from Card Members, and prepaid card and Travelers Cheque-related revenue.
1
Refer to the “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for the definitions of certain key terms and related information appearing within this Form 10-Q.
Effective for the first quarter of 2021, we have changed the way we describe our volume metrics. Throughout this Report:
•Where we previously used the term “billed business” to describe our total volumes, we now use the term “network volumes.”
•Where we previously used the term “proprietary billed business” to describe transaction volumes from cards and other payment products issued by American Express, we now use the term “billed business.”
•Where we previously used the term “GNS billed business” to describe transaction volumes from cards issued by GNS partners and joint ventures, we now use the term “processed volumes” and have now included in this category transactions associated with certain alternative payment solutions that were not previously reported in our volume metrics.
•Where we previously used the term “Non-T&E-related volume” to describe spend in merchant categories other than T&E-related merchant categories, we now use the term “Goods & Services (G&S)-related volume.”
We believe that these changes provide better differentiation and descriptors for the volumes that run across the American Express network. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform with current period presentation.
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 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 first quarter continued to reflect the steady improvement towards pre-pandemic spending levels that started during the second half of last year with the continuing positive signs of recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic driven by vaccination and government stimulus programs, particularly in the U.S. At the same time, certain international countries around the globe continue to face challenges with renewed lockdowns and travel restrictions and there remains uncertainty relating to the ongoing spread and severity of the virus. While we are encouraged by the trends we saw in the first quarter, to the extent that the pandemic continues to have negative impacts on economies, our results will be affected, with credit trends, spending volumes and our marketing investments to rebuild growth momentum, being the key drivers of our financial performance.
We are starting to lap the early impacts of the pandemic on our business, which caused a significant decline in our network volumes starting in March 2020 as a result of the sharp contraction of the global economy. Year-over-year comparisons for this quarter thus reflect two months of pre-pandemic results in last year’s first quarter.
Worldwide network volumes decreased 6 percent year-over-year (8 percent on an FX-adjusted basis1) for the quarter, reflecting a 17 percent year-over-year decline for the first two months of the year followed by a 23 percent year-over-year increase in March. While U.S. network volumes declined 4 percent versus the prior year, international volumes declined by 10 percent (15 percent on an FX-adjusted basis1) due to the slower pace of recovery from the pandemic in certain international countries. Billed business, which accounted for 84 percent of our total network volumes in the first quarter of this year and drives most of our financial results, decreased 7 percent (9 percent on an FX-adjusted basis1)
1The 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).
2
and continued to show different recovery trends for G&S and T&E spend. G&S spend, which accounts for the majority of our billed business and had recovered to pre-pandemic levels in the second half of 2020, increased 8 percent year-over-year. Consumer G&S spend saw continued strong online and card-not-present growth, even as the recovery in offline spending accelerated, and commercial G&S spend growth was driven by small and mid-sized enterprises reflecting continued growth in business to business spending. T&E spend remained significantly impacted, although we continued to see signs of improvement, primarily driven by consumer T&E spend in the U.S.
Revenues net of interest expense decreased 12 percent compared to the prior year, reflecting a decline of 21 percent during the first two months of the year, followed by an increase of 10 percent during the month of March. Discount revenue, our largest revenue line, decreased 10 percent year-over-year due to the decline in network volumes and a decrease in the average discount rate, which was driven by a shift in spend mix to G&S merchant categories. Other fees and commissions and Other revenues declined year-over-year, primarily driven by a reduction in travel-related revenues. Net card fee revenues, which are recognized over a twelve-month period and therefore are slower to react to economic shifts, continued to grow as compared to the prior year. While Card Member retention remained high, net card fee growth continued to decelerate due to the slowing of new card acquisitions during the second quarter of 2020 as we managed through the peak of the pandemic. Net interest income declined by 21 percent year-over-year, which was a larger decline than loan balances due to a decrease in net interest yield on average Card Member loans driven by higher paydown rates from revolving Card Members.
Card Member loans declined 10 percent, which was a larger decline than the decrease in billed business due to higher paydown rates driven in part by the continued liquidity and financial strength in our customer base. We expect recovery in loan balances to continue to lag the improvement in spend volumes. Provisions for credit losses decreased and resulted in a net benefit, primarily due to a reserve release in the current year versus a reserve build in the prior year and lower net write-offs. The reserve release in the current quarter was driven by improving macroeconomic indicators, including unemployment and gross domestic product (GDP), and improved credit performance. However, we maintain a cautious view of the macroeconomic outlook due to continuing uncertainty regarding the pace of recovery in the economy. Our improved credit performance was driven by our strong risk management practices and the record levels of government stimulus and the broad availability of forbearance programs in the current environment.
The total balance of loans and receivables in our financial relief programs (FRP) saw a moderate sequential reduction as compared to the prior quarter; however, they remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The majority of FRP balances are in twelve-month programs and Card Members will be exiting these programs in the coming quarters. The credit performance of these balances post-FRP remains uncertain.
Card Member rewards, Card Member services and business development expenses are generally correlated to volumes or are variable based on usage, and were lower year-over-year due to a decline in spend and lower usage of travel-related benefits. During the quarter, we remained focused on controlling operating expenses, while investing in marketing initiatives to rebuild growth momentum. We continued to increase new card acquisitions and the additional value on several of our premium products is helping to drive increased Card Member engagement. Our attrition rates and customer satisfaction scores remain better than pre-pandemic levels.
Our liquidity levels and capital position remain strong, with capital ratios that are well above our targets and regulatory requirements. These robust liquidity and capital levels provide us with significant flexibility to maintain the strength of our balance sheet, invest in future growth opportunities and return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividend payments, subject to regulatory considerations.
As we continue to manage through the effects of the pandemic, our results in the first quarter are encouraging. We view 2021 as a transition year where we are focused on maximizing investments that will enable us to rebuild growth momentum.
See “Certain Legislative, Regulatory and Other Developments” and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for information on legislative and regulatory changes, additional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
3
Results of Operations
The discussions in both the “Consolidated Results of Operations” and “Business Segment Results of Operations” provide commentary on the variances for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year, as presented in the accompanying tables. These discussions should be read in conjunction with the discussion under “Business Environment,” which contains further information on the COVID-19 pandemic and the related impacts on our results.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Table 1: Summary of Financial Performance
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 9,064 | $ | 10,310 | $ | (1,246) | (12) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provisions for credit losses | (675) | 2,621 | (3,296) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | 6,746 | 7,237 | (491) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretax income | 2,993 | 452 | 2,541 | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 758 | 85 | 673 | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 2,235 | 367 | 1,868 | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings per common share — diluted (a) | $ | 2.74 | $ | 0.41 | $ | 2.33 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Return on average equity (b) | 22.6 | % | 24.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 25.3 | % | 18.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# Denotes a variance of 100 percent or more | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Represents net income, less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $15 million and $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $14 million and $32 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(b)Return on average equity (ROE) is computed by dividing (i) one-year period of net income ($5.0 billion and $5.6 billion for March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively) by (ii) one-year average of total shareholders’ equity ($22.2 billion and $22.8 billion for March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively).
4
Table 2: Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense Summary
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount revenue | $ | 5,242 | $ | 5,838 | $ | (596) | (10) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net card fees | 1,253 | 1,110 | 143 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other fees and commissions | 520 | 720 | (200) | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 219 | 312 | (93) | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest revenues | 7,234 | 7,980 | (746) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | 2,192 | 3,046 | (854) | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | 362 | 716 | (354) | (49) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 1,830 | 2,330 | (500) | (21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 9,064 | $ | 10,310 | $ | (1,246) | (12) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense
Discount revenue decreased due to a year-over-year decrease in worldwide network volumes of 6 percent. Network volumes were not significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic until March 2020 and therefore, in the first quarter of 2021, network volumes for January and February were down year-over-year, but increased for the month of March compared to the prior year, which contributed to a more moderate year-over-year decline than we have seen in recent quarters.
Additional network volumes highlights for the quarter:
•U.S. network volumes decreased 4 percent and non-U.S. network volumes decreased 10 percent (15 percent on an FX-adjusted basis2) as compared to the prior year, reflecting a slower pace of recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in certain international countries.
•Billed business decreased by 7 percent as compared to the prior year.
◦Consumer billed business decreased by 4 percent, driven by continued year-over-year decreases in T&E and offline G&S spend, which were partially offset by increased online and card-not-present spend at G&S merchants.
◦Commercial billed business decreased by 10 percent, primarily driven by year-over-year decreases in T&E spend by large and global corporate card customers, with less pronounced billed business declines from small and mid-sized enterprises, where T&E volumes made up a lower proportion of spend.
See Tables 5 and 6 for more details on network volume performance.
The decrease in discount revenue was also driven by a decrease in the average discount rate, primarily due to the shift in spend mix to G&S categories. The average discount rate was 2.26 percent for the first quarter of 2021 and 2.34 percent for the first quarter of 2020.
Net card fees increased, primarily driven by our premium card product portfolios. Net card fees, which are recognized over a twelve-month period, are slower to react to economic shifts, such as those arising from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other fees and commissions decreased, primarily due to a decline in late fees due to lower delinquencies, lower foreign transaction fees primarily related to decreased cross-border travel and lower travel commissions and fees driven by decreased consumer travel.
Other revenues decreased, primarily driven by a net loss in the current year, as compared to net income in the prior year, from the GBT JV, lower revenue earned on cross-border Card Member spending and lower travel insurance revenue due to the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interest income decreased, primarily driven by a reduction in benchmark interest rates and lower average Card Member loan volumes.
Interest expense decreased, primarily driven by lower interest rates paid on deposits and a reduction in outstanding debt.
2Refer to footnote 1 on page 2 for details regarding foreign currency adjusted information.
5
Table 3: Provisions for Credit Losses Summary
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member receivables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-offs | $ | 53 | $ | 258 | $ | (205) | (79) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reserve (release) build (a) | (63) | 339 | (402) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | (10) | 597 | (607) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-offs | 304 | 625 | (321) | (51) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reserve (release) build (a) | (877) | 1,251 | (2,128) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | (573) | 1,876 | (2,449) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-offs - Other loans (b) | 14 | 29 | (15) | (52) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-offs - Other receivables (c) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reserve (release) build - Other loans (a)(b) | (96) | 69 | (165) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reserve (release) build - Other receivables (a)(c) | (18) | 44 | (62) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | (92) | 148 | (240) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total provisions for credit losses | $ | (675) | $ | 2,621 | $ | (3,296) | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# Denotes a variance of 100 percent or more
(a)Refer to the “Glossary of Selected Terminology” for a definition of reserve (release) build.
(b)Relates to Other loans of $2.3 billion and $2.9 billion, less reserves of $143 million and $238 million, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; and $5.2 billion and $4.8 billion, less reserves of $241 million and $152 million, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(c)Relates to Other receivables included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $2.4 billion and $3.0 billion, less reserves of $67 million and $85 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; and $2.9 billion and $3.1 billion, less reserves of $71 million and $27 million, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Provisions for Credit Losses
Card Member loans and receivables provisions for credit losses decreased and resulted in a net benefit due to reserve releases in the current year versus reserve builds in the prior year and lower net write-offs driven by improved credit performance. The reserve releases in the current quarter were driven by improving macroeconomic indicators, including unemployment and GDP, as well as improved credit performance. The significant reserve builds in the prior year were due to the deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook, including unemployment and GDP, as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other provision for credit losses decreased, primarily driven by a reserve release in the current year versus a reserve build in the prior year, due to improved credit performance and lower balances on non-card loans. The reserve build in the prior year was due to the previously mentioned deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook.
Refer to Note 3 to the "Consolidated Financial Statements" for the range of key variables in the macroeconomic scenarios utilized for the computation of our reserves for credit losses.
6
Table 4: Expenses Summary
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing and business development | $ | 1,766 | $ | 1,705 | $ | 61 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member rewards | 2,243 | 2,392 | (149) | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member services | 317 | 456 | (139) | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services | 4,326 | 4,553 | (227) | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | 1,550 | 1,395 | 155 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 870 | 1,289 | (419) | (33) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | $ | 6,746 | $ | 7,237 | $ | (491) | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses
Marketing and business development expense increased, primarily due to incremental marketing investments, partially offset by decreases in corporate client incentives due to lower corporate card billed business.
Card Member rewards expense decreased, primarily driven by the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Membership Rewards decreased by $96 million and co-brand rewards decreased by $86 million, both of which were primarily driven by lower billed business, partially offset by an increase in cashback rewards of $33 million due to increased spend on cashback cards. In addition, changes in redemption mix due to a decline in higher cost travel redemptions since the onset of the pandemic contributed to a decrease in the Membership Rewards weighted average cost (WAC) per reward point and expense.
The Membership Rewards Ultimate Redemption Rate (URR) for current program participants was 96 percent (rounded up) at both March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Card Member services expense decreased, primarily due to lower usage of travel-related benefits as a result of the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salaries and employee benefits expense increased, primarily driven by higher deferred compensation expenses and higher incentive compensation.
Other expenses decreased, primarily driven by net unrealized gains of $377 million in the current year related to our Amex Ventures equity investments as well as lower employee-related operating costs, partially offset by foreign exchange losses in the current year as compared to gains in the prior year.
7
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate was 25.3 percent and 18.8 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase primarily reflected the prior period impact of discrete tax benefits in relation to lower pretax income. The current period effective tax rate also reflects the implementation of the Proportional Amortization Method (PAM) to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects in the current period. Refer to Note 1 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.
Table 5: Selected Card-Related Statistical Information
As of or for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Network volumes: (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 186.2 | $ | 193.4 | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 83.1 | 92.0 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 269.3 | $ | 285.4 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Billed business | $ | 225.4 | $ | 242.6 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Processed volumes | 43.9 | 42.8 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 269.3 | $ | 285.4 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cards-in-force: (millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 54.1 | 54.9 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 58.8 | 58.7 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 112.9 | 113.6 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proprietary | 69.0 | 70.4 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GNS | 43.9 | 43.2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 112.9 | 113.6 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic cards-in-force: (millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 42.4 | 43.1 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 49.8 | 49.2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 92.2 | 92.3 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average proprietary basic Card Member spending: (dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 4,723 | $ | 4,922 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 3,170 | 3,505 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Worldwide Average | $ | 4,270 | $ | 4,497 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average discount rate | 2.26 | % | 2.34 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average fee per card (dollars)(a) | $ | 73 | $ | 63 | 16 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Average fee per card is computed based on proprietary net card fees divided by average proprietary total cards-in-force.
8
Table 6: Network Volumes-Related Statistical Information
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||
| Year over Year Percentage Increase (Decrease) | Year over Year Percentage Increase (Decrease) Assuming No Changes in FX Rates (a) | ||||||||||
| Worldwide | |||||||||||
| Network volumes | (6) | % | (8) | % | |||||||
| Total billed business | (7) | (9) | |||||||||
| Consumer billed business | (4) | (6) | |||||||||
| Commercial billed business | (10) | (12) | |||||||||
| Processed volumes | 3 | (1) | |||||||||
| U.S. | |||||||||||
| Network volumes | (4) | ||||||||||
| Total billed business | (5) | ||||||||||
| Consumer billed business | (2) | ||||||||||
| Commercial billed business | (8) | ||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | |||||||||||
| Network volumes | (10) | (15) | |||||||||
| Total billed business | (14) | (20) | |||||||||
| Consumer billed business | (10) | (17) | |||||||||
| Commercial billed business | (20) | (26) | |||||||||
| Asia Pacific network volumes | — | (7) | |||||||||
| Latin America & Canada network volumes | (19) | (18) | |||||||||
| Europe, the Middle East & Africa network volumes | (21) | (27) | |||||||||
| Merchant Industry Metrics | |||||||||||
| Worldwide billed business | |||||||||||
| T&E-related (14% of worldwide billed business) | (49) | (50) | |||||||||
| G&S-related (86% of worldwide billed business) | 8 | 6 | |||||||||
| Airline-related (2% of worldwide billed business) | (72) | (73) | % | ||||||||
| U.S. billed business | |||||||||||
| T&E-related (14% of U.S. billed business) | (43) | ||||||||||
| G&S-related (86% of U.S. billed business) | 7 | ||||||||||
| Airline-related (2% of U.S. billed business) | (67) | % | |||||||||
(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).
9
Table 7: Selected Credit-Related Statistical Information
As of or for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Worldwide Card Member loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans: (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 61.6 | $ | 69.0 | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 8.5 | 8.7 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 70.1 | $ | 77.7 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit loss reserves: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 5,344 | $ | 4,027 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provisions - principal, interest and fees | (573) | 1,876 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net write-offs — principal less recoveries | (241) | (518) | (53) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net write-offs — interest and fees less recoveries | (63) | (107) | (41) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (a) | $ | — | $ | (42) | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 4,467 | $ | 5,236 | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of loans | 6.4 | % | 6.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of past due | 723 | % | 406 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average loans (billions) | $ | 70.7 | $ | 83.4 | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate — principal only (b) | 1.4 | % | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate — principal, interest and fees (b) | 1.7 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.9 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Worldwide Card Member receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables: (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 30.1 | $ | 32.6 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 11.9 | 12.1 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 42.0 | $ | 44.7 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit loss reserves: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 267 | $ | 126 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provisions - principal and fees | (10) | 597 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net write-offs - principal and fees less recoveries | (53) | (258) | (79) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (a) | (2) | (6) | (67) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 202 | $ | 459 | (56) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of receivables | 0.5 | % | 1.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate — principal and fees (b)(c) | 0.5 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# Denotes a variance of 100 percent or more
(a)Other includes foreign currency translation adjustments.
(b)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, as our practice is to include uncollectible interest and/or fees as part of our total provision for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.
(c)Refer to Tables 10 and 13 for Net write-off rate - principal only and 30+ days past due metrics for Global Consumer Services Group (GCSG) and Global Small Business Services (GSBS) receivables, respectively. A net write-off rate based on principal losses only for Global Corporate Payments (GCP), which reflects global, large and middle market corporate accounts, is not available due to system constraints.
10
Table 8: Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member Loans
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 1,830 | $ | 2,330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exclude: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (a) | 236 | 395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b) | (96) | (264) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net interest income (c) | $ | 1,970 | $ | 2,461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Card Member loans (billions) | $ | 70.7 | $ | 83.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (c) | 10.4 | % | 11.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (c) | 11.3 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(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 the fixed income investment portfolios.
(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. 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 Card Member loan portfolio, and thus is not representative of net interest yield on average Card Member loans.
11
Business Segment Results of Operations
Global Consumer Services Group
Table 9: GCSG Selected Income Statement Data
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest revenues | $ | 3,690 | $ | 3,894 | $ | (204) | (5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 1,807 | 2,411 | (604) | (25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 187 | 328 | (141) | (43) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 1,620 | 2,083 | (463) | (22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | 5,310 | 5,977 | (667) | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provisions for credit losses | (504) | 1,810 | (2,314) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for credit losses | 5,814 | 4,167 | 1,647 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services | 2,582 | 2,702 | (120) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 1,108 | 1,234 | (126) | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 3,690 | 3,936 | (246) | (6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretax segment income | $ | 2,124 | $ | 231 | $ | 1,893 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# Denotes a variance of 100 percent or more
GCSG primarily issues a wide range of proprietary consumer cards globally. GCSG also provides services to consumers, including travel and lifestyle services and non-card financing products, and manages certain international joint ventures and our partnership agreements in China.
Non-interest revenues decreased, primarily driven by lower discount revenue and other fees and commissions, partially offset by higher net card fees.
Discount revenue decreased 7 percent, reflecting a decline in consumer billed business of 4 percent.
See Tables 5, 6 and 10 for more details on volume metrics.
Net card fees increased 14 percent, driven by year-over-year increases in the average fee per card of our premium card products.
Other fees and commissions decreased 35 percent, primarily due to a decline in late fees due to lower delinquencies, lower foreign transaction fees primarily related to decreased cross-border travel and lower travel commissions and fees driven by decreased consumer travel.
Net interest income decreased, primarily due to lower average Card Member loan volumes and a reduction in benchmark interest rates.
Card Member loans and receivables provisions for credit losses decreased and resulted in a net benefit due to reserve releases in the current year versus reserve builds in the prior year and lower net write-offs driven by improved credit performance. The reserve releases in the current quarter were driven by improving macroeconomic indicators, including unemployment and GDP, as well as improved credit performance. The significant reserve builds in the prior year were due to the deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook, including unemployment and GDP, as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other provision for credit losses decreased, primarily driven by a reserve release in the current year versus a reserve build in the prior year, due to improved credit performance and lower balances on non-card loans. The reserve build in the prior year was due to the previously mentioned deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook.
12
Marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services expenses decreased due to the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in Card Member rewards expense was primarily driven by lower billed business. In addition, changes in redemption mix due to a decline in higher cost travel redemptions since the onset of the pandemic contributed to a decrease in the Membership Rewards WAC per reward point and expense. The decrease in Card Member services expense was primarily driven by lower usage of travel-related benefits. Those decreases were partially offset by an increase in Marketing and business development expense, primarily due to incremental marketing investments.
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses decreased, primarily driven by lower technology and other servicing-related costs.
13
Table 10: GCSG Selected Statistical Information
As of or for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Billed business: (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 89.0 | $ | 90.9 | (2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 30.3 | 33.7 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 119.3 | $ | 124.6 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proprietary cards-in-force: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 37.8 | 38.0 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 16.7 | 17.6 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 54.5 | 55.6 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proprietary basic cards-in-force: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 26.7 | 27.0 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 11.6 | 12.1 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 38.3 | 39.1 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average proprietary basic Card Member spending: (dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 3,336 | $ | 3,366 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | $ | 2,616 | $ | 2,777 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average | $ | 3,118 | $ | 3,183 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment assets (billions) | $ | 81.3 | $ | 87.3 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 48.3 | $ | 55.6 | (13) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 8.0 | 8.2 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 56.3 | $ | 63.8 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average loans (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 49.0 | $ | 59.3 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 8.3 | 10.0 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 57.3 | $ | 69.3 | (17) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal only (a) | 1.3 | % | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal, interest and fees (a) | 1.6 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.9 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal only (a) | 2.5 | 2.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal, interest and fees (a) | 3.2 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 1.6 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal only (a) | 1.4 | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal, interest and fees (a) | 1.8 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 1.0 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14
As of or for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables: (billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 11.2 | $ | 10.5 | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | 6.0 | 5.3 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total receivables | $ | 17.2 | $ | 15.8 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal only (a) | — | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal and fees (a) | 0.1 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.4 | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal only (a) | 1.3 | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal and fees (a) | 1.4 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.9 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal only (a) | 0.5 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate – principal and fees (a) | 0.6 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.6 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Refer to Table 7 footnote (b).
15
Table 11: GCSG Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member Loans
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 1,421 | $ | 1,800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exclude: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (a) | 60 | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b) | (25) | (60) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net interest income (c) | $ | 1,456 | $ | 1,786 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Card Member loans (billions) | $ | 49.0 | $ | 59.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (c) | 11.6 | % | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (c) | 12.1 | % | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outside the U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 199 | $ | 283 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exclude: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (a) | 26 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b) | (2) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net interest income (c) | $ | 223 | $ | 295 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Card Member loans (billions) | $ | 8.3 | $ | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (c) | 9.6 | % | 11.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (c) | 10.9 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 1,620 | $ | 2,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exclude: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (a) | 86 | 62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b) | (27) | (64) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net interest income (c) | $ | 1,679 | $ | 2,081 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Card Member loans (billions) | $ | 57.3 | $ | 69.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (c) | 11.3 | % | 12.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (c) | 11.9 | % | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).
(b)Refer to Table 8 footnote (b).
(c)Refer to Table 8 footnote (c).
16
Global Commercial Services
Table 12: GCS Selected Income Statement Data
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest revenues | $ | 2,432 | $ | 2,788 | $ | (356) | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 336 | 499 | (163) | (33) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 116 | 200 | (84) | (42) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 220 | 299 | (79) | (26) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | 2,652 | 3,087 | (435) | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provisions for credit losses | (162) | 762 | (924) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for credit losses | 2,814 | 2,325 | 489 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services | 1,386 | 1,508 | (122) | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 763 | 798 | (35) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 2,149 | 2,306 | (157) | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretax segment income | $ | 665 | $ | 19 | $ | 646 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# Denotes a variance of 100 percent or more
GCS primarily issues a wide range of proprietary corporate and small business cards globally. GCS also provides payment, expense management and commercial financing products.
Non-interest revenues decreased, primarily driven by lower discount revenue and other fees and commissions.
Discount revenue decreased 13 percent, primarily due to a decrease in commercial billed business of 10 percent.
See Tables 5, 6 and 13 for more details on volume metrics.
Other fees and commissions decreased 33 percent, primarily due to a decline in late fees due to lower delinquencies and lower foreign transaction fees primarily related to decreased cross-border travel, partially offset by increased revenues from our alternative payment solutions.
Net interest income decreased, primarily driven by a reduction in benchmark interest rates and lower average Card Member loan volumes.
Card Member loans and receivables provisions for credit losses decreased and resulted in a net benefit due to reserve releases in the current year versus reserve builds in the prior year and lower net write-offs driven by improved credit performance. The reserve releases in the current quarter were driven by improving macroeconomic indicators, including unemployment and GDP, as well as improved credit performance. The significant reserve builds in the prior year were due to the deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook, including unemployment and GDP, as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other provision for credit losses decreased, primarily driven by a reserve release in the current year versus a reserve build in the prior year, due to improved credit performance and lower balances on non-card loans. The reserve build in the prior year was due to the previously mentioned deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook.
Marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services expenses decreased, as a result of the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in Marketing and business development expense was primarily due to decreases in corporate client incentives, partially offset by increased proactive marketing for Card Member acquisitions and incremental marketing investments. The decrease in Card Member services expense was primarily driven by a lower usage of travel-related benefits.
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Table 13: GCS Selected Statistical Information
As of or for the Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Billed business (billions) | $ | 104.0 | $ | 116.1 | (10) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proprietary cards-in-force | 14.5 | 14.8 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Card Member spending (dollars) | $ | 7,159 | $ | 7,836 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment assets (billions) | $ | 42.4 | $ | 46.7 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GSBS Card Member loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans (billions) | $ | 13.8 | $ | 13.8 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average loans (billions) | $ | 13.4 | $ | 14.1 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal only (a) | 1.0 | % | 1.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal, interest and fees (a) | 1.2 | % | 2.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.6 | % | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calculation of Net Interest Yield on Average Card Member Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 220 | $ | 299 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exclude: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (b) | 93 | 145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income not attributable to our Card Member loan portfolio (c) | (22) | (64) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net interest income (d) | $ | 291 | $ | 380 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Card Member loans (billions) | $ | 13.5 | $ | 14.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income divided by average Card Member loans (d) | 6.5 | % | 8.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest yield on average Card Member loans (d) | 8.7 | % | 10.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total receivables (billions) | $ | 24.8 | $ | 28.9 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal and fees (a)(e) | 0.5 | % | 1.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GCP Card Member receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total receivables (billions) | $ | 10.5 | $ | 13.2 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90+ days past billing as a % of total (e) | 0.4 | % | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal and fees (a) (e) | 0.4 | % | 1.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GSBS Card Member receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total receivables (billions) | $ | 14.3 | $ | 15.7 | (9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal only (a) | 0.5 | % | 2.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-off rate - principal and fees (a) | 0.5 | % | 2.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30+ days past due as a % of total | 0.6 | % | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Refer to Table 7 footnote (b).
(b)Refer to Table 8 footnote (a).
(c)Refer to Table 8 footnote (b).
(d)Refer to Table 8 footnote (c).
(e)For 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. GCP delinquency data for periods other than 90+ days past billing and the net write-off rate based on principal losses only are not available due to system constraints.
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Global Merchant and Network Services
Table 14: GMNS Selected Income Statement and Other Data
Three Months Ended March 31, | Change 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except percentages and where indicated) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest revenues | $ | 1,190 | $ | 1,346 | $ | (156) | (12) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 4 | 6 | (2) | (33) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (17) | (36) | 19 | (53) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 21 | 42 | (21) | (50) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | 1,211 | 1,388 | (177) | (13) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provisions for credit losses | (10) | 48 | (58) | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for credit losses | 1,221 | 1,340 | (119) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services | 345 | 324 | 21 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses | 462 | 465 | (3) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 807 | 789 | 18 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretax segment income | 414 | 551 | (137) | (25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment assets (billions) | $ | 13.9 | $ | 10.2 | 36 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# Denotes a variance of 100 percent or more
GMNS operates a global payments network that processes and settles card transactions, acquires merchants and provides multi-channel marketing programs and capabilities, services and data analytics, leveraging our global integrated network. GMNS manages our partnership relationships with third-party card issuers, merchant acquirers and a prepaid reloadable and gift card program manager, licensing the American Express brand and extending the reach of the global network. GMNS also manages loyalty coalition businesses in certain countries.
Non-interest revenues decreased, primarily driven by lower discount revenue due to lower worldwide network volumes and a decline in the average discount rate, primarily due to a shift in spend mix to G&S categories, as well as decreases in other fees and commissions, due to lower foreign transaction fees primarily related to decreased cross-border travel.
For a detailed discussion on network volumes and the average discount rate, please refer to the “Consolidated Results of Operations.”
Net interest income decreased, reflecting a lower interest expense credit relating to internal transfer pricing, which results in a net benefit for GMNS due to its merchant payables.
Provisions for credit losses decreased, primarily driven by reserve releases in the current year reflecting improvement in the macroeconomic outlook, versus reserve builds in the prior year due to the deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook, including unemployment and GDP, as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marketing, business development, and Card Member rewards and services expenses increased, primarily driven by higher Marketing and business development expense, as a result of increased spend on initiatives to support merchant engagement and increased payments to partners related to higher prepaid volumes, partially offset by lower network issuer expense, reflecting lower processed volumes from certain GNS partners.
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Corporate & Other
Corporate functions and certain other businesses are included in Corporate & Other.
Corporate & Other pretax loss was $210 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $349 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease in the pretax loss was primarily driven by net unrealized gains of $377 million in the current year related to our Amex Ventures equity investments, partially offset by higher deferred compensation expenses and higher incentive compensation.
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 in the event we are unable to continue to raise new funds under our traditional funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.
We are closely monitoring the changing macroeconomic environment and actively managing our balance sheet to reflect evolving circumstances. Our objective is to remain financially strong against a backdrop of an uncertain operating environment and outlook.
Capital
We believe capital allocated to growing businesses with a return on risk-adjusted equity in excess of our costs will generate shareholder value. Our objective is to retain sufficient levels of capital generated through net income and other sources, such as the exercise of stock options by employees, to maintain a strong balance sheet, provide flexibility to support future business growth, and distribute excess capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. See “Dividends and Share Repurchases” below.
We seek to maintain capital levels and ratios in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements, specifically within a 10 to 11 percent target range for American Express' Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) risk-based capital ratio.
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 our capital and liquidity positions at the American Express parent company level.
We report our capital ratios using the Basel III capital definitions and the Basel III standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets.
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The following table presents our regulatory risk-based capital and leverage ratios and those of our U.S. bank subsidiary, American Express National Bank (AENB), as of March 31, 2021.
Table 15: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital and Leverage Ratios
Effective Minimum (a) | Ratios as of March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Risk-Based Capital | ||||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 | 7.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| American Express Company | 14.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| American Express National Bank | 15.6 | |||||||||||||
| Tier 1 | 8.5 | |||||||||||||
| American Express Company | 16.0 | |||||||||||||
| American Express National Bank | 15.6 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 10.5 | |||||||||||||
| American Express Company | 17.5 | |||||||||||||
| American Express National Bank | 17.8 | |||||||||||||
| Tier 1 Leverage | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| American Express Company | 11.4 | |||||||||||||
| American Express National Bank | 10.0 | % | ||||||||||||
(a)Represents Basel III minimum requirements and applicable regulatory buffers as defined by the federal banking regulators, which includes the stress capital buffer (SCB) for American Express Company and the capital conservation buffer for AENB.
The following table presents American Express Company's regulatory risk-based capital and risk-weighted assets, which are calculated in accordance with standard regulatory guidance as described below:
Table 16: Regulatory Risk-Based Capital Components and Risk Weighted Assets
American Express Company ($ in Billions) | March 31, 2021 | |||||||
| Risk-Based Capital | ||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 | $ | 20.0 | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital | 21.6 | |||||||
Tier 2 Capital | 2.1 | |||||||
| Total Capital | 23.6 | |||||||
| Risk-Weighted Assets | 135.1 | |||||||
| Average Total Assets to calculate the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio | $ | 189.3 | ||||||
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 CET1, divided by risk-weighted assets. CET1 is common shareholders’ equity, adjusted for ineligible goodwill and intangible assets and certain deferred tax assets. CET1 is also adjusted for the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) final rules, as described below.
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio — Calculated as Tier 1 capital divided by risk-weighted assets. Tier 1 capital is the sum of CET1, preferred shares and third-party non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries, adjusted for capital held by insurance subsidiaries. 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.
21
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 reserve for loan and receivable credit losses adjusted for the CECL final rules (limited to 1.25 percent of risk-weighted assets) and $360 million of eligible subordinated notes, adjusted for capital held by insurance subsidiaries. The $360 million of eligible subordinated notes reflect a 40 percent, or $240 million, reduction of Tier 2 capital credit for the $600 million subordinated debt issued in December 2014.
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio — Calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by our average total consolidated assets for the most recent quarter.
We elected to delay the impact of the adoption of the CECL methodology on regulatory capital for two years followed by a
three-year phase-in period pursuant to rules issued by federal banking regulators (the CECL final rules). As of March 31,
2021, our reported regulatory capital excluded the $0.9 billion impact to retained earnings upon the adoption of the CECL
methodology and 25 percent of the impact of the $0.5 billion increase in reserves for credit losses from January 1, 2020 to
March 31, 2021. We will begin phasing in the cumulative amount that is not recognized in regulatory capital at 25 percent
per year beginning January 1, 2022.
On August 10, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced our SCB requirement of 2.5 percent, and resulting CET1 capital ratio requirement of 7.0 percent. Failure to maintain minimum regulatory capital levels at American Express or AENB could affect our status as a financial holding company and cause the regulatory agencies with oversight of American Express or AENB to take actions that could limit our business operations. The Federal Reserve will notify us by June 30, 2021 whether the SCB will be recalculated.
We were subject to the Federal Reserve's supervisory stress tests in 2020 and are required to participate in the supervisory stress tests every other year thereafter. We are required to develop and submit to the Federal Reserve an annual capital plan and we have submitted our 2021 capital plan.
Dividends and Share Repurchases
We return capital to common shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The share repurchases reduce common shares outstanding and generally more than offset the issuance of new shares as part of employee compensation plans.
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we returned $0.7 billion to our shareholders in the form of common stock dividends of $0.3 billion, and share repurchases of $0.4 billion. We repurchased 3 million in common shares at an average price of $131.45 in the first quarter of 2021.
In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we paid $14 million in dividends on non-cumulative perpetual preferred shares outstanding.
For the first quarter of 2021, the Federal Reserve allowed bank holding companies participating in the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, like us, to pay common stock dividends and repurchase common stock provided (a) the dividends and repurchases, in the aggregate, did not exceed the average of a firm’s net income for the four preceding calendar quarters and (b) the firm did not increase the amount of its common stock dividends beyond the level paid in the second quarter of 2020. The Federal Reserve also permitted stock repurchases equal to the amount of share issuances related to expensed employee compensation. On March 25, 2021, the Federal Reserve extended these limitations through the second quarter of 2021.
Our decisions on capital distributions depend on various factors, including: our capital levels and regulatory capital requirements; regulatory guidance or restrictions, actual and forecasted business results; economic and market conditions; revisions to, or revocation of, the Federal Reserve’s authorization of our capital plan; and the supervisory stress test process. For the second quarter of 2021, we plan to repurchase shares up to our maximum capacity of approximately $0.9 billion authorized by the Federal Reserve.
22
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 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 debt, asset securitizations, borrowings through secured borrowing facilities and a committed bank credit facility. We seek to diversify our funding sources by maintaining scale and relevance in unsecured debt, asset securitizations and deposits. Our direct retail deposits have become a larger proportion of our funding over time and we expect that will continue.
Our funding plan for the full year 2021 includes, among other sources, a limited amount of unsecured and secured term debt issuance. Actual funding activities can vary from our plans due to various factors, such as future business growth, the impact of global economic, political and other events on market capacity and funding needs, demand for securities offered by us, regulatory changes, ability to securitize and sell loans and receivables, and the performance of loans and receivables previously sold in securitization transactions. Many of these factors are beyond our control.
Summary of Consolidated Debt
We had the following consolidated debt and customer deposits outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Table 17: Summary of Consolidated Debt and Customer Deposits
| (Billions) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | $ | 1.6 | $ | 1.9 | ||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 42.0 | 43.0 | ||||||||||||
| Total debt | 43.6 | 44.9 | ||||||||||||
| Customer deposits | 89.2 | 86.9 | ||||||||||||
| Total debt and customer deposits | $ | 132.8 | $ | 131.8 | ||||||||||
We may redeem from time to time certain debt securities prior to the original contractual maturity dates in accordance with the optional redemption provisions of those debt securities.
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) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). 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.
Table 18: Unsecured Debt Ratings
| Credit Agency | American Express Entity | Short-Term Ratings | Long-Term Ratings | Outlook | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fitch | All rated entities | F1 | A | Negative | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moody’s | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | N/A | A2 | Negative | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moody's | American Express Credit Corporation | Prime-1 | A2 | Negative | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moody's | American Express National Bank | Prime-1 | A3 | Negative | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moody's | American Express Company | N/A | A3 | Negative | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | N/A | A- | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P | American Express Credit Corporation and American Express National Bank | A-2 | A- | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P | American Express Company | A-2 | BBB+ | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
These ratings are not a recommendation to buy or hold any of our securities and they may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.
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 credit facilities. 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) to total funding, should reduce the impact that credit rating downgrades would have on our funding capacity and costs.
23
Liquidity Management
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 in amounts sufficient to meet our expected future financial obligations and business requirements for liquidity for a period of at least twelve months in the event we are unable to raise new funds under our regular funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.
Our liquidity management strategy 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; and
•Establishing clear objectives for liquidity risk management, including compliance with regulatory requirements.
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, as well as additional stress scenarios required under our liquidity risk policy.
We believe that we currently maintain sufficient liquidity to meet all internal and regulatory liquidity requirements. As of March 31, 2021, we had $61.6 billion in Cash and cash equivalents and Investment securities (which are substantially comprised of U.S. Government Treasury obligations). The increase of $7.0 billion from $54.6 billion as of December 31, 2020 was primarily driven by the decline in the balances of our Card Member loans and receivables and the growth in our retail deposits.
The investment income we receive on liquidity resources 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 March 31, 2021, we maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of July 15, 2022, 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). As the balance of Card Member receivables in the Charge Trust fluctuates over time in line with business volumes, our capacity to draw on the Charge Trust facility may be reduced when volumes decline. We also maintained our committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility, with a maturity date of September 15, 2022, which gives us the right to sell up to $2.0 billion face amount of eligible AAA certificates from the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust). Both facilities are used in the ordinary course of business to fund working capital needs, as well as to further enhance our contingent funding resources. As of March 31, 2021, no amounts were drawn on the Charge Trust facility or the Lending Trust facility.
Federal Reserve Discount Window
As an insured depository institution, AENB may borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, subject to the amount of qualifying collateral that it 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.
As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $63.6 billion 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 above, we maintained a committed syndicated bank credit facility as of March 31, 2021 of $3.5 billion, with a maturity date of October 15, 2022. As of March 31, 2021, no amounts were drawn on this facility.
24
Unused Credit Outstanding and Certain Contractual Obligations
As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $319 billion of unused credit available to Card Members as part of established lending product agreements. Total unused credit available to Card Members does not represent potential future cash requirements, as a significant portion of this unused credit will likely not be drawn. Our charge card products generally have no pre-set spending limit and therefore are not reflected in unused credit available to Card Members.
We provide Card Member protection that covers losses associated with purchased goods and services. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flow activity, followed by a discussion of the major drivers impacting operating, investing and financing cash flows for the three months ended March, 31:
Table 19: Cash Flows
| (Billions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 2.3 | $ | (2.2) | ||||||||||
| Investing activities | 4.8 | 21.9 | ||||||||||||
| Financing activities | 0.4 | (5.4) | ||||||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (0.2) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7.3 | $ | 14.2 | ||||||||||
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, such as provisions for credit losses, depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes and stock-based compensation 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.
In 2021, the net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by cash generated from net income for the period and lower net operating assets and liabilities.
In 2020, the net cash used in operating activities was primarily driven by the significant decline in billed business in the month of March 2020 triggered by the sharp contraction in the global economy caused by the accelerating spread of COVID-19, resulting in lower accounts payable to merchants and other liabilities, partially offset by cash generated from net income for the period.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Our cash flows from investing activities primarily include changes in Card Member loans and receivables, as well as changes in our available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.
In 2021, the net cash provided by investing activities was primarily driven by lower Card Member loan and receivable balances, as Card Members continued to pay down outstanding balances, combined with decline in Card Member spending as a result of the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the net cash provided by investing activities was primarily driven by a decline in Card Member loan and receivable balances and net maturities of investment securities. The decline in Card Member loan and receivable balances was due to the ongoing pay down of outstanding balances by Card Members combined with significant decline in spending that occurred during March 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our cash flows from financing activities primarily include changes in customer deposits, long-term debt and short-term borrowings, as well as dividend payments and share repurchases.
In 2021, the net cash provided by financing activities was primarily driven by growth in customer deposits, partially offset by debt repayments and payments made for share repurchases and dividends.
In 2020, the net cash used in financing activities was primarily driven by debt repayments and payments made for share repurchases and dividends, partially offset by growth in customer deposits.
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OTHER MATTERS
Certain Legislative, Regulatory and Other Developments
Supervision & Regulation
We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision in jurisdictions around the world, and the costs of compliance are substantial. The financial services industry is subject to rigorous scrutiny, high regulatory expectations, a range of regulations, and a stringent and unpredictable enforcement environment.
Governmental authorities have focused, and we believe will continue to focus, considerable attention on reviewing compliance by financial services firms with laws and regulations, and as a result, we continually work to evolve and improve our risk management framework, governance structures, practices and procedures. Reviews to assess compliance with laws and regulations by governmental authorities, as well as our own internal reviews, have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, changes to our products, practices and procedures, restitution to our customers and increased costs related to regulatory oversight, supervision and examination. We have also been subject to regulatory actions and may continue to be the subject of such actions, including governmental inquiries, investigations, enforcement proceedings and the imposition of fines or civil money penalties, in the event of noncompliance or alleged noncompliance with laws or regulations. External publicity concerning investigations, including those that are narrow in scope, can increase their scope and scale and lead to further regulatory inquiries.
For example, as previously disclosed, beginning in May 2020 we began responding to a regulatory review led by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Department of Justice Civil Division regarding historical sales practices relating to certain small business card sales. We also conducted an internal review of certain sales from 2015 and 2016 and have taken appropriate disciplinary and remedial actions, including voluntarily providing remediation to certain current and former customers. Information regarding our investigation has been provided to our other regulators, including the Federal Reserve. In January 2021, we received a grand jury subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York regarding the sales practices for small business cards and a Civil Investigative Demand from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) seeking information on sales practices related to consumers. We are cooperating with all of these inquiries and have continued to enhance our controls related to our sales practices. We do not believe this matter will have a material adverse impact on our business or results of operations.
Please see the “Supervision and Regulation” and “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the 2020 Form 10-K) for further information.
Consumer Financial Products Regulation
In the United States, our marketing, sale and servicing of consumer financial products and our compliance with certain federal consumer financial laws are supervised and examined by the 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 other 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 or subject us to regulatory scrutiny. Other jurisdictions around the world are increasingly focusing on consumer financial protection.
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 2020 Form 10-K.
Payments Regulation
Legislators and regulators in various countries in which we operate have focused on the operation of card networks, including through enforcement 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.
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The European Union, Australia and other jurisdictions have focused on interchange fees (that is, the fee paid by the bankcard merchant acquirer to the card issuer in payment networks like Visa and Mastercard), as well as the rules, contract terms and practices governing merchant card acceptance. Regulation and other governmental actions relating to pricing or practices could affect all networks directly or indirectly, as well as adversely impact consumers and merchants. Among other things, regulation of bankcard fees has negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, the discount revenue we earn, 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, regulations also extend to certain aspects of our business, such as network and cobrand arrangements or the terms of card acceptance for merchants. There is uncertainty as to when or how interchange fee caps and other provisions of the EU payments legislation might apply when we work with cobrand partners and agents in the EU. Given differing interpretations by regulators and participants in cobrand arrangements, we are subject to regulatory action, penalties and the possibility we will not be able to maintain our existing cobrand and agent relationships in the EU.
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 and data storage, 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.
For more information on 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 2020 Form 10-K.
Surcharging
In various countries, such as certain Member States in the EU and Australia, merchants are permitted by law to surcharge card purchases. In addition, the laws of a number of states in the United States that prohibit surcharging have been challenged in litigation brought by merchant groups and some such laws have been overturned. Surcharging is an adverse customer experience and could have a material adverse effect on us if it becomes widespread, particularly where it only or disproportionately impacts credit card usage, our Card Members and our business. In addition, other steering practices that are permitted by regulation in some countries could also have a material adverse effect on us if they become widespread.
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 2020 Form 10-K.
Antitrust Litigation
The U.S. Department of Justice 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. On June 25, 2018, the Supreme Court found in favor of American Express in that case. We continue to vigorously defend similar antitrust claims initiated by merchants. See Note 7 to the "Consolidated Financial Statements" for descriptions of the cases. It is possible that 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 2020 Form 10-K.
Privacy, Data Protection, Data Governance, Information and Cyber Security
Regulatory and legislative activity in the areas of privacy, data protection, data governance and information and cyber security continues to increase worldwide. We have established, and continue to maintain, policies and a governance framework to comply with applicable laws, meet evolving customer and industry expectations and support and enable business innovation and growth. Global financial institutions like us, as well as our customers, colleagues, regulators, vendors and other third parties, 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, impersonation and identity takeover attempts), corporate espionage, hacking, website defacement, denial-of-service attacks and other attacks and similar disruptions from the misconfiguration or 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 2020 Form 10-K.
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Anti-Money Laundering
We are subject to significant supervision and regulation, and an increasingly stringent enforcement environment, with respect to compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations. In the United States, the majority of AML requirements are derived from the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act and the accompanying regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (collectively referred to as the Bank Secrecy Act), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (the AMLA), enacted in January 2021, amended the Bank Secrecy Act and is intended to comprehensively reform and modernize U.S. AML laws. Many of the statutory provisions in the AMLA will require additional rulemakings, reports and other measures, the effects of which are not known at this time. In Europe, AML requirements are largely the result of countries transposing the 5th and 6th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directives (and preceding EU Anti-Money Laundering Directives) into local laws and regulations. Numerous other countries have also enacted or proposed new or enhanced AML legislation and regulations.
Among other things, these laws and regulations require us to establish AML programs that meet certain standards, including, in some instances, expanded reporting, particularly in the area of suspicious transactions, and enhanced information gathering and recordkeeping requirements. Our AML programs have become the subject of heightened scrutiny in some countries. Any errors, failures or delays in complying with federal, state or foreign AML and counter-terrorist financing laws or perceived deficiencies in our AML programs could result in significant criminal and civil lawsuits, penalties and forfeiture of significant assets, loss of licenses or restrictions on business activities, or other enforcement actions. For more information on AML 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 2020 Form 10-K.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards
Refer to the Recently Adopted 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 (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.
Airline-related volume — Represents spend at airlines as a merchant.
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 transferred loans or receivables. The securitized loans and receivables of our Lending Trust and Charge Trust (collectively, the Trusts) are reported as assets and the securities issued by the Trusts are reported as liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Average discount rate — This calculation is generally designed to reflect the average pricing at all merchants accepting American Express cards and represents the percentage of network volumes retained by us from spend at merchants we acquire, or from merchants acquired by third parties on our behalf, net of amounts retained by such third parties. The average discount rate, together with network volumes, drive our discount revenue.
Billed business — Represents transaction volumes (including cash advances) on cards and other payment products issued by American Express. Billed business is reported as inside the United States or outside the United States based on the location of the issuer.
Capital ratios — Represents the minimum standards established by 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 section under “Consolidated Capital Resources and Liquidity” for further related definitions under Basel III.
Card Member — The individual holder of an issued American Express-branded card.
Card Member loans — Represents the outstanding amount due from Card Members for charges made on their American Express credit cards, as well as any interest charges and card-related fees. Card Member loans also include revolving balances on certain American Express charge card products.
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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, other than revolving balances on certain American Express charge cards with Pay Over Time features. Such revolving balances are included within Card Member loans.
Cards-in-force — Represents the number of cards that are issued and outstanding by American Express (proprietary cards-in-force) and cards issued and outstanding under network partnership agreements with banks and other institutions, including joint ventures (GNS cards-in-force), except for GNS retail cobrand cards that had no out-of-store spending activity during the prior twelve months. Basic cards-in-force excludes supplemental cards issued on consumer accounts. Cards-in-force is useful in understanding the size of our Card Member base.
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 cards have additional Pay Over Time feature(s) that allow revolving of certain charges.
Cobrand cards — Cards issued under cobrand agreements with selected commercial partners. 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. The partner is then liable for providing rewards to the Card Member under the cobrand partner’s own loyalty program.
Credit cards — Represents cards that have a range of revolving payment terms, grace periods, and rate and fee structures.
Discount revenue — Primarily represents the amount earned on transactions occurring at merchants that have entered into a card acceptance agreement with us, a GNS partner or other third-party merchant acquirer, for facilitating transactions between the merchants and Card Members.
Goods and Services (G&S)-related volume — Includes spend in merchant categories other than T&E-related merchant categories.
Interest expense — Includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member loans and receivables, general corporate purposes and liquidity needs. 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. 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 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 — 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.
Loyalty Coalitions — Programs that enable consumers to earn rewards points and use them to save on purchases from a variety of participating merchants through multi-category rewards platforms. Merchants in these programs generally fund the consumer offers and are responsible to us for the cost of rewards points; we earn revenue from operating the loyalty platform and by providing marketing support.
Net card fees — Represents the card membership fees earned during the period 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.
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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 provision for credit losses and are thus not included in the net interest yield calculation.
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 receivable 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.
Network volumes — Represents the total of billed business and processed volumes. Network volumes are reported as United States or outside the United States based on the location of the issuer.
Operating expenses — Represents salaries and employee benefits, professional services, data processing and equipment, and other expenses.
Processed volumes — Represents transaction volumes (including cash advances) on cards issued under network partnership agreements with banks and other institutions, including joint ventures, as well as alternative payment solutions facilitated by American Express. Processed volume is reported as United States or outside the United States based on the location of the issuer.
Reserve build (release) — Represents the portion of the provisions for credit losses for the period related to increasing or decreasing reserves for credit losses as a result of, among other things, changes in volumes, macroeconomic outlook, portfolio composition and credit quality of portfolios. Reserve build represents the amount by which the provision for credit losses exceeds net write-offs, while reserve release represents the amount by which net write-offs exceed the provision for credit losses.
Return on average equity — Calculated by dividing one-year period net income by one-year average total shareholders’ equity.
T&E-related volume — Represents spend on travel and entertainment, which primarily includes airline, cruise, lodging and dining merchant categories.
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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 current expectations regarding business and financial performance, among other matters, contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” 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 rebuild growth momentum and improve our financial performance to pre-pandemic levels, which will depend in part on a recovery in consumer travel and therefore on how soon lockdowns ease, travel restrictions lift and the general public begins to feel comfortable traveling again; discount revenue recovering broadly in-line with billed business; credit performance and reserve levels; identifying attractive investment opportunities that help rebuild growth momentum and scale next horizon opportunities; our ability to control operating expenses; the effective tax rate remaining consistent with current expectations; and our ability to continue our share repurchase program; any of which could be impacted by, among other things, the factors identified in the subsequent paragraphs;
•our ability to grow volumes, revenues and EPS, which could be impacted by, among other things, uncertainty regarding the continued spread of COVID-19 (including new variants) and severity of the pandemic and the availability, distribution and use of effective treatments and vaccines; a further deterioration in global economic and business conditions; consumer and business spending not growing in line with expectations, including G&S spending not continuing to grow and T&E spending not rebounding to around 70 percent of 2019 levels by the end of 2021; an inability or unwillingness of Card Members to pay amounts owed to us; insufficient government support and relief programs to address the ongoing impact of the pandemic; prolonged measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 (including travel restrictions) or premature easing of such containment measures, both of which could further exacerbate the effects on business activity and our Card Members, partners and merchants; health concerns associated with the pandemic continuing to affect consumer behavior, spending levels and preferences, and travel patterns and demand even after government restrictions are lifted and economies reopen, including domestic travel not continuing to recover in 2021; our inability to effectively manage risk in an uncertain environment; market volatility, changes in capital and credit market conditions and the availability and cost of capital; issues impacting brand perceptions and our reputation; the amount and efficacy of investments in share, scale and relevance; an inability of business partners to meet their obligations to us and our customers due to slowdowns or disruptions in their businesses, bankruptcy or liquidation, or otherwise; the impact of any future contingencies, including, but not limited to, restructurings, impairments, changes in reserves, legal costs, the imposition of fines or civil money penalties and increases in Card Member reimbursements; and 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;
•future credit performance and the amount and timing of future credit reserve builds and releases, which will depend in part on changes in consumer behavior that affect loan and receivable balances (such as paydown and revolve rates) and delinquency and write-off rates; macroeconomic factors such as unemployment rates, GDP and the volume of bankruptcies; the performance of accounts as they graduate and exit from financial relief programs; collections capabilities and recoveries of previously written-off loans and receivables; the enrollment in, and effectiveness of, hardship programs and troubled debt restructurings; continued government support for the economy; and governmental actions that provide forms of relief with respect to certain loans and fees, such as limiting debt collections efforts and encouraging or requiring extensions, modifications or forbearance;
•net interest income and the growth rate of loans outstanding being higher or lower than current expectations, which will depend on the behavior of Card Members and their actual spending, borrowing and paydown patterns; government stimulus, liquidity and financial strength in our customer base and the availability of forbearance programs; our ability to effectively manage risk and enhance Card Member value propositions; changes in interest rates and our cost of funds; credit actions, including line size and other adjustments to credit availability; and the effectiveness of our strategies to capture a greater share of existing Card Members’ spending and borrowings, reduce Card Member attrition and attract new customers;
•the actual amount we spend on marketing in the future, which will be based in part on continued changes in macroeconomic conditions and business performance; management’s identification and assessment of attractive investment opportunities and the receptivity of Card Members and prospective customers to advertising and
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customer acquisition initiatives; the pace at which we wind down our value injections efforts; our ability to balance expense control and investments in the business; and management’s ability to realize efficiencies and optimize investment spending;
•the actual amount to be spent on Card Member rewards and services and business development, and the relationship of these variable customer engagement costs to revenues, which could be impacted by continued changes in macroeconomic conditions and Card Member behavior as it relates to their spending patterns (including the level of spend in bonus categories) and the redemption of rewards and offers (including travel redemptions); the costs related to reward point redemptions; Card Members’ interest in the value propositions we offer; further enhancements to product benefits to make them attractive to Card Members, potentially in a manner that is not cost-effective; and new and renegotiated contractual obligations with business partners;
•our ability to control our operating expenses and the actual amount we spend on operating expenses in the future, which could be impacted by, among other things, management’s decision to increase or decrease spending in such areas as technology, business and product development, sales force, premium servicing and digital capabilities depending on overall business performance; our ability to innovate efficient channels of customer interactions, such as chat supported by artificial intelligence; restructuring activity; fraud costs; information security or compliance expenses or consulting, legal and other professional services fees, including as a result of litigation or internal and regulatory reviews; the level of M&A activity and related expenses; the payment of civil money penalties, disgorgement, restitution, non-income tax assessments and litigation-related settlements; impairments of goodwill or other assets; the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on costs; and higher-than-expected inflation;
•net card fees not growing consistent with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, the further deterioration in macroeconomic conditions impacting the ability and desire of Card Members to pay card fees; higher Card Member attrition rates; Card Members continuing to be attracted to our premium card products and the pace of Card Member acquisition activity; and our inability to address competitive pressures and implement our strategies and business initiatives, including introducing new and enhanced benefits and services that are designed for the current environment;
•a further decline of the average discount rate, including as a result of further changes in the mix of spending by location and industry (including the pace of recovery in T&E spending), merchant negotiations (including merchant incentives, concessions and volume-related pricing discounts), competition, pricing regulation (including regulation of competitors’ interchange rates) and other factors;
•our tax rate not remaining consistent with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, our geographic mix of income, further changes in tax laws and regulation, unfavorable tax audits and other unanticipated tax items;
•changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry, including competitive pressure that may materially impact the prices charged to merchants that accept American Express cards, competition for new and existing cobrand relationships, competition from new and non-traditional competitors and the success of marketing, promotion and rewards programs;
•changes affecting our plans regarding the return of capital to shareholders, including for the second quarter of 2021, which will depend on factors such as capital levels and regulatory capital ratios; changes in the stress testing and capital planning process and new guidance from the Federal Reserve; our results of operations and financial condition; our credit ratings and rating agency considerations; and the economic environment and market conditions in any given period;
•our ability to increase Card Member acquisition activities, provide additional value to Card Members and refresh our premium products, which will be impacted in part by competition, brand perceptions and reputation, and our ability to develop and market value propositions that appeal to Card Members and new customers and offer attractive services and rewards programs, which will depend in part on ongoing investments in Card Member acquisition efforts, addressing changing customer behaviors, new product innovation and development, and enrollment processes, including through digital channels, and infrastructure to support new products, services and benefits;
•our ability to grow commercial payments, including through cash flow and supplier payment solutions, which will depend in part on competition, the willingness and ability of companies to use such solutions for procurement and other business expenditures, our ability to offer attractive value propositions to potential customers, our ability to enhance and expand our payment and lending solutions, and our ability to integrate Kabbage's digital capabilities and continue the rollout of the Kabbage platform to our small business customers;
•our ability to innovate and strengthen our global network, which will depend in part on our ability to update our systems and platforms, the amount we invests in the network and our ability to make funds available for such investments, and technological developments, including capabilities that allow greater digital integration;
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•the possibility that we will not execute on our plans to expand merchant coverage and improve perceptions of coverage, which will depend in part on the success of the company, OptBlue merchant acquirers and GNS partners in signing merchants to accept American Express, which could be impacted by our value propositions offered to merchants and merchant acquirers for card acceptance, as well as the awareness and willingness of Card Members to use American Express cards at merchants and whether Card Members experience welcome acceptance for American Express cards;
•our ability to introduce new and expanded digital capabilities, which will depend on our success in evolving our products and processes for the digital environment, developing new features in the Amex app and enhancing our digital channels, building partnerships and executing programs with other companies, effectively utilizing artificial intelligence to address servicing and other customer needs, and supporting the use of our products as a means of payment through online and mobile channels, all of which will be impacted by investment levels, new product innovation and development and infrastructure to support new products, services and benefits;
•our ability to execute on our plans in China, which could be affected by regulation and local business practices; the success of business partners in continuing to acquire merchants and attract local customers on the network; macro-economic conditions; and competitors with more scale in the market and more established relationships with key industry participants;
•a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems, processes or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks, which could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, privacy and/or security of data, disrupt our operations, reduce the use and acceptance of American Express cards and lead to regulatory scrutiny, litigation, remediation and response costs, and reputational harm;
•changes in capital and credit market conditions, which may significantly affect our ability to meet our liquidity needs and expectations regarding capital ratios; our access to capital and funding costs; the valuation of our assets; and our credit ratings or those of our subsidiaries;
•our deposit rates increasing faster or slower than current expectations and changes affecting our ability to grow retail direct deposits, including due to market demand, changes in benchmark interest rates, competition 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 businesses;
•our 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 loans and receivables and the performance of loans and receivables previously sold in securitization transactions;
•legal and regulatory developments, which could affect the profitability of our business activities; limit our ability to pursue business opportunities or conduct business in certain jurisdictions; require changes to business practices or alter our relationships with Card Members, partners, merchants and other third parties, including our ability to continue certain cobrand relationships in the EU; exert further pressure on the average discount rate and GNS business; 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 capital or liquidity requirements, results of operations or ability to pay dividends; or result in harm to the American Express brand;
•changes in the financial condition and creditworthiness of our business partners, such as bankruptcies, restructurings or consolidations, including of cobrand partners and merchants that represent a significant portion of our business, such as the airline industry, or 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 resurgences of COVID-19 cases, whether and when populations achieve herd immunity, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, power loss, disruptions in telecommunications, terrorism and other catastrophic events, any 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 2020 Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions, except per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||
| Non-interest revenues | ||||||||||||||
| Discount revenue | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Net card fees | ||||||||||||||
| Other fees and commissions | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest revenues | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||
| Interest on loans | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividends on investment securities | ||||||||||||||
| Deposits with banks and other | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt and other | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | ||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | ||||||||||||||
| Provisions for credit losses | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member receivables | ( | |||||||||||||
| Card Member loans | ( | |||||||||||||
| Other | ( | |||||||||||||
| Total provisions for credit losses | ( | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for credit losses | ||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Marketing and business development | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member rewards | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member services | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | ||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Pretax income | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Earnings per Common Share (Note 14)(a) | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||
(a)Represents net income less (i) earnings allocated to participating share awards of $15 million and $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and (ii) dividends on preferred shares of $14 million and $32 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized debt securities (losses) gains, net of tax | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
35
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| (Millions, except share data) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and due from banks | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (includes securities purchased under resale agreements: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
Short-term investment securities (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables (includes gross receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
Card Member loans (includes gross loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
Other loans, less reserves for credit losses: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Investment securities | ||||||||||||||
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
Other assets, less reserves for credit losses: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Customer deposits | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ||||||||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Contingencies (Note 7) | ||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||
Preferred shares, $1.662/3 par value, authorized | ||||||||||||||
Common shares, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||
Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||||
Net unrealized debt securities gains, net of tax of: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2021, $( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax of: 2021, $( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
36
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31 (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
| Provisions for credit losses | ( | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred taxes and other | ( | |||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable & other liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | |||||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||||||||
| Sale of investment securities | ||||||||||||||
| Maturities and redemptions of investment securities | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase of investments | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net decrease in Card Member loans and receivables, and other loans | ||||||||||||||
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales: 2021, $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase in customer deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Net decrease in short-term borrowings | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Payments of long-term debt | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Issuance of American Express common shares | ||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of American Express common shares and other | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | |||||||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reconciliation | Mar-21 | Dec-20 | Mar-20 | Dec-19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents per Consolidated Balance Sheets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash included in Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents excluding restricted cash | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
37
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| Three months ended March 31, 2021 (Millions, except per share amounts) | Total | Preferred Shares | Common Shares | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common shares | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other changes, primarily employee plans | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared preferred Series B, $ | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared preferred Series C, $ | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared common, $ | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of March 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2020 (Millions, except per share amounts) | Total | Preferred Shares | Common Shares | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - (a) | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common shares | ( | — | ( | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other changes, primarily employee plans | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared preferred Series B, $ | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared preferred Series C, $ | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared common, $ | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of March 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Represents $1,170 million, net of tax of $288 million, related to the impact as of January 1, 2020 of adopting the current expected credit loss methodology for the recognition of credit losses on certain financial instruments.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
38
1. Basis of Presentation
The Company
We are a globally integrated payments company that provides our customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Our principal products and services are credit and charge card products, along with travel and lifestyle related services, offered to consumers and businesses around the world. Business travel-related services are offered through our non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel. 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, affiliate marketing, customer referral programs, third-party vendors and business partners, direct mail, telephone, in-house sales teams, and direct response advertising.
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. If not materially different, certain note disclosures included therein have been omitted from these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report have not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim Consolidated Financial Statements, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
39
2. Loans and Card Member Receivables
Our lending and charge payment card products result in the generation of Card Member loans and Card Member receivables. We also extend credit to consumer and commercial customers through non-card financing products, resulting in Other loans.
Card Member loans by segment and Other loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of:
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Global Consumer Services Group (a) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member loans | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Reserves for credit losses | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member loans, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Other loans, net (b) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
(a)Includes approximately $24.1 billion and $25.9 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity (VIE) as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(b)Other loans represent consumer and commercial non-card financing products, and Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. There were $0.5 billion and $0.6 billion of gross PPP loans outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Other loans are presented net of reserves for credit losses of $143 million and $238 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Card Member receivables by segment as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of:
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Global Consumer Services Group | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services (a) | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member receivables | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Reserves for credit losses | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member receivables, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
40
Card Member Loans and 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| 2021 (Millions) | Current | 30-59 Days Past Due | 60-89 Days Past Due | 90+ Days Past Due | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Small Business Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Corporate Payments (a) | (b) | (b) | (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Small Business Services | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Corporate Payments (a) | (b) | (b) | (b) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 (Millions) | Current | 30-59 Days Past Due | 60-89 Days Past Due | 90+ Days Past Due | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Small Business Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Corporate Payments (a) | (b) | (b) | (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Small Business Services | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Corporate Payments (a) | (b) | (b) | (b) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Global Corporate Payments (GCP) reflects global, large and middle market corporate accounts. 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 loan or 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.
41
Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Loans and Receivables
The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the three months ended March 31:
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Small Business Services | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Small Business Services | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Corporate Payments | (b) | % | (c) | (b) | % | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)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 estimating our reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented.
(b)Net write-off rate based on principal losses only is not available due to system constraints.
(c)For GCP Card Member receivables, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. Delinquency data for periods other than 90+ days past billing is not available due to system constraints. 90+ Days Past Billing as a % of total was 0.4 % and 1.1 % as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Refer to Note 3 for additional indicators, including external environmental qualitative factors, management considers in its evaluation process for reserves for credit losses.
42
Impaired Loans and Receivables
Impaired loans and receivables are individual larger balance or homogeneous pools of smaller balance loans and receivables for which it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the customer agreement. We consider impaired loans and receivables to include (i) loans over 90 days past due still accruing interest, (ii) non-accrual loans and (iii) loans and receivables modified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs).
In instances where the customer is experiencing financial difficulty, we may modify, through various financial relief programs, loans and receivables with the intention to minimize losses and improve collectability, while providing customers with temporary or permanent financial relief. We have classified loans and receivables in these modification programs as TDRs and continue to classify customer accounts that have exited a modification program as a TDR, with such accounts identified as “Out of Program TDRs.”
The following tables provide additional information with respect to our impaired loans and receivables as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| As of March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts Classified as a TDR (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 (Millions) | Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest(a) | Non- Accruals(b) | In Program(d) | Out of Program(e) | Total Impaired Balance | Reserve for Credit Losses - TDRs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Consumer Services Group | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Loans(f) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts Classified as a TDR (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 (Millions) | Over 90 days Past Due & Accruing Interest(a) | Non- Accruals(b) | In Program(d) | Out of Program(e) | Total Impaired Balance | Reserve for Credit Losses - TDRs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Consumer Services Group | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Consumer Services Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Commercial Services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Loans (f) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Our policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (typically 180 days past due). We establish reserves for interest that we believe will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude loans classified as a TDR.
(b)Non-accrual loans not in modification programs primarily include certain loans placed with outside collection agencies for which we have ceased accruing interest. Amounts presented exclude loans classified as TDRs.
(c)Accounts classified as a TDR include $35 million and $32 million that are over 90 days past due and accruing interest and $12 million and $11 million that are non-accruals as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(d)In Program TDRs include accounts that are currently enrolled in a modification program.
(e)Out of Program TDRs include $395 million and $316 million of accounts that have successfully completed a modification program and $127 million and $114 million of accounts that were not in compliance with the terms of the modification programs as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(f)Other loans primarily represent consumer and commercial non-card financing products.
43
Loans and Receivables Modified as TDRs
The following tables provide additional information with respect to loans and receivables that entered a financial relief program and were modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Accounts (thousands) | Account Balances (millions)(a) | Average Interest Rate Reduction (% Points) | Average Payment Term Extensions (# of Months) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Troubled Debt Restructurings: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | $ | (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Loans(d) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Accounts (thousands) | Account Balances (millions)(a) | Average Interest Rate Reduction (% Points) | Average Payment Term Extensions (# of Months) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Troubled Debt Restructurings: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | $ | (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on loans and principal and fees on receivables. Modifications did not reduce the principal balance.
(b)For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions.
(c)We do not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest bearing.
(d)Other loans primarily represent consumer and commercial non-card financing products. Prior period balances were not significant.
44
The following tables provide information with respect to loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification. A customer can miss up to three payments before being considered in default, depending on the terms of the modification program.
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Accounts (thousands) | Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default (millions)(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Loans (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Accounts (thousands) | Aggregated Outstanding Balances Upon Default (millions)(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Loans | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Card Member Receivables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)The outstanding balances upon default include principal, fees and accrued interest on loans, and principal and fees on receivables.
45
3. Reserves for Credit Losses
Reserves for credit losses represent our best estimate of the expected credit losses in our outstanding portfolio of Card Member loans and receivables as of the balance sheet date. The CECL methodology requires us to estimate lifetime expected credit losses by incorporating historical loss experience, as well as current and future economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable period (R&S Period), which is approximately three years, beyond the balance sheet date. We make various judgments combined with historical loss experience to determine a reserve rate that is applied to the outstanding loan or receivable balance to produce a reserve for expected credit losses.
We use a combination of statistically-based models that incorporate current and future economic conditions throughout the R&S Period. The process of estimating expected credit losses is based on several key models: Probability of Default (PD), Exposure at Default (EAD), and future recoveries for each month of the R&S Period. Beyond the R&S Period, we estimate expected credit losses by immediately reverting to long-term average loss rates.
•PD models are used to estimate the likelihood an account will be written-off.
•EAD models are used to estimate the balance of an account at the time of write-off. This includes balances less expected repayments based on historical payment and revolve behavior, which vary by customer. Due to the nature of revolving loan portfolios, the EAD models are complex and involve assumptions regarding the relationship between future spend and payment behaviors.
•Recovery models are used to estimate amounts that are expected to be received from Card Members after default occurs, typically as a result of collection efforts. Future recoveries are estimated taking into consideration the time of default, time elapsed since default and macroeconomic conditions.
We also estimate the likelihood and magnitude of recovery of previously written off accounts considering how long ago the account was written off and future economic conditions. Our models are developed using historical loss experience covering the economic cycle and consider the impact of account characteristics on expected losses.
Future economic conditions that are incorporated over the R&S Period include multiple macroeconomic scenarios provided to us by an independent third party. Management reviews these economic scenarios and applies judgment to weight them in order to reflect the uncertainty surrounding these scenarios. These macroeconomic scenarios contain certain variables, including unemployment rates and real gross domestic product, that are significant to our models.
We also evaluate whether to include qualitative reserves to cover losses that are expected but, in our assessment, may not be adequately represented in the quantitative methods or the economic assumptions. We consider whether to adjust the quantitative reserves (higher or lower) to address possible limitations within the models or factors not included within the models, such as external conditions, emerging portfolio trends, the nature and size of the portfolio, portfolio concentrations, the volume and severity of past due accounts, or management risk actions.
Lifetime losses for most of our loans and receivables are evaluated at an appropriate level of granularity, including assessment on a pooled basis where financial assets share similar risk characteristics, such as past spend and remittance behaviors, credit bureau scores where available, delinquency status, tenure of balance outstanding, amongst others. Credit losses on accrued interest are measured and presented as part of Reserves for credit losses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and within the Provisions for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, rather than reversing interest income. Separate models are used for accounts deemed a troubled debt restructuring, which are measured individually using a discounted cash flow model.
46
The following table reflects the range of macroeconomic scenario key variables used, in conjunction with other inputs, to calculate reserves for credit losses:
| U.S. Unemployment Rate | U.S. GDP Growth (Contraction) (a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| First quarter of 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth quarter of 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth quarter of 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth quarter of 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Real GDP quarter over quarter percentage change seasonally adjusted to annualized rates.
Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Credit Losses
Card Member loans reserve for credit losses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021, driven by improving macroeconomic indicators including unemployment and GDP, as well as improved credit performance.
Card Member loans reserve for credit losses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2020, driven by the deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook, including unemployment and GDP, as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for credit losses for the three months ended March 31:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provisions (a) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-offs (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and fees | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (c) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Provisions for principal, interest and fee reserve components. Provisions for credit losses includes reserve build (release) and replenishment for net write-offs.
(b)Principal write-offs are presented less recoveries of $168 million and $145 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were not significant. Amounts include net (write-offs) recoveries from TDRs of $(45 ) million and $(31 ) million for the three months March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(c)Primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(1 ) million and $(42 ) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
47
Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Credit Losses
Card Member receivables reserve for credit losses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021, driven by improving macroeconomic indicators including unemployment and GDP, as well as improved credit performance.
Card Member receivables reserve for credit losses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2020, driven by the deterioration of the global macroeconomic outlook, including unemployment and GDP, as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for credit losses for the three months ended March 31:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance (a) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Provisions (a) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net write-offs (b) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (c) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Provisions for principal and fee reserve components. Provisions for credit losses includes reserve build (release) and replenishment for net write-offs.
(b)Net write-offs are presented less recoveries of $97 million and $92 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amounts include net (write-offs) recoveries from TDRs of $(20 ) million and $(7 ) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(c)Primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(1 ) million and $(5 ) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
48
4. Investment Securities
The following is a summary of investment securities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Securities (Millions) | Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale debt securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal obligations | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government agency obligations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government treasury obligations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government bonds and obligations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities (c) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae.
(b)Represents investments in Corporate debt securities and debt securities issued by Community Development Financial Institutions.
(c)Equity securities comprise investments in common stock, exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.
49
The following table provides information about our 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 March 31, 2021. There were no available-for-sale debt securities with gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2020.
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Securities (Millions) | Estimated Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| State and municipal obligations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of March 31, 2021. There were no available-for-sale debt securities with gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2020.
| Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Fair Value to Amortized Cost (Dollars in millions) | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Number of Securities | Estimated Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90%–100% | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 90% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total as of March 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual maturities for investment securities with stated maturities as of March 31, 2021 were as follows:
| (Millions) | Cost | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| Due within 1 year | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Due after 1 year but within 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Due after 5 years but within 10 years | ||||||||||||||
| Due after 10 years | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The expected payments on state and municipal obligations, U.S. government agency 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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5. Asset Securitizations
Restricted cash held by the Lending Trust and Charge Trust was $46 million and nil , respectively, as of March 31, 2021 and $47 million and nil , respectively, as of December 31, 2020. 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.
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 three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, no such triggering events occurred.
51
6. Customer Deposits
As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, customer deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing as follows:
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| U.S.: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S.: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing | ||||||||||||||
Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2021, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Total customer deposits | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Customer deposits by deposit type as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| U.S. retail deposits: | ||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts – Direct | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||
| Direct | ||||||||||||||
| Third-party (brokered) | ||||||||||||||
| Sweep accounts – Third-party (brokered) | ||||||||||||||
| Other deposits: | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. non-interest bearing deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. deposits | ||||||||||||||
| Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Total customer deposits | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of March 31, 2021 were as follows:
| (Millions) | U.S. | Non-U.S. | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| After 5 years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, in the aggregate, were as follows:
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
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7. Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are subject to various pending and potential legal actions, arbitration proceedings, claims, investigations, examinations, regulatory proceedings, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and matters relating to compliance with laws and regulations (collectively, legal proceedings).
Based on our current knowledge, and taking into consideration our litigation-related liabilities, 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 could have a material impact on our results of operations. Certain legal proceedings involving us or our subsidiaries are described below.
A putative merchant class action in the Eastern District of New York, consolidated in 2011 and collectively captioned In re: American Express Anti-Steering Rules Antitrust Litigation (II), alleged that provisions in our merchant agreements prohibiting merchants from differentially surcharging our cards or steering a customer to use another network’s card or another type of general-purpose card (“anti-steering” and “non-discrimination” contractual provisions) violate U.S. antitrust laws. On January 15, 2020, our motion to compel arbitration of claims brought by merchants who accept American Express and to dismiss claims of merchants who do not was granted. Plaintiffs have appealed part of this decision.
On February 25, 2020, we were named as a defendant in a case filed in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, captioned Laurelwood Cleaners LLC v. American Express Co., et al., in which the plaintiff seeks a public injunction prohibiting American Express from enforcing its anti-steering and non-discrimination provisions and from requiring merchants “to offer the service of Amex-card acceptance for free.” The case has been stayed pending the outcome of arbitration proceedings.
On January 29, 2019, we were named in a putative class action brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, captioned Anthony Oliver, et al. v. American Express Company and American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc., in which the plaintiffs are holders of MasterCard, Visa and/or Discover credit cards (but not American Express cards) and allege they paid higher prices as a result of our anti-steering and non-discrimination provisions in violation of federal antitrust law and the antitrust and consumer laws of various states. Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages and other forms of relief. The court dismissed plaintiffs’ federal antitrust claim, numerous state antitrust and consumer protection claims and their unjust enrichment claim. The remaining claims in plaintiffs’ complaint arise under the antitrust laws of 11 states and the consumer protection laws of six states.
In July 2004, we were named as a defendant in another putative class action filed in the Southern District of New York and subsequently transferred to the Eastern District of New York, captioned The Marcus Corporation v. American Express Co., et al., in which the plaintiffs allege an unlawful antitrust tying arrangement between certain of our charge cards and credit cards in violation of various state and federal laws. The plaintiffs in this action seek injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of damages.
On March 8, 2016, plaintiffs B&R Supermarket, Inc. d/b/a Milam’s Market and Grove Liquors LLC, on behalf of themselves and others, filed a suit, captioned B&R Supermarket, Inc. d/b/a Milam’s Market, et al. v. Visa Inc., et al., for violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, California’s Cartwright Act and unjust enrichment in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, against American Express Company, other credit and charge card networks, other issuing banks and EMVCo, LLC. Plaintiffs allege that the defendants, through EMVCo, conspired to shift liability for fraudulent, faulty and otherwise rejected consumer credit card transactions from themselves to merchants after the implementation of EMV chip payment terminals. Plaintiffs seek damages and injunctive relief. An amended complaint was filed on July 15, 2016. On September 30, 2016, the court denied our motion to dismiss as to claims brought by merchants who do not accept American Express cards, and on May 4, 2017, the California court transferred the case to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. On August 28, 2020, the court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification.
53
We are being challenged in a number of countries regarding our application of value-added taxes (VAT) to certain of our international transactions, which are in various stages of audit, or are being contested in legal actions. While we believe we have complied with all applicable tax laws, rules and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions, the tax authorities may determine that we owe additional VAT. In certain jurisdictions where we are contesting the assessments, we were required to pay the VAT assessments prior to contesting.
Our legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with millions of putative class members to governmental proceedings. These legal proceedings involve various lines of business 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 us specify the damages sought, 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 us 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 us to estimate an amount of loss or a range of possible loss, while other matters have progressed sufficiently such that we are able to estimate an amount of loss or a range of possible loss.
We have accrued for certain of our outstanding legal proceedings. An accrual 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 accrual. We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the accrual that has been previously recorded, or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable.
For those disclosed material legal proceedings where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a recorded accrual for legal or tax contingencies, or where there is no such accrual, and for which we are able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $220 million in excess of any accruals related to those matters. This range represents management’s estimate based on currently available information and does not represent our maximum loss exposure; actual results may vary significantly. As such legal proceedings evolve, we may need to increase our range of possible loss or recorded accruals. In addition, it is possible that significantly increased merchant steering or other actions impairing the Card Member experience as a result of an adverse resolution in one or any combination of the disclosed merchant cases could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In addition, we face exposure associated with Card Member purchases of goods and services, including with respect to the following:
•Return Protection — refunds the price of qualifying purchases made with eligible cards, where the merchant will not accept the return, for up to 90 days from the date of purchase; and
•Merchant Protection — protects Card Members primarily against non-delivery of goods and services, usually in the event of the bankruptcy or liquidation of a merchant. When this occurs, the Card Member may dispute the transaction for which we will generally credit the Card Member’s account. If we are unable to collect the amount from the merchant, we may bear the loss for the amount credited to the Card Member. The largest component of the exposure relates to Card Member transactions associated with travel-related merchants, primarily through business arrangements where we have remitted payment to such merchants for a Card Member travel purchase that has not yet been used or “flown.”
We have an accrual of $78 million related to these exposures as of March 31, 2021. To date, we have not experienced significant losses related to these exposures; however, our historical experience may not be representative in the current environment given the economic and financial disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting containment measures. A reasonably possible loss related to these exposures in excess of the recorded accrual cannot be quantified as the Card Member purchases that may include or result in claims are not sufficiently estimable, although we believe our risk of loss has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
54
8. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
We use derivative financial instruments to manage exposures to various market risks. These instruments derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rates and foreign exchange rates, 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 our market risk management. We do not transact in derivatives for trading purposes.
In relation to our credit risk, certain of our bilateral derivative agreements include provisions that allow our counterparties to terminate the agreement in the event of a downgrade of our debt credit rating below investment grade and settle the outstanding net liability position. As of March 31, 2021, these derivatives were not in a material net liability position. Based on our assessment of the credit risk of our derivative counterparties and our own credit risk as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| Other Assets Fair Value | Other Liabilities Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedges - Interest rate contracts (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment hedges - Foreign exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives, gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative asset and derivative liability netting (b) | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash collateral netting (c) | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)For our centrally cleared derivatives, variation margin payments are legally characterized as settlement payments as opposed to collateral.
(b)Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
(c)Represents the offsetting of the fair value of bilateral interest rate contracts and certain foreign exchange contracts with the right to cash collateral held from the counterparty or cash collateral posted with the counterparty.
We posted $28 million and $34 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, as initial margin on our centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.
55
Fair Value Hedges
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with our fixed-rate debt obligations. At the time of issuance, certain fixed-rate long-term 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. We had $15.8
The following table presents the gains and losses recognized in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income associated with the fair value hedges of our fixed-rate long-term debt for the three months ended March 31:
| Gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-rate long-term debt | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The carrying values of the hedged liabilities, recorded within Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $16.2 billion and $16.4 billion as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, including the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments of $479 million and $622 million for the respective periods.
We recognized net decreases of $73 million and $21 million in Interest expense on Long-term debt for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements including interest accruals on our interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.
Net Investment Hedges
We primarily designate foreign currency derivatives as net investment hedges to reduce our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates on our investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. We had notional amounts of approximately $10.5 6 million and $732 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net investment hedge reclassifications out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Income, net of taxes, were no
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
56
9. Fair Values
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value
The following table summarizes our financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s fair value hierarchy, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment securities: (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives, gross (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives, gross (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Refer to Note 4 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 8 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.
(b)Level 3 fair value amount represents investments in debt securities issued by Community Development Financial Institutions.
57
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of our 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and require management’s judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can the fair value of American Express be estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
| Carrying Value | Corresponding Fair Value Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 (Billions) | 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) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member and Other loans, less reserves (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit (d) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (c) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Corresponding Fair Value Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 (Billions) | 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) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member and Other loans, less reserves (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit (d) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (c) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Level 2 fair value amounts reflect time deposits and short-term investments.
(b)Balances include Card Member receivables (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $4.2
(c)Balances include amounts held by a consolidated VIE for which the fair values of Card Member loans were $24.2 billion and $25.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and the fair values of Long-term debt were $13.0
(d)Presented as a component of Customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
We 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 or where there are observable price changes for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not have any material assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment.
We estimate the Level 3 fair value of equity investments without readily determinable fair values based on price changes as of the date of new similar equity financing transactions completed by the companies in our portfolio. The carrying value of equity investments without readily determinable fair values totaled $911 million and $530 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. These amounts are included within Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 we recorded net unrealized gains of $377 million and $15 million, respectively. Unrealized losses including any impairments were insignificant for both periods. Beginning in January 2018, cumulative net unrealized gains for equity investments without readily determinable fair values totaled $728 million and $347 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
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10. Guarantees
The maximum potential undiscounted future payments and related liability resulting from guarantees and indemnifications provided by us in the ordinary course of business were $1 billion and $23 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2021, and $1 billion and $24 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020, all of which were primarily related to our real estate and business dispositions.
To date, we have not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees or indemnifications. Our recognition of these instruments is at fair value. In addition, we establish reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
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11. Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
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 months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 (Millions), net of tax | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Debt Securities | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Gains (Losses) | Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Gains (Losses) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized losses | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net translation on investments in foreign operations | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net hedges of investments in foreign operations | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of March 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (Millions), net of tax | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Debt Securities | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Gains (Losses) | Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Gains (Losses) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gains | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net translation on investments in foreign operations | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net hedges of investments in foreign operations | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances as of March 31, 2020 | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the tax impact for the three months ended March 31 for the changes in each component of AOCI presented above:
| Tax expense (benefit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized (losses) gains on debt securities | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net translation on investments in foreign operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net hedges of investments in foreign operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total tax impact | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassifications out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were no
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12. Other Fees and Commissions and Other Expenses
The following is a detail of Other fees and commissions for the three months ended March 31:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees charged to Card Members: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delinquency fees | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency conversion fee revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other customer fees: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loyalty coalition-related fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Travel commissions and fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service fees and other (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Other fees and commissions | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Other includes Membership Rewards program fees that are not related to contracts with customers.
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 for the three months ended March 31:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data processing and equipment (a) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains on Amex Ventures equity investments (b) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Other expenses | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Effective for the first quarter of 2021, we changed the expense category name from Occupancy and equipment to Data processing and equipment to better reflect the nature and components of the expense.
(b)Represents net unrealized gains on equity investments without a readily determinable fair value.
(c)Other expense primarily includes general operating expenses, non-income taxes, communication expenses, Card Member and merchant-related fraud losses, foreign currency-related gains and losses and litigation expenses.
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13. Income Taxes
The effective tax rate was 25.3 percent and 18.8 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase primarily reflected the prior period impact of discrete tax benefits in relation to lower pretax income. The current period effective tax rate also reflects the implementation of PAM in the current period. Refer to Note 1 for further information.
We are under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which we have significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. We are currently under examination by the IRS for the 2017 and 2018 tax years.
We believe it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $133 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 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $105 million relates to amounts that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate in a future period.
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14. 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 March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Millions, except per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred dividends | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings allocated to participating share awards (a) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Denominator: (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic: Weighted-average common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Add: Weighted-average stock options (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic EPS | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Our 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 0.3
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15. Reportable Operating Segments
The following table presents certain selected financial information for our reportable operating segments and Corporate & Other as of or for the three months ended March 31:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 (Millions, except where indicated) | GCSG | GCS | GMNS | Corporate & Other (a) | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers (b) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretax segment income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets (billions) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (Millions, except where indicated) | GCSG | GCS | GMNS | Corporate & Other (a) | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-interest revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers (b) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues net of interest expense | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretax segment income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets (billions) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity.
(b)Includes discount revenue, certain other fees and commissions and other revenues from customers.
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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, 2020.
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.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For information that updates the disclosures set forth under Part I, Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” in our 2020 Form 10-K, refer to Note 7 to the “Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
For a discussion of our risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the 2020 Form 10-K). The risks and uncertainties that we face are not limited to those set forth in the 2020 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, particularly in light of the fast-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, containment and stimulus measures, continued outbreaks and increasing rates of infection, and the related impacts to economic and operating conditions.
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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(c) ISSUER PURCHASES OF SECURITIES
The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of us during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 1-31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase program(a) | — | — | — | 102,171,653 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Employee transactions(b) | — | — | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 1-28, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase program(a) | 2,683,163 | $128.94 | 2,683,163 | 99,488,490 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Employee transactions(b) | 612,999 | $121.77 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 1-31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase program(a) | 648,954 | $141.82 | 648,954 | 98,839,536 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Employee transactions(b) | — | — | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase program(a) | 3,332,117 | $131.45 | 3,332,117 | 98,839,536 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Employee transactions(b) | 612,999 | $121.77 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)On September 23, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 120 million common shares from time to time, subject to market conditions and in accordance with 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 6. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:
| Exhibit | Description | ||||
| 31.1 | |||||
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 32.2 | |||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. | ||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | ||||
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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: April 23, 2021 | By | /s/ Jeffrey C. Campbell | ||||||
| Jeffrey C. Campbell Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Date: April 23, 2021 | By | /s/ Jessica Lieberman Quinn | ||||||
| Jessica Lieberman Quinn Executive Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||
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