American Express (AXP) 8-K American Express Announces 11 Percent Dividend Increase

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 26, 2012

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York	1-7657	13-4922250
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 Vesey Street, World Financial Center New York, New York	10285
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions

(see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events

On March 26, 2012, American Express Company (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing an increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock from $0.18 per share to $0.20 per share and the authorization to repurchase up to 150 million shares of its common stock from time to time, in accordance with the Company’s capital distribution plans approved by the Federal Reserve and subject to market conditions. Such press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)           Exhibits

99.1 Press release of American Express Company, dated March 26, 2012, announcing an increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock and the authorization to repurchase up to 150 million shares of its common stock.

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SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

	AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY (REGISTRANT)
By:	/s/ Carol V. Schwartz
	Name: Carol V. Schwartz
	Title: Secretary

Date:  March 26, 2012

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press release of American Express Company, dated March 26, 2012, announcing an increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock and the authorization to repurchase up to 150 million shares of its common stock.

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