American Express (AXP) 8-K Departure of Directors or Certain Officers

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): January 22, 2019

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
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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). 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. ☐

Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(e)On January 22, 2019, the Compensation and Benefits Committee of our Board of Directors approved an increase in the target value of the annual long-term incentive awards eligible to be earned by Stephen J. Squeri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, from $10.2 million to $12.2 million. Mr. Squeri's base salary and annual cash incentive award target remain unchanged.

On January 22, 2019, the Compensation and Benefits Committee also approved an increase to the annual base salary (effective March 1, 2019) of Douglas E. Buckminster, Group President, Global Consumer Services, from $900,000 per annum to $1,000,000 per annum. In addition, Mr. Buckminster will be eligible to earn an annual cash incentive award of $3.7 million and annual long-term incentive awards consisting of performance restricted stock units and stock options with a target value of $4.8 million.

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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/ Tangela S. Richter
	Name: Tangela S. Richter
	Title: Corporate Secretary

Date:  January 25, 2019

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