Document_and_Entity_Informatio
Document and Entity Information (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Feb. 13, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2014 | |
Document and Entity Information [Abstract] | |||
Entity Registrant Name | AMERICAN EXPRESS CO | ||
Trading Symbol | AXP | ||
Entity Central Index Key | 4962 | ||
Document Type | 10-K | ||
Document Period End Date | 31-Dec-14 | ||
Amendment Flag | TRUE | ||
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2014 | ||
Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
Current Fiscal Year End Date | -19 | ||
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes | ||
Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
Entity Public Float | $99,100,000,000 | ||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 1,019,175,304 | ||
Amendment Description | No |
Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc
Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |||||
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |||
Non-interest revenues | ||||||
Discount revenue | $19,493 | $18,695 | $17,739 | |||
Net card fees | 2,712 | 2,631 | 2,506 | |||
Travel commissions and fees | 1,118 | 1,913 | 1,940 | |||
Other commissions and fees | 2,508 | 2,414 | 2,317 | |||
Other | 2,989 | 2,274 | 2,425 | |||
Total non-interest revenues | 28,820 | 27,927 | 26,927 | |||
Interest income | ||||||
Interest on loans | 6,929 | 6,718 | 6,511 | |||
Interest and dividends on investment securities | 179 | 201 | 246 | |||
Deposits with banks and other | 71 | 86 | 97 | |||
Total interest income | 7,179 | 7,005 | 6,854 | |||
Interest expense | ||||||
Deposits | 373 | 442 | 480 | |||
Long-term debt and other | 1,334 | 1,516 | 1,746 | |||
Total interest expense | 1,707 | 1,958 | 2,226 | |||
Net interest income | 5,472 | 5,047 | 4,628 | |||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 34,292 | 32,974 | 31,555 | |||
Provisions for losses | ||||||
Provisions | 792 | 648 | 601 | |||
Card member loans | 1,138 | 1,115 | 1,030 | |||
Other | 114 | 69 | 81 | |||
Total provisions for losses | 2,044 | 1,832 | 1,712 | |||
Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses | 32,248 | 31,142 | 29,843 | |||
Expenses | ||||||
Marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services | 11,073 | 10,267 | 9,944 | |||
Salaries and employee benefits | 6,095 | 6,191 | 6,597 | |||
Other expense | 6,089 | 6,796 | 6,851 | |||
Total expenses | 23,257 | 23,254 | 23,392 | |||
Pretax income | 8,991 | 7,888 | 6,451 | |||
Income tax provision | 3,106 | 2,529 | 1,969 | |||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $5,885 | $5,359 | $4,482 | |||
Earnings per Common Share | ||||||
Basic | $5.58 | [1] | $4.91 | [1] | $3.91 | [1] |
Diluted | $5.56 | $4.88 | $3.89 | |||
Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share: | ||||||
Basic | 1,045,000,000 | 1,082,000,000 | 1,135,000,000 | |||
Diluted | 1,051,000,000 | 1,089,000,000 | 1,141,000,000 | |||
[1] | Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $46 million, $47 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||
Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1
Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] | |||||||||||
Earnings allocated to participating share awards | $11 | $11 | $12 | $12 | $11 | $12 | $13 | $11 | $46 | $47 | $49 |
Consolidated_Statements_of_Com
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | |||
Net income | $5,885 | $5,359 | $4,482 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||
Net unrealized securities (losses) gains, net of tax | 33 | -252 | 27 |
Net unrealized derivatives gains, net of tax | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | -409 | -336 | -72 |
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax | -117 | 89 | -7 |
Other comprehensive loss | -493 | -499 | -51 |
Comprehensive income | $5,392 | $4,860 | $4,431 |
Consolidated_Balance_Sheets
Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Cash and cash equivalents | ||
Cash and cash due from banks | $2,628,000,000 | $2,212,000,000 |
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (includes securities purchased under resale agreements: 2014, $204; 2013, $143) | 19,190,000,000 | 16,776,000,000 |
Short-term investment securities | 470,000,000 | 498,000,000 |
Total cash and cash equivalents | 22,288,000,000 | 19,486,000,000 |
Accounts receivable | ||
Card Member receivables (includes gross receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2014, $7,025; 2013, $7,329, less reserves: 2014, $465; 2013, $386 | 44,386,000,000 | 43,777,000,000 |
Other receivables, less reserves: 2014, $61; 2013, $71 | 2,614,000,000 | 3,408,000,000 |
Loans | ||
Card Member loans (includes gross loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated variable interest entity: 2014, $30,115; 2013, $31,245), less reserves: 2014, $1,201; 2013, $1,261 | 69,184,000,000 | 65,977,000,000 |
Other loans, less reserves: 2014, $12; 2013, $13 | 920,000,000 | 608,000,000 |
Investment securities | 4,431,000,000 | 5,016,000,000 |
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization: 2014, $6,270; 2013, $5,978 | 3,938,000,000 | 3,875,000,000 |
Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities: 2014, $64; 2013, $58) | 11,342,000,000 | 11,228,000,000 |
Total assets | 159,103,000,000 | 153,375,000,000 |
Liabilities | ||
Customer deposits | 44,171,000,000 | 41,763,000,000 |
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products | 3,673,000,000 | 4,240,000,000 |
Accounts payable | 11,300,000,000 | 10,615,000,000 |
Short-term borrowings (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities: 2014, nil; 2013, $2,000) | 3,480,000,000 | 5,021,000,000 |
Long-term debt (includes debt issued by consolidated variable interest entities: 2014, $19,516; 2013, $18,690) | 57,955,000,000 | 55,330,000,000 |
Other liabilities | 17,851,000,000 | 16,910,000,000 |
Total liabilities | 138,430,000,000 | 133,879,000,000 |
Shareholders' Equity | ||
Preferred shares, $1.662/3 par value, authorized 20 million shares; issued and outstanding 750 shares as of December 31, 2014 and nil as of December 31, 2013 (Note 17) | 0 | 0 |
Common shares, $0.20 par value, authorized 3.6 billion shares; issued and outstanding 1,023 million shares as of December 31, 2014 and 1,064 million shares as of December 31, 2013 | 205,000,000 | 213,000,000 |
Additional paid-in capital | 12,874,000,000 | 12,202,000,000 |
Retained earnings | 9,513,000,000 | 8,507,000,000 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ||
Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax of: 2014, $52; 2013, $33 | 96,000,000 | 63,000,000 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2014, $(317); 2013, $(526) | -1,499,000,000 | -1,090,000,000 |
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses, net of tax of: 2014, $(223); 2013, $(177) | -516,000,000 | -399,000,000 |
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss | -1,919,000,000 | -1,426,000,000 |
Total shareholders' equity | 20,673,000,000 | 19,496,000,000 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $159,103,000,000 | $153,375,000,000 |
Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Card Member receivables, gross | $44,851 | $44,163 |
Card Member loans | 70,385 | 67,238 |
Other assets | 11,342 | 11,228 |
Short-term borrowings | 3,480 | 5,021 |
Long-term debt | 57,955 | 55,330 |
Cash and cash equivalents | ||
Securities purchased under resale agreements | 204 | 143 |
Accounts receivable | ||
Card Member receivables, reserves | 465 | 386 |
Other receivables, reserves | 61 | 71 |
Loans | ||
Card Member loans, reserves | 1,201 | 1,261 |
Other loans, reserves | 12 | 13 |
Premises and equipment, accumulated depreciation | 6,270 | 5,978 |
Restricted cash | 384 | 486 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ||
Net unrealized securities gains, tax | 52 | 33 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax | -317 | -526 |
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit losses, tax | -223 | -177 |
Common shares, par value | $0.20 | $0.20 |
Common shares, authorized | 3,600,000,000 | 3,600,000,000 |
Common shares, issued | 1,023,000,000 | 1,064,000,000 |
Common shares, outstanding | 1,023,000,000 | 1,064,000,000 |
Preferred shares, authorized | 20,000,000 | 0 |
Preferred shares, issued | 750 | 0 |
Preferred shares, outstanding | 750 | 0 |
Preferred shares, par value | 1.66 | 0 |
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||
Card Member receivables, gross | 7,025 | 7,329 |
Card Member loans | 30,115 | 31,245 |
Short-term borrowings | 0 | 2,000 |
Long-term debt | 19,516 | 18,690 |
Loans | ||
Restricted cash | $64 | $58 |
Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||
Net income | $5,885,000,000 | $5,359,000,000 | $4,482,000,000 |
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||
Provisions for losses | 2,044,000,000 | 1,832,000,000 | 1,712,000,000 |
Depreciation and amortization | 1,012,000,000 | 1,020,000,000 | 991,000,000 |
Deferred taxes and other | -941,000,000 | -5,000,000 | 496,000,000 |
Stock-based compensation | 290,000,000 | 350,000,000 | 297,000,000 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: | |||
Other receivables | -56,000,000 | -73,000,000 | 153,000,000 |
Other assets | 650,000,000 | 335,000,000 | 390,000,000 |
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 2,594,000,000 | 88,000,000 | -358,000,000 |
Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products | -488,000,000 | -359,000,000 | -540,000,000 |
Premium paid on debt exchange | 0 | 0 | -541,000,000 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 10,990,000,000 | 8,547,000,000 | 7,082,000,000 |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities | 242,000,000 | 217,000,000 | 525,000,000 |
Maturities and redemptions of available-for-sale investment securities | 1,116,000,000 | 1,292,000,000 | 1,562,000,000 |
Sales of other investments | 990,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
Purchase of investments | -886,000,000 | -1,348,000,000 | -473,000,000 |
Net increase in Card Member loans/receivables | -8,077,000,000 | -6,301,000,000 | -6,671,000,000 |
Purchase of premises and equipment, net of sales: 2014, $3; 2013, $72; 2012, $3 | -1,195,000,000 | -1,006,000,000 | -1,053,000,000 |
Acquisitions/dispositions, net of cash acquired | -229,000,000 | -195,000,000 | -466,000,000 |
Net decrease in restricted cash | 72,000,000 | 72,000,000 | 31,000,000 |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | -7,967,000,000 | -7,269,000,000 | -6,545,000,000 |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||
Net increase in customer deposits | 2,459,000,000 | 1,195,000,000 | 2,300,000,000 |
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings | -1,374,000,000 | 1,843,000,000 | -1,015,000,000 |
Issuance of long-term debt | 16,020,000,000 | 11,995,000,000 | 13,934,000,000 |
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long term debt | -12,768,000,000 | -14,763,000,000 | -14,076,000,000 |
Issuance of American Express preferred shares | 742,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
Issuance of American Express common shares | 362,000,000 | 721,000,000 | 443,000,000 |
Repurchase of American Express common shares | -4,389,000,000 | -3,943,000,000 | -3,952,000,000 |
Dividends paid | -1,041,000,000 | -939,000,000 | -902,000,000 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 11,000,000 | -3,891,000,000 | -3,268,000,000 |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | -232,000,000 | -151,000,000 | 88,000,000 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 2,802,000,000 | -2,764,000,000 | -2,643,000,000 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 19,486,000,000 | 22,250,000,000 | 24,893,000,000 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $22,288,000,000 | $19,486,000,000 | $22,250,000,000 |
Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Increase decrease in debt exchange [Line Items] | |||
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | $630,000,000 | ||
Sale of premises and equipment | 3,000,000 | 72,000,000 | 3,000,000 |
Non Cash [Member] | |||
Increase decrease in debt exchange [Line Items] | |||
Charge related to impacts of debt exchange on long-term debt | 0 | 0 | 439,000,000 |
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | $630,000,000 | $0 | $0 |
Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) | Total | Common Shares | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] |
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011 | $18,794,000,000 | $232,000,000 | $12,217,000,000 | ($876,000,000) | $7,221,000,000 |
Net income | 4,482,000,000 | 4,482,000,000 | |||
Other comprehensive (loss) income | -51,000,000 | -51,000,000 | |||
Preferred shares issued | 0 | ||||
Repurchase of common shares | -4,000,000,000 | -14,000,000 | -765,000,000 | -3,221,000,000 | |
Other changes, primarily employee plans | 570,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 615,000,000 | -48,000,000 | |
Cash dividends declared | |||||
Cash dividends declared common, per share | -909,000,000 | -909,000,000 | |||
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012 | 18,886,000,000 | 221,000,000 | 12,067,000,000 | -927,000,000 | 7,525,000,000 |
Net income | 5,359,000,000 | 5,359,000,000 | |||
Other comprehensive (loss) income | -499,000,000 | -499,000,000 | |||
Preferred shares issued | 0 | ||||
Repurchase of common shares | -4,000,000,000 | -11,000,000 | -648,000,000 | -3,341,000,000 | |
Other changes, primarily employee plans | 717,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 783,000,000 | -69,000,000 | |
Cash dividends declared | |||||
Cash dividends declared common, per share | -967,000,000 | -967,000,000 | |||
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 | 19,496,000,000 | 213,000,000 | 12,202,000,000 | -1,426,000,000 | 8,507,000,000 |
Net income | 5,885,000,000 | 5,885,000,000 | |||
Other comprehensive (loss) income | -493,000,000 | -493,000,000 | |||
Preferred shares issued | 742,000,000 | 742,000,000 | |||
Repurchase of common shares | -4,378,000,000 | -10,000,000 | -604,000,000 | -3,764,000,000 | |
Other changes, primarily employee plans | 476,000,000 | 2,000,000 | 534,000,000 | -60,000,000 | |
Cash dividends declared | |||||
Cash dividends declared common, per share | -1,055,000,000 | -1,055,000,000 | |||
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 | $20,673,000,000 | $205,000,000 | $12,874,000,000 | ($1,919,000,000) | $9,513,000,000 |
Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha1
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Cash dividends declared | |||||||||||
Common stock, dividend per share | $0.26 | $0.26 | $0.26 | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.20 | $1.01 | $0.89 | $0.80 |
Summary_of_Significant_Account
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||
Basis of Presentation | NOTE 1 | ||||||
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | |||||||
The Company | |||||||
American Express Company (the Company) is a global services company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. The Company’s principal products and services are charge and credit payment card products and travel-related services offered to consumers and businesses around the world. After June 30, 2014, business travel-related services are offered through the non-consolidated joint venture, American Express Global Business Travel (GBT JV). Until June 30, 2014, the business travel operations were wholly owned. The Company also focuses on generating alternative sources of revenue on a global basis in areas such as online and mobile payments and fee-based services. The Company’s 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 direct mail, online applications, targeted direct and third-party sales forces and direct response advertising. | |||||||
Principles of Consolidation | |||||||
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Significant intercompany transactions are eliminated. | |||||||
The Company consolidates entities in which it holds a “controlling financial interest.” For voting interest entities, the Company is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is able to exercise control over the investees’ operating and financial decisions. For variable interest entities (VIEs), it is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is the party that has both: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE is based on the amount and characteristics of the entity’s equity. | |||||||
Entities in which the Company’s voting interest in common equity does not provide it with control, but allows the Company to exert significant influence over the operating and financial decisions, are accounted for under the equity method. All other investments in equity securities, to the extent that they are not considered marketable securities, are accounted for under the cost method. | |||||||
Foreign Currency | |||||||
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon exchange rates prevailing at the end of each year. The resulting translation adjustments, along with any related qualifying hedge and tax effects, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI), a component of shareholders’ equity. Translation adjustments, including qualifying hedge and tax effects, are reclassified to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of investments in foreign operations. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average month-end exchange rates during the year. Gains and losses related to transactions in a currency other than the functional currency, including operations outside the U.S. where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are reported net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income, in other non-interest revenue, interest income, interest expense, or other expenses, depending on the nature of the activity. Net foreign currency transaction gains amounted to approximately $44 million, $108 million and $120 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||||
Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions | |||||||
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. These estimates are based, in part, on management’s assumptions concerning future events. Among the more significant assumptions are those that relate to reserves for Card Member losses on loans and receivables, the proprietary point liability for Membership Rewards costs, fair value measurement, goodwill and income taxes. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ. | |||||||
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense | |||||||
Discount Revenue | |||||||
Discount revenue represents the amount earned by the Company on transactions occurring at merchants with which the Company, or a Global Network Services (GNS) partner, has entered into card acceptance agreements for facilitating transactions between the merchants and the Company’s Card Members. The discount fee generally is deducted from the payment to the merchant and recorded as discount revenue at the time the charge is captured. | |||||||
Net Card Fees | |||||||
Card fees, net of direct card acquisition costs and a reserve for projected membership cancellations, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the 12-month card membership period as Net Card Fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The unamortized net card fee balance is reported net in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (refer to Note 10). | |||||||
Travel Commissions and Fees | |||||||
The Company earns travel commissions and fees by charging clients transaction or management fees for selling and arranging travel and for travel management services. Client transaction fee revenue is recognized at the time the client books the travel arrangements. Travel management services revenue is recognized over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company’s travel suppliers (e.g., airlines, hotels and car rental companies) pay commissions and fees on tickets issued, sales and other services based on contractual agreements. Commissions and fees from travel suppliers are generally recognized at the time a ticket is purchased or over the term of the contract. Commissions and fees that are based on services rendered (e.g., hotel stays and car rentals) are recognized based on usage. | |||||||
Other Commissions and Fees | |||||||
Other commissions and fees include foreign currency conversion fees, Card Member delinquency fees, service fees and other card-related assessments, which are recognized primarily in the period in which they are charged to the Card Member (refer to Note 19). In addition, service fees are also earned from other customers (e.g., merchants) for a variety of services and are recognized when the service is performed, which is generally in the period the fee is charged. Also included are fees related to the Company’s Membership Rewards program, which are deferred and recognized over the period covered by the fee. The unamortized Membership Rewards fee balance is included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (refer to Note 10). | |||||||
Contra-revenue | |||||||
The Company regularly makes payments through contractual arrangements with merchants, corporate payments clients, Card Members and certain other customers. Payments to such customers, including cash rebates paid to Card Members, are generally classified as contra-revenue unless a specifically identifiable benefit (e.g., goods or services) is received by the Company or its Card Members in consideration for that payment, and the fair value of such benefit is determinable and measurable. If no such benefit is identified, then the entire payment is classified as contra-revenue and included in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the revenue line item where the related transactions are recorded (e.g., discount revenue, travel commissions and fees and other commissions and fees). If such a benefit is identified, then the payment is classified as expense up to the estimated fair value of the benefit. | |||||||
Interest Income | |||||||
Interest on Card Member loans is assessed using the average daily balance method. Unless the loan is classified as non-accrual, interest is recognized based upon the outstanding balance, 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 the Company’s performing fixed-income securities. Interest income is accrued as earned using the effective interest method, which adjusts the yield for security premiums and discounts, fees and other payments, so that a constant rate of return is recognized on the investment security’s outstanding balance. Amounts are recognized until such time as a security is in default or when it is likely that future interest payments will not be received as scheduled. | |||||||
Interest on deposits with banks and other is recognized as earned, and primarily relates to the placement of cash in interest-bearing time deposits, overnight sweep accounts, and other interest-bearing demand and call accounts. | |||||||
Interest Expense | |||||||
Interest expense includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member loans, charge card product receivables, general corporate purposes, and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred. 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) long-term debt and other, which primarily relates to interest expense on the Company’s long-term financing and short-term borrowings, and the realized impact of derivatives hedging interest rate risk. | |||||||
Balance Sheet | |||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, including securities purchased under resale agreements, and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. | |||||||
Premises and Equipment | |||||||
Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs incurred during construction are capitalized and are depreciated once an asset is placed in service. Depreciation is generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets, which range from 3 to 10 years for equipment, furniture and building improvements. Premises are depreciated based upon their estimated useful life at the acquisition date, which generally ranges from 30 to 50 years. | |||||||
Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of the remaining term of the leased facility or the economic life of the improvement, which ranges from 5 to 10 years. The Company maintains operating leases worldwide for facilities and equipment. Rent expense for facility leases is recognized ratably over the lease term, and includes adjustments for rent concessions, rent escalations and leasehold improvement allowances. The Company recognizes lease restoration obligations at the fair value of the restoration liabilities when incurred, and amortizes the restoration assets over the lease term. | |||||||
The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the acquisition or development of internal-use software. Once the software is ready for its intended use, these costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the software’s estimated useful life, generally 5 years. | |||||||
Other Significant Accounting Policies | |||||||
The following table identifies the Company’s other significant accounting policies, the Note and page where the Note can be found. | |||||||
Note | |||||||
Significant Accounting Policy | Number | Note Title | Page | ||||
Accounts Receivable | Note 3 | Accounts Receivable and Loans | Page 79 | ||||
Loans | Note 3 | Accounts Receivable and Loans | Page 79 | ||||
Reserves for Losses | Note 4 | Reserves for Losses | Page 84 | ||||
Investment Securities | Note 5 | Investment Securities | Page 86 | ||||
Asset Securitizations | Note 6 | Asset Securitizations | Page 88 | ||||
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets | Note 7 | Other Assets | Page 89 | ||||
Membership Rewards | Note 10 | Other Liabilities | Page 95 | ||||
Stock-based Compensation | Note 11 | Stock Plans | Page 95 | ||||
Retirement Plans | Note 12 | Retirement Plans | Page 98 | ||||
Legal Contingencies | Note 13 | Commitments and Contingencies | Page 98 | ||||
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities | Note 14 | Derivatives and Hedging Activities | Page 100 | ||||
Fair Value Measurements | Note 15 | Fair Values | Page 104 | ||||
Income Taxes | Note 21 | Income Taxes | Page 113 | ||||
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy | Note 23 | Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy | Page 116 | ||||
Reportable Operating Segments | Note 25 | Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations | Page 118 | ||||
Recently Issued Accounting Standards | |||||||
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers was issued on May 28, 2014. The guidance establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and will be effective January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance, including the method of implementation, will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, among other items. | |||||||
ASU No. 2014-01, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects was issued on January 15, 2014. Provided certain conditions are met, this standard permits entities to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method, which results in amortizing the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizing the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense. Additionally, the standard requires new disclosures about all investments in qualified affordable housing projects irrespective of the method used to account for the investments. The standard, which is to be retrospectively applied, is effective January 1, 2015, and if adopted is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption. | |||||||
Classification of Various Items | |||||||
Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. |
Acquisitions_and_Divestitures
Acquisitions and Divestitures | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 | |
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |
Acquisitions | NOTE 2 |
Acquisitions and Divestitures | |
Global Business Travel | |
On June 30, 2014, the Company completed a transaction to establish a non-consolidated joint venture, GBT JV, comprising the former Global Business Travel (GBT) operations of the Company and an external cash investment. Historically, the Company reported the GBT operations within the Global Commercial Services (GCS) segment. The Company has retained a 50 percent ownership interest in the GBT JV with an estimated fair value of that interest of approximately $900 million, which is accounted for as an equity method investment effective June 30, 2014 and reported in other assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In exchange for a cash contribution of $900 million paid into the GBT JV, an unrelated investor group holds the remaining 50 percent ownership interest. The investor group’s cash contribution provides the primary basis for the Company’s determination of the estimated fair value of its 50 percent ownership interest at June 30, 2014. | |
As a result of this transaction, the Company deconsolidated the GBT net assets and for the year ended December 31, 2014, recognized a net gain of $630 million ($412 million after-tax), as a reduction to other expense. The Company recognized $626 million ($409 million after-tax) in the second quarter and subsequently recognized the remaining closing-related amounts in the third and fourth quarters. Prior to the deconsolidation, the carrying amount of GBT’s assets and liabilities were not material to the Company’s financial position. | |
The GBT JV operates under the “American Express Global Business Travel” brand, pursuant to a trademark license agreement provided by the Company. The Company has also entered into a transition services agreement and certain other operating agreements with the GBT JV, pursuant to which the Company and the GBT JV provide one another with certain services and that result in related-party receivables and payables. There was no material impact to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2014, related to the GBT JV’s results of operations or the Company’s agreements with the GBT JV. | |
Loyalty Partner | |
In conjunction with the March 1, 2011 acquisition of a controlling interest in Loyalty Partner, the Company had an option to acquire the remaining non-controlling equity interest (NCI) in the future. In November 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to extinguish a portion of the NCI in its Loyalty Partner subsidiary, in exchange for a cash payment of $132 million and to convert the remaining NCI to an option that is accounted for as a long-term liability with an initial value of $121 million. The Company reduced equity by $107 million in connection with this agreement. | |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans
Accounts Receivable and Loans | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans | NOTE 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s charge and lending payment card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member and Other Receivables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables, representing amounts due on charge card products, are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant. Each charge card transaction is authorized based on its likely economics, a Card Member’s most recent credit information and spend patterns. Additionally, global spend limits are established to limit the maximum exposure for the Company. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charge Card Members generally must pay the full amount billed each month. Card Member receivable balances are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4), and include principal and any related accrued fees. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable by segment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services (a) | $ | 22,468 | $ | 21,842 | |||||||||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 7,653 | 7,771 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services (b) | 14,583 | 14,391 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Network & Merchant Services (c) | 147 | 159 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables (d) | 44,851 | 44,163 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Reserve for losses | 465 | 386 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables, net | $ | 44,386 | $ | 43,777 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other receivables, net (e) | $ | 2,614 | $ | 3,408 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Includes $7.0 billion and $7.3 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes $636 million and $836 million due from airlines, of which Delta Air Lines (Delta) comprises $606 million and $628 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes receivables primarily related to the Company’s International Currency Card portfolios. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes approximately $13.3 billion and $13.8 billion of Card Member receivables outside the U.S. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) certain merchants for billed discount revenue and (ii) GNS partner banks for items such as royalty and franchise fees. Additionally, for 2013, the balance also included purchased GNS joint venture receivables. Other receivables are presented net of reserves for losses of $61 million and $71 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member and Other Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans, representing revolving amounts due on lending card products, are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant, as well as amounts due from charge Card Members who utilize the lending-on-charge feature on their account and elect to revolve a portion of the outstanding balance by entering into a revolving payment arrangement with the Company. These loans have a range of terms such as credit limits, interest rates, fees and payment structures, which can be revised over time based on new information about Card Members and in accordance with applicable regulations and the respective product’s terms and conditions. Card Members holding revolving loans are typically required to make monthly payments based on pre-established amounts. The amounts that Card Members choose to revolve are subject to finance charges. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4), and include principal, accrued interest and fees receivable. The Company’s policy generally is to cease accruing interest on a Card Member loan at the time the account is written off, and establish reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans by segment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services(a) | $ | 62,592 | $ | 58,395 | |||||||||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 7,744 | 8,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | 49 | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans | 70,385 | 67,238 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Reserve for losses | 1,201 | 1,261 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans, net | $ | 69,184 | $ | 65,977 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other loans, net(b) | $ | 920 | $ | 608 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Includes approximately $30.1 billion and $31.2 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other loans primarily represent loans to merchants and a store card loan portfolio. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $12 million and $13 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans and Card Member 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 December 31, 2014 and 2013: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
30-59 | 60-89 | 90+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Days | Days | Days | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Past | Past | Past | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Millions) | Current | Due | Due | Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 61,995 | $ | 179 | $ | 128 | $ | 290 | $ | 62,592 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 7,621 | 39 | 27 | 57 | 7,744 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 22,096 | $ | 129 | $ | 72 | $ | 171 | $ | 22,468 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services (a) | 7,557 | 29 | 20 | 47 | 7,653 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | (b) | (b) | (b) | 120 | 14,583 | ||||||||||||||||||||
30-59 | 60-89 | 90+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Days | Days | Days | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Past | Past | Past | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Millions) | Current | Due | Due | Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 57,772 | $ | 183 | $ | 134 | $ | 306 | $ | 58,395 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 8,664 | 43 | 28 | 55 | 8,790 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 21,488 | $ | 125 | $ | 69 | $ | 160 | $ | 21,842 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services | (b) | (b) | (b) | 83 | 7,771 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | (b) | (b) | (b) | 132 | 14,391 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning in the first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, delinquency data is now available and presented on a prospective basis for the indicated aging categories. Comparable data for prior periods is not available. For risk management purposes, the Company has historically utilized 90 days past billing for the International Card Services (ICS) segment, as described below in (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. For Card Member receivables in GCS as of December 31, 2014 and ICS and GCS as of December 31, 2013, 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 the Company initiates 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. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Loans and Receivables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Write-Off Rate | Net Write-Off Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 Days | 30 Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal, | Past Due | Principal, | Past Due | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | Interest, & | as a % of | Principal | Interest, & | as a % of | ||||||||||||||||||||
Only | (a) | Fees | (a) | Total | Only | (a) | Fees | (a) | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | 1.5 | % | 1.7 | % | 1 | % | 1.8 | % | 2 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||
International Card Services (b) | 2 | % | 2.4 | % | 1.6 | % | 1.9 | % | 2.3 | % | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | 1.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||
International Card Services (b) | 1.9 | % | 2.1 | % | 1.3 | % | (c) | (c) | (c) | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | Net Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio as | 90 Days | Ratio as | 90 Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
a % of | Past Billing | a % of | Past Billing | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Charge | as a % of | Charge | as a % of | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Volume | Receivables | Volume | Receivables | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
International Card Services | (c) | (c) | 0.2 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | 0.09 | % | 0.8 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
The Company presents 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 the Company considers uncollectible interest and/or fees in estimating its reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning in 2014, write-offs for certain installment loan products have been reclassified from Card Member receivables to Card Member loans. Prior period write-offs have not been reclassified. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented. Beginning in the first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, net write-off rate (principal only) and Net write-off rate (principal and fees) have been presented. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Refer to Note 4 for additional indicators, including external environmental qualitative factors, management considers in its monthly evaluation process for reserves for losses. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impaired Card Member 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 the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. The Company considers 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). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company may modify, through various company sponsored programs, Card Member loans and receivables in instances where the Card Member is experiencing financial difficulty in order to minimize losses and improve collectability while providing Card Members with temporary or permanent financial relief. The Company has classified Card Member loans and receivables in these modification programs as TDRs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Such modifications to the loans and receivables primarily include (i) temporary interest rate reductions (possibly as low as zero percent, in which case the loan is characterized as non-accrual in the Company’s TDR disclosures), (ii) placing the Card Member on a fixed payment plan not to exceed 60 months and (iii) suspending delinquency fees until the Card Member exits the modification program. Upon entering the modification program, the Card Member’s ability to make future purchases is either cancelled or in certain cases suspended until the Card Member successfully exits the modification program. In accordance with the modification agreement with the Card Member, loans may revert back to the original contractual terms (including the contractual interest rate) when the Card Member exits the modification program, which is (i) when all payments have been made in accordance with the modification agreement or, (ii) when the Card Member defaults out of the modification program. The Company establishes a reserve for Card Member interest charges and fees considered to be uncollectible. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reserves for Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs are determined as the difference between the cash flows expected to be received from the Card Member (taking into consideration the probability of subsequent defaults), discounted at the original effective interest rates, and the carrying value of the Card Member loan or receivable balance. The Company determines the original effective interest rate as the interest rate in effect prior to the imposition of any penalty interest rate. All changes in the impairment measurement are included in the provision for losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides additional information with respect to the Company’s impaired Card Member loans, which are not significant for GCS, and Card Member receivables, which are not significant for ICS and GCS, as of or for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014 | For the Year EndedDecember 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans over | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 Days | Loans & | Total | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Non- | Receivables | Impaired | Unpaid | Balance of | Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
& Accruing | Accrual | Modified | Loans & | Principal | Allowance | Impaired | Income | ||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Millions) | Interest | (a) | Loans | (b) | as a TDR | (c) | Receivables | Balance | (d) | for TDRs | (e) | Loans | Recognized | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 161 | $ | 241 | $ | 286 | $ | 688 | $ | 646 | $ | 67 | $ | 750 | $ | 49 | |||||||||
International Card Services | 57 | ― | ― | 57 | 56 | ― | 62 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | ― | ― | 48 | 48 | 48 | 35 | 47 | ― | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 218 | $ | 241 | $ | 334 | $ | 793 | $ | 750 | $ | 102 | $ | 859 | $ | 65 | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2013 | For the Year EndedDecember 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans over | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 Days | Loans & | Total | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Non- | Receivables | Impaired | Unpaid | Balance of | Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
& Accruing | Accrual | Modified | Loans & | Principal | Allowance | Impaired | Income | ||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Millions) | Interest | (a) | Loans | (b) | as a TDR | (c) | Receivables | Balance | (d) | for TDRs | (e) | Loans | Recognized | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services (f) | $ | 167 | $ | 294 | $ | 351 | $ | 812 | $ | 775 | $ | 78 | $ | 948 | $ | 46 | |||||||||
International Card Services | 54 | 4 | 5 | 63 | 62 | ― | 67 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | ― | ― | 50 | 50 | 49 | 38 | 81 | ― | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 221 | $ | 298 | $ | 406 | $ | 925 | $ | 886 | $ | 116 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 62 | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2012 | For the Year EndedDecember 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans over | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 Days | Loans & | Total | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Non- | Receivables | Impaired | Unpaid | Balance of | Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
& Accruing | Accrual | Modified | Loans & | Principal | Allowance | Impaired | Income | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 (Millions) | Interest | (a) | Loans | (b) | as a TDR | (c) | Receivables | Balance | (d) | for TDRs | (e) | Loans | Recognized | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 73 | $ | 426 | $ | 627 | $ | 1,126 | $ | 1,073 | $ | 152 | $ | 1,221 | $ | 47 | |||||||||
International Card Services | 59 | 5 | 6 | 70 | 69 | 1 | 75 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | ― | ― | 117 | 117 | 111 | 91 | 135 | ― | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 132 | $ | 431 | $ | 750 | $ | 1,313 | $ | 1,253 | $ | 244 | $ | 1,431 | $ | 63 | |||||||||
The Company’s policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (i.e. 180 days past due). The Company establishes reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude loans modified as a TDR. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-accrual loans not in modification programs include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company has ceased accruing interest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR includes $34 million, $43 million and $320 million that are non-accrual and $26 million, $29 million and $6 million that are past due 90 days and still accruing interest as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance consists of Card Member charges billed and excludes other amounts charged directly by the Company such as interest and fees. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the reserve for losses for TDRs, which are evaluated individually for impairment. The Company records a reserve for losses for all impaired loans. Refer to Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment in Note 4 for further disclosures regarding the reserve for losses on loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest and non-accrual loans, which are evaluated collectively for impairment. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year 2013, certain amounts and their related reserves have been reclassified between Non-Accrual Loans and Loans & Receivables Modified as TDR. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans and Receivables Modified as TDRs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Card Services (USCS) Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs for the years ended December 31. The ICS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Outstanding | Average Interest | Average Payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts | Balances(a,b) | Rate Reduction | Term Extensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | (in thousands) | ($ in millions) | (% points) | (# of months) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 46 | $ | 342 | 10 | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 15 | 176 | (c) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 61 | $ | 518 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Outstanding | Average Interest | Average Payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts | Balances(a,b) | Rate Reduction | Term Extensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | (in thousands) | ($ in millions) | (% points) | (# of months) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 60 | $ | 448 | 10 | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 20 | 247 | (c) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 80 | $ | 695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Outstanding | Average Interest | Average Payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts | Balances(a,b) | Rate Reduction | Term Extensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | (in thousands) | ($ in millions) | (% points) | (# of months) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 106 | $ | 779 | 12 | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 37 | 425 | (c) | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 143 | $ | 1,204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. In certain modifications, the principal balance was reduced in the aggregate amount of $4 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Modifications did not reduce the aggregate principal balance for the year ended December 31, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions. The Company does not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest bearing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, with respect to the USCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification. A Card Member is considered in default from a modification program after one and up to two consecutive missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables. The defaulted ICS Card Member loan and receivable modifications were not significant. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions) | Accounts | Upon Default(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 10 | $ | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 3 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 13 | $ | 129 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions) | Accounts | Upon Default(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 18 | $ | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 3 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 21 | $ | 197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 (Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions) | Accounts | Upon Default(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 23 | $ | 182 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 1 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 24 | $ | 219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The outstanding balance includes principal, fees, and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables. |
Reserves_for_Losses
Reserves for Losses | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||
Reserve for Losses | NOTE 4 Reserves for Losses | |||||||||||
Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management’s best estimate of the probable inherent losses in the Company’s outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the Balance Sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. | ||||||||||||
Reserves for losses are primarily based upon statistical and analytical models that analyze portfolio performance and reflect management’s judgment regarding the quantitative components of the reserve. The models take into account several factors, including delinquency based loss migration rates, loss emergence periods and average losses and recoveries over an appropriate historical period. Management considers whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which may increase or decrease the reserves for losses on Card Member loans and receivables. External factors include employment, spend, sentiment, housing and credit, and changes in the legal and regulatory environment while internal factors include increased risk in certain portfolios, impact of risk management initiatives, changes in underwriting requirements and overall process stability. As part of this evaluation process, management also considers various reserve coverage metrics, such as reserves as a percentage of past due amounts, reserves as a percentage of Card Member receivables or loans and net write-off coverage ratios. | ||||||||||||
Card Member loans and receivables balances are written off when management considers amounts to be uncollectible, which is generally determined by the number of days past due and is typically no later than 180 days past due. Card Member loans and receivables in bankruptcy or owed by deceased individuals are generally written off upon notification, and recoveries are recognized as they are collected. | ||||||||||||
Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses | ||||||||||||
The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Balance, January 1 | $ | 386 | $ | 428 | $ | 438 | ||||||
Provisions(a) | 792 | 648 | 601 | |||||||||
Net write-offs(b) | -683 | -669 | -640 | |||||||||
Other(c) | -30 | -21 | 29 | |||||||||
Balance, December 31 | $ | 465 | $ | 386 | $ | 428 | ||||||
Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components. | ||||||||||||
Consists of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries of $358 million, $402 million and $383 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $15 million, $12 million and $87 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||
Beginning in the first quarter 2014, reserves for card-related fraud losses of $(7) million are included in Other liabilities. Also includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(15) million, $(4) million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively; a reclassification of Card Member bankruptcy reserves of $18 million from Other liabilities to credit reserves in 2012 only and other items of $(8) million, $(17) million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment | ||||||||||||
The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment(a) | $ | 48 | $ | 50 | $ | 117 | ||||||
Related reserves(a) | $ | 35 | $ | 38 | $ | 91 | ||||||
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment | $ | 44,803 | $ | 44,113 | $ | 42,649 | ||||||
Related reserves(b) | $ | 430 | $ | 348 | $ | 337 | ||||||
Represents receivables modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 3 for further information. | ||||||||||||
The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of receivables and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to receivables that are collectively evaluated for impairment. | ||||||||||||
Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses | ||||||||||||
The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Balance, January 1 | $ | 1,261 | $ | 1,471 | $ | 1,874 | ||||||
Provisions(a) | 1,138 | 1,115 | 1,030 | |||||||||
Net write-offs | ||||||||||||
Principal(b) | -1,023 | -1,141 | -1,280 | |||||||||
Interest and fees(b) | -164 | -150 | -157 | |||||||||
Other(c) | -11 | -34 | 4 | |||||||||
Balance, December 31 | $ | 1,201 | $ | 1,261 | $ | 1,471 | ||||||
Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and fee reserves components. | ||||||||||||
Consists of principal write-offs (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries of $428 million, $452 million and $493 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $(10) million, $(1) million and $25 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis. | ||||||||||||
Beginning in the first quarter 2014, reserves for card-related fraud losses of $(6) million are included in Other liabilities. Also includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(17) million, $(12) million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, a reclassification of Card Member bankruptcy reserves of $4 million from Other liabilities to credit reserves in 2012 only and other items of $12 million, $(22) million and $(7) million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment | ||||||||||||
The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment (a) | $ | 286 | $ | 356 | $ | 633 | ||||||
Related reserves(a) | $ | 67 | $ | 78 | $ | 153 | ||||||
Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment (b) | $ | 70,100 | $ | 66,882 | $ | 64,596 | ||||||
Related reserves(b) | $ | 1,134 | $ | 1,183 | $ | 1,318 | ||||||
Represents loans modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 3 for further information. | ||||||||||||
Represents current loans and loans less than 90 days past due, loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest, and non-accrual loans. The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of loans and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. | ||||||||||||
Investment_Securities
Investment Securities | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Securities | NOTE 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment securities include debt and equity securities that the Company classifies as available-for-sale. The Company’s investment securities, principally debt securities, are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in AOCI, net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. Refer to Note 15 for a description of the Company’s methodology for determining the fair value of investment securities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following is a summary of investment securities as of December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Estimated | Gross | Gross | Estimated | Estimated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair | Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair | Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Securities (Millions) | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | Value | |||||||||||||||||||
State and municipal obligations | $ | 3,366 | $ | 129 | $ | -2 | $ | 3,493 | $ | 4,060 | $ | 54 | $ | -79 | $ | 4,035 | $ | 4,474 | ||||||||||
U.S. Government agency obligations | 3 | ― | ― | 3 | 3 | ― | ― | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government treasury obligations | 346 | 4 | ― | 350 | 318 | 3 | -1 | 320 | 338 | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 37 | 3 | ― | 40 | 43 | 3 | ― | 46 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities (a) | 128 | 8 | ― | 136 | 160 | 5 | -1 | 164 | 224 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities (b) | ― | 1 | ― | 1 | 29 | 95 | ― | 124 | 296 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government bonds and obligations | 350 | 9 | ― | 359 | 272 | 5 | -1 | 276 | 149 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other (c) | 50 | ― | -1 | 49 | 50 | ― | -2 | 48 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,280 | $ | 154 | $ | -3 | $ | 4,431 | $ | 4,935 | $ | 165 | $ | -84 | $ | 5,016 | $ | 5,614 | ||||||||||
Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primarily represents the Company’s investment in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprises investments in various mutual funds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides information about the Company’s investment securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Securities (Millions) | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
State and municipal obligations | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 72 | $ | -2 | $ | 1,320 | $ | -63 | $ | 106 | $ | -16 | ||||||||||||
Foreign government bonds and obligations | ― | ― | ― | ― | 208 | -1 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government treasury obligations | ― | ― | ― | ― | 166 | -1 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | ― | ― | ― | ― | 35 | -1 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other | ― | ― | 33 | -1 | 30 | -1 | 17 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | $ | 1,759 | $ | -67 | $ | 123 | $ | -17 | ||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Fair Value to | Number of | Estimated | Unrealized | Number of | Estimated | Unrealized | Number of | Estimated | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost (Dollars in millions) | Securities | Fair Value | Losses | Securities | Fair Value | Losses | Securities | Fair Value | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||
2014:00:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90%–100% | ― | $ | ― | $ | ― | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | |||||||||||||
Total as of December 31, 2014 | ― | $ | ― | $ | ― | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | |||||||||||||
2013:00:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90%–100% | 228 | $ | 1,665 | $ | -53 | 6 | $ | 24 | $ | -2 | 234 | $ | 1,689 | $ | -55 | |||||||||||||
Less than 90% | 13 | 94 | -14 | 5 | 99 | -15 | 18 | 193 | -29 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total as of December 31, 2013 | 241 | $ | 1,759 | $ | -67 | 11 | $ | 123 | $ | -17 | 252 | $ | 1,882 | $ | -84 | |||||||||||||
The gross unrealized losses are attributed to overall wider credit spreads for state and municipal securities, wider credit spreads for specific issuers, adverse changes in market benchmark interest rates, or a combination thereof, all as compared to those prevailing when the investment securities were acquired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall, for the investment securities in gross unrealized loss positions identified above, (i) the Company does not intend to sell the investment securities, (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (iii) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment during the periods presented. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual maturities and weighted average yields for investment securities, excluding equity securities and other securities, as of December 31, 2014 were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due after 1 | Due after 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due within | year but | years but | Due after | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 1 year | within 5 years | within 10 years | 10 years | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
State and municipal obligations(a) | $ | 182 | $ | 74 | $ | 233 | $ | 3,004 | $ | 3,493 | ||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government agency obligations | ― | ― | ― | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government treasury obligations | 66 | 264 | 8 | 12 | 350 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 6 | 34 | ― | ― | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities(a) | ― | 2 | ― | 134 | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government bonds and obligations | 307 | 7 | ― | 45 | 359 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Estimated Fair Value | $ | 561 | $ | 381 | $ | 241 | $ | 3,198 | 4,381 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Cost | $ | 560 | $ | 374 | $ | 225 | $ | 3,071 | 4,230 | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average yields(b)(c) | 2.5 | % | 2.07 | % | 6.71 | % | 6.81 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
The expected payments on state and municipal obligations and mortgage-backed securities may not coincide with their contractual maturities because the issuers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average yields for investment securities have been calculated using the effective yield on the date of purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yields on tax-exempt investment securities have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset_Securitizations
Asset Securitizations | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||
Asset Securitizations | NOTE 6 | ||||||
Asset Securitizations | |||||||
The Company periodically securitizes Card Member receivables and loans arising from its card business through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue securities to third-party investors, collateralized by the transferred assets. | |||||||
Card Member receivables are transferred to the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust). Card Member loans are transferred to the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust). The Charge Trust and the Lending Trust are consolidated by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The trusts are considered VIEs as they have insufficient equity at risk to finance their activities, which are to issue securities that are collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and loans. Details on the principles of consolidation can be found in the summary of significant accounting policies (refer to Note 1). | |||||||
TRS, in its role as servicer of the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust, has the power to direct the most significant activity of the trusts, which is the collection of the underlying Card Member receivables and loans in the trusts. In addition, TRS, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, owns approximately $1.2 billion of subordinated securities issued by the Lending Trust as of December 31, 2014. These subordinated securities have the obligation to absorb losses of the Lending Trust and provide the right to receive benefits from the Lending Trust, both of which are significant to the VIE. TRS’ role as servicer for the Charge Trust does not provide it with a significant obligation to absorb losses or a significant right to receive benefits. However, TRS’ position as the parent company of the entities that transferred the receivables to the Charge Trust makes it the party most closely related to the Charge Trust. Based on these considerations, TRS is the primary beneficiary of both the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust. | |||||||
The debt securities issued by the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust are non-recourse to the Company. Securitized Card Member receivables and loans held by the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust are available only for payment of the debt securities or other obligations issued or arising in the securitization transactions (refer to Note 3). The long-term debt of each trust is payable only out of collections on their respective underlying securitized assets (refer to Note 9). | |||||||
The following table presents the restricted cash held by the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, included in Other Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: | |||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Charge Trust | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | |||
Lending Trust | 62 | 56 | |||||
Total | $ | 64 | $ | 58 | |||
These amounts relate to collections of Card Member receivables and loans to be used by the trusts to fund future expenses and obligations, including interest paid on investor securities, credit losses and upcoming debt maturities. | |||||||
Under the respective terms of the Charge Trust and the Lending 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 investor certificates. During the year ended December 31, 2014, no such triggering events occurred. |
Other_Assets
Other Assets | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||||||||||||||
Other Assets | NOTE 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other Assets | |||||||||||||||||||
The following is a summary of other assets as of December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | 3,024 | $ | 3,198 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets, net(a) | 2,110 | 2,443 | |||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses(b) | 1,626 | 1,998 | |||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 854 | 817 | |||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets(a) | 711 | 329 | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash(c) | 384 | 486 | |||||||||||||||||
Other | 2,633 | 1,957 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 11,342 | $ | 11,228 | |||||||||||||||
Refer to Notes 21 and 14 for a discussion of deferred tax assets, net and derivative assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Derivative assets reflect the impact of master netting agreements. For 2014, $96 million of foreign deferred tax liabilities is reflected in Other Liabilities. | |||||||||||||||||||
Includes prepaid miles and reward points acquired primarily from airline partners of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, including approximately $0.6 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, from Delta. | |||||||||||||||||||
Includes restricted cash of approximately $64 million and $58 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which is primarily held for coupon and certain asset-backed securitization maturities. | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost of an acquired business over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company assigns goodwill to its reporting units for the purpose of impairment testing. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment, or a business that is one level below an operating segment for which discrete financial information is regularly reviewed by the operating segment manager. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of June 30 and between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. The goodwill impairment test utilizes a two-step approach. The first step in the impairment test identifies whether there is potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step of the impairment test is required to measure the amount of any impairment loss. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, goodwill was not impaired and there were no accumulated impairment losses. | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill impairment testing involves management judgment, requiring an assessment of whether the carrying value of the reporting unit can be supported by its fair value using widely accepted valuation techniques. The Company uses a combination of the income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approach (market multiples). | |||||||||||||||||||
When preparing discounted cash flow models under the income approach, the Company uses internal forecasts to estimate future cash flows expected to be generated by the reporting units. Actual results may differ from forecasted results. The Company calculates discount rates based on the expected cost of equity financing, estimated using a capital asset pricing model, to discount future cash flows for each reporting unit. The Company believes the discount rates used appropriately reflect the risks and uncertainties in the financial markets generally and specifically in the Company’s internally developed forecasts. When using market multiples under the market approach, the Company applies comparable publically traded companies’ multiples (e.g. earnings, revenues) to its reporting units’ actual results. | |||||||||||||||||||
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill reported in the Company’s reportable operating segments and Corporate & Other were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate & | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | USCS | ICS | GCS | GNMS | Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2013 | $ | 175 | $ | 1,031 | $ | 1,544 | $ | 160 | $ | 271 | $ | 3,181 | |||||||
Acquisitions | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |||||||||||||
Dispositions | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |||||||||||||
Other, including foreign currency translation | -1 | 21 | -1 | ― | -2 | 17 | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 174 | $ | 1,052 | $ | 1,543 | $ | 160 | $ | 269 | $ | 3,198 | |||||||
Acquisitions | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |||||||||||||
Dispositions | ― | ― | -102 | ― | ― | -102 | |||||||||||||
Other, including foreign currency translation | ― | -70 | ― | ― | -2 | -72 | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2014 | $ | 174 | $ | 982 | $ | 1,441 | $ | 160 | $ | 267 | $ | 3,024 | |||||||
Other Intangible Assets | |||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 22 years on a straight-line basis. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment quarterly and whenever events and circumstances indicate their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In addition, on an annual basis, the Company performs an impairment evaluation of all intangible assets by assessing the recoverability of the asset values based on the cash flows generated by the relevant assets or asset groups. An impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the asset’s fair value. | |||||||||||||||||||
The components of other intangible assets were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |||||||||||||
Customer relationships(a) | $ | 1,455 | $ | -754 | $ | 701 | $ | 1,297 | $ | -660 | $ | 637 | |||||||
Other | 255 | -102 | 153 | 269 | -89 | 180 | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,710 | $ | -856 | $ | 854 | $ | 1,566 | $ | -749 | $ | 817 | |||||||
Includes net intangibles acquired from airline partners of $340 million and $290 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, including approximately $206 million and $117 million, respectively, from Delta. | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $174 million, $193 million and $198 million, respectively. Intangible assets acquired in 2014 and 2013 are being amortized, on average, over 7 and 6 years, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||
Estimated amortization expense for other intangible assets over the next five years is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
Estimated amortization expense | $ | 158 | $ | 134 | $ | 117 | $ | 109 | $ | 87 | |||||||||
Other | |||||||||||||||||||
The Company had $622 million and $541 million in affordable housing and other tax credit investment partnership interests as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, included in other assets in the table above. The Company is a non-controlling partner in these tax credit investment partnerships, and therefore accounts for its ownership interests as equity method investment joint ventures. In 2014, the Company received $990 million in net cash proceeds for the sale of its equity method investment in Concur Technologies (Concur) with a carrying amount of $246 million and recognized a gain of $744 million in Other revenues. | |||||||||||||||||||
Customer_Deposits
Customer Deposits | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||
Customer Deposits | NOTE 8 | |||||||||
Customer Deposits | ||||||||||
As of December 31, customer deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing as follows: | ||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
U.S.: | ||||||||||
Interest-bearing | $ | 43,279 | $ | 40,831 | ||||||
Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2014, $372 million; 2013, $340 million) | 418 | 360 | ||||||||
Non-U.S.: | ||||||||||
Interest-bearing | 115 | 121 | ||||||||
Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2014, $347 million; 2013, $437 million) | 359 | 451 | ||||||||
Total customer deposits | $ | 44,171 | $ | 41,763 | ||||||
Customer deposits by deposit type as of December 31 were as follows: | ||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
U.S. retail deposits: | ||||||||||
Savings accounts ― Direct | $ | 26,159 | $ | 24,550 | ||||||
Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||
Direct | 333 | 489 | ||||||||
Third-party | 7,838 | 6,929 | ||||||||
Sweep accounts ―Third-party | 8,949 | 8,863 | ||||||||
Other retail deposits: | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits | 173 | 155 | ||||||||
Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S. | 719 | 777 | ||||||||
Total customer deposits | $ | 44,171 | $ | 41,763 | ||||||
The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2014 were as follows: | ||||||||||
(Millions) | U.S. | Non-U.S. | Total | |||||||
2015 | 1,744 | $ | 21 | $ | 1,765 | |||||
2016 | 2,136 | ― | 2,136 | |||||||
2017 | 1,491 | ― | 1,491 | |||||||
2018 | 1,480 | ― | 1,480 | |||||||
2019 | 1,304 | ― | 1,304 | |||||||
After 5 years | 16 | ― | 16 | |||||||
Total | $ | 8,171 | $ | 21 | $ | 8,192 | ||||
As of December 31, certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, in the aggregate, were as follows: | ||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
U.S. | $ | 111 | $ | 148 | ||||||
Non-U.S. | 17 | ― | ||||||||
Total | $ | 128 | $ | 148 |
Debt
Debt | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt Disclosure [Text Block] | NOTE 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Borrowings | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s short-term borrowings outstanding, defined as borrowings with original maturities of less than one year, as of December 31 were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except percentages) | Outstanding Balance | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (a) | Outstanding Balance | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (a) | ||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper | $ | 769 | 0.29 | % | $ | 200 | 0.19 | % | ||||||||||||||
Other short-term borrowings(b)(c) | 2,711 | 0.81 | 4,821 | 1.08 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,480 | 0.69 | % | $ | 5,021 | 1.04 | % | ||||||||||||||
For floating-rate debt issuances, the stated interest rates are weighted based on outstanding balances and floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes interest-bearing overdrafts with banks of $470 million and $489 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, balances include fully drawn secured borrowing facility (maturing on September 15, 2015, which was repaid on February 18, 2014), certain book overdrafts (i.e., primarily timing differences arising in the ordinary course of business), short-term borrowings from banks, as well as interest-bearing amounts due to merchants in accordance with merchant service agreements. The secured borrowing facility gives the Company the right to sell up to $2.0 billion face amount of eligible certificates issued from the Lending Trust. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company paid $7.0 million and $7.2 million in fees to maintain the secured borrowing facility in 2014 and 2013, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s long-term debt outstanding, defined as debt with original maturities of one year or greater, as of December 31 was as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except percentages) | Maturity Dates | Outstanding Balance | (a) | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (b) | Year-End Effective Interest Rate with Swaps | (b)(c) | Outstanding Balance | (a) | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (b) | Year-End Effective Interest Rate with Swaps | (b)(c) | |||||||||
American Express Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Parent Company only) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2016-2042 | $ | 7,535 | 5.15 | % | 4.2 | % | $ | 8,784 | 5.43 | % | 4.6 | % | |||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2018 | 850 | 0.85 | ― | 850 | 0.84 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Subordinated Notes(d) | 2024-2036 | 1,350 | 5.39 | 4.42 | 749 | 6.8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Credit Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2019 | 16,260 | 2.26 | 1.22 | 14,875 | 3.13 | 2.03 | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2019 | 4,400 | 0.82 | ― | 2,855 | 1.14 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities | 2016-2017 | 3,672 | 4.25 | ― | 4,012 | 4.18 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2017 | 2,089 | 4.12 | 3.32 | 2,102 | 4.12 | 3.32 | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2018 | 675 | 0.68 | ― | 675 | 0.67 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2017 | 999 | 6 | ― | 999 | 6 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2017 | 300 | 0.46 | ― | 300 | 0.47 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Charge Trust II | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2016-2018 | 3,700 | 0.41 | ― | 4,200 | 0.49 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes | 2016-2018 | 87 | 0.8 | ― | 87 | 0.8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Lending Trust | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2017 | 6,100 | 1.11 | ― | 2,600 | 0.72 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2019 | 8,876 | 0.72 | ― | 10,685 | 0.81 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes | 2015-2017 | 300 | 1.08 | ― | 300 | 1.08 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes | 2015-2019 | 488 | 0.73 | ― | 847 | 0.81 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Instruments(e) | 2016-2033 | 143 | 3.09 | ― | 239 | 3.95 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Borrowings | 2015-2019 | 247 | 0.59 | ― | % | 276 | 0.62 | ― | % | |||||||||||||
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | -116 | -105 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt | $ | 57,955 | 2.34 | % | $ | 55,330 | 2.56 | % | ||||||||||||||
The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discount and premium, (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps. Under fair value hedge accounting, the outstanding balances on these fixed-rate notes are adjusted to reflect the impact of changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates. Refer to Note 14 for more details on the Company’s treatment of fair value hedges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For floating-rate debt issuances, the stated and effective interest rates are weighted based on outstanding balances and floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Effective interest rates are only presented when swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For the $750 million of subordinated debentures issued in 2006 and outstanding as of December 31, 2014, the maturity date will automatically be extended to September 1, 2066, except in the case of either (i) a prior redemption or (ii) a default. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes $31 million and $109 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to capitalized lease transactions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $750 million principal outstanding of Subordinated Debentures that accrue interest at an annual rate of 6.8 percent until September 1, 2016, and at an annual rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.23 percent thereafter. At the Company’s option, these Subordinated Debentures are redeemable for cash after September 1, 2016 at 100 percent of the principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest. If the Company fails to achieve specified performance measures, it will be required to issue common shares and apply the net proceeds to make interest payments on these Subordinated Debentures. No dividends on the Company’s common or preferred shares could be paid until such interest payments are made. The Company would fail to meet these specific performance measures if (i) the Company’s tangible common equity is less than 4 percent of total adjusted assets for the most recent quarter or (ii) if the trailing two quarters’ consolidated net income is equal to or less than zero and tangible common equity as of the trigger determination date, and as of the end of the quarter end six months prior, has in each case declined by 10 percent or more from tangible common equity as of the end of the quarter 18 months prior to the trigger determination date. The Company met the specified performance measures in 2014. The Company issued $600 million of 3.6 percent subordinated notes on December 5, 2014 that are senior in right of payment to the outstanding $750 million of Subordinated Debentures. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations (based on final maturity dates) as of December 31, 2014 were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
American Express Company (Parent Company only) | $ | ― | $ | 1,350 | $ | 1,500 | $ | 3,850 | $ | 641 | $ | 3,147 | $ | 10,488 | ||||||||
American Express Credit Corporation | 5,227 | 7,057 | 6,532 | 1,295 | 4,150 | ― | 24,261 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | 1,305 | ― | 1,300 | 125 | ― | 2 | 2,732 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | ― | ― | 1,300 | ― | ― | ― | 1,300 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Charge Trust II | ― | 2,500 | ― | 1,287 | ― | ― | 3,787 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Lending Trust | 5,422 | 500 | 5,639 | 2,886 | 1,317 | ― | 15,764 | |||||||||||||||
Other | 125 | 145 | 83 | ― | 6 | 31 | 390 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 12,079 | $ | 11,552 | $ | 16,354 | $ | 9,443 | $ | 6,114 | $ | 3,180 | 58,722 | ||||||||||
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | -116 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unamortized Discount and Premium | -932 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Impacts due to Fair Value Hedge Accounting | 281 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt | $ | 57,955 | ||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company maintained total bank lines of credit of $6.7 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively. Of the total credit lines, $3.0 billion were undrawn as of both December 31, 2014 and 2013. Undrawn amounts support commercial paper borrowings and contingent funding needs. The availability of these credit lines is subject to the Company’s compliance with certain financial covenants, principally, the maintenance by American Express Credit Corporation (Credco) of a 1.25 ratio of combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company was not in violation of any of its debt covenants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Additionally, the Company maintained a 3-year committed, revolving, secured borrowing facility that gives the Company the right to sell up to $3.0 billion face amount of eligible notes issued from the Charge Trust at any time through July 15, 2016. As of December 31, 2014, $2.5 billion was drawn on this facility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company paid $49.9 million and $50.2 million in fees to maintain these lines in 2014 and 2013, respectively. These committed facilities do not contain material adverse change clauses, which might otherwise preclude borrowing under the credit facilities, nor are they dependent on the Company’s credit rating. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company paid total interest primarily related to short- and long-term debt, corresponding interest rate swaps and customer deposits of $1.7 billion, $2.0 billion and $2.2 billion in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. |
Other_Liabilities
Other Liabilities | 12 Months Ended | |||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] | NOTE 10 | |||||||
Other Liabilities | ||||||||
The following is a summary of Other liabilities as of December 31: | ||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Membership Rewards liability | $ | 6,521 | $ | 6,151 | ||||
Employee-related liabilities(a) | 2,258 | 2,227 | ||||||
Rebate and reward accruals(b) | 2,389 | 2,210 | ||||||
Deferred card and other fees, net | 1,308 | 1,314 | ||||||
Book overdraft balances | 647 | 442 | ||||||
Other(c) | 4,728 | 4,566 | ||||||
Total | $ | 17,851 | $ | 16,910 | ||||
Employee-related liabilities include employee benefit plan obligations and incentive compensation. | ||||||||
Rebate and reward accruals include payments to third-party card-issuing partners and cash-back reward costs. | ||||||||
Other includes accruals for general operating expenses, client incentives, advertising and promotion, restructuring and reengineering reserves and derivatives. | ||||||||
Membership Rewards | ||||||||
The Membership Rewards program allows enrolled Card Members to earn points that can be redeemed for a broad range of rewards including travel, entertainment, retail certificates and merchandise. The Company records a balance sheet liability that represents management’s best estimate of the cost of points earned that are expected to be redeemed in the future. The Ultimate Redemption Rate (URR) and weighted average cost (WAC) per point are key assumptions used to approximate the Membership Rewards liability. | ||||||||
The expense for Membership Rewards points is included in marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services expenses. The Company periodically evaluates its liability estimation process and assumptions based on developments in redemption patterns, cost per point redeemed, partner contract changes and other factors. | ||||||||
Deferred Card and Other Fees, Net | ||||||||
The carrying amount of deferred card and other fees, net of deferred direct acquisition costs and reserves for membership cancellations as of December 31 was as follows: | ||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Deferred card and other fees(a) | $ | 1,615 | $ | 1,609 | ||||
Deferred direct acquisition costs | -176 | -164 | ||||||
Reserves for membership cancellations | -131 | -131 | ||||||
Deferred card and other fees, net | $ | 1,308 | $ | 1,314 | ||||
Includes deferred fees for Membership Rewards program participants. |
Stock_Plans
Stock Plans | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||||||||
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] | NOTE 11 | ||||||||||||
Stock Plans | |||||||||||||
Stock Option and Award Programs | |||||||||||||
Under the 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan and previously under the 1998 Incentive Compensation Plan, awards may be granted to employees and other key individuals who perform services for the Company and its participating subsidiaries. These awards may be in the form of stock options, restricted stock awards or units (RSAs), portfolio grants (PGs) or other incentives, and similar awards designed to meet the requirements of non-U.S. jurisdictions. | |||||||||||||
For the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plans, there were a total of 35 million, 35 million and 36 million common shares unissued and available for grant as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders. | |||||||||||||
The Company granted stock option awards to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in November 2007 and January 2008 that have performance-based and market-based conditions. These option awards are separately disclosed and are excluded from the information and tables presented in the following paragraphs. | |||||||||||||
A summary of stock option and RSA activity as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year is presented below: | |||||||||||||
Stock Options | RSAs | ||||||||||||
(Shares in thousands) | Shares | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | Shares | Weighted-AverageGrantPrice | |||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013 | 18,615 | $ | 44.98 | 9,578 | $ | 51.88 | |||||||
Granted | 295 | 86.64 | 2,639 | 86.65 | |||||||||
Exercised/vested | -5,893 | 48.05 | -3,427 | 47.25 | |||||||||
Forfeited | -242 | 51.83 | -916 | 60.98 | |||||||||
Expired | -46 | 47.84 | ― | ― | |||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014 | 12,729 | 44.39 | 7,874 | $ | 64.48 | ||||||||
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014 | 12,726 | 44.39 | ― | ― | |||||||||
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2014 | 11,628 | $ | 42.64 | ― | ― | ||||||||
The Company recognizes the cost of employee stock awards granted in exchange for employee services based on the grant-date fair value of the award, net of expected forfeitures. Those costs are recognized ratably over the vesting period. | |||||||||||||
Stock Options | |||||||||||||
Each stock option has an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and a contractual term of 10 years from the date of grant. Stock options generally vest 25 percent per year beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date or at 100 percent on the third anniversary of the grant date. | |||||||||||||
The weighted-average remaining contractual life and the aggregate intrinsic value (the amount by which the fair value of the Company’s stock exceeds the exercise price of the option) of the stock options outstanding, exercisable, and vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014 are as follows: | |||||||||||||
Outstanding | Exercisable | Vested and Expected to Vest | |||||||||||
Weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years) | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | ||||||||||
Aggregate intrinsic value (millions) | $ | 619 | $ | 586 | $ | 619 | |||||||
The intrinsic value for options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $245 million, $374 million and $209 million, respectively (based upon the fair value of the Company’s stock price at the date of exercise). Cash received from the exercise of stock options in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $283 million, $580 million and $368 million, respectively. The tax benefit realized from income tax deductions from stock option exercises, which was recorded in additional paid-in capital, in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $54 million, $84 million and $45 million, respectively. | |||||||||||||
The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for grants issued in 2014, 2013 and 2012, the majority of which were granted in the beginning of each year: | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
Dividend yield | 1.1 | % | 1.4 | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||
Expected volatility(a) | 46 | % | 39 | % | 41 | % | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 2.2 | % | 1.3 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||
Expected life of stock option (in years)(b) | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.3 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average fair value per option | $ | 32.36 | $ | 21.11 | $ | 17.48 | |||||||
The expected volatility is based on both weighted historical and implied volatilities of the Company’s common stock price. | |||||||||||||
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the expected life of stock options was determined using both historical data and expectations of option exercise behavior. | |||||||||||||
Stock Options with Performance-based and Market-based Conditions | |||||||||||||
On November 30, 2007 and January 31, 2008, the Company’s CEO was granted in the aggregate 2,750,000 of non-qualified stock option awards with performance-based and market-based conditions. Both awards have a contractual term of 10 years and a vesting period of 6 years. | |||||||||||||
The aggregate grant date fair value of options with performance-based conditions was approximately $33.8 million. Compensation expense for these awards was not recognized as the performance metrics were not achieved, and therefore, these stock options were forfeited. No compensation expense for these awards was recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012. | |||||||||||||
The aggregate grant date fair value of options with market-based conditions was approximately $10.5 million. Compensation expense for these awards was recognized ratably over the vesting period. In January 2014, following the completion of the performance period, the Compensation and Benefits Committee reviewed the Company’s performance and confirmed that the market-based condition was achieved, resulting in a vesting of these stock options (687,000 out of 2,750,000 options became exercisable). No compensation expense for these awards was recorded in 2014. Total compensation expense of approximately $0.3 million and $0.5 million was recorded in 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Restricted Stock Awards | |||||||||||||
RSAs are valued based on the stock price on the date of grant and generally vest 25 percent per year beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date or at 100 percent on the third anniversary of the grant date. RSA holders receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents. The total fair value of shares vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $298 million, $336 million and $296 million, respectively (based upon the Company’s stock price at the vesting date). | |||||||||||||
The weighted-average grant date fair value of RSAs granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012, is $86.65, $60.13 and $49.80, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Liability-based Awards | |||||||||||||
Certain employees are awarded PGs and other incentive awards that can be settled with cash or equity shares at the Company’s discretion and final Compensation and Benefits Committee payout approval. These awards earn value based on performance, market and service conditions and vest over periods of one to three years. | |||||||||||||
PGs and other incentive awards are generally settled with cash and thus are classified as liabilities and, therefore, the fair value is determined at the date of grant and remeasured quarterly as part of compensation expense over the vesting period. Cash paid upon vesting of these awards in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $62 million, $43 million and $66 million, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Summary of Stock Plan Expense | |||||||||||||
The components of the Company’s total stock-based compensation expense (net of forfeitures) for the years ended December 31 are as follows: | |||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Restricted stock awards(a) | $ | 193 | $ | 208 | $ | 197 | |||||||
Stock options(a) | 13 | 23 | 29 | ||||||||||
Liability-based awards | 84 | 119 | 70 | ||||||||||
Performance/market-based stock options | ― | ― | 1 | ||||||||||
Total stock-based compensation expense (b) | $ | 290 | $ | 350 | $ | 297 | |||||||
As of December 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs and options of $211 million and $6 million, respectively, will be recognized ratably over the weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.3 years and 2.1 years, respectively. | |||||||||||||
The total income tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for stock-based compensation arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $104 million, $127 million and $107 million, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Retirement_Plans
Retirement Plans | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 | |
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |
Retirement Plans | NOTE 12 |
Retirement Plans | |
Defined Contribution Retirement Plans | |
The Company sponsors defined contribution retirement plans, the principal plan being the Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), a 401(k) savings plan with a profit-sharing component. The RSP is a tax-qualified retirement plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and covers most employees in the U.S. The total expense for all defined contribution retirement plans globally was $272 million, $281 million and $254 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |
Defined Benefit Pension and other postretirement benefit Plans | |
The Company’s primary defined benefit pension plans that cover certain employees in the U.S. and United Kingdom are closed to new entrants and existing participants do not accrue any additional benefits. Most employees outside the U.S. and United Kingdom are covered by local retirement plans, some of which are funded, while other employees receive payments at the time of retirement or termination under applicable labor laws or agreements. The Company complies with minimum funding requirements in all countries. The Company sponsors unfunded other postretirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance to certain retired U.S. employees. The total expense for these plans was $24 million, $59 million and $93 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |
The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the funded status related to the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans was underfunded by $767 million and $661 million, respectively, and is recorded in Other liabilities. | |
Commitments_and_Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||
Contingencies | NOTE 13 | |||
Commitments and Contingencies | ||||
Legal Contingencies | ||||
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal proceedings concerning matters arising out of the conduct of their respective business activities and are periodically subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and investigations (collectively, governmental examinations). As of December 31, 2014, the Company and various of its subsidiaries were named as a defendant or were otherwise involved in numerous legal proceedings and governmental examinations in various jurisdictions, both in and outside the U.S. The Company discloses its material legal proceedings and governmental examinations under “Legal Proceedings” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Legal Proceedings). | ||||
The Company has recorded liabilities for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued 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 accrued liability. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and governmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable. | ||||
The Company’s legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with millions of putative class members. These legal proceedings, as well as governmental examinations, involve various lines of business of the Company and a variety of claims (including, but not limited to, common law tort, contract, antitrust and consumer protection claims), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. While some matters pending against the Company specify the damages claimed by the plaintiff, 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 the Company 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 the Company to estimate a range of possible loss. | ||||
Other matters have progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues so that the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss. Accordingly, for those legal proceedings and governmental examinations disclosed or referred to in Legal Proceedings where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $360 million in excess of any accrued liability related to these matters. This aggregate range represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimated range of possible loss does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated range will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates. | ||||
Based on its current knowledge, and taking into consideration its litigation-related liabilities, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding or governmental examination that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, the ultimate outcome of a particular matter could be material to the Company’s operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of the Company’s earnings for that period. | ||||
OTHER COMMITMENTS | ||||
The Company also has obligations to make payments under contractual agreements with certain co-brand partners. The Company expects to fully satisfy these obligations over the remaining term of these agreements, which range from 2015 to 2022, as part of the ongoing operations of its business. The obligations under such arrangements were approximately $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2014. | ||||
Rent Expense and Lease Commitments | ||||
The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under non-cancelable and cancelable agreements. The total rental expense amounted to $237 million in 2014, $281 million in 2013 and $305 million in 2012. | ||||
As of December 31, 2014, the minimum aggregate rental commitment under all non-cancelable operating leases (net of subleases of $34 million) was as follows: | ||||
(Millions) | ||||
2015 | $ | 189 | ||
2016 | 161 | |||
2017 | 144 | |||
2018 | 126 | |||
2019 | 94 | |||
Thereafter | 921 | |||
Total | $ | 1,635 | ||
As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s future minimum lease payments under capital leases or other similar arrangements is approximately $4 million in 2015 through 2019, and $19 million thereafter. |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi
Derivatives and Hedging Activities | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives and Hedging Activities | NOTE 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives and Hedging Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. Derivatives derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rate, foreign exchange, and equity index or price. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of the Company’s market risk management. The Company does not engage in derivatives for trading purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Market risk is the risk to earnings or value resulting from movements in market prices. The Company’s market risk exposure is primarily generated by: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate risk in its card, insurance and Travelers Cheque and other prepaid products businesses, as well as its investment portfolios; and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange risk in its operations outside the U.S. and the associated funding of such operations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company centrally monitors market risks using market risk limits and escalation triggers as defined in its Asset/Liability Management Policy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s market exposures are in large part byproducts of the delivery of its products and services. Interest rate risk arises through the funding of Card Member receivables and fixed-rate loans with variable-rate borrowings as well as through the risk to net interest margin from changes in the relationship between benchmark rates such as Prime and LIBOR. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate exposure within the Company’s charge card and fixed-rate lending products is managed by varying the proportion of total funding provided by short-term and variable-rate debt and deposits compared to fixed-rate debt and deposits. In addition, interest rate swaps are used from time to time to economically convert fixed-rate debt obligations to variable-rate obligations or to convert variable-rate debt obligations to fixed-rate obligations. The Company may change the mix between variable-rate and fixed-rate funding based on changes in business volumes and mix, among other factors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange risk is generated by Card Member cross-currency charges, foreign currency balance sheet exposures, foreign subsidiary equity and foreign currency earnings in entities outside the U.S. The Company’s foreign exchange risk is managed primarily by entering into agreements to buy and sell currencies on a spot basis or by hedging this market exposure to the extent it is economically justified through various means, including the use of derivatives such as foreign exchange forwards and cross-currency swap contracts, which can help mitigate the Company’s exposure to specific currencies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In addition to the exposures identified above, effective August 1, 2011, the Company entered into a total return contract (TRC) to hedge its exposure to changes in the fair value of its equity investment in ICBC in local currency. Under the terms of the TRC, the Company received from the TRC counterparty an amount equivalent to any reduction in the fair value of its investment in ICBC in local currency, and the Company paid to the TRC counterparty an amount equivalent to any increase in the fair value of its investment in local currency, along with all dividends paid by ICBC, as well as ongoing hedge costs. The TRC was fully unwound on July 18, 2014 upon the sale of the remaining underlying ICBC shares. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives may give rise to counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that a derivative counterparty will default on, or otherwise be unable to perform pursuant to, an uncollateralized derivative exposure. The Company manages this risk by considering the current exposure, which is the replacement cost of contracts on the measurement date, as well as estimating the maximum potential value of the contracts over the next 12 months, considering such factors as the volatility of the underlying or reference index. To mitigate derivative credit risk, counterparties are required to be pre-approved by the Company and rated as investment grade. Counterparty risk exposures are centrally monitored by the Company. Additionally, in order to mitigate the bilateral counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives, the Company has in certain instances entered into master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties, which provide a right of offset for certain exposures between the parties. A majority of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is subject to such master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. There are no instances in which management makes an accounting policy election to not net assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting agreement on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. To further mitigate bilateral counterparty credit risk, the Company exercises its rights under executed credit support agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties. These agreements require that, in the event the fair value change in the net derivatives position between the two parties exceeds certain dollar thresholds, the party in the net liability position posts collateral to its counterparty. All derivative contracts cleared through a central clearinghouse are collateralized to the full amount of the fair value of the contracts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In relation to the Company’s credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, the Company is not required to either immediately settle any outstanding liability balances or post collateral upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. Based on the assessment of credit risk of the Company’s derivative counterparties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company does not have derivative positions that warrant credit valuation adjustments. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s derivatives are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accounting for changes in fair value depends on the instruments’ intended use and the resulting hedge designation, if any, as discussed below. Refer to Note 15 for a description of the Company’s methodology for determining the fair value of derivatives. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Assets | Other Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedges | $ | 314 | $ | 455 | $ | 4 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total return contract | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedge | ― | 8 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment hedges | 492 | 174 | 46 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | 806 | 637 | 50 | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts, including certain embedded derivatives(a) | 185 | 64 | 114 | 95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives, gross | 991 | 701 | 164 | 213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Cash collateral netting(b) | -158 | -336 | -4 | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(c) | -122 | -36 | -122 | -36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives, net(d) | $ | 711 | $ | 329 | $ | 38 | $ | 177 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivative instrument(s) executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. Additionally, the Company received non-cash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interest in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of $91 million and nil as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such non-cash collateral economically reduces the Company’s risk exposure to $620 million as of December 31, 2014, but does not reduce the net exposure on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company posted $114 million and $26 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other receivables on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments That Qualify For Hedge Accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives executed for hedge accounting purposes are documented and designated as such when the Company enters into the contracts. In accordance with its risk management policies, the Company structures its hedges with terms similar to that of the item being hedged. The Company formally assesses, at inception of the hedge accounting relationship and on a quarterly basis, whether derivatives designated as hedges are highly effective in offsetting the fair value or cash flows of the hedged items. These assessments usually are made through the application of a regression analysis method. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue the application of hedge accounting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A fair value hedge involves a derivative designated to hedge the Company’s exposure to future changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability, or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt. The Company uses interest rate swaps to economically convert certain fixed-rate long-term debt obligations to floating-rate obligations at the time of issuance. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company hedged $17.6 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively, of its fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To the extent the fair value hedge is effective, the gain or loss on the hedging instrument offsets the loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. Any difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness and is reflected in earnings as a component of other expenses. Hedge ineffectiveness may be caused by differences between the debt’s interest coupon and the benchmark rate, primarily due to credit spreads at inception of the hedging relationship that are not reflected in the valuation of the interest rate swap. Furthermore, hedge ineffectiveness may be caused by changes in the relationship between 3-month LIBOR and 1-month LIBOR, as well as between the overnight indexed swap rate (OIS) and 1-month LIBOR, as basis spreads may impact the valuation of the interest rate swap without causing an offsetting impact in the value of the hedged debt. If a fair value hedge is de-designated or no longer considered to be effective, changes in fair value of the derivative continue to be recorded through earnings but the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates. The existing basis adjustment of the hedged asset or liability is amortized or accreted as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of that asset or liability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Contract | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company hedged its exposure to changes in the fair value of its equity investment in ICBC in local currency. The Company used a TRC to transfer this exposure to its derivative counterparty. On July 18, 2014, the Company sold its remaining 34.3 million shares in ICBC and terminated the TRC. As of December 31, 2013 only, the fair value of the equity investment in ICBC was $122 million (180.7 million shares). Prior to termination, to the extent the hedge was effective, the gain or loss on the TRC offset the gain or loss on the investment in ICBC. Any difference between the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item resulted in hedge ineffectiveness and was recognized in Other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income associated with the Company’s hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt and its investment in ICBC for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains (losses) recognized in income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Derivative contract | Hedged item | Net hedge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement | Amount | Income Statement | Amount | ineffectiveness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative relationship | Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Other expenses | $ | -143 | $ | -370 | $ | -178 | Other expenses | $ | 148 | $ | 351 | $ | 132 | $ | 5 | $ | -19 | $ | -46 | ||||||||||||
Total return contract | Other non-interest | Other non-interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
revenues | $ | 11 | $ | 15 | $ | -53 | revenues | $ | -11 | $ | -15 | $ | 54 | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 1 | |||||||||||||
The Company also recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $283 million, $346 million and $491 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on the Company’s interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any designated cash flow hedges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2012 only, the Company reclassified $(1) million from AOCI into earnings as a component of interest expense. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivatives is reported as a component of other expenses. No ineffectiveness associated with cash flow hedges was reclassified from AOCI into income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A net investment hedge is used to hedge future changes in currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. The Company primarily designates foreign currency derivatives, typically foreign exchange forwards, and on occasion foreign currency denominated debt, as hedges of net investments in certain foreign operations. These instruments reduce exposure to changes in currency exchange rates on the Company’s investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. The effective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was $455 million, $253 million and $(288) million for the years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Any ineffective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges is recognized in other expenses during the period of change. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company reclassified $10 million, nil and nil , respectively, from AOCI to earnings as a component of Other expenses. No ineffectiveness associated with net investment hedges was reclassified from AOCI into income during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company has derivatives that act as economic hedges, but are not designated as such for hedge accounting purposes. Foreign currency transactions and non-U.S. dollar cash flow exposures from time to time may be partially or fully economically hedged through foreign currency contracts, primarily foreign exchange forwards, options and cross-currency swaps. These hedges generally mature within one year. Foreign currency contracts involve the purchase and sale of a designated currency at an agreed upon rate for settlement on a specified date. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives effectively offset the related foreign exchange gains or losses on the underlying balance sheet exposures. From time to time, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps to specifically manage funding costs related to its proprietary card business. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company has certain operating agreements containing payments that may be linked to a market rate or price, primarily foreign currency rates. The payment components of these agreements may meet the definition of an embedded derivative, in which case the embedded derivative is accounted for separately and is classified as a foreign exchange contract based on its primary risk exposure. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For derivatives that are not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pretax gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description (Millions) | Income Statement Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Other expenses | $ | ― | $ | 1 | $ | -1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts (a) | Interest expense on long-term debt and other | ― | ― | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 194 | 72 | -56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of Card Member services | 4 | ― | ― | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 198 | $ | 73 | $ | -58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts include forwards and embedded foreign currency derivatives. Gains (losses) on these embedded derivatives are included in Other expenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair_Values
Fair Values | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Values | NOTE 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Fair Values | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value is defined as the price that would be required to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, based on the Company’s principal or, in the absence of a principal, most advantageous market for the specific asset or liability. | ||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP provides for a three-level hierarchy of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, defined as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 ― Inputs that are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity can access. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Level 2 ― Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including: | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 ― Inputs that are unobservable and reflect the Company’s own estimates about the estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances (e.g., internally derived assumptions surrounding the timing and amount of expected cash flows). The Company did not measure any financial instruments presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, although the disclosed fair value of certain assets that are not carried at fair value, as presented later in this Note, are classified within Level 3. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company monitors the market conditions and evaluates the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For any transfers in and out of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, the Company discloses the fair value measurement at the beginning of the reporting period during which the transfer occurred. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no significant transfers between levels. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s valuation hierarchy (as described in the preceding paragraphs), as of December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investment securities:(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | ― | $ | 124 | $ | 124 | $ | ― | ||||||||
Debt securities and other | 4,430 | 350 | 4,080 | 4,892 | 320 | 4,572 | ||||||||||||||
Derivatives(a) | 991 | ― | 991 | 701 | ― | 701 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 5,422 | 351 | 5,071 | 5,717 | 444 | 5,273 | ||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives(a) | 164 | ― | 164 | 213 | ― | 213 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 164 | $ | ― | $ | 164 | $ | 213 | $ | ― | $ | 213 | ||||||||
Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 14 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (categorized in the valuation hierarchy table above) the Company applies the following valuation techniques: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
When available, quoted prices of identical investment securities in active markets are used to estimate fair value. Such investment securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
When quoted prices of identical investment securities in active markets are not available, the fair values for the Company’s investment securities are obtained primarily from pricing services engaged by the Company, and the Company receives one price for each security. The fair values provided by the pricing services are estimated using pricing models, where the inputs to those models are based on observable market inputs or recent trades of similar securities. Such investment securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The inputs to the valuation techniques applied by the pricing services vary depending on the type of security being priced but are typically benchmark yields, benchmark security prices, credit spreads, prepayment speeds, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes, all with reasonable levels of transparency. The pricing services did not apply any adjustments to the pricing models used. In addition, the Company did not apply any adjustments to prices received from the pricing services. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company reaffirms its understanding of the valuation techniques used by its pricing services at least annually. In addition, the Company corroborates the prices provided by its pricing services for reasonableness by comparing the prices from the respective pricing services to valuations obtained from different pricing sources. In instances where price discrepancies are identified between different pricing sources, the Company evaluates such discrepancies to ensure that the prices used for its valuation represent the fair value of the underlying investment securities. Refer to Note 5 for additional fair value information. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments | ||||||||||||||||||||
The fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is estimated by third-party valuation services that use proprietary pricing models or by internal pricing models, where the inputs to those models are readily observable from actively quoted markets. The pricing models used are consistently applied and reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives as described below. The Company reaffirms its understanding of the valuation techniques used by the third-party valuation services at least annually. The Company’s derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs: the contractual terms of the swap such as the notional amount, fixed coupon rate, floating coupon rate (based on interbank rates consistent with the frequency and currency of the interest cash flows) and tenor, as well as discount rates consistent with the underlying economic factors of the currency in which the cash flows are denominated. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The fair value of the Company’s total return contract, which served as a hedge against the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) change in fair value associated with the Company’s investment in ICBC, is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs as of the valuation date: number of shares of the Company’s underlying ICBC investment, the quoted market price of the shares in HKD and the monthly settlement terms of the contract inclusive of price and tenor. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs: the contractual terms of the forward contracts such as the notional amount, maturity dates and contract rate, as well as relevant foreign currency forward curves, and discount rates consistent with the underlying economic factors of the currency in which the cash flows are denominated. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Credit valuation adjustments are necessary when the market parameters, such as a benchmark curve, used to value derivatives are not indicative of the credit quality of the Company or its counterparties. The Company considers the counterparty credit risk by applying an observable forecasted default rate to the current exposure. Refer to Note 14 for additional fair value information. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following table discloses the estimated fair value for the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying | Corresponding Fair Value Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Billions) | Value | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 22 | $ | 22 | $ | 21 | $ | 1 | (a) | $ | ― | |||||||||
Other financial assets(b) | 48 | 48 | ― | 48 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, net | 70 | 71 | (c) | ― | ― | 71 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | 61 | 61 | ― | 61 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit(d) | 8 | 8 | ― | 8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 58 | $ | 60 | (c) | $ | ― | $ | 60 | $ | ― | |||||||||
Carrying | Corresponding Fair Value Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Billions) | Value | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 19 | $ | 19 | $ | 17 | $ | 2 | (a) | $ | ― | |||||||||
Other financial assets(b) | 48 | 48 | ― | 48 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, net | 67 | 67 | (c) | ― | ― | 67 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | 60 | 60 | ― | 60 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit(d) | 7 | 8 | ― | 8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 55 | $ | 58 | (c) | $ | ― | $ | 58 | $ | ― | |||||||||
Reflects time deposits. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Includes accounts receivable (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $7.0 billion and $7.3 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively), restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Includes fair values of loans of $29.9 billion and $31.0 billion, and long-term debt of $19.5 billion and $18.8 billion, held by consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Presented as a component of customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of December 31, 2014, and require management judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values. The fair value of the Company cannot be reliably estimated by aggregating the amounts presented. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis (categorized in the valuation hierarchy table above) the Company applies the following valuation techniques to measure fair value: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Assets For Which Carrying Values Equal or Approximate Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value include cash and cash equivalents, Card Member receivables, accrued interest and certain other assets. For these assets, the carrying values approximate fair value because they are short term in duration, have no defined maturity or have a market-based interest rate. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Assets Carried At Other Than Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans are recorded at historical cost, less reserves, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating the fair value for the Company’s loans the Company uses a discounted cash flow model. Due to the lack of a comparable whole loan sales market for similar credit card receivables and the lack of observable pricing inputs thereof, the Company uses various inputs derived from an equivalent securitization market to estimate fair value. Such inputs include projected income (inclusive of future interest payments and late fee revenue), estimated pay-down rates, discount rates and relevant credit costs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Liabilities For Which Carrying Values Equal Or Approximate Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value include accrued interest, customer deposits (excluding certificates of deposit, which are described further below), Travelers Cheques and other prepaid products outstanding, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and certain other liabilities for which the carrying values approximate fair value because they are short term in duration, have no defined maturity or have a market-based interest rate. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Liabilities Carried At Other Than Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of Deposit | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are recorded at their historical issuance cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology based on the future cash flows and the discount rate that reflects the Company’s current rates for similar types of CDs within similar markets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt is recorded at historical issuance cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets adjusted for the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes and current translation rates for foreign-denominated debt. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is measured using quoted offer prices when quoted market prices are available. If quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is determined by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at rates currently observed in publicly-traded debt markets for debt of similar terms and credit risk. For long-term debt, where there are no rates currently observable in publicly traded debt markets of similar terms and comparable credit risk, the Company uses market interest rates and adjusts those rates for necessary risks, including its own credit risk. In determining an appropriate spread to reflect its credit standing, the Company considers credit default swap spreads, bond yields of other long-term debt offered by the Company, and interest rates currently offered to the Company for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company has 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 determined to be impaired. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any material assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment. |
Guarantees
Guarantees | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||||||||
Guarantees | NOTE 16 | ||||||||||||
Guarantees | |||||||||||||
The Company provides Card Member protection plans that cover losses associated with purchased products, as well as certain other guarantees in the ordinary course of business. For the Company, guarantees primarily consist of card and travel protection programs, including: | |||||||||||||
Return Protection — refunds the price of qualifying purchases made with the 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 bankruptcy or liquidation of a merchant. When this occurs, the Card Member may dispute the transaction for which the Company will generally credit the Card Member’s account. If the Company is unable to collect the amount from the merchant, it will bear the loss for the amount credited to the Card Member. The largest component of the maximum potential future payments relates to Card Member transactions associated with travel-related merchants, primarily through business arrangements where the Company has remitted payment to such merchants for a Card Member travel purchase that has not yet been used or “flown”. | |||||||||||||
In relation to its maximum potential undiscounted future payments as shown in the table that follows, to date the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees. The Company’s initial recognition of guarantees is at fair value. In addition, the Company establishes reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. | |||||||||||||
The following table provides information related to such guarantees as of December 31: | |||||||||||||
Maximum potential | |||||||||||||
undiscounted future | |||||||||||||
payments(a) | Related liability(b) | ||||||||||||
(Billions) | (Millions) | ||||||||||||
Type of Guarantee | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
Return and Merchant Protection | $ | 37 | $ | 37 | $ | 44 | $ | 84 | |||||
Other(c) | 8 | 8 | 67 | 77 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 45 | $ | 45 | $ | 111 | $ | 161 | |||||
Represents the notional amounts that could be lost under the guarantees and indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments for Merchant Protection are measured using management’s best estimate of maximum exposure based on all eligible claims in relation to annual billed business volumes. | |||||||||||||
Included in Other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. | |||||||||||||
Primarily includes guarantees related to the Company’s purchase protection, business dispositions and real estate. | |||||||||||||
Common_and_Preferred_Shares_an
Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants | 12 Months Ended | |||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||
Common And Preferred Shares And Warrants [Text Block] | NOTE 17 | |||||||
Common and Preferred Shares | ||||||||
The following table shows authorized shares and provides a reconciliation of common shares issued and outstanding for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||
(Millions, except where indicated) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Common shares authorized (billions)(a) | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | |||||
Shares issued and outstanding at beginning of year | 1,064 | 1,105 | 1,164 | |||||
Repurchases of common shares | -49 | -55 | -69 | |||||
Other, primarily stock option exercises and restricted stock awards granted | 8 | 14 | 10 | |||||
Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31 | 1,023 | 1,064 | 1,105 | |||||
Of the common shares authorized but unissued as of December 31, 2014, approximately 56 million shares are reserved for issuance under employee stock and employee benefit plans. | ||||||||
On March 25, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 150 million of common shares over time in accordance with the Company’s capital distribution plans submitted to the Federal Reserve and subject to market conditions. This authorization replaces all prior repurchase authorizations. During 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased 49 million common shares with a cost basis of $4.4 billion and 55 million common shares with a cost basis of $4.0 billion, respectively. The cost basis includes commissions paid of $1.0 million and $1.1 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has 59 million common shares remaining under the Board share repurchase authorization. Such authorization does not have an expiration date. | ||||||||
Common shares are generally retired by the Company upon repurchase (except for 3.2 million, 3.5 million and 3.9 million shares held as treasury shares as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively); retired common shares and treasury shares are excluded from the shares outstanding in the table above. The treasury shares, with a cost basis of $280 million, $260 million and $236 million as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are included as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in shareholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. | ||||||||
The Board of Directors is authorized to permit the Company to issue up to 20 million preferred shares at a par value of $1.662/3 without further shareholder approval. On November 10, 2014, the Company issued 750,000 depositary shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of $750 million, each representing a 1/1000th interest in a perpetual Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Noncumulative Preferred Share, Series B (Preferred Shares). Dividends on the Preferred Shares are payable, if declared, semi-annually at an annual rate of 5.2 percent on May 15 and November 15 of each year beginning on May 15, 2015 to, but excluding, November 15, 2019. From, and including, November 15, 2019, dividends will be paid, if declared, quarterly at an annual rate equal to 3-month Libor plus 3.428 percent percent on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2020. The Company may redeem the Preferred Shares in whole, or in part, from time to time, on any dividend payment date on or after November 15, 2019 or in whole, but not in part, within 90 days of certain bank regulatory changes at $1,000 per depositary share plus any declared but unpaid dividends. | ||||||||
There were no preferred shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. There were no warrants issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. | ||||||||
Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income | NOTE 18 | |||||||||||||||
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income | ||||||||||||||||
AOCI is a balance sheet item in the Shareholders’ Equity section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. It 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 of AOCI for the three years ended December 31 were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||
(Millions), net of tax(a) | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses | Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2011 | $ | 288 | $ | -1 | $ | -682 | $ | -481 | $ | -876 | ||||||
Net unrealized gains | 106 | 106 | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -79 | 1 | 1 | -77 | ||||||||||||
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations | 215 | 215 | ||||||||||||||
Net (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | -288 | -288 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement (losses) benefit | -7 | -7 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 27 | 1 | -72 | -7 | -51 | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2012 | 315 | ― | -754 | -488 | -927 | |||||||||||
Net unrealized (losses) | -159 | -159 | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -93 | -93 | ||||||||||||||
Net translation (loss) of investments in foreign operations | -589 | -589 | ||||||||||||||
Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 253 | 253 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefit gains | 89 | 89 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | -252 | ― | -336 | 89 | -499 | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2013 | 63 | ― | -1,090 | -399 | -1,426 | |||||||||||
Net unrealized gains | 104 | 104 | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -71 | 5 | -66 | |||||||||||||
Net translation (loss) of investments in foreign operations | -869 | -869 | ||||||||||||||
Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 455 | 455 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement (losses) benefit | -117 | -117 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 33 | ― | -409 | -117 | -493 | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2014 | $ | 96 | $ | ― | $ | -1,499 | $ | -516 | $ | -1,919 | ||||||
The following table shows the tax impact for the three years ended December 31 for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income: | ||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
Investment securities | $ | 19 | $ | -142 | $ | 7 | ||||||||||
Cash flow hedges | ― | ― | 1 | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | -64 | -49 | 24 | |||||||||||||
Net investment hedges | 273 | 135 | -176 | |||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses | -46 | 56 | ― | |||||||||||||
Total tax impact | $ | 182 | $ | ― | $ | -144 | ||||||||||
The following table presents the effects of reclassifications out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||
(Gains) losses recognized in income | ||||||||||||||||
Amount | ||||||||||||||||
Description (Millions) | Income Statement Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
Available-for-sale securities | ||||||||||||||||
Net gain in AOCI reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on | ||||||||||||||||
investment securities | Other non-interest revenues | $ | 111 | $ | 145 | |||||||||||
Related income tax expense | Income tax provision | -40 | -52 | |||||||||||||
Reclassification to net income related to available-for-sale securities | 71 | 93 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | ||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of realized losses on translation adjustments and related hedges | Other expenses | -9 | ― | |||||||||||||
Related income tax expense | Income tax provision | 4 | ― | |||||||||||||
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments | -5 | ― | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 66 | $ | 93 | ||||||||||||
NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail | NOTE 19 | |||||||||||
Non-interest revenue and expense detail | ||||||||||||
The following is a detail of Other commissions and fees for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue | $ | 877 | $ | 877 | $ | 855 | ||||||
Delinquency fees | 722 | 667 | 604 | |||||||||
Loyalty Partner-related fees | 383 | 310 | 290 | |||||||||
Service fees | 366 | 375 | 362 | |||||||||
Other(a) | 160 | 185 | 206 | |||||||||
Total Other commissions and fees | $ | 2,508 | $ | 2,414 | $ | 2,317 | ||||||
Other primarily includes fee revenue from fees related to Membership Rewards programs. | ||||||||||||
The following is a detail of Other revenues for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of investment in Concur Technologies | $ | 744 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Global Network Services partner revenues | 694 | 650 | 664 | |||||||||
Net realized gains on investment securities(a) | 100 | 136 | 126 | |||||||||
Other(b) | 1,451 | 1,488 | 1,635 | |||||||||
Total Other revenues | $ | 2,989 | $ | 2,274 | $ | 2,425 | ||||||
Net realized gains on investment securities include gross losses of nil, nil and $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Specific identification method is used to reclass unrealized gain (losses) into earnings from AOCI upon sale or maturity. | ||||||||||||
Other includes revenues arising from foreign exchange gains on cross-border Card Member spending, merchant-related fees, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, Travelers Cheques-related revenues, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, earnings from equity method investments and other miscellaneous revenue and fees. | ||||||||||||
The following is a detail of Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Marketing and promotion | $ | 3,320 | $ | 3,043 | $ | 2,890 | ||||||
Card Member rewards | 6,931 | 6,457 | 6,282 | |||||||||
Card Member services and other | 822 | 767 | 772 | |||||||||
Total Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other | $ | 11,073 | $ | 10,267 | $ | 9,944 | ||||||
Marketing and promotion expense includes advertising costs, which are expensed in the year in which the advertising first takes place. Card Member rewards expense includes the costs of rewards programs, including Membership Rewards and co-brand arrangements. Card Member services expense includes protection plans and complimentary services provided to Card Members. | ||||||||||||
The following is a detail of Other, net expenses for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Professional services | $ | 3,008 | $ | 3,102 | $ | 2,963 | ||||||
Occupancy and equipment | 1,807 | 1,904 | 1,823 | |||||||||
Card-related fraud losses | 369 | 278 | 278 | |||||||||
Communications | 383 | 379 | 383 | |||||||||
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | -630 | - | - | |||||||||
Other(a) | 1,152 | 1,133 | 1,404 | |||||||||
Total Other, net | $ | 6,089 | $ | 6,796 | $ | 6,851 | ||||||
Other expense includes general operating expenses, gains (losses) on sale of assets or businesses not classified as discontinued operations (other than the business travel joint venture transaction), litigation, certain internal and regulatory review-related reimbursements and insurance costs or settlements, investment impairments and certain Loyalty Partner-related expenses. |
Restructuring
Restructuring | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring Charges | NOTE 20 | |||||||||||||
Restructuring | ||||||||||||||
From time to time, the Company initiates restructuring programs to become more efficient and effective, and to support new business strategies. In connection with these programs, the Company typically will incur severance and other exit costs. | ||||||||||||||
During 2014, the Company recorded $411 million of restructuring charges, net of revisions to prior estimates. The 2014 activity primarily relates to $313 million and $133 million of restructuring charges recorded in the fourth quarter and second quarter, respectively. | ||||||||||||||
During 2012, the Company recorded $403 million of restructuring charges, net of revisions to prior estimates. The 2012 activity primarily relates to $400 million of restructuring charges recorded in the fourth quarter. | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges related to severance obligations are included in salaries and employee benefits in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income, while charges pertaining to other exit costs are included in occupancy and equipment and other expenses. | ||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring reserves activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012: | ||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Severance | Other(a) | Total | |||||||||||
Liability balance as of December 31, 2011 | $ | 170 | $ | 30 | $ | 200 | ||||||||
Restructuring charges, net of $16 in revisions(b) | 366 | 37 | 403 | |||||||||||
Payments | -124 | -9 | -133 | |||||||||||
Liability balance as of December 31, 2012 | 412 | 58 | 470 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges, net of $4 in revisions(b) | -7 | 3 | -4 | |||||||||||
Payments | -206 | -23 | -229 | |||||||||||
Other non-cash(c) | -3 | -1 | -4 | |||||||||||
Liability balance at December 31, 2013 | 196 | 37 | 233 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges, net of $35 in revisions(b) | 383 | 28 | 411 | |||||||||||
Payments | -93 | -22 | -115 | |||||||||||
Other non-cash(d) | -51 | -8 | -59 | |||||||||||
Liability balance as of December 31, 2014(e) | $ | 435 | $ | 35 | $ | 470 | ||||||||
Other primarily includes facility exit and contract termination costs. | ||||||||||||||
Revisions primarily relate to higher than anticipated redeployments of displaced employees to other positions within the Company, business changes and modifications to existing initiatives. | ||||||||||||||
Consists primarily of foreign exchange impacts. | ||||||||||||||
Consists of $42 million reserve transferred to the GBT JV in the second quarter of 2014 as part of the GBT sale and $17 million of foreign exchange and other non-cash charges. | ||||||||||||||
The majority of cash payments related to the remaining restructuring liabilities are expected to be completed in 2015, and to a lesser extent certain contractual long-term severance arrangements and lease obligations are expected to be completed in 2016 and 2019, respectively. | ||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring charges, net of revisions, by reportable operating segment and Corporate & Other for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the cumulative amounts relating to the restructuring programs that were in progress during 2014 and initiated at various dates between 2009 and 2014. | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On | ||||||||||||||
2014 | In-Progress Restructuring Programs | |||||||||||||
Total Restructuring | ||||||||||||||
Charges, net | ||||||||||||||
(Millions) | revisions | Severance | Other | Total | ||||||||||
USCS | $ | 38 | $ | 66 | $ | 6 | $ | 72 | ||||||
ICS | 139 | 220 | 1 | 221 | ||||||||||
GCS | 54 | 249 | 18 | 267 | ||||||||||
GNMS | 25 | 68 | - | 68 | ||||||||||
Corporate & Other | 155 | 195 | 96 | 291 | (a) | |||||||||
Total | $ | 411 | $ | 798 | $ | 121 | $ | 919 | (b) | |||||
Corporate & Other includes certain severance and other charges of $222 million related to Company-wide support functions which were not allocated to the Company’s reportable operating segments, as these were corporate initiatives, which is consistent with how such charges were reported internally. | ||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014, the total expenses to be incurred for previously approved restructuring activities that were in progress are not expected to be materially different than the cumulative expenses incurred to date for these programs. | ||||||||||||||
Income_Taxes
Income Taxes | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||||||||
Income Taxes | NOTE 21 | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes | |||||||||||||
The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 included in the Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows: | |||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Current income tax expense: | |||||||||||||
U.S. federal | $ | 2,136 | $ | 1,730 | $ | 982 | |||||||
U.S. state and local | 264 | 288 | 189 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. | 412 | 514 | 445 | ||||||||||
Total current income tax expense | 2,812 | 2,532 | 1,616 | ||||||||||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit): | |||||||||||||
U.S. federal | 352 | 113 | 359 | ||||||||||
U.S. state and local | 39 | 4 | 39 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. | -97 | -120 | -45 | ||||||||||
Total deferred income tax expense | 294 | -3 | 353 | ||||||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 3,106 | $ | 2,529 | $ | 1,969 | |||||||
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% percent to the Company’s actual income tax rate for the years ended December 31 on continuing operations was as follows: | |||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate | 35 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | |||||||
(Decrease) increase in taxes resulting from: | |||||||||||||
Tax-exempt income | -1.5 | -1.6 | -1.6 | ||||||||||
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.5 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings(a) | -2.2 | -2.8 | -5.2 | ||||||||||
Tax settlements(b) | -0.5 | -1.9 | -0.2 | ||||||||||
All other | 1 | 0.3 | ― | ||||||||||
Actual tax rates(a) | 34.5 | % | 32.1 | % | 30.5 | % | |||||||
Results for all years primarily included tax benefits associated with the undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that were deemed to be reinvested indefinitely. In addition, 2012 included tax benefits of $146 million, which decreased the actual tax rates by 2.3 percent related to the realization of certain foreign tax credits. | |||||||||||||
Relates to the resolution of tax matters in various jurisdictions. | |||||||||||||
The Company records a deferred income tax (benefit) provision when there are differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting and for income tax return purposes. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years and are measured using the tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. | |||||||||||||
The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are reflected in the following table: | |||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||
Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||||
Reserves not yet deducted for tax purposes | $ | 3,926 | $ | 3,813 | |||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 789 | 721 | |||||||||||
Other | 266 | 546 | |||||||||||
Gross deferred tax assets | 4,981 | 5,080 | |||||||||||
Valuation allowance | -75 | -121 | |||||||||||
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance | 4,906 | 4,959 | |||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||||
Intangibles and fixed assets | 1,597 | 1,465 | |||||||||||
Deferred revenue | 498 | 453 | |||||||||||
Deferred interest | 350 | 363 | |||||||||||
Asset securitization | 162 | 130 | |||||||||||
Investment in joint ventures | 223 | 10 | |||||||||||
Other | 62 | 95 | |||||||||||
Gross deferred tax liabilities | 2,892 | 2,516 | |||||||||||
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 2,014 | $ | 2,443 | |||||||||
A valuation allowance is established when management determines that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the benefit of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are associated with net operating losses and other deferred tax assets in certain non-U.S. operations of the Company. | |||||||||||||
Accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, which totaled approximately $9.7 billion as of December 31, 2014, are intended to be permanently reinvested outside the U.S. The Company does not provide for federal income taxes on foreign earnings intended to be permanently reinvested outside the U.S. Accordingly, federal taxes, which would have aggregated approximately $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2014, have not been provided on those earnings. | |||||||||||||
Net income taxes paid by the Company during 2014, 2013 and 2012, were approximately $2.5 billion, $2.0 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. These amounts include estimated tax payments and cash settlements relating to prior tax years. | |||||||||||||
The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and those of the foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to the taxpayer’s facts is sometimes open to interpretation. Given these inherent complexities, the Company must make judgments in assessing the likelihood that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. A tax position is recognized only when, based on management’s judgment regarding the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes is based on management’s best judgment of the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement with the taxing authority given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. The Company adjusts the level of unrecognized tax benefits when there is new information available to assess the likelihood of the outcome. | |||||||||||||
The Company is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which the Company has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. The IRS has completed its field examination of the Company’s federal tax returns for years through 2007; however, refund claims for certain years continue to be reviewed by the IRS. In addition, the Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011. | |||||||||||||
The following table presents changes in unrecognized tax benefits: | |||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Balance, January 1 | $ | 1,044 | $ | 1,230 | $ | 1,223 | |||||||
Increases: | |||||||||||||
Current year tax positions | 4 | 124 | 51 | ||||||||||
Tax positions related to prior years | 111 | 176 | 64 | ||||||||||
Decreases: | |||||||||||||
Tax positions related to prior years | -181 | -371 | -44 | ||||||||||
Settlements with tax authorities | -67 | -94 | -25 | ||||||||||
Lapse of statute of limitations | -1 | -21 | -37 | ||||||||||
Effects of foreign currency translations | -1 | ― | -2 | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31 | $ | 909 | $ | 1,044 | $ | 1,230 | |||||||
Included in the unrecognized tax benefits of $0.9 billion, $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion for December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are approximately $412 million, $427 million and $452 million, respectively that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate in a future period. | |||||||||||||
The Company believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $489 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 $489 million of unrecognized tax benefits, approximately $369 million relates to amounts that if recognized would be recorded to shareholders’ equity and would not impact the Company’s results of operations or the effective tax rate. | |||||||||||||
Interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits are reported in the income tax provision. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized benefits of approximately $19 million, $31 million and $8 million, respectively, of interest and penalties. The Company has approximately $126 million and $144 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
Earnings_Per_Common_Share_EPS
Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) | NOTE 22 | |||||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) | ||||||||||||||
The computations of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31 were as follows: | ||||||||||||||
(Millions, except per share amounts) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,885 | $ | 5,359 | $ | 4,482 | ||||||||
Earnings allocated to participating share awards(a) | -46 | -47 | -49 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 5,839 | $ | 5,312 | $ | 4,433 | ||||||||
Denominator:(a) | ||||||||||||||
Basic: Weighted-average common stock | 1,045 | 1,082 | 1,135 | |||||||||||
Add: Weighted-average stock options(b) | 6 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 1,051 | 1,089 | 1,141 | |||||||||||
Basic EPS | $ | 5.58 | $ | 4.91 | $ | 3.91 | ||||||||
Diluted EPS | $ | 5.56 | $ | 4.88 | $ | 3.89 | ||||||||
The Company’s 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. | ||||||||||||||
The dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes 0.2 million, 0.1 million and 7.6 million options from the computation of EPS for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive. | ||||||||||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company met specified performance measures related to the Subordinated Debentures of $750 million issued in 2006, and maturing in 2036. If the performance measures were not achieved in any given quarter, the Company would be required to issue common shares and apply the proceeds to make interest payments. |
Regulatory_Matters_and_Capital
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy | NOTE 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company is supervised and regulated by the Federal Reserve and is subject to the Federal Reserve’s requirements for risk-based capital and leverage ratios. The Company’s two U.S. bank operating subsidiaries, American Express Centurion Bank (Centurion Bank) and American Express Bank, FSB (FSB) (together, the Banks), are subject to supervision and regulation, including similar regulatory capital requirements by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under the risk-based capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve, the Company is required to maintain minimum ratios of Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1), Tier 1 and Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets, as well as a minimum leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to average adjusted on-balance sheet assets). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional, discretionary actions by regulators, that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Banks’ operating activities. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company and its Banks met all capital requirements to which each was subject and maintained regulatory capital ratios in excess of those required to qualify as well capitalized. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the regulatory capital ratios for the Company and the Banks: | ||||||||||||||||||||
CET1 | Tier 1 | Total | CET1 | Tier 1 | Total | Tier 1 | ||||||||||||||
(Millions, except percentages) | capital(b) | capital | capital | capital ratio(b) | capital ratio | capital ratio | leverage ratio | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2014:(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
American Express Company | $ | 17,525 | $ | 18,176 | $ | 20,801 | 13.1 | % | 13.6 | % | 15.6 | % | 11.8 | % | ||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | 6,174 | 6,174 | 6,584 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 20.1 | 18.7 | |||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | 6,722 | 6,722 | 7,604 | 14.2 | 14.2 | 16 | 15.1 | (c) | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2013: | ||||||||||||||||||||
American Express Company | (b) | $ | 16,174 | $ | 18,585 | (b) | 12.5 | % | 14.4 | % | 10.9 | % | ||||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | (b) | 6,366 | 6,765 | (b) | 19.9 | 21.2 | 19 | |||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | (b) | 6,744 | 7,662 | (b) | 15.6 | 17.7 | 17.5 | (c) | ||||||||||||
Well-capitalized ratios(e) | (f) | 6 | % | 10 | % | 5 | % (d) | |||||||||||||
Minimum capital ratios(e) | 4 | % | 5.5 | % | 8 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||
Beginning in 2014, as a Basel III Advanced Approaches institution, capital ratios are reported using Basel III capital definitions, inclusive of transition provisions and Basel I risk-weighted assets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As part of the new Basel III capital rule, effective for 2014, Basel III Advanced Approaches institutions are required to disclose Common Equity Tier 1 capital and associated ratio. | ||||||||||||||||||||
FSB Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated using ending total assets in 2013 and average total assets in 2014 as prescribed by OCC regulations applicable to federal savings banks. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Represents requirements for banking subsidiaries to be considered “well-capitalized” pursuant to regulations issued under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act. There is no “well-capitalized” definition for the Tier 1 leverage ratio for a bank holding company. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As defined by the regulations issued by the Federal Reserve, OCC and FDIC for the year ended December 31, 2014. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning January 1, 2015, Basel III CET1 well-capitalized ratios become relevant capital measures under the prompt and corrective action requirements defined by the regulations for Advanced Approaches institutions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Net Assets of Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on the transfer of net assets under debt agreements and regulatory requirements. These restrictions have not had any effect on the Company’s shareholder dividend policy and management does not anticipate any impact in the future. Procedures exist to transfer net assets between the Company and its subsidiaries, while ensuring compliance with the various contractual and regulatory constraints. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate amount of net assets of subsidiaries that are restricted to be transferred to the Company was approximately $11.0 billion. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bank Holding Company Dividend Restrictions | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends by the Federal Reserve, which could prohibit a dividend that would be considered an unsafe or unsound banking practice. It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies generally should pay dividends on preferred and common stock only out of net income available to common shareholders generated over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s current and expected future capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Moreover, bank holding companies are required by statute to be a source of strength to their insured depository institution subsidiaries and should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to do so. On an annual basis, the Company is required to develop and maintain a capital plan, which includes planned dividends over a two-year horizon, and to submit the capital plan to the Federal Reserve. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Banks’ Dividend Restrictions | ||||||||||||||||||||
In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, Centurion Bank paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $1.9 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, and FSB paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $2.1 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Banks are subject to statutory and regulatory limitations on their ability to pay dividends. The total amount of dividends that may be paid at any date, subject to supervisory considerations of the Banks’ regulators, is generally limited to the retained earnings of the respective bank. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Banks’ retained earnings, in the aggregate, available for the payment of dividends were $3.6 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively. In determining the dividends to pay its parent, the Banks must also consider the effects on applicable risk-based capital and leverage ratio requirements, as well as policy statements of the federal regulatory agencies. In addition, the Banks’ banking regulators have authority to limit or prohibit the payment of a dividend by the Banks under a number of circumstances, including if, in the banking regulator’s opinion, payment of a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice in light of the financial condition of the banking organization. |
Significant_Credit_Concentrati
Significant Credit Concentrations | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] | NOTE 24 | ||||||
Significant Credit Concentrations | |||||||
Concentrations of credit risk exist when changes in economic, industry or geographic factors similarly affect groups of counterparties whose aggregate credit exposure is material in relation to American Express’ total credit exposure. The Company’s customers operate in diverse industries, economic sectors and geographic regions. | |||||||
The following table details the Company’s maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments, as of December 31: | |||||||
(Billions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||
Individuals(a) | $ | 101 | $ | 98 | |||
Financial institutions(b) | 25 | 22 | |||||
U.S. Government and agencies(c) | 4 | 4 | |||||
All other(d) | 17 | 17 | |||||
Total on-balance sheet(e) | 147 | 141 | |||||
Unused lines-of-credit ― individuals(f) | $ | 278 | $ | 265 | |||
Individuals primarily include Card Member loans and receivables. | |||||||
Financial institutions primarily include debt obligations of banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and savings and loan associations. | |||||||
U.S. Government and agencies represent debt obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, states and municipalities and government-sponsored entities. | |||||||
All other primarily includes Card Member receivables from other corporate institutions. | |||||||
Certain distinctions between categories require management judgment. | |||||||
Because charge card products generally have no preset spending limit, the associated credit limit on charge products is not quantifiable. Therefore, the quantified unused line-of-credit amounts only include the approximate credit line available on lending products. | |||||||
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s most significant concentration of credit risk was with individuals, including Card Member receivables and loans. These amounts are generally advanced on an unsecured basis. However, the Company reviews each potential customer’s credit application and evaluates the applicant’s financial history and ability and willingness to repay. The Company also considers credit performance by customer tenure, industry and geographic location in managing credit exposure. | |||||||
The following table details the Company’s Card Member loans and receivables exposure (including unused lines-of-credit on Card Member loans) in the U.S. and outside the U.S. as of December 31: | |||||||
(Billions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||
U.S. | $ | 94 | $ | 89 | |||
Non-U.S. | 21 | 22 | |||||
On-balance sheet(a)(b) | 115 | 111 | |||||
Unused lines-of-credit ― individuals: | |||||||
U.S. | 234 | 219 | |||||
Non-U.S. | 44 | 46 | |||||
Total unused lines-of-credit ― individuals | $ | 278 | $ | 265 | |||
Represents Card Member loans to individuals as well as receivables from individuals and corporate institutions as discussed in footnotes (a) and (d) from the previous table. | |||||||
The remainder of the Company’s on-balance sheet exposure includes cash, investments, other loans, other receivables and other assets including derivative financial instruments. These balances are primarily within the U.S. | |||||||
Reportable_Operating_Segment
Reportable Operating Segment | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reportable Operating Segments | NOTE 25 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reportable Operating Segments | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company is a leading global payments and travel company that is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: USCS, ICS, GCS and GNMS. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company considers a combination of factors when evaluating the composition of its reportable operating segments, including the results reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, economic characteristics, products and services offered, classes of customers, product distribution channels, geographic considerations (primarily U.S. versus non-U.S.), and regulatory environment considerations. The following is a brief description of the primary business activities of the Company’s four reportable operating segments: | ||||||||||||||||||||
USCS issues a wide range of card products and services to consumers and small businesses in the U.S., and provides consumer travel services to Card Members and other consumers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
ICS issues proprietary consumer and small business cards outside the U.S. and operates coalition loyalty business in various countries. | ||||||||||||||||||||
GCS offers global corporate payment services to large and mid-sized companies. The Company’s business travel operations, which had been included in GCS, were deconsolidated effective June 30, 2014 in connection with the GBT JV transaction. | ||||||||||||||||||||
GNMS operates a global payments network that processes and settles proprietary and non-proprietary card transactions. GNMS acquires merchants and provides point-of-sale products, multi-channel marketing programs and capabilities, services and data, leveraging the Company’s global closed-loop network. It enters into partnership agreements with third-party card issuers and acquirers, licensing the American Express brand and extending the reach of the global network. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate functions and certain other businesses, including the Company’s Enterprise Growth Group and other operations, are included in Corporate & Other. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents certain selected financial information as of or for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except where indicated) | USCS | ICS | GCS | GNMS | Other | (a) | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | $ | 12,732 | $ | 4,737 | $ | 5,173 | $ | 5,426 | $ | 752 | $ | 28,820 | ||||||||
Interest income | 5,786 | 1,085 | 15 | 52 | 241 | 7,179 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 604 | 330 | 240 | -269 | 802 | 1,707 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 17,914 | 5,492 | 4,948 | 5,747 | 191 | 34,292 | ||||||||||||||
Total provision | 1,396 | 370 | 180 | 93 | 5 | 2,044 | ||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 5,100 | 449 | 2,408 | 2,620 | -1,586 | 8,991 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,900 | 38 | 865 | 960 | -657 | 3,106 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 3,200 | 411 | 1,543 | 1,660 | -929 | 5,885 | ||||||||||||||
Total equity (billions) | 10.4 | 3 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 | 20.7 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 12,123 | 4,644 | 5,085 | 5,229 | 846 | 27,927 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 5,565 | 1,118 | 13 | 32 | 277 | 7,005 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 693 | 361 | 245 | -252 | 911 | 1,958 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 16,995 | 5,401 | 4,853 | 5,513 | 212 | 32,974 | ||||||||||||||
Total provision | 1,250 | 388 | 129 | 67 | -2 | 1,832 | ||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 4,994 | 643 | 1,244 | 2,469 | -1,462 | 7,888 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,801 | 12 | 384 | 894 | -562 | 2,529 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 3,193 | 631 | 860 | 1,575 | -900 | 5,359 | ||||||||||||||
Total equity (billions) | 9.3 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 | 19.5 | ||||||||||||||
2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 11,469 | 4,561 | 4,995 | 5,005 | 897 | 26,927 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 5,342 | 1,147 | 11 | 23 | 331 | 6,854 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 765 | 402 | 257 | -243 | 1,045 | 2,226 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 16,046 | 5,306 | 4,749 | 5,271 | 183 | 31,555 | ||||||||||||||
Total provision | 1,253 | 279 | 106 | 73 | 1 | 1,712 | ||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 4,069 | 659 | 960 | 2,219 | -1,456 | 6,451 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,477 | 25 | 316 | 776 | -625 | 1,969 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 2,592 | 634 | 644 | 1,443 | -831 | 4,482 | ||||||||||||||
Total equity (billions) | $ | 8.7 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 2 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 18.9 | ||||||||
Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company allocates discount revenue and certain other revenues among segments using a transfer pricing methodology. Within the USCS, ICS and GCS segments, discount revenue reflects the issuer component of the overall discount revenue generated by each segment’s Card Members; within the GNMS segment, discount revenue reflects the network and acquirer component of the overall discount revenue. Net card fees and travel commissions and fees are directly attributable to the segment in which they are reported. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest and fees on loans and certain investment income is directly attributable to the segment in which it is reported. Interest expense represents an allocated funding cost based on a combination of segment funding requirements and internal funding rates. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Provisions for Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
The provisions for losses are directly attributable to the segment in which they are reported. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing and promotion expenses are included in each segment based on actual expenses incurred, with the exception of brand advertising, which is primarily reflected in the GNMS and USCS segments. Rewards and Card Member services expenses are included in each segment based on actual expenses incurred within each segment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses include expenses such as professional services, occupancy and equipment and communications incurred directly within each segment. In addition, expenses related to the Company’s support services, such as technology costs, are allocated to each segment primarily based on support service activities directly attributable to the segment. Other overhead expenses, such as staff group support functions, are allocated from Corporate & Other to the other segments based on a mix of each segment’s direct consumption of services and relative level of pretax income. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||
Each business segment is allocated capital based on established business model operating requirements, risk measures and regulatory capital requirements. Business model operating requirements include capital needed to support operations and specific balance sheet items. The risk measures include considerations for credit, market and operational risk. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
An income tax provision (benefit) is allocated to each business segment based on the effective tax rates applicable to various businesses that comprise the segment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Geographic Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the Company’s total revenues net of interest expense and pretax income (loss) from continuing operations in different geographic regions: | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | U.S. | EMEA | (a) | JAPA | (a) | LACC | (a) | Other Unallocated | (b) | Consolidated | ||||||||||
2014(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 24,855 | $ | 3,767 | $ | 2,934 | $ | 2,888 | $ | -152 | $ | 34,292 | ||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 8,869 | 525 | 463 | 683 | -1,549 | 8,991 | ||||||||||||||
2013(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 23,745 | $ | 3,700 | $ | 2,952 | $ | 2,900 | $ | -323 | $ | 32,974 | ||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 7,679 | 524 | 488 | 701 | -1,504 | 7,888 | ||||||||||||||
2012(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 22,631 | $ | 3,594 | $ | 3,106 | $ | 2,774 | $ | -550 | $ | 31,555 | ||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 6,468 | 505 | 426 | 605 | -1,553 | 6,451 | ||||||||||||||
EMEA represents Europe, the Middle East and Africa; JAPA represents Japan, Asia/Pacific and Australia; and LACC represents Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other Unallocated includes net costs which are not directly allocable to specific geographic regions, including costs related to the net negative interest spread on excess liquidity funding and executive office operations expenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The data in the above table is, in part, based upon internal allocations, which necessarily involve management’s judgment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent_Company
Parent Company | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | ||||||||||||
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] | NOTE 26 | |||||||||||
Parent Company | ||||||||||||
PARENT COMPANY – CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | ||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31 (Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | $ | 99 | $ | 135 | $ | 121 | ||||||
Other | 270 | 5 | -12 | |||||||||
Total non-interest revenues | 369 | 140 | 109 | |||||||||
Interest income | 141 | 134 | 137 | |||||||||
Interest expense | -543 | -583 | -609 | |||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | -33 | -309 | -363 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 275 | 206 | 165 | |||||||||
Other | 357 | 261 | 214 | |||||||||
Total | 632 | 467 | 379 | |||||||||
Pretax loss | -665 | -776 | -742 | |||||||||
Income tax benefit | -249 | -297 | -258 | |||||||||
Net loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | -416 | -479 | -484 | |||||||||
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | 6,301 | 5,838 | 4,966 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,885 | $ | 5,359 | $ | 4,482 | ||||||
PARENT COMPANY – CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||||
As of December 31 (Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,824 | $ | 6,076 | ||||||||
Investment securities | 1 | 123 | ||||||||||
Equity in net assets of subsidiaries and affiliates | 20,123 | 19,571 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 134 | 378 | ||||||||||
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation: 2014, $106; 2013, $76 | 139 | 136 | ||||||||||
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates | 7,809 | 5,236 | ||||||||||
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates | 1,477 | 1,126 | ||||||||||
Other assets | 365 | 335 | ||||||||||
Total assets | 38,872 | 32,981 | ||||||||||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 1,590 | 1,386 | ||||||||||
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates | 964 | 926 | ||||||||||
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,937 | 819 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt | 9,708 | 10,354 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities | 18,199 | 13,485 | ||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | ― | ― | ||||||||||
Common shares | 205 | 213 | ||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 12,874 | 12,202 | ||||||||||
Retained earnings | 9,513 | 8,507 | ||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | -1,919 | -1,426 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 20,673 | 19,496 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 38,872 | $ | 32,981 | ||||||||
PARENT COMPANY – CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31 (Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,885 | $ | 5,359 | $ | 4,482 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | -6,301 | -5,838 | -4,966 | |||||||||
Dividends received from subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,455 | 4,768 | 3,355 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | -99 | -135 | -121 | |||||||||
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates | 173 | 324 | 196 | |||||||||
Premium paid on debt exchange | ― | ― | -541 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 5,113 | 4,478 | 2,405 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||||||
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities | 111 | 157 | 118 | |||||||||
Purchase of premises and equipment | -39 | -39 | -38 | |||||||||
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates | -2,574 | 1,498 | -1,601 | |||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates | ― | ― | -11 | |||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | -2,502 | 1,616 | -1,532 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||||||
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long-term debt | -655 | 843 | ― | |||||||||
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,118 | -1,497 | 1,421 | |||||||||
Issuance of American Express preferred shares | 742 | ― | ― | |||||||||
Issuance of American Express common shares and other | 362 | 721 | 443 | |||||||||
Repurchase of American Express common shares | -4,389 | -3,943 | -3,952 | |||||||||
Dividends paid | -1,041 | -939 | -902 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 137 | -4,815 | -2,990 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 2,748 | 1,279 | -2,117 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 6,076 | 4,797 | 6,914 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 8,824 | $ | 6,076 | $ | 4,797 | ||||||
Supplemental cash flow information | ||||||||||||
Non-cash financing activities | ||||||||||||
Charge related to impact of debt exchange on long-term debt | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 439 | ||||||
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | $ | 630 | $ | ― | $ | ― |
Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[DisclosureTextBlockAbstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterly Financial Data | NOTE 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except per share amounts) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarters Ended | 31-Dec | 30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | 31-Dec | 30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 9,107 | $ | 8,329 | $ | 8,657 | $ | 8,199 | $ | 8,547 | $ | 8,301 | $ | 8,245 | $ | 7,881 | |||||||||||
Pretax income | 2,225 | 2,246 | 2,312 | 2,208 | 1,980 | 2,004 | 1,995 | 1,909 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 1,447 | 1,477 | 1,529 | 1,432 | 1,308 | 1,366 | 1,405 | 1,280 | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share — Basic: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shareholders(a) | $ | 1.4 | $ | 1.41 | $ | 1.44 | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.22 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 1.28 | $ | 1.15 | |||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share — Diluted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shareholders(a) | 1.39 | 1.4 | 1.43 | 1.33 | 1.21 | 1.25 | 1.27 | 1.15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Common share price: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High | 94.89 | 96.24 | 96.04 | 94.35 | 90.79 | 78.63 | 78.61 | 67.48 | |||||||||||||||||||
Low | $ | 78.41 | $ | 85.75 | $ | 83.99 | $ | 82.63 | $ | 72.08 | $ | 71.47 | $ | 63.43 | $ | 58.31 | |||||||||||
Represents net income, less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, $11 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, $12 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, $12 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, $12 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, $13 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and $11 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Significant_Accounting_Policie
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 | |
Policy (Text Block) [Abstract] | |
Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation |
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Significant intercompany transactions are eliminated. | |
The Company consolidates entities in which it holds a “controlling financial interest.” For voting interest entities, the Company is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is able to exercise control over the investees’ operating and financial decisions. For variable interest entities (VIEs), it is considered to hold a controlling financial interest when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is the party that has both: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The determination of whether an entity is a VIE is based on the amount and characteristics of the entity’s equity. | |
Entities in which the Company’s voting interest in common equity does not provide it with control, but allows the Company to exert significant influence over the operating and financial decisions, are accounted for under the equity method. All other investments in equity securities, to the extent that they are not considered marketable securities, are accounted for under the cost method. | |
Foreign Currency | Foreign Currency |
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon exchange rates prevailing at the end of each year. The resulting translation adjustments, along with any related qualifying hedge and tax effects, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI), a component of shareholders’ equity. Translation adjustments, including qualifying hedge and tax effects, are reclassified to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of investments in foreign operations. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average month-end exchange rates during the year. Gains and losses related to transactions in a currency other than the functional currency, including operations outside the U.S. where the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, are reported net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income, in other non-interest revenue, interest income, interest expense, or other expenses, depending on the nature of the activity. Net foreign currency transaction gains amounted to approximately $44 million, $108 million and $120 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |
Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions | Amounts Based on Estimates and Assumptions |
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. These estimates are based, in part, on management’s assumptions concerning future events. Among the more significant assumptions are those that relate to reserves for Card Member losses on loans and receivables, the proprietary point liability for Membership Rewards costs, fair value measurement, goodwill and income taxes. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ. | |
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense | Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense |
Discount Revenue | |
Discount revenue represents the amount earned by the Company on transactions occurring at merchants with which the Company, or a Global Network Services (GNS) partner, has entered into card acceptance agreements for facilitating transactions between the merchants and the Company’s Card Members. The discount fee generally is deducted from the payment to the merchant and recorded as discount revenue at the time the charge is captured. | |
Net Card Fees | |
Card fees, net of direct card acquisition costs and a reserve for projected membership cancellations, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the 12-month card membership period as Net Card Fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The unamortized net card fee balance is reported net in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (refer to Note 10). | |
Travel Commissions and Fees | |
The Company earns travel commissions and fees by charging clients transaction or management fees for selling and arranging travel and for travel management services. Client transaction fee revenue is recognized at the time the client books the travel arrangements. Travel management services revenue is recognized over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company’s travel suppliers (e.g., airlines, hotels and car rental companies) pay commissions and fees on tickets issued, sales and other services based on contractual agreements. Commissions and fees from travel suppliers are generally recognized at the time a ticket is purchased or over the term of the contract. Commissions and fees that are based on services rendered (e.g., hotel stays and car rentals) are recognized based on usage. | |
Other Commissions and Fees | |
Other commissions and fees include foreign currency conversion fees, Card Member delinquency fees, service fees and other card-related assessments, which are recognized primarily in the period in which they are charged to the Card Member (refer to Note 19). In addition, service fees are also earned from other customers (e.g., merchants) for a variety of services and are recognized when the service is performed, which is generally in the period the fee is charged. Also included are fees related to the Company’s Membership Rewards program, which are deferred and recognized over the period covered by the fee. The unamortized Membership Rewards fee balance is included in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (refer to Note 10). | |
Contra-revenue | |
The Company regularly makes payments through contractual arrangements with merchants, corporate payments clients, Card Members and certain other customers. Payments to such customers, including cash rebates paid to Card Members, are generally classified as contra-revenue unless a specifically identifiable benefit (e.g., goods or services) is received by the Company or its Card Members in consideration for that payment, and the fair value of such benefit is determinable and measurable. If no such benefit is identified, then the entire payment is classified as contra-revenue and included in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the revenue line item where the related transactions are recorded (e.g., discount revenue, travel commissions and fees and other commissions and fees). If such a benefit is identified, then the payment is classified as expense up to the estimated fair value of the benefit. | |
Interest Income | |
Interest on Card Member loans is assessed using the average daily balance method. Unless the loan is classified as non-accrual, interest is recognized based upon the outstanding balance, 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 the Company’s performing fixed-income securities. Interest income is accrued as earned using the effective interest method, which adjusts the yield for security premiums and discounts, fees and other payments, so that a constant rate of return is recognized on the investment security’s outstanding balance. Amounts are recognized until such time as a security is in default or when it is likely that future interest payments will not be received as scheduled. | |
Interest on deposits with banks and other is recognized as earned, and primarily relates to the placement of cash in interest-bearing time deposits, overnight sweep accounts, and other interest-bearing demand and call accounts. | |
Interest Expense | |
Interest expense includes interest incurred primarily to fund Card Member loans, charge card product receivables, general corporate purposes, and liquidity needs, and is recognized as incurred. 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) long-term debt and other, which primarily relates to interest expense on the Company’s long-term financing and short-term borrowings, and the realized impact of derivatives hedging interest rate risk. | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, including securities purchased under resale agreements, and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. | |
Premises and Equipment | Premises and Equipment |
Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs incurred during construction are capitalized and are depreciated once an asset is placed in service. Depreciation is generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets, which range from 3 to 10 years for equipment, furniture and building improvements. Premises are depreciated based upon their estimated useful life at the acquisition date, which generally ranges from 30 to 50 years. | |
Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of the remaining term of the leased facility or the economic life of the improvement, which ranges from 5 to 10 years. The Company maintains operating leases worldwide for facilities and equipment. Rent expense for facility leases is recognized ratably over the lease term, and includes adjustments for rent concessions, rent escalations and leasehold improvement allowances. The Company recognizes lease restoration obligations at the fair value of the restoration liabilities when incurred, and amortizes the restoration assets over the lease term. | |
Software Development Costs | The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the acquisition or development of internal-use software. Once the software is ready for its intended use, these costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the software’s estimated useful life, generally 5 years. |
Card Member and Other Receivables and Loans | Card Member and Other Receivables |
Card Member receivables, representing amounts due on charge card products, are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant. Each charge card transaction is authorized based on its likely economics, a Card Member’s most recent credit information and spend patterns. Additionally, global spend limits are established to limit the maximum exposure for the Company. | |
Charge Card Members generally must pay the full amount billed each month. Card Member receivable balances are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4), and include principal and any related accrued fees. | |
Card Member and Other Loans | |
Card Member loans, representing revolving amounts due on lending card products, are recorded at the time a Card Member enters into a point-of-sale transaction with a merchant, as well as amounts due from charge Card Members who utilize the lending-on-charge feature on their account and elect to revolve a portion of the outstanding balance by entering into a revolving payment arrangement with the Company. These loans have a range of terms such as credit limits, interest rates, fees and payment structures, which can be revised over time based on new information about Card Members and in accordance with applicable regulations and the respective product’s terms and conditions. Card Members holding revolving loans are typically required to make monthly payments based on pre-established amounts. The amounts that Card Members choose to revolve are subject to finance charges. | |
Card Member loans are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of reserves for losses (refer to Note 4), and include principal, accrued interest and fees receivable. The Company’s policy generally is to cease accruing interest on a Card Member loan at the time the account is written off, and establish reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. | |
Impaired Card Member 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 the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the Card Member agreement. The Company considers 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). | |
The Company may modify, through various company sponsored programs, Card Member loans and receivables in instances where the Card Member is experiencing financial difficulty in order to minimize losses and improve collectability while providing Card Members with temporary or permanent financial relief. The Company has classified Card Member loans and receivables in these modification programs as TDRs. | |
Such modifications to the loans and receivables primarily include (i) temporary interest rate reductions (possibly as low as zero percent, in which case the loan is characterized as non-accrual in the Company’s TDR disclosures), (ii) placing the Card Member on a fixed payment plan not to exceed 60 months and (iii) suspending delinquency fees until the Card Member exits the modification program. Upon entering the modification program, the Card Member’s ability to make future purchases is either cancelled or in certain cases suspended until the Card Member successfully exits the modification program. In accordance with the modification agreement with the Card Member, loans may revert back to the original contractual terms (including the contractual interest rate) when the Card Member exits the modification program, which is (i) when all payments have been made in accordance with the modification agreement or, (ii) when the Card Member defaults out of the modification program. The Company establishes a reserve for Card Member interest charges and fees considered to be uncollectible. | |
Reserves for Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs are determined as the difference between the cash flows expected to be received from the Card Member (taking into consideration the probability of subsequent defaults), discounted at the original effective interest rates, and the carrying value of the Card Member loan or receivable balance. The Company determines the original effective interest rate as the interest rate in effect prior to the imposition of any penalty interest rate. All changes in the impairment measurement are included in the provision for losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. | |
Reserves for Losses | Reserves for losses relating to Card Member loans and receivables represent management’s best estimate of the probable inherent losses in the Company’s outstanding portfolio of loans and receivables, as of the Balance Sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments. |
Reserves for losses are primarily based upon statistical and analytical models that analyze portfolio performance and reflect management’s judgment regarding the quantitative components of the reserve. The models take into account several factors, including delinquency based loss migration rates, loss emergence periods and average losses and recoveries over an appropriate historical period. Management considers whether to adjust the quantitative reserves for certain external and internal qualitative factors, which may increase or decrease the reserves for losses on Card Member loans and receivables. External factors include employment, spend, sentiment, housing and credit, and changes in the legal and regulatory environment while internal factors include increased risk in certain portfolios, impact of risk management initiatives, changes in underwriting requirements and overall process stability. As part of this evaluation process, management also considers various reserve coverage metrics, such as reserves as a percentage of past due amounts, reserves as a percentage of Card Member receivables or loans and net write-off coverage ratios. | |
Card Member loans and receivables balances are written off when management considers amounts to be uncollectible, which is generally determined by the number of days past due and is typically no later than 180 days past due. Card Member loans and receivables in bankruptcy or owed by deceased individuals are generally written off upon notification, and recoveries are recognized as they are collected. | |
Investment Securities | Investment securities include debt and equity securities that the Company classifies as available-for-sale. The Company’s investment securities, principally debt securities, are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with unrealized gains (losses) recorded in AOCI, net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in results of operations upon disposition of the securities using the specific identification method on a trade date basis. Refer to Note 15 for a description of the Company’s methodology for determining the fair value of investment securities. |
The gross unrealized losses are attributed to overall wider credit spreads for state and municipal securities, wider credit spreads for specific issuers, adverse changes in market benchmark interest rates, or a combination thereof, all as compared to those prevailing when the investment securities were acquired. | |
Overall, for the investment securities in gross unrealized loss positions identified above, (i) the Company does not intend to sell the investment securities, (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of the unrealized losses, and (iii) the Company expects that the contractual principal and interest will be received on the investment securities. As a result, the Company recognized no other-than-temporary impairment during the periods presented. | |
Asset Securitizations | NOTE 6 |
Asset Securitizations | |
The Company periodically securitizes Card Member receivables and loans arising from its card business through the transfer of those assets to securitization trusts. The trusts then issue securities to third-party investors, collateralized by the transferred assets. | |
Card Member receivables are transferred to the American Express Issuance Trust II (the Charge Trust). Card Member loans are transferred to the American Express Credit Account Master Trust (the Lending Trust). The Charge Trust and the Lending Trust are consolidated by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The trusts are considered VIEs as they have insufficient equity at risk to finance their activities, which are to issue securities that are collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and loans. Details on the principles of consolidation can be found in the summary of significant accounting policies (refer to Note 1). | |
TRS, in its role as servicer of the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust, has the power to direct the most significant activity of the trusts, which is the collection of the underlying Card Member receivables and loans in the trusts. In addition, TRS, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, owns approximately $1.2 billion of subordinated securities issued by the Lending Trust as of December 31, 2014. These subordinated securities have the obligation to absorb losses of the Lending Trust and provide the right to receive benefits from the Lending Trust, both of which are significant to the VIE. TRS’ role as servicer for the Charge Trust does not provide it with a significant obligation to absorb losses or a significant right to receive benefits. However, TRS’ position as the parent company of the entities that transferred the receivables to the Charge Trust makes it the party most closely related to the Charge Trust. Based on these considerations, TRS is the primary beneficiary of both the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust. | |
The debt securities issued by the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust are non-recourse to the Company. Securitized Card Member receivables and loans held by the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust are available only for payment of the debt securities or other obligations issued or arising in the securitization transactions (refer to Note 3). The long-term debt of each trust is payable only out of collections on their respective underlying securitized assets (refer to Note 9). | |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets | Goodwill |
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost of an acquired business over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company assigns goodwill to its reporting units for the purpose of impairment testing. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment, or a business that is one level below an operating segment for which discrete financial information is regularly reviewed by the operating segment manager. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of June 30 and between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. The goodwill impairment test utilizes a two-step approach. The first step in the impairment test identifies whether there is potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step of the impairment test is required to measure the amount of any impairment loss. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, goodwill was not impaired and there were no accumulated impairment losses. | |
Goodwill impairment testing involves management judgment, requiring an assessment of whether the carrying value of the reporting unit can be supported by its fair value using widely accepted valuation techniques. The Company uses a combination of the income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approach (market multiples). | |
When preparing discounted cash flow models under the income approach, the Company uses internal forecasts to estimate future cash flows expected to be generated by the reporting units. Actual results may differ from forecasted results. The Company calculates discount rates based on the expected cost of equity financing, estimated using a capital asset pricing model, to discount future cash flows for each reporting unit. The Company believes the discount rates used appropriately reflect the risks and uncertainties in the financial markets generally and specifically in the Company’s internally developed forecasts. When using market multiples under the market approach, the Company applies comparable publically traded companies’ multiples (e.g. earnings, revenues) to its reporting units’ actual results. | |
Other Intangible Assets | |
Intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 22 years on a straight-line basis. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment quarterly and whenever events and circumstances indicate their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In addition, on an annual basis, the Company performs an impairment evaluation of all intangible assets by assessing the recoverability of the asset values based on the cash flows generated by the relevant assets or asset groups. An impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the asset’s fair value. | |
Intangible assets acquired in 2014 and 2013 are being amortized, on average, over 7 and 6 years, respectively. | |
Membership Rewards | Membership Rewards |
The Membership Rewards program allows enrolled Card Members to earn points that can be redeemed for a broad range of rewards including travel, entertainment, retail certificates and merchandise. The Company records a balance sheet liability that represents management’s best estimate of the cost of points earned that are expected to be redeemed in the future. The Ultimate Redemption Rate (URR) and weighted average cost (WAC) per point are key assumptions used to approximate the Membership Rewards liability. | |
The expense for Membership Rewards points is included in marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services expenses. The Company periodically evaluates its liability estimation process and assumptions based on developments in redemption patterns, cost per point redeemed, partner contract changes and other factors. | |
Stock-based Compensation | Stock Options |
Each stock option has an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and a contractual term of 10 years from the date of grant. Stock options generally vest 25 percent per year beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date or at 100 percent on the third anniversary of the grant date. | |
Restricted Stock Awards | |
RSAs are valued based on the stock price on the date of grant and generally vest 25 percent per year beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date or at 100 percent on the third anniversary of the grant date. RSA holders receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents. | |
Liability-based Awards | |
Certain employees are awarded PGs and other incentive awards that can be settled with cash or equity shares at the Company’s discretion and final Compensation and Benefits Committee payout approval. These awards earn value based on performance, market and service conditions and vest over periods of one to three years. | |
PGs and other incentive awards are generally settled with cash and thus are classified as liabilities and, therefore, the fair value is determined at the date of grant and remeasured quarterly as part of compensation expense over the vesting period. | |
Retirement Plans | Defined Contribution Retirement Plans |
The Company sponsors defined contribution retirement plans, the principal plan being the Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), a 401(k) savings plan with a profit-sharing component. The RSP is a tax-qualified retirement plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and covers most employees in the U.S. | |
Defined Benefit Pension and other postretirement benefit Plans | |
The Company’s primary defined benefit pension plans that cover certain employees in the U.S. and United Kingdom are closed to new entrants and existing participants do not accrue any additional benefits. Most employees outside the U.S. and United Kingdom are covered by local retirement plans, some of which are funded, while other employees receive payments at the time of retirement or termination under applicable labor laws or agreements. The Company complies with minimum funding requirements in all countries. The Company sponsors unfunded other postretirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance to certain retired U.S. employees. | |
The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. | |
Legal Contingencies | Legal Contingencies |
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal proceedings concerning matters arising out of the conduct of their respective business activities and are periodically subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, subpoenas, inquiries and investigations (collectively, governmental examinations). As of December 31, 2014, the Company and various of its subsidiaries were named as a defendant or were otherwise involved in numerous legal proceedings and governmental examinations in various jurisdictions, both in and outside the U.S. The Company discloses its material legal proceedings and governmental examinations under “Legal Proceedings” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (Legal Proceedings). | |
The Company has recorded liabilities for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued 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 accrued liability. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and governmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued or a revision to the disclosed estimated range of possible losses, as applicable. | |
The Company’s legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with millions of putative class members. These legal proceedings, as well as governmental examinations, involve various lines of business of the Company and a variety of claims (including, but not limited to, common law tort, contract, antitrust and consumer protection claims), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. While some matters pending against the Company specify the damages claimed by the plaintiff, 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 the Company 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 the Company to estimate a range of possible loss. | |
Other matters have progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues so that the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss. Accordingly, for those legal proceedings and governmental examinations disclosed or referred to in Legal Proceedings where a loss is reasonably possible in future periods, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, and for which the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the current estimated range is zero to $360 million in excess of any accrued liability related to these matters. This aggregate range represents management’s estimate of possible loss with respect to these matters and is based on currently available information. This estimated range of possible loss does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated range will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from current estimates. | |
Based on its current knowledge, and taking into consideration its litigation-related liabilities, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding or governmental examination that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, the ultimate outcome of a particular matter could be material to the Company’s operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of the Company’s earnings for that period. | |
Derivatives Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities | Derivative Financial Instruments That Qualify For Hedge Accounting |
Derivatives executed for hedge accounting purposes are documented and designated as such when the Company enters into the contracts. In accordance with its risk management policies, the Company structures its hedges with terms similar to that of the item being hedged. The Company formally assesses, at inception of the hedge accounting relationship and on a quarterly basis, whether derivatives designated as hedges are highly effective in offsetting the fair value or cash flows of the hedged items. These assessments usually are made through the application of a regression analysis method. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue the application of hedge accounting. | |
Fair Value Hedges | |
A fair value hedge involves a derivative designated to hedge the Company’s exposure to future changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability, or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk. | |
Net Investment Hedges | |
A net investment hedge is used to hedge future changes in currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. The Company primarily designates foreign currency derivatives, typically foreign exchange forwards, and on occasion foreign currency denominated debt, as hedges of net investments in certain foreign operations. These instruments reduce exposure to changes in currency exchange rates on the Company’s investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. The effective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in AOCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was $455 million, $253 million and $(288) million for the years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Any ineffective portion of the gain or (loss) on net investment hedges is recognized in other expenses during the period of change. | |
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges | |
The Company has derivatives that act as economic hedges, but are not designated as such for hedge accounting purposes. Foreign currency transactions and non-U.S. dollar cash flow exposures from time to time may be partially or fully economically hedged through foreign currency contracts, primarily foreign exchange forwards, options and cross-currency swaps. These hedges generally mature within one year. Foreign currency contracts involve the purchase and sale of a designated currency at an agreed upon rate for settlement on a specified date. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives effectively offset the related foreign exchange gains or losses on the underlying balance sheet exposures. From time to time, the Company may enter into interest rate swaps to specifically manage funding costs related to its proprietary card business. | |
The Company has certain operating agreements containing payments that may be linked to a market rate or price, primarily foreign currency rates. The payment components of these agreements may meet the definition of an embedded derivative, in which case the embedded derivative is accounted for separately and is classified as a foreign exchange contract based on its primary risk exposure. | |
For derivatives that are not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings. | |
Fair Value Measurements | Fair Values |
Fair value is defined as the price that would be required to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, based on the Company’s principal or, in the absence of a principal, most advantageous market for the specific asset or liability. | |
GAAP provides for a three-level hierarchy of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, defined as follows: | |
Level 1 ― Inputs that are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity can access. | |
Level 2 ― Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including: | |
- Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; | |
- Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; | |
- Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and | |
- Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. | |
Level 3 ― Inputs that are unobservable and reflect the Company’s own estimates about the estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances (e.g., internally derived assumptions surrounding the timing and amount of expected cash flows). The Company did not measure any financial instruments presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, although the disclosed fair value of certain assets that are not carried at fair value, as presented later in this Note, are classified within Level 3. | |
The Company monitors the market conditions and evaluates the fair value hierarchy levels at least quarterly. For any transfers in and out of the levels of the fair value hierarchy, the Company discloses the fair value measurement at the beginning of the reporting period during which the transfer occurred. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no significant transfers between levels. | |
Valuation Techniques Used in the Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value | |
For the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (categorized in the valuation hierarchy table above) the Company applies the following valuation techniques: | |
Investment Securities | |
When available, quoted prices of identical investment securities in active markets are used to estimate fair value. Such investment securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. | |
When quoted prices of identical investment securities in active markets are not available, the fair values for the Company’s investment securities are obtained primarily from pricing services engaged by the Company, and the Company receives one price for each security. The fair values provided by the pricing services are estimated using pricing models, where the inputs to those models are based on observable market inputs or recent trades of similar securities. Such investment securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The inputs to the valuation techniques applied by the pricing services vary depending on the type of security being priced but are typically benchmark yields, benchmark security prices, credit spreads, prepayment speeds, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes, all with reasonable levels of transparency. The pricing services did not apply any adjustments to the pricing models used. In addition, the Company did not apply any adjustments to prices received from the pricing services. | |
The Company reaffirms its understanding of the valuation techniques used by its pricing services at least annually. In addition, the Company corroborates the prices provided by its pricing services for reasonableness by comparing the prices from the respective pricing services to valuations obtained from different pricing sources. In instances where price discrepancies are identified between different pricing sources, the Company evaluates such discrepancies to ensure that the prices used for its valuation represent the fair value of the underlying investment securities. Refer to Note 5 for additional fair value information. | |
Derivative Financial Instruments | |
The fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is estimated by third-party valuation services that use proprietary pricing models or by internal pricing models, where the inputs to those models are readily observable from actively quoted markets. The pricing models used are consistently applied and reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives as described below. The Company reaffirms its understanding of the valuation techniques used by the third-party valuation services at least annually. The Company’s derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. | |
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs: the contractual terms of the swap such as the notional amount, fixed coupon rate, floating coupon rate (based on interbank rates consistent with the frequency and currency of the interest cash flows) and tenor, as well as discount rates consistent with the underlying economic factors of the currency in which the cash flows are denominated. | |
The fair value of the Company’s total return contract, which served as a hedge against the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) change in fair value associated with the Company’s investment in ICBC, is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs as of the valuation date: number of shares of the Company’s underlying ICBC investment, the quoted market price of the shares in HKD and the monthly settlement terms of the contract inclusive of price and tenor. | |
The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts is determined based on a discounted cash flow method using the following significant inputs: the contractual terms of the forward contracts such as the notional amount, maturity dates and contract rate, as well as relevant foreign currency forward curves, and discount rates consistent with the underlying economic factors of the currency in which the cash flows are denominated. | |
Credit valuation adjustments are necessary when the market parameters, such as a benchmark curve, used to value derivatives are not indicative of the credit quality of the Company or its counterparties. The Company considers the counterparty credit risk by applying an observable forecasted default rate to the current exposure. Refer to Note 14 for additional fair value information. | |
Guarantees | The Company provides Card Member protection plans that cover losses associated with purchased products, as well as certain other guarantees in the ordinary course of business. For the Company, guarantees primarily consist of card and travel protection programs, including: |
Return Protection — refunds the price of qualifying purchases made with the 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 bankruptcy or liquidation of a merchant. When this occurs, the Card Member may dispute the transaction for which the Company will generally credit the Card Member’s account. If the Company is unable to collect the amount from the merchant, it will bear the loss for the amount credited to the Card Member. The largest component of the maximum potential future payments relates to Card Member transactions associated with travel-related merchants, primarily through business arrangements where the Company has remitted payment to such merchants for a Card Member travel purchase that has not yet been used or “flown”. | |
In relation to its maximum potential undiscounted future payments as shown in the table that follows, to date the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to guarantees. The Company’s initial recognition of guarantees is at fair value. In addition, the Company establishes reserves when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. | |
Income Tax Uncertainties | The Company is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., its states and municipalities and those of the foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to the taxpayer’s facts is sometimes open to interpretation. Given these inherent complexities, the Company must make judgments in assessing the likelihood that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. A tax position is recognized only when, based on management’s judgment regarding the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes is based on management’s best judgment of the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement with the taxing authority given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. The Company adjusts the level of unrecognized tax benefits when there is new information available to assess the likelihood of the outcome. |
Income Taxes | The Company records a deferred income tax (benefit) provision when there are differences between assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting and for income tax return purposes. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years and are measured using the tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. |
A valuation allowance is established when management determines that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the benefit of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are associated with net operating losses and other deferred tax assets in certain non-U.S. operations of the Company. | |
Interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits are reported in the income tax provision. | |
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy [Policy Text Block] | Restricted Net Assets of Subsidiaries |
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on the transfer of net assets under debt agreements and regulatory requirements. These restrictions have not had any effect on the Company’s shareholder dividend policy and management does not anticipate any impact in the future. Procedures exist to transfer net assets between the Company and its subsidiaries, while ensuring compliance with the various contractual and regulatory constraints. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate amount of net assets of subsidiaries that are restricted to be transferred to the Company was approximately $11.0 billion. | |
Bank Holding Company Dividend Restrictions | |
The Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends by the Federal Reserve, which could prohibit a dividend that would be considered an unsafe or unsound banking practice. It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies generally should pay dividends on preferred and common stock only out of net income available to common shareholders generated over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s current and expected future capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Moreover, bank holding companies are required by statute to be a source of strength to their insured depository institution subsidiaries and should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to do so. On an annual basis, the Company is required to develop and maintain a capital plan, which includes planned dividends over a two-year horizon, and to submit the capital plan to the Federal Reserve. | |
Banks’ Dividend Restrictions | |
In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, Centurion Bank paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $1.9 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, and FSB paid dividends from retained earnings to its parent of $2.1 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. | |
The Banks are subject to statutory and regulatory limitations on their ability to pay dividends. The total amount of dividends that may be paid at any date, subject to supervisory considerations of the Banks’ regulators, is generally limited to the retained earnings of the respective bank. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Banks’ retained earnings, in the aggregate, available for the payment of dividends were $3.6 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively. In determining the dividends to pay its parent, the Banks must also consider the effects on applicable risk-based capital and leverage ratio requirements, as well as policy statements of the federal regulatory agencies. In addition, the Banks’ banking regulators have authority to limit or prohibit the payment of a dividend by the Banks under a number of circumstances, including if, in the banking regulator’s opinion, payment of a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice in light of the financial condition of the banking organization. | |
Segment Reporting | Reportable Operating Segments |
The Company is a leading global payments and travel company that is principally engaged in businesses comprising four reportable operating segments: USCS, ICS, GCS and GNMS. | |
The Company considers a combination of factors when evaluating the composition of its reportable operating segments, including the results reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, economic characteristics, products and services offered, classes of customers, product distribution channels, geographic considerations (primarily U.S. versus non-U.S.), and regulatory environment considerations. The following is a brief description of the primary business activities of the Company’s four reportable operating segments: | |
USCS issues a wide range of card products and services to consumers and small businesses in the U.S., and provides consumer travel services to Card Members and other consumers. | |
ICS issues proprietary consumer and small business cards outside the U.S. and operates coalition loyalty business in various countries. | |
GCS offers global corporate payment services to large and mid-sized companies. The Company’s business travel operations, which had been included in GCS, were deconsolidated effective June 30, 2014 in connection with the GBT JV transaction. | |
GNMS operates a global payments network that processes and settles proprietary and non-proprietary card transactions. GNMS acquires merchants and provides point-of-sale products, multi-channel marketing programs and capabilities, services and data, leveraging the Company’s global closed-loop network. It enters into partnership agreements with third-party card issuers and acquirers, licensing the American Express brand and extending the reach of the global network. | |
Corporate functions and certain other businesses, including the Company’s Enterprise Growth Group and other operations, are included in Corporate & Other. | |
Total Revenues Net of Interest Expense | |
The Company allocates discount revenue and certain other revenues among segments using a transfer pricing methodology. Within the USCS, ICS and GCS segments, discount revenue reflects the issuer component of the overall discount revenue generated by each segment’s Card Members; within the GNMS segment, discount revenue reflects the network and acquirer component of the overall discount revenue. Net card fees and travel commissions and fees are directly attributable to the segment in which they are reported. | |
Interest and fees on loans and certain investment income is directly attributable to the segment in which it is reported. Interest expense represents an allocated funding cost based on a combination of segment funding requirements and internal funding rates. | |
Provisions for Losses | |
The provisions for losses are directly attributable to the segment in which they are reported. | |
Expenses | |
Marketing and promotion expenses are included in each segment based on actual expenses incurred, with the exception of brand advertising, which is primarily reflected in the GNMS and USCS segments. Rewards and Card Member services expenses are included in each segment based on actual expenses incurred within each segment. | |
Salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses include expenses such as professional services, occupancy and equipment and communications incurred directly within each segment. In addition, expenses related to the Company’s support services, such as technology costs, are allocated to each segment primarily based on support service activities directly attributable to the segment. Other overhead expenses, such as staff group support functions, are allocated from Corporate & Other to the other segments based on a mix of each segment’s direct consumption of services and relative level of pretax income. | |
Capital | |
Each business segment is allocated capital based on established business model operating requirements, risk measures and regulatory capital requirements. Business model operating requirements include capital needed to support operations and specific balance sheet items. The risk measures include considerations for credit, market and operational risk. | |
Income Taxes | |
An income tax provision (benefit) is allocated to each business segment based on the effective tax rates applicable to various businesses that comprise the segment. |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables segment detail | Accounts receivable by segment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services (a) | $ | 22,468 | $ | 21,842 | |||||||||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 7,653 | 7,771 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services (b) | 14,583 | 14,391 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Network & Merchant Services (c) | 147 | 159 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables (d) | 44,851 | 44,163 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Reserve for losses | 465 | 386 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member receivables, net | $ | 44,386 | $ | 43,777 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other receivables, net (e) | $ | 2,614 | $ | 3,408 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Includes $7.0 billion and $7.3 billion of gross Card Member receivables available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes $636 million and $836 million due from airlines, of which Delta Air Lines (Delta) comprises $606 million and $628 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes receivables primarily related to the Company’s International Currency Card portfolios. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes approximately $13.3 billion and $13.8 billion of Card Member receivables outside the U.S. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other receivables primarily represent amounts related to (i) certain merchants for billed discount revenue and (ii) GNS partner banks for items such as royalty and franchise fees. Additionally, for 2013, the balance also included purchased GNS joint venture receivables. Other receivables are presented net of reserves for losses of $61 million and $71 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans segment detail | Loans by segment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services(a) | $ | 62,592 | $ | 58,395 | |||||||||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 7,744 | 8,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | 49 | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans | 70,385 | 67,238 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Reserve for losses | 1,201 | 1,261 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member loans, net | $ | 69,184 | $ | 65,977 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other loans, net(b) | $ | 920 | $ | 608 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Includes approximately $30.1 billion and $31.2 billion of gross Card Member loans available to settle obligations of a consolidated VIE as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other loans primarily represent loans to merchants and a store card loan portfolio. Other loans are presented net of reserves for losses of $12 million and $13 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aging of Card Member loans and receivables | The following table presents the aging of Card Member loans and receivables as of December 31, 2014 and 2013: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
30-59 | 60-89 | 90+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Days | Days | Days | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Past | Past | Past | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Millions) | Current | Due | Due | Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 61,995 | $ | 179 | $ | 128 | $ | 290 | $ | 62,592 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 7,621 | 39 | 27 | 57 | 7,744 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 22,096 | $ | 129 | $ | 72 | $ | 171 | $ | 22,468 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services (a) | 7,557 | 29 | 20 | 47 | 7,653 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | (b) | (b) | (b) | 120 | 14,583 | ||||||||||||||||||||
30-59 | 60-89 | 90+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Days | Days | Days | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Past | Past | Past | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Millions) | Current | Due | Due | Due | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 57,772 | $ | 183 | $ | 134 | $ | 306 | $ | 58,395 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services | 8,664 | 43 | 28 | 55 | 8,790 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 21,488 | $ | 125 | $ | 69 | $ | 160 | $ | 21,842 | |||||||||||||||
International Card Services | (b) | (b) | (b) | 83 | 7,771 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | (b) | (b) | (b) | 132 | 14,391 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning in the first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, delinquency data is now available and presented on a prospective basis for the indicated aging categories. Comparable data for prior periods is not available. For risk management purposes, the Company has historically utilized 90 days past billing for the International Card Services (ICS) segment, as described below in (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. For Card Member receivables in GCS as of December 31, 2014 and ICS and GCS as of December 31, 2013, 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 the Company initiates 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. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit quality indicators for loans and receivables | The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Write-Off Rate | Net Write-Off Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 Days | 30 Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal, | Past Due | Principal, | Past Due | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | Interest, & | as a % of | Principal | Interest, & | as a % of | ||||||||||||||||||||
Only | (a) | Fees | (a) | Total | Only | (a) | Fees | (a) | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | 1.5 | % | 1.7 | % | 1 | % | 1.8 | % | 2 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||
International Card Services (b) | 2 | % | 2.4 | % | 1.6 | % | 1.9 | % | 2.3 | % | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | 1.6 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 1.9 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||
International Card Services (b) | 1.9 | % | 2.1 | % | 1.3 | % | (c) | (c) | (c) | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | Net Loss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio as | 90 Days | Ratio as | 90 Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
a % of | Past Billing | a % of | Past Billing | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Charge | as a % of | Charge | as a % of | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Volume | Receivables | Volume | Receivables | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
International Card Services | (c) | (c) | 0.2 | % | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Global Commercial Services | 0.09 | % | 0.8 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
The Company presents 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 the Company considers uncollectible interest and/or fees in estimating its reserves for credit losses, a net write-off rate including principal, interest and/or fees is also presented. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning in 2014, write-offs for certain installment loan products have been reclassified from Card Member receivables to Card Member loans. Prior period write-offs have not been reclassified. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Historically, net loss ratio as a % of charge volume and 90 days past billings as a % of receivables were presented. Beginning in the first quarter 2014, as a result of system enhancements, 30 days past due as a % of total, net write-off rate (principal only) and Net write-off rate (principal and fees) have been presented. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impaired Card Member loans and receivables | The following table provides additional information with respect to the Company’s impaired Card Member loans, which are not significant for GCS, and Card Member receivables, which are not significant for ICS and GCS, as of or for the years ended December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014 | For the Year EndedDecember 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans over | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 Days | Loans & | Total | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Non- | Receivables | Impaired | Unpaid | Balance of | Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
& Accruing | Accrual | Modified | Loans & | Principal | Allowance | Impaired | Income | ||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Millions) | Interest | (a) | Loans | (b) | as a TDR | (c) | Receivables | Balance | (d) | for TDRs | (e) | Loans | Recognized | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 161 | $ | 241 | $ | 286 | $ | 688 | $ | 646 | $ | 67 | $ | 750 | $ | 49 | |||||||||
International Card Services | 57 | ― | ― | 57 | 56 | ― | 62 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | ― | ― | 48 | 48 | 48 | 35 | 47 | ― | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 218 | $ | 241 | $ | 334 | $ | 793 | $ | 750 | $ | 102 | $ | 859 | $ | 65 | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2013 | For the Year EndedDecember 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans over | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 Days | Loans & | Total | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Non- | Receivables | Impaired | Unpaid | Balance of | Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
& Accruing | Accrual | Modified | Loans & | Principal | Allowance | Impaired | Income | ||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Millions) | Interest | (a) | Loans | (b) | as a TDR | (c) | Receivables | Balance | (d) | for TDRs | (e) | Loans | Recognized | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services (f) | $ | 167 | $ | 294 | $ | 351 | $ | 812 | $ | 775 | $ | 78 | $ | 948 | $ | 46 | |||||||||
International Card Services | 54 | 4 | 5 | 63 | 62 | ― | 67 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | ― | ― | 50 | 50 | 49 | 38 | 81 | ― | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 221 | $ | 298 | $ | 406 | $ | 925 | $ | 886 | $ | 116 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 62 | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2012 | For the Year EndedDecember 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans over | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 Days | Loans & | Total | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Non- | Receivables | Impaired | Unpaid | Balance of | Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
& Accruing | Accrual | Modified | Loans & | Principal | Allowance | Impaired | Income | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 (Millions) | Interest | (a) | Loans | (b) | as a TDR | (c) | Receivables | Balance | (d) | for TDRs | (e) | Loans | Recognized | ||||||||||||
Card Member Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | $ | 73 | $ | 426 | $ | 627 | $ | 1,126 | $ | 1,073 | $ | 152 | $ | 1,221 | $ | 47 | |||||||||
International Card Services | 59 | 5 | 6 | 70 | 69 | 1 | 75 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Card Services | ― | ― | 117 | 117 | 111 | 91 | 135 | ― | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 132 | $ | 431 | $ | 750 | $ | 1,313 | $ | 1,253 | $ | 244 | $ | 1,431 | $ | 63 | |||||||||
The Company’s policy is generally to accrue interest through the date of write-off (i.e. 180 days past due). The Company establishes reserves for interest that the Company believes will not be collected. Amounts presented exclude loans modified as a TDR. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-accrual loans not in modification programs include certain Card Member loans placed with outside collection agencies for which the Company has ceased accruing interest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR includes $34 million, $43 million and $320 million that are non-accrual and $26 million, $29 million and $6 million that are past due 90 days and still accruing interest as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unpaid principal balance consists of Card Member charges billed and excludes other amounts charged directly by the Company such as interest and fees. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the reserve for losses for TDRs, which are evaluated individually for impairment. The Company records a reserve for losses for all impaired loans. Refer to Card Member Loans Evaluated Individually and Collectively for Impairment in Note 4 for further disclosures regarding the reserve for losses on loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest and non-accrual loans, which are evaluated collectively for impairment. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year 2013, certain amounts and their related reserves have been reclassified between Non-Accrual Loans and Loans & Receivables Modified as TDR. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled debt restructurings | The following table provides additional information with respect to the U.S. Card Services (USCS) Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs for the years ended December 31. The ICS and GCS Card Member loans and receivables modifications were not significant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Outstanding | Average Interest | Average Payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts | Balances(a,b) | Rate Reduction | Term Extensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | (in thousands) | ($ in millions) | (% points) | (# of months) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 46 | $ | 342 | 10 | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 15 | 176 | (c) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 61 | $ | 518 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Outstanding | Average Interest | Average Payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts | Balances(a,b) | Rate Reduction | Term Extensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | (in thousands) | ($ in millions) | (% points) | (# of months) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 60 | $ | 448 | 10 | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 20 | 247 | (c) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 80 | $ | 695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Outstanding | Average Interest | Average Payment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts | Balances(a,b) | Rate Reduction | Term Extensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | (in thousands) | ($ in millions) | (% points) | (# of months) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 106 | $ | 779 | 12 | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 37 | 425 | (c) | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 143 | $ | 1,204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the outstanding balance immediately prior to modification. In certain modifications, the principal balance was reduced in the aggregate amount of $4 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Modifications did not reduce the aggregate principal balance for the year ended December 31, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The outstanding balance includes principal, fees and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
For Card Member loans, there have been no payment term extensions. The Company does not offer interest rate reduction programs for Card Member receivables as the receivables are non-interest bearing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted | The following table provides information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, with respect to the USCS Card Member loans and receivables modified as TDRs that subsequently defaulted within 12 months of modification. A Card Member is considered in default from a modification program after one and up to two consecutive missed payments, depending on the terms of the modification program. For all Card Members that defaulted from a modification program, the probability of default is factored into the reserves for Card Member loans and receivables. The defaulted ICS Card Member loan and receivable modifications were not significant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions) | Accounts | Upon Default(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 10 | $ | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 3 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 13 | $ | 129 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions) | Accounts | Upon Default(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 18 | $ | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 3 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 21 | $ | 197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Balances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 (Accounts in thousands, Dollars in millions) | Accounts | Upon Default(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Troubled Debt Restructurings That Subsequently Defaulted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Loans | 23 | $ | 182 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Card Member Receivables | 1 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 24 | $ | 219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The outstanding balance includes principal, fees, and accrued interest on Card Member loans and principal and fees on Card Member receivables. |
Reserves_For_Losses_Tables
Reserves For Losses (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||
Changes in the Card Member receivable reserve for losses | The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Balance, January 1 | $ | 386 | $ | 428 | $ | 438 | ||||||
Provisions(a) | 792 | 648 | 601 | |||||||||
Net write-offs(b) | -683 | -669 | -640 | |||||||||
Other(c) | -30 | -21 | 29 | |||||||||
Balance, December 31 | $ | 465 | $ | 386 | $ | 428 | ||||||
Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee reserve components. | ||||||||||||
Consists of principal (resulting from authorized transactions) and fee components, less recoveries of $358 million, $402 million and $383 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $15 million, $12 million and $87 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||
Beginning in the first quarter 2014, reserves for card-related fraud losses of $(7) million are included in Other liabilities. Also includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(15) million, $(4) million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively; a reclassification of Card Member bankruptcy reserves of $18 million from Other liabilities to credit reserves in 2012 only and other items of $(8) million, $(17) million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||
Card Member receivables and related reserves evaluated separately and collectively for impairment | The following table presents Card Member receivables evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Card Member receivables evaluated individually for impairment(a) | $ | 48 | $ | 50 | $ | 117 | ||||||
Related reserves(a) | $ | 35 | $ | 38 | $ | 91 | ||||||
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment | $ | 44,803 | $ | 44,113 | $ | 42,649 | ||||||
Related reserves(b) | $ | 430 | $ | 348 | $ | 337 | ||||||
Represents receivables modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 3 for further information. | ||||||||||||
The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of receivables and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to receivables that are collectively evaluated for impairment. | ||||||||||||
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses | The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Balance, January 1 | $ | 1,261 | $ | 1,471 | $ | 1,874 | ||||||
Provisions(a) | 1,138 | 1,115 | 1,030 | |||||||||
Net write-offs | ||||||||||||
Principal(b) | -1,023 | -1,141 | -1,280 | |||||||||
Interest and fees(b) | -164 | -150 | -157 | |||||||||
Other(c) | -11 | -34 | 4 | |||||||||
Balance, December 31 | $ | 1,201 | $ | 1,261 | $ | 1,471 | ||||||
Provisions for principal (resulting from authorized transactions), interest and fee reserves components. | ||||||||||||
Consists of principal write-offs (resulting from authorized transactions), less recoveries of $428 million, $452 million and $493 million, including net write-offs from TDRs of $(10) million, $(1) million and $25 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Recoveries of interest and fees were de minimis. | ||||||||||||
Beginning in the first quarter 2014, reserves for card-related fraud losses of $(6) million are included in Other liabilities. Also includes foreign currency translation adjustments of $(17) million, $(12) million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, a reclassification of Card Member bankruptcy reserves of $4 million from Other liabilities to credit reserves in 2012 only and other items of $12 million, $(22) million and $(7) million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | ||||||||||||
Card Member loans and related reserves evaluated separately and collectively for impairment | The following table presents Card Member loans evaluated individually and collectively for impairment and related reserves as of December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Card Member loans evaluated individually for impairment (a) | $ | 286 | $ | 356 | $ | 633 | ||||||
Related reserves(a) | $ | 67 | $ | 78 | $ | 153 | ||||||
Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment (b) | $ | 70,100 | $ | 66,882 | $ | 64,596 | ||||||
Related reserves(b) | $ | 1,134 | $ | 1,183 | $ | 1,318 | ||||||
Represents loans modified in a TDR and related reserves. Refer to the Impaired Card Member Loans and Receivables discussion in Note 3 for further information. | ||||||||||||
Represents current loans and loans less than 90 days past due, loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest, and non-accrual loans. The reserves include the quantitative results of analytical models that are specific to individual pools of loans and reserves for internal and external qualitative risk factors that apply to loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. | ||||||||||||
Investment_Securities_Tables
Investment Securities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | The following is a summary of investment securities as of December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Estimated | Gross | Gross | Estimated | Estimated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair | Unrealized | Unrealized | Fair | Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Securities (Millions) | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | Value | |||||||||||||||||||
State and municipal obligations | $ | 3,366 | $ | 129 | $ | -2 | $ | 3,493 | $ | 4,060 | $ | 54 | $ | -79 | $ | 4,035 | $ | 4,474 | ||||||||||
U.S. Government agency obligations | 3 | ― | ― | 3 | 3 | ― | ― | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government treasury obligations | 346 | 4 | ― | 350 | 318 | 3 | -1 | 320 | 338 | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 37 | 3 | ― | 40 | 43 | 3 | ― | 46 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities (a) | 128 | 8 | ― | 136 | 160 | 5 | -1 | 164 | 224 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities (b) | ― | 1 | ― | 1 | 29 | 95 | ― | 124 | 296 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government bonds and obligations | 350 | 9 | ― | 359 | 272 | 5 | -1 | 276 | 149 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other (c) | 50 | ― | -1 | 49 | 50 | ― | -2 | 48 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,280 | $ | 154 | $ | -3 | $ | 4,431 | $ | 4,935 | $ | 165 | $ | -84 | $ | 5,016 | $ | 5,614 | ||||||||||
Represents mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primarily represents the Company’s investment in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprises investments in various mutual funds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | The following table provides information about the Company’s investment securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Securities (Millions) | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | Fair Value | Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
State and municipal obligations | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 72 | $ | -2 | $ | 1,320 | $ | -63 | $ | 106 | $ | -16 | ||||||||||||
Foreign government bonds and obligations | ― | ― | ― | ― | 208 | -1 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government treasury obligations | ― | ― | ― | ― | 166 | -1 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | ― | ― | ― | ― | 35 | -1 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other | ― | ― | 33 | -1 | 30 | -1 | 17 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | $ | 1,759 | $ | -67 | $ | 123 | $ | -17 | ||||||||||||
Available for Sale Securities Ratio of Fair Value to Amortized Cost | The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses due to temporary impairments by ratio of fair value to amortized cost as of December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | Gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Fair Value to | Number of | Estimated | Unrealized | Number of | Estimated | Unrealized | Number of | Estimated | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost (Dollars in millions) | Securities | Fair Value | Losses | Securities | Fair Value | Losses | Securities | Fair Value | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||
2014:00:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90%–100% | ― | $ | ― | $ | ― | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | |||||||||||||
Total as of December 31, 2014 | ― | $ | ― | $ | ― | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | 15 | $ | 105 | $ | -3 | |||||||||||||
2013:00:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90%–100% | 228 | $ | 1,665 | $ | -53 | 6 | $ | 24 | $ | -2 | 234 | $ | 1,689 | $ | -55 | |||||||||||||
Less than 90% | 13 | 94 | -14 | 5 | 99 | -15 | 18 | 193 | -29 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total as of December 31, 2013 | 241 | $ | 1,759 | $ | -67 | 11 | $ | 123 | $ | -17 | 252 | $ | 1,882 | $ | -84 | |||||||||||||
Contractual maturities of investment securities | Contractual maturities and weighted average yields for investment securities, excluding equity securities and other securities, as of December 31, 2014 were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due after 1 | Due after 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Due within | year but | years but | Due after | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 1 year | within 5 years | within 10 years | 10 years | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
State and municipal obligations(a) | $ | 182 | $ | 74 | $ | 233 | $ | 3,004 | $ | 3,493 | ||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government agency obligations | ― | ― | ― | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government treasury obligations | 66 | 264 | 8 | 12 | 350 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 6 | 34 | ― | ― | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities(a) | ― | 2 | ― | 134 | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government bonds and obligations | 307 | 7 | ― | 45 | 359 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Estimated Fair Value | $ | 561 | $ | 381 | $ | 241 | $ | 3,198 | 4,381 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Cost | $ | 560 | $ | 374 | $ | 225 | $ | 3,071 | 4,230 | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average yields(b)(c) | 2.5 | % | 2.07 | % | 6.71 | % | 6.81 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
The expected payments on state and municipal obligations and mortgage-backed securities may not coincide with their contractual maturities because the issuers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average yields for investment securities have been calculated using the effective yield on the date of purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yields on tax-exempt investment securities have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset_Securitizations_Tables
Asset Securitizations (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||
Restricted cash held by trusts | The following table presents the restricted cash held by the Charge Trust and the Lending Trust as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, included in Other Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: | ||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Charge Trust | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | |||
Lending Trust | 62 | 56 | |||||
Total | $ | 64 | $ | 58 |
Other_Assets_Tables
Other Assets (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||
Other assets | The following is a summary of other assets as of December 31: | ||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | 3,024 | $ | 3,198 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets, net(a) | 2,110 | 2,443 | |||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses(b) | 1,626 | 1,998 | |||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 854 | 817 | |||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets(a) | 711 | 329 | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash(c) | 384 | 486 | |||||||||||||||||
Other | 2,633 | 1,957 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 11,342 | $ | 11,228 | |||||||||||||||
Refer to Notes 21 and 14 for a discussion of deferred tax assets, net and derivative assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Derivative assets reflect the impact of master netting agreements. For 2014, $96 million of foreign deferred tax liabilities is reflected in Other Liabilities. | |||||||||||||||||||
Includes prepaid miles and reward points acquired primarily from airline partners of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, including approximately $0.6 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, from Delta. | |||||||||||||||||||
Includes restricted cash of approximately $64 million and $58 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which is primarily held for coupon and certain asset-backed securitization maturities. | |||||||||||||||||||
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill | The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill reported in the Company’s reportable operating segments and Corporate & Other were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate & | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | USCS | ICS | GCS | GNMS | Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2013 | $ | 175 | $ | 1,031 | $ | 1,544 | $ | 160 | $ | 271 | $ | 3,181 | |||||||
Acquisitions | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |||||||||||||
Dispositions | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |||||||||||||
Other, including foreign currency translation | -1 | 21 | -1 | ― | -2 | 17 | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 174 | $ | 1,052 | $ | 1,543 | $ | 160 | $ | 269 | $ | 3,198 | |||||||
Acquisitions | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |||||||||||||
Dispositions | ― | ― | -102 | ― | ― | -102 | |||||||||||||
Other, including foreign currency translation | ― | -70 | ― | ― | -2 | -72 | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2014 | $ | 174 | $ | 982 | $ | 1,441 | $ | 160 | $ | 267 | $ | 3,024 | |||||||
Components of other intangible assets | The components of other intangible assets were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |||||||||||||
Customer relationships(a) | $ | 1,455 | $ | -754 | $ | 701 | $ | 1,297 | $ | -660 | $ | 637 | |||||||
Other | 255 | -102 | 153 | 269 | -89 | 180 | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,710 | $ | -856 | $ | 854 | $ | 1,566 | $ | -749 | $ | 817 | |||||||
Includes net intangibles acquired from airline partners of $340 million and $290 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, including approximately $206 million and $117 million, respectively, from Delta. | |||||||||||||||||||
Estimated amortization expense for other intangible assets | Estimated amortization expense for other intangible assets over the next five years is as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
Estimated amortization expense | $ | 158 | $ | 134 | $ | 117 | $ | 109 | $ | 87 |
Customer_Deposits_Tables
Customer Deposits (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||
Deposits By Component Alternative | As of December 31, customer deposits were categorized as interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing as follows | |||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
U.S.: | ||||||||||
Interest-bearing | $ | 43,279 | $ | 40,831 | ||||||
Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2014, $372 million; 2013, $340 million) | 418 | 360 | ||||||||
Non-U.S.: | ||||||||||
Interest-bearing | 115 | 121 | ||||||||
Non-interest-bearing (includes Card Member credit balances of: 2014, $347 million; 2013, $437 million) | 359 | 451 | ||||||||
Total customer deposits | $ | 44,171 | $ | 41,763 | ||||||
Deposits By Type | Customer deposits by deposit type as of December 31 were as follows: | |||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
U.S. retail deposits: | ||||||||||
Savings accounts ― Direct | $ | 26,159 | $ | 24,550 | ||||||
Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||
Direct | 333 | 489 | ||||||||
Third-party | 7,838 | 6,929 | ||||||||
Sweep accounts ―Third-party | 8,949 | 8,863 | ||||||||
Other retail deposits: | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing deposits | 173 | 155 | ||||||||
Card Member credit balances ― U.S. and non-U.S. | 719 | 777 | ||||||||
Total customer deposits | $ | 44,171 | $ | 41,763 | ||||||
Time Deposits By Maturity | The scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2014 were as follows: | |||||||||
(Millions) | U.S. | Non-U.S. | Total | |||||||
2015 | 1,744 | $ | 21 | $ | 1,765 | |||||
2016 | 2,136 | ― | 2,136 | |||||||
2017 | 1,491 | ― | 1,491 | |||||||
2018 | 1,480 | ― | 1,480 | |||||||
2019 | 1,304 | ― | 1,304 | |||||||
After 5 years | 16 | ― | 16 | |||||||
Total | $ | 8,171 | $ | 21 | $ | 8,192 | ||||
Time Deposits $250,000 Or More | As of December 31, certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, in the aggregate, were as follows: | |||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
U.S. | $ | 111 | $ | 148 | ||||||
Non-U.S. | 17 | ― | ||||||||
Total | $ | 128 | $ | 148 |
Debt_Tables
Debt (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings | The Company’s short-term borrowings outstanding, defined as borrowings with original maturities of less than one year, as of December 31 were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except percentages) | Outstanding Balance | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (a) | Outstanding Balance | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (a) | ||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper | $ | 769 | 0.29 | % | $ | 200 | 0.19 | % | ||||||||||||||
Other short-term borrowings(b)(c) | 2,711 | 0.81 | 4,821 | 1.08 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,480 | 0.69 | % | $ | 5,021 | 1.04 | % | ||||||||||||||
For floating-rate debt issuances, the stated interest rates are weighted based on outstanding balances and floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes interest-bearing overdrafts with banks of $470 million and $489 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, balances include fully drawn secured borrowing facility (maturing on September 15, 2015, which was repaid on February 18, 2014), certain book overdrafts (i.e., primarily timing differences arising in the ordinary course of business), short-term borrowings from banks, as well as interest-bearing amounts due to merchants in accordance with merchant service agreements. The secured borrowing facility gives the Company the right to sell up to $2.0 billion face amount of eligible certificates issued from the Lending Trust. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company paid $7.0 million and $7.2 million in fees to maintain the secured borrowing facility in 2014 and 2013, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | The Company’s long-term debt outstanding, defined as debt with original maturities of one year or greater, as of December 31 was as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except percentages) | Maturity Dates | Outstanding Balance | (a) | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (b) | Year-End Effective Interest Rate with Swaps | (b)(c) | Outstanding Balance | (a) | Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | (b) | Year-End Effective Interest Rate with Swaps | (b)(c) | |||||||||
American Express Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Parent Company only) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2016-2042 | $ | 7,535 | 5.15 | % | 4.2 | % | $ | 8,784 | 5.43 | % | 4.6 | % | |||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2018 | 850 | 0.85 | ― | 850 | 0.84 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Subordinated Notes(d) | 2024-2036 | 1,350 | 5.39 | 4.42 | 749 | 6.8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Credit Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2019 | 16,260 | 2.26 | 1.22 | 14,875 | 3.13 | 2.03 | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2019 | 4,400 | 0.82 | ― | 2,855 | 1.14 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities | 2016-2017 | 3,672 | 4.25 | ― | 4,012 | 4.18 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2017 | 2,089 | 4.12 | 3.32 | 2,102 | 4.12 | 3.32 | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2018 | 675 | 0.68 | ― | 675 | 0.67 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2017 | 999 | 6 | ― | 999 | 6 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2017 | 300 | 0.46 | ― | 300 | 0.47 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Charge Trust II | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2016-2018 | 3,700 | 0.41 | ― | 4,200 | 0.49 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes | 2016-2018 | 87 | 0.8 | ― | 87 | 0.8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
American Express Lending Trust | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2017 | 6,100 | 1.11 | ― | 2,600 | 0.72 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes | 2015-2019 | 8,876 | 0.72 | ― | 10,685 | 0.81 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes | 2015-2017 | 300 | 1.08 | ― | 300 | 1.08 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes | 2015-2019 | 488 | 0.73 | ― | 847 | 0.81 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Rate Instruments(e) | 2016-2033 | 143 | 3.09 | ― | 239 | 3.95 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Borrowings | 2015-2019 | 247 | 0.59 | ― | % | 276 | 0.62 | ― | % | |||||||||||||
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | -116 | -105 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt | $ | 57,955 | 2.34 | % | $ | 55,330 | 2.56 | % | ||||||||||||||
The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discount and premium, (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps. Under fair value hedge accounting, the outstanding balances on these fixed-rate notes are adjusted to reflect the impact of changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates. Refer to Note 14 for more details on the Company’s treatment of fair value hedges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For floating-rate debt issuances, the stated and effective interest rates are weighted based on outstanding balances and floating rates in effect as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Effective interest rates are only presented when swaps are in place to hedge the underlying debt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For the $750 million of subordinated debentures issued in 2006 and outstanding as of December 31, 2014, the maturity date will automatically be extended to September 1, 2066, except in the case of either (i) a prior redemption or (ii) a default. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes $31 million and $109 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to capitalized lease transactions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations (based on final maturity dates) as of December 31, 2014 were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
American Express Company (Parent Company only) | $ | ― | $ | 1,350 | $ | 1,500 | $ | 3,850 | $ | 641 | $ | 3,147 | $ | 10,488 | ||||||||
American Express Credit Corporation | 5,227 | 7,057 | 6,532 | 1,295 | 4,150 | ― | 24,261 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | 1,305 | ― | 1,300 | 125 | ― | 2 | 2,732 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | ― | ― | 1,300 | ― | ― | ― | 1,300 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Charge Trust II | ― | 2,500 | ― | 1,287 | ― | ― | 3,787 | |||||||||||||||
American Express Lending Trust | 5,422 | 500 | 5,639 | 2,886 | 1,317 | ― | 15,764 | |||||||||||||||
Other | 125 | 145 | 83 | ― | 6 | 31 | 390 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 12,079 | $ | 11,552 | $ | 16,354 | $ | 9,443 | $ | 6,114 | $ | 3,180 | 58,722 | ||||||||||
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | -116 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unamortized Discount and Premium | -932 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Impacts due to Fair Value Hedge Accounting | 281 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total Long-Term Debt | $ | 57,955 |
Other_Liabilities_Tables
Other Liabilities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||
Summary of other liabilities | The following is a summary of Other liabilities as of December 31: | |||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Membership Rewards liability | $ | 6,521 | $ | 6,151 | ||||
Employee-related liabilities(a) | 2,258 | 2,227 | ||||||
Rebate and reward accruals(b) | 2,389 | 2,210 | ||||||
Deferred card and other fees, net | 1,308 | 1,314 | ||||||
Book overdraft balances | 647 | 442 | ||||||
Other(c) | 4,728 | 4,566 | ||||||
Total | $ | 17,851 | $ | 16,910 | ||||
Employee-related liabilities include employee benefit plan obligations and incentive compensation. | ||||||||
Rebate and reward accruals include payments to third-party card-issuing partners and cash-back reward costs. | ||||||||
Other includes accruals for general operating expenses, client incentives, advertising and promotion, restructuring and reengineering reserves and derivatives. | ||||||||
Carrying amount of deferred charge card and other fees | The carrying amount of deferred card and other fees, net of deferred direct acquisition costs and reserves for membership cancellations as of December 31 was as follows: | |||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Deferred card and other fees(a) | $ | 1,615 | $ | 1,609 | ||||
Deferred direct acquisition costs | -176 | -164 | ||||||
Reserves for membership cancellations | -131 | -131 | ||||||
Deferred card and other fees, net | $ | 1,308 | $ | 1,314 | ||||
Includes deferred fees for Membership Rewards program participants. |
Stock_Plans_Tables
Stock Plans (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||||||||
Summary of Stock Option and RSA Activity | A summary of stock option and RSA activity as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year is presented below: | ||||||||||||
Stock Options | RSAs | ||||||||||||
(Shares in thousands) | Shares | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | Shares | Weighted-AverageGrantPrice | |||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013 | 18,615 | $ | 44.98 | 9,578 | $ | 51.88 | |||||||
Granted | 295 | 86.64 | 2,639 | 86.65 | |||||||||
Exercised/vested | -5,893 | 48.05 | -3,427 | 47.25 | |||||||||
Forfeited | -242 | 51.83 | -916 | 60.98 | |||||||||
Expired | -46 | 47.84 | ― | ― | |||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014 | 12,729 | 44.39 | 7,874 | $ | 64.48 | ||||||||
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014 | 12,726 | 44.39 | ― | ― | |||||||||
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2014 | 11,628 | $ | 42.64 | ― | ― | ||||||||
Weighted-average remaining contractual life and aggregate intrinsic value of the Company's stock options outstanding, exerciseable, and vested and expected to vest | The weighted-average remaining contractual life and the aggregate intrinsic value (the amount by which the fair value of the Company’s stock exceeds the exercise price of the option) of the stock options outstanding, exercisable, and vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014 are as follows: | ||||||||||||
Outstanding | Exercisable | Vested and Expected to Vest | |||||||||||
Weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years) | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.8 | ||||||||||
Aggregate intrinsic value (millions) | $ | 619 | $ | 586 | $ | 619 | |||||||
Weighted Average Assumptions Used | The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for grants issued in 2014, 2013 and 2012, the majority of which were granted in the beginning of each year: | ||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
Dividend yield | 1.1 | % | 1.4 | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||
Expected volatility(a) | 46 | % | 39 | % | 41 | % | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 2.2 | % | 1.3 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||
Expected life of stock option (in years)(b) | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.3 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average fair value per option | $ | 32.36 | $ | 21.11 | $ | 17.48 | |||||||
The expected volatility is based on both weighted historical and implied volatilities of the Company’s common stock price. | |||||||||||||
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the expected life of stock options was determined using both historical data and expectations of option exercise behavior. | |||||||||||||
Summary of Stock Plan Expenses | The components of the Company’s total stock-based compensation expense (net of forfeitures) for the years ended December 31 are as follows: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Restricted stock awards(a) | $ | 193 | $ | 208 | $ | 197 | |||||||
Stock options(a) | 13 | 23 | 29 | ||||||||||
Liability-based awards | 84 | 119 | 70 | ||||||||||
Performance/market-based stock options | ― | ― | 1 | ||||||||||
Total stock-based compensation expense (b) | $ | 290 | $ | 350 | $ | 297 | |||||||
As of December 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSAs and options of $211 million and $6 million, respectively, will be recognized ratably over the weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.3 years and 2.1 years, respectively. | |||||||||||||
The total income tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for stock-based compensation arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $104 million, $127 million and $107 million, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Commitments_and_Contigencies_T
Commitments and Contigencies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||
Minimum aggregate rental commitment under noncancelable operating leases | As of December 31, 2014, the minimum aggregate rental commitment under all non-cancelable operating leases (net of subleases of $34 million) was as follows: | |||
(Millions) | ||||
2015 | $ | 189 | ||
2016 | 161 | |||
2017 | 144 | |||
2018 | 126 | |||
2019 | 94 | |||
Thereafter | 921 | |||
Total | $ | 1,635 |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of derivative instruments in statement of financial position, fair value | The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Assets | Other Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedges | $ | 314 | $ | 455 | $ | 4 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total return contract | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value hedge | ― | 8 | ― | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment hedges | 492 | 174 | 46 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments | 806 | 637 | 50 | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts, including certain embedded derivatives(a) | 185 | 64 | 114 | 95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives, gross | 991 | 701 | 164 | 213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Cash collateral netting(b) | -158 | -336 | -4 | ― | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative asset and derivative liability netting(c) | -122 | -36 | -122 | -36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives, net(d) | $ | 711 | $ | 329 | $ | 38 | $ | 177 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Includes foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain operating agreements. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivative instrument(s) executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. Additionally, the Company received non-cash collateral from a counterparty in the form of security interest in U.S. Treasury securities with a fair value of $91 million and nil as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, none of which was sold or repledged. Such non-cash collateral economically reduces the Company’s risk exposure to $620 million as of December 31, 2014, but does not reduce the net exposure on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, the Company posted $114 million and $26 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other receivables on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Effect of fair value hedges on results of operations | The following table summarizes the impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income associated with the Company’s hedges of its fixed-rate long-term debt and its investment in ICBC for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains (losses) recognized in income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Derivative contract | Hedged item | Net hedge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Statement | Amount | Income Statement | Amount | ineffectiveness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative relationship | Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Other expenses | $ | -143 | $ | -370 | $ | -178 | Other expenses | $ | 148 | $ | 351 | $ | 132 | $ | 5 | $ | -19 | $ | -46 | ||||||||||||
Total return contract | Other non-interest | Other non-interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
revenues | $ | 11 | $ | 15 | $ | -53 | revenues | $ | -11 | $ | -15 | $ | 54 | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 1 | |||||||||||||
Derivative instruments gain loss recognized in income | The following table summarizes the impact on pretax earnings of derivatives not designated as hedges, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pretax gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description (Millions) | Income Statement Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts | Other expenses | $ | ― | $ | 1 | $ | -1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts (a) | Interest expense on long-term debt and other | ― | ― | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 194 | 72 | -56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of Card Member services | 4 | ― | ― | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 198 | $ | 73 | $ | -58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts include forwards and embedded foreign currency derivatives. Gains (losses) on these embedded derivatives are included in Other expenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair_Values_Tables
Fair Values (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis | The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s valuation hierarchy (as described in the preceding paragraphs), as of December 31: | |||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investment securities:(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | ― | $ | 124 | $ | 124 | $ | ― | ||||||||
Debt securities and other | 4,430 | 350 | 4,080 | 4,892 | 320 | 4,572 | ||||||||||||||
Derivatives(a) | 991 | ― | 991 | 701 | ― | 701 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 5,422 | 351 | 5,071 | 5,717 | 444 | 5,273 | ||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives(a) | 164 | ― | 164 | 213 | ― | 213 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 164 | $ | ― | $ | 164 | $ | 213 | $ | ― | $ | 213 | ||||||||
Refer to Note 5 for the fair values of investment securities and to Note 14 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities | The following table discloses the estimated fair value for the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013: | |||||||||||||||||||
Carrying | Corresponding Fair Value Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
2014 (Billions) | Value | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 22 | $ | 22 | $ | 21 | $ | 1 | (a) | $ | ― | |||||||||
Other financial assets(b) | 48 | 48 | ― | 48 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, net | 70 | 71 | (c) | ― | ― | 71 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | 61 | 61 | ― | 61 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit(d) | 8 | 8 | ― | 8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 58 | $ | 60 | (c) | $ | ― | $ | 60 | $ | ― | |||||||||
Carrying | Corresponding Fair Value Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 (Billions) | Value | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 19 | $ | 19 | $ | 17 | $ | 2 | (a) | $ | ― | |||||||||
Other financial assets(b) | 48 | 48 | ― | 48 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, net | 67 | 67 | (c) | ― | ― | 67 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or | ||||||||||||||||||||
approximate fair value | 60 | 60 | ― | 60 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit(d) | 7 | 8 | ― | 8 | ― | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | $ | 55 | $ | 58 | (c) | $ | ― | $ | 58 | $ | ― | |||||||||
Reflects time deposits. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Includes accounts receivable (including fair values of Card Member receivables of $7.0 billion and $7.3 billion held by consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively), restricted cash and other miscellaneous assets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Includes fair values of loans of $29.9 billion and $31.0 billion, and long-term debt of $19.5 billion and $18.8 billion, held by consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Presented as a component of customer deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Guarantees_Tables
Guarantees (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||||||||
Information related to guarantees | The following table provides information related to such guarantees as of December 31: | ||||||||||||
Maximum potential | |||||||||||||
undiscounted future | |||||||||||||
payments(a) | Related liability(b) | ||||||||||||
(Billions) | (Millions) | ||||||||||||
Type of Guarantee | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
Return and Merchant Protection | $ | 37 | $ | 37 | $ | 44 | $ | 84 | |||||
Other(c) | 8 | 8 | 67 | 77 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 45 | $ | 45 | $ | 111 | $ | 161 | |||||
Represents the notional amounts that could be lost under the guarantees and indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties. The maximum potential undiscounted future payments for Merchant Protection are measured using management’s best estimate of maximum exposure based on all eligible claims in relation to annual billed business volumes. | |||||||||||||
Included in Other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. | |||||||||||||
Primarily includes guarantees related to the Company’s purchase protection, business dispositions and real estate. | |||||||||||||
Common_and_Preferred_Shares_an1
Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||
Authorized shares and a reconciliation of common shares issued and outstanding | The following table shows authorized shares and provides a reconciliation of common shares issued and outstanding for the years ended December 31: | |||||||
(Millions, except where indicated) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Common shares authorized (billions)(a) | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | |||||
Shares issued and outstanding at beginning of year | 1,064 | 1,105 | 1,164 | |||||
Repurchases of common shares | -49 | -55 | -69 | |||||
Other, primarily stock option exercises and restricted stock awards granted | 8 | 14 | 10 | |||||
Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31 | 1,023 | 1,064 | 1,105 | |||||
Of the common shares authorized but unissued as of December 31, 2014, approximately 56 million shares are reserved for issuance under employee stock and employee benefit plans. | ||||||||
Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||
Components of comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | Changes in each component of AOCI for the three years ended December 31 were as follows: | |||||||||||||||
(Millions), net of tax(a) | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses | Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2011 | $ | 288 | $ | -1 | $ | -682 | $ | -481 | $ | -876 | ||||||
Net unrealized gains | 106 | 106 | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -79 | 1 | 1 | -77 | ||||||||||||
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations | 215 | 215 | ||||||||||||||
Net (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | -288 | -288 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement (losses) benefit | -7 | -7 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 27 | 1 | -72 | -7 | -51 | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2012 | 315 | ― | -754 | -488 | -927 | |||||||||||
Net unrealized (losses) | -159 | -159 | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -93 | -93 | ||||||||||||||
Net translation (loss) of investments in foreign operations | -589 | -589 | ||||||||||||||
Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 253 | 253 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefit gains | 89 | 89 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | -252 | ― | -336 | 89 | -499 | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2013 | 63 | ― | -1,090 | -399 | -1,426 | |||||||||||
Net unrealized gains | 104 | 104 | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -71 | 5 | -66 | |||||||||||||
Net translation (loss) of investments in foreign operations | -869 | -869 | ||||||||||||||
Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 455 | 455 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement (losses) benefit | -117 | -117 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 33 | ― | -409 | -117 | -493 | |||||||||||
Balances as of December 31, 2014 | $ | 96 | $ | ― | $ | -1,499 | $ | -516 | $ | -1,919 | ||||||
The following table shows the tax impact for the three years ended December 31 for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income: | ||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
Investment securities | $ | 19 | $ | -142 | $ | 7 | ||||||||||
Cash flow hedges | ― | ― | 1 | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | -64 | -49 | 24 | |||||||||||||
Net investment hedges | 273 | 135 | -176 | |||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses | -46 | 56 | ― | |||||||||||||
Total tax impact | $ | 182 | $ | ― | $ | -144 | ||||||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Income Tax Effect Disclosure Text Block | The following table shows the tax impact for the three years ended December 31 for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income: | |||||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
Investment securities | $ | 19 | $ | -142 | $ | 7 | ||||||||||
Cash flow hedges | ― | ― | 1 | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | -64 | -49 | 24 | |||||||||||||
Net investment hedges | 273 | 135 | -176 | |||||||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses | -46 | 56 | ― | |||||||||||||
Total tax impact | $ | 182 | $ | ― | $ | -144 | ||||||||||
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | The following table presents the effects of reclassifications out of AOCI and into the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31 | |||||||||||||||
(Gains) losses recognized in income | ||||||||||||||||
Amount | ||||||||||||||||
Description (Millions) | Income Statement Line Item | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
Available-for-sale securities | ||||||||||||||||
Net gain in AOCI reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on | ||||||||||||||||
investment securities | Other non-interest revenues | $ | 111 | $ | 145 | |||||||||||
Related income tax expense | Income tax provision | -40 | -52 | |||||||||||||
Reclassification to net income related to available-for-sale securities | 71 | 93 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | ||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of realized losses on translation adjustments and related hedges | Other expenses | -9 | ― | |||||||||||||
Related income tax expense | Income tax provision | 4 | ― | |||||||||||||
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments | -5 | ― | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 66 | $ | 93 | ||||||||||||
NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens1
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||
Details of other commissions and fees | The following is a detail of Other commissions and fees for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue | $ | 877 | $ | 877 | $ | 855 | ||||||
Delinquency fees | 722 | 667 | 604 | |||||||||
Loyalty Partner-related fees | 383 | 310 | 290 | |||||||||
Service fees | 366 | 375 | 362 | |||||||||
Other(a) | 160 | 185 | 206 | |||||||||
Total Other commissions and fees | $ | 2,508 | $ | 2,414 | $ | 2,317 | ||||||
Other primarily includes fee revenue from fees related to Membership Rewards programs. | ||||||||||||
Details of other revenues | The following is a detail of Other revenues for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of investment in Concur Technologies | $ | 744 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Global Network Services partner revenues | 694 | 650 | 664 | |||||||||
Net realized gains on investment securities(a) | 100 | 136 | 126 | |||||||||
Other(b) | 1,451 | 1,488 | 1,635 | |||||||||
Total Other revenues | $ | 2,989 | $ | 2,274 | $ | 2,425 | ||||||
Net realized gains on investment securities include gross losses of nil, nil and $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Specific identification method is used to reclass unrealized gain (losses) into earnings from AOCI upon sale or maturity. | ||||||||||||
Other includes revenues arising from foreign exchange gains on cross-border Card Member spending, merchant-related fees, insurance premiums earned from Card Member travel and other insurance programs, Travelers Cheques-related revenues, revenues related to the GBT JV transition services agreement, earnings from equity method investments and other miscellaneous revenue and fees. | ||||||||||||
Detail of marketing, promotion, rewards and Card Member services | The following is a detail of Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Marketing and promotion | $ | 3,320 | $ | 3,043 | $ | 2,890 | ||||||
Card Member rewards | 6,931 | 6,457 | 6,282 | |||||||||
Card Member services and other | 822 | 767 | 772 | |||||||||
Total Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other | $ | 11,073 | $ | 10,267 | $ | 9,944 | ||||||
Detail of other, net expense | The following is a detail of Other, net expenses for the years ended December 31: | |||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Professional services | $ | 3,008 | $ | 3,102 | $ | 2,963 | ||||||
Occupancy and equipment | 1,807 | 1,904 | 1,823 | |||||||||
Card-related fraud losses | 369 | 278 | 278 | |||||||||
Communications | 383 | 379 | 383 | |||||||||
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | -630 | - | - | |||||||||
Other(a) | 1,152 | 1,133 | 1,404 | |||||||||
Total Other, net | $ | 6,089 | $ | 6,796 | $ | 6,851 | ||||||
Other expense includes general operating expenses, gains (losses) on sale of assets or businesses not classified as discontinued operations (other than the business travel joint venture transaction), litigation, certain internal and regulatory review-related reimbursements and insurance costs or settlements, investment impairments and certain Loyalty Partner-related expenses. |
Restructuring_Charges_Tables
Restructuring Charges (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring Charges | The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring reserves activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012: | |||||||||||||
(Millions) | Severance | Other(a) | Total | |||||||||||
Liability balance as of December 31, 2011 | $ | 170 | $ | 30 | $ | 200 | ||||||||
Restructuring charges, net of $16 in revisions(b) | 366 | 37 | 403 | |||||||||||
Payments | -124 | -9 | -133 | |||||||||||
Liability balance as of December 31, 2012 | 412 | 58 | 470 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges, net of $4 in revisions(b) | -7 | 3 | -4 | |||||||||||
Payments | -206 | -23 | -229 | |||||||||||
Other non-cash(c) | -3 | -1 | -4 | |||||||||||
Liability balance at December 31, 2013 | 196 | 37 | 233 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charges, net of $35 in revisions(b) | 383 | 28 | 411 | |||||||||||
Payments | -93 | -22 | -115 | |||||||||||
Other non-cash(d) | -51 | -8 | -59 | |||||||||||
Liability balance as of December 31, 2014(e) | $ | 435 | $ | 35 | $ | 470 | ||||||||
Other primarily includes facility exit and contract termination costs. | ||||||||||||||
Revisions primarily relate to higher than anticipated redeployments of displaced employees to other positions within the Company, business changes and modifications to existing initiatives. | ||||||||||||||
Consists primarily of foreign exchange impacts. | ||||||||||||||
Consists of $42 million reserve transferred to the GBT JV in the second quarter of 2014 as part of the GBT sale and $17 million of foreign exchange and other non-cash charges. | ||||||||||||||
The majority of cash payments related to the remaining restructuring liabilities are expected to be completed in 2015, and to a lesser extent certain contractual long-term severance arrangements and lease obligations are expected to be completed in 2016 and 2019, respectively. | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring charges, net of revisions, by reportable operating segment and Corporate & Other for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the cumulative amounts relating to the restructuring programs that were in progress during 2014 and initiated at various dates between 2009 and 2014. | |||||||||||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On | ||||||||||||||
2014 | In-Progress Restructuring Programs | |||||||||||||
Total Restructuring | ||||||||||||||
Charges, net | ||||||||||||||
(Millions) | revisions | Severance | Other | Total | ||||||||||
USCS | $ | 38 | $ | 66 | $ | 6 | $ | 72 | ||||||
ICS | 139 | 220 | 1 | 221 | ||||||||||
GCS | 54 | 249 | 18 | 267 | ||||||||||
GNMS | 25 | 68 | - | 68 | ||||||||||
Corporate & Other | 155 | 195 | 96 | 291 | (a) | |||||||||
Total | $ | 411 | $ | 798 | $ | 121 | $ | 919 | (b) | |||||
Corporate & Other includes certain severance and other charges of $222 million related to Company-wide support functions which were not allocated to the Company’s reportable operating segments, as these were corporate initiatives, which is consistent with how such charges were reported internally. | ||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2014, the total expenses to be incurred for previously approved restructuring activities that were in progress are not expected to be materially different than the cumulative expenses incurred to date for these programs. | ||||||||||||||
Income_Taxes_Tables
Income Taxes (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||||||||
Components of income tax expense | The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 included in the Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Current income tax expense: | |||||||||||||
U.S. federal | $ | 2,136 | $ | 1,730 | $ | 982 | |||||||
U.S. state and local | 264 | 288 | 189 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. | 412 | 514 | 445 | ||||||||||
Total current income tax expense | 2,812 | 2,532 | 1,616 | ||||||||||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit): | |||||||||||||
U.S. federal | 352 | 113 | 359 | ||||||||||
U.S. state and local | 39 | 4 | 39 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. | -97 | -120 | -45 | ||||||||||
Total deferred income tax expense | 294 | -3 | 353 | ||||||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 3,106 | $ | 2,529 | $ | 1,969 | |||||||
Effective income tax rate | A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% percent to the Company’s actual income tax rate for the years ended December 31 on continuing operations was as follows: | ||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate | 35 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | |||||||
(Decrease) increase in taxes resulting from: | |||||||||||||
Tax-exempt income | -1.5 | -1.6 | -1.6 | ||||||||||
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.5 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings(a) | -2.2 | -2.8 | -5.2 | ||||||||||
Tax settlements(b) | -0.5 | -1.9 | -0.2 | ||||||||||
All other | 1 | 0.3 | ― | ||||||||||
Actual tax rates(a) | 34.5 | % | 32.1 | % | 30.5 | % | |||||||
Results for all years primarily included tax benefits associated with the undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that were deemed to be reinvested indefinitely. In addition, 2012 included tax benefits of $146 million, which decreased the actual tax rates by 2.3 percent related to the realization of certain foreign tax credits. | |||||||||||||
Relates to the resolution of tax matters in various jurisdictions. | |||||||||||||
Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities | The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are reflected in the following table: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||
Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||||
Reserves not yet deducted for tax purposes | $ | 3,926 | $ | 3,813 | |||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 789 | 721 | |||||||||||
Other | 266 | 546 | |||||||||||
Gross deferred tax assets | 4,981 | 5,080 | |||||||||||
Valuation allowance | -75 | -121 | |||||||||||
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance | 4,906 | 4,959 | |||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||||
Intangibles and fixed assets | 1,597 | 1,465 | |||||||||||
Deferred revenue | 498 | 453 | |||||||||||
Deferred interest | 350 | 363 | |||||||||||
Asset securitization | 162 | 130 | |||||||||||
Investment in joint ventures | 223 | 10 | |||||||||||
Other | 62 | 95 | |||||||||||
Gross deferred tax liabilities | 2,892 | 2,516 | |||||||||||
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 2,014 | $ | 2,443 | |||||||||
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits | The following table presents changes in unrecognized tax benefits: | ||||||||||||
(Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
Balance, January 1 | $ | 1,044 | $ | 1,230 | $ | 1,223 | |||||||
Increases: | |||||||||||||
Current year tax positions | 4 | 124 | 51 | ||||||||||
Tax positions related to prior years | 111 | 176 | 64 | ||||||||||
Decreases: | |||||||||||||
Tax positions related to prior years | -181 | -371 | -44 | ||||||||||
Settlements with tax authorities | -67 | -94 | -25 | ||||||||||
Lapse of statute of limitations | -1 | -21 | -37 | ||||||||||
Effects of foreign currency translations | -1 | ― | -2 | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31 | $ | 909 | $ | 1,044 | $ | 1,230 | |||||||
Earnings_Per_Common_Share_EPS_
Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||
Computation of basic and diluted EPS | The computations of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31 were as follows: | |||||||||||||
(Millions, except per share amounts) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,885 | $ | 5,359 | $ | 4,482 | ||||||||
Earnings allocated to participating share awards(a) | -46 | -47 | -49 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 5,839 | $ | 5,312 | $ | 4,433 | ||||||||
Denominator:(a) | ||||||||||||||
Basic: Weighted-average common stock | 1,045 | 1,082 | 1,135 | |||||||||||
Add: Weighted-average stock options(b) | 6 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 1,051 | 1,089 | 1,141 | |||||||||||
Basic EPS | $ | 5.58 | $ | 4.91 | $ | 3.91 | ||||||||
Diluted EPS | $ | 5.56 | $ | 4.88 | $ | 3.89 | ||||||||
The Company’s 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. | ||||||||||||||
The dilutive effect of unexercised stock options excludes 0.2 million, 0.1 million and 7.6 million options from the computation of EPS for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because inclusion of the options would have been anti-dilutive. | ||||||||||||||
Regulatory_Matters_and_Capital1
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Regulatory capital ratios | The following table presents the regulatory capital ratios for the Company and the Banks: | |||||||||||||||||||
CET1 | Tier 1 | Total | CET1 | Tier 1 | Total | Tier 1 | ||||||||||||||
(Millions, except percentages) | capital(b) | capital | capital | capital ratio(b) | capital ratio | capital ratio | leverage ratio | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2014:(a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
American Express Company | $ | 17,525 | $ | 18,176 | $ | 20,801 | 13.1 | % | 13.6 | % | 15.6 | % | 11.8 | % | ||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | 6,174 | 6,174 | 6,584 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 20.1 | 18.7 | |||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | 6,722 | 6,722 | 7,604 | 14.2 | 14.2 | 16 | 15.1 | (c) | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2013: | ||||||||||||||||||||
American Express Company | (b) | $ | 16,174 | $ | 18,585 | (b) | 12.5 | % | 14.4 | % | 10.9 | % | ||||||||
American Express Centurion Bank | (b) | 6,366 | 6,765 | (b) | 19.9 | 21.2 | 19 | |||||||||||||
American Express Bank, FSB | (b) | 6,744 | 7,662 | (b) | 15.6 | 17.7 | 17.5 | (c) | ||||||||||||
Well-capitalized ratios(e) | (f) | 6 | % | 10 | % | 5 | % (d) | |||||||||||||
Minimum capital ratios(e) | 4 | % | 5.5 | % | 8 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||
Beginning in 2014, as a Basel III Advanced Approaches institution, capital ratios are reported using Basel III capital definitions, inclusive of transition provisions and Basel I risk-weighted assets. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As part of the new Basel III capital rule, effective for 2014, Basel III Advanced Approaches institutions are required to disclose Common Equity Tier 1 capital and associated ratio. | ||||||||||||||||||||
FSB Tier 1 leverage ratio is calculated using ending total assets in 2013 and average total assets in 2014 as prescribed by OCC regulations applicable to federal savings banks. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Represents requirements for banking subsidiaries to be considered “well-capitalized” pursuant to regulations issued under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act. There is no “well-capitalized” definition for the Tier 1 leverage ratio for a bank holding company. | ||||||||||||||||||||
As defined by the regulations issued by the Federal Reserve, OCC and FDIC for the year ended December 31, 2014. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning January 1, 2015, Basel III CET1 well-capitalized ratios become relevant capital measures under the prompt and corrective action requirements defined by the regulations for Advanced Approaches institutions. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Significant_Credit_Concentrati1
Significant Credit Concentrations (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | |||||||
Maximum credit exposure by category | The following table details the Company’s maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments, as of December 31: | ||||||
(Billions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||
Individuals(a) | $ | 101 | $ | 98 | |||
Financial institutions(b) | 25 | 22 | |||||
U.S. Government and agencies(c) | 4 | 4 | |||||
All other(d) | 17 | 17 | |||||
Total on-balance sheet(e) | 147 | 141 | |||||
Unused lines-of-credit ― individuals(f) | $ | 278 | $ | 265 | |||
Individuals primarily include Card Member loans and receivables. | |||||||
Financial institutions primarily include debt obligations of banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and savings and loan associations. | |||||||
U.S. Government and agencies represent debt obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, states and municipalities and government-sponsored entities. | |||||||
All other primarily includes Card Member receivables from other corporate institutions. | |||||||
Certain distinctions between categories require management judgment. | |||||||
Because charge card products generally have no preset spending limit, the associated credit limit on charge products is not quantifiable. Therefore, the quantified unused line-of-credit amounts only include the approximate credit line available on lending products. | |||||||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | The following table details the Company’s Card Member loans and receivables exposure (including unused lines-of-credit on Card Member loans) in the U.S. and outside the U.S. as of December 31: | ||||||
(Billions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
On-balance sheet: | |||||||
U.S. | $ | 94 | $ | 89 | |||
Non-U.S. | 21 | 22 | |||||
On-balance sheet(a)(b) | 115 | 111 | |||||
Unused lines-of-credit ― individuals: | |||||||
U.S. | 234 | 219 | |||||
Non-U.S. | 44 | 46 | |||||
Total unused lines-of-credit ― individuals | $ | 278 | $ | 265 | |||
Represents Card Member loans to individuals as well as receivables from individuals and corporate institutions as discussed in footnotes (a) and (d) from the previous table. | |||||||
The remainder of the Company’s on-balance sheet exposure includes cash, investments, other loans, other receivables and other assets including derivative financial instruments. These balances are primarily within the U.S. | |||||||
Reportable_Operating_Segment_T
Reportable Operating Segment (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating segment information | The following table presents certain selected financial information as of or for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012: | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||||||
(Millions, except where indicated) | USCS | ICS | GCS | GNMS | Other | (a) | Consolidated | |||||||||||||
2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | $ | 12,732 | $ | 4,737 | $ | 5,173 | $ | 5,426 | $ | 752 | $ | 28,820 | ||||||||
Interest income | 5,786 | 1,085 | 15 | 52 | 241 | 7,179 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 604 | 330 | 240 | -269 | 802 | 1,707 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 17,914 | 5,492 | 4,948 | 5,747 | 191 | 34,292 | ||||||||||||||
Total provision | 1,396 | 370 | 180 | 93 | 5 | 2,044 | ||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 5,100 | 449 | 2,408 | 2,620 | -1,586 | 8,991 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,900 | 38 | 865 | 960 | -657 | 3,106 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 3,200 | 411 | 1,543 | 1,660 | -929 | 5,885 | ||||||||||||||
Total equity (billions) | 10.4 | 3 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.5 | 20.7 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 12,123 | 4,644 | 5,085 | 5,229 | 846 | 27,927 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 5,565 | 1,118 | 13 | 32 | 277 | 7,005 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 693 | 361 | 245 | -252 | 911 | 1,958 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 16,995 | 5,401 | 4,853 | 5,513 | 212 | 32,974 | ||||||||||||||
Total provision | 1,250 | 388 | 129 | 67 | -2 | 1,832 | ||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 4,994 | 643 | 1,244 | 2,469 | -1,462 | 7,888 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,801 | 12 | 384 | 894 | -562 | 2,529 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 3,193 | 631 | 860 | 1,575 | -900 | 5,359 | ||||||||||||||
Total equity (billions) | 9.3 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 2 | 1.4 | 19.5 | ||||||||||||||
2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 11,469 | 4,561 | 4,995 | 5,005 | 897 | 26,927 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 5,342 | 1,147 | 11 | 23 | 331 | 6,854 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 765 | 402 | 257 | -243 | 1,045 | 2,226 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 16,046 | 5,306 | 4,749 | 5,271 | 183 | 31,555 | ||||||||||||||
Total provision | 1,253 | 279 | 106 | 73 | 1 | 1,712 | ||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 4,069 | 659 | 960 | 2,219 | -1,456 | 6,451 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,477 | 25 | 316 | 776 | -625 | 1,969 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 2,592 | 634 | 644 | 1,443 | -831 | 4,482 | ||||||||||||||
Total equity (billions) | $ | 8.7 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 2 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 18.9 | ||||||||
Corporate & Other includes adjustments and eliminations for intersegment activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense and pretax income | The following table presents the Company’s total revenues net of interest expense and pretax income (loss) from continuing operations in different geographic regions: | |||||||||||||||||||
(Millions) | U.S. | EMEA | (a) | JAPA | (a) | LACC | (a) | Other Unallocated | (b) | Consolidated | ||||||||||
2014(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 24,855 | $ | 3,767 | $ | 2,934 | $ | 2,888 | $ | -152 | $ | 34,292 | ||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 8,869 | 525 | 463 | 683 | -1,549 | 8,991 | ||||||||||||||
2013(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 23,745 | $ | 3,700 | $ | 2,952 | $ | 2,900 | $ | -323 | $ | 32,974 | ||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 7,679 | 524 | 488 | 701 | -1,504 | 7,888 | ||||||||||||||
2012(c) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 22,631 | $ | 3,594 | $ | 3,106 | $ | 2,774 | $ | -550 | $ | 31,555 | ||||||||
Pretax income (loss) from continuing operations | 6,468 | 505 | 426 | 605 | -1,553 | 6,451 | ||||||||||||||
EMEA represents Europe, the Middle East and Africa; JAPA represents Japan, Asia/Pacific and Australia; and LACC represents Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other Unallocated includes net costs which are not directly allocable to specific geographic regions, including costs related to the net negative interest spread on excess liquidity funding and executive office operations expenses. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The data in the above table is, in part, based upon internal allocations, which necessarily involve management’s judgment. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent_Company_Tables
Parent Company (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
Table Text Block [Abstract] | ||||||||||||
Condensed Statements of Income | PARENT COMPANY – CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | |||||||||||
Years Ended December 31 (Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | $ | 99 | $ | 135 | $ | 121 | ||||||
Other | 270 | 5 | -12 | |||||||||
Total non-interest revenues | 369 | 140 | 109 | |||||||||
Interest income | 141 | 134 | 137 | |||||||||
Interest expense | -543 | -583 | -609 | |||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | -33 | -309 | -363 | |||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 275 | 206 | 165 | |||||||||
Other | 357 | 261 | 214 | |||||||||
Total | 632 | 467 | 379 | |||||||||
Pretax loss | -665 | -776 | -742 | |||||||||
Income tax benefit | -249 | -297 | -258 | |||||||||
Net loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | -416 | -479 | -484 | |||||||||
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | 6,301 | 5,838 | 4,966 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,885 | $ | 5,359 | $ | 4,482 | ||||||
Condensed Balance Sheets | PARENT COMPANY – CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||||
As of December 31 (Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,824 | $ | 6,076 | ||||||||
Investment securities | 1 | 123 | ||||||||||
Equity in net assets of subsidiaries and affiliates | 20,123 | 19,571 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 134 | 378 | ||||||||||
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation: 2014, $106; 2013, $76 | 139 | 136 | ||||||||||
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates | 7,809 | 5,236 | ||||||||||
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates | 1,477 | 1,126 | ||||||||||
Other assets | 365 | 335 | ||||||||||
Total assets | 38,872 | 32,981 | ||||||||||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 1,590 | 1,386 | ||||||||||
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates | 964 | 926 | ||||||||||
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,937 | 819 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt | 9,708 | 10,354 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities | 18,199 | 13,485 | ||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||
Preferred Shares | ― | ― | ||||||||||
Common shares | 205 | 213 | ||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 12,874 | 12,202 | ||||||||||
Retained earnings | 9,513 | 8,507 | ||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | -1,919 | -1,426 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 20,673 | 19,496 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 38,872 | $ | 32,981 | ||||||||
Condensed Cash Flows | PARENT COMPANY – CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||
Years Ended December 31 (Millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 5,885 | $ | 5,359 | $ | 4,482 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | -6,301 | -5,838 | -4,966 | |||||||||
Dividends received from subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,455 | 4,768 | 3,355 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | -99 | -135 | -121 | |||||||||
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates | 173 | 324 | 196 | |||||||||
Premium paid on debt exchange | ― | ― | -541 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 5,113 | 4,478 | 2,405 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||||||
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities | 111 | 157 | 118 | |||||||||
Purchase of premises and equipment | -39 | -39 | -38 | |||||||||
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates | -2,574 | 1,498 | -1,601 | |||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates | ― | ― | -11 | |||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | -2,502 | 1,616 | -1,532 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||||||
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long-term debt | -655 | 843 | ― | |||||||||
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,118 | -1,497 | 1,421 | |||||||||
Issuance of American Express preferred shares | 742 | ― | ― | |||||||||
Issuance of American Express common shares and other | 362 | 721 | 443 | |||||||||
Repurchase of American Express common shares | -4,389 | -3,943 | -3,952 | |||||||||
Dividends paid | -1,041 | -939 | -902 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 137 | -4,815 | -2,990 | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 2,748 | 1,279 | -2,117 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 6,076 | 4,797 | 6,914 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 8,824 | $ | 6,076 | $ | 4,797 | ||||||
Supplemental cash flow information | ||||||||||||
Non-cash financing activities | ||||||||||||
Charge related to impact of debt exchange on long-term debt | $ | ― | $ | ― | $ | 439 | ||||||
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | $ | 630 | $ | ― | $ | ― |
Recovered_Sheet1
Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quartertly Financial Data [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterly financial data | (Millions, except per share amounts) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarters Ended | 31-Dec | 30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | 31-Dec | 30-Sep | 30-Jun | 31-Mar | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $ | 9,107 | $ | 8,329 | $ | 8,657 | $ | 8,199 | $ | 8,547 | $ | 8,301 | $ | 8,245 | $ | 7,881 | |||||||||||
Pretax income | 2,225 | 2,246 | 2,312 | 2,208 | 1,980 | 2,004 | 1,995 | 1,909 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 1,447 | 1,477 | 1,529 | 1,432 | 1,308 | 1,366 | 1,405 | 1,280 | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share — Basic: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shareholders(a) | $ | 1.4 | $ | 1.41 | $ | 1.44 | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.22 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 1.28 | $ | 1.15 | |||||||||||
Earnings Per Common Share — Diluted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to common | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shareholders(a) | 1.39 | 1.4 | 1.43 | 1.33 | 1.21 | 1.25 | 1.27 | 1.15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Common share price: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High | 94.89 | 96.24 | 96.04 | 94.35 | 90.79 | 78.63 | 78.61 | 67.48 | |||||||||||||||||||
Low | $ | 78.41 | $ | 85.75 | $ | 83.99 | $ | 82.63 | $ | 72.08 | $ | 71.47 | $ | 63.43 | $ | 58.31 | |||||||||||
Represents net income, less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, $11 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, $12 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, $12 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, $12 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, $13 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and $11 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary_of_Significant_Account1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Original maturities of cash and cash equivalents | 90 days or less | ||
Net foreign currency transaction gain | $44 | $108 | $120 |
Software [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 5 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 3 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 10 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 30 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 50 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 5 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life | 10 years 0 months 0 days |
Acquisitions_and_Divestitures_
Acquisitions and Divestitures Textual ( Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |
Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Acquisition Textuals [Abstract] | |||
Cash payment due to extinguishing a portion of NCI | $132,000,000 | ||
Long-term liability incurred as a cause of the extinguishment of a portion of NCI | 121,000,000 | ||
Reduction in equity due to extinguishment of a portion of NCI | 107,000,000 | ||
Ownership percentage by the Company | 50.00% | ||
Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method. | 900,000,000 | ||
Cash invested by third party in joint venture | 900,000,000 | ||
Ownership percentage by Investor | 50.00% | ||
Deconsolidation gain amount, before tax | 626,000,000 | 630,000,000 | |
Deconsolidation gain amount, after tax | $409,000,000 | $412,000,000 |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_1
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||||
Accounts receivable segment information | ||||
Card Member receivables | $44,851 | $44,163 | ||
Less: Reserve for losses | 465 | 386 | 428 | 438 |
Card Member receivables, net | 44,386 | 43,777 | ||
Other receivables, net | 2,614 | 3,408 | ||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Other receivables, reserves | 61 | 71 | ||
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||||
Accounts receivable segment information | ||||
Card Member receivables | 7,025 | 7,329 | ||
Card Member receivables, net | 7,000 | 7,300 | ||
U S Card Services [Member] | ||||
Accounts receivable segment information | ||||
Card Member receivables | 22,468 | 21,842 | ||
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 7,000 | 7,300 | ||
International Card Services [Member] | ||||
Accounts receivable segment information | ||||
Card Member receivables | 7,653 | 7,771 | ||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | ||||
Accounts receivable segment information | ||||
Card Member receivables | 14,583 | 14,391 | ||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | ||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 636 | 836 | ||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member] | ||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 606 | 628 | ||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | ||||
Accounts receivable segment information | ||||
Card Member receivables | 147 | 159 | ||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Non United States [Member] | ||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Gross Card Member receivables available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | $13,300 | $13,800 |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_2
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
Loans segment information | ||||
Card Member loans | $70,385,000,000 | $67,238,000,000 | ||
Less: Reserve for losses | 1,201,000,000 | 1,261,000,000 | 1,471,000,000 | 1,874,000,000 |
Card Member loans, net | 69,184,000,000 | 65,977,000,000 | ||
Other loans, net | 920,000,000 | 608,000,000 | ||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Other loans, reserves | 12,000,000 | 13,000,000 | ||
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||||
Loans segment information | ||||
Card Member loans | 30,115,000,000 | 31,245,000,000 | ||
U S Card Services [Member] | ||||
Loans segment information | ||||
Card Member loans | 62,592,000,000 | 58,395,000,000 | ||
U S Card Services [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||||
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | ||||
Gross Card Member loans available to settle the obligations of a variable interest entity | 30,100,000,000 | 31,200,000,000 | ||
International Card Services [Member] | ||||
Loans segment information | ||||
Card Member loans | 7,744,000,000 | 8,790,000,000 | ||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | ||||
Loans segment information | ||||
Card Member loans | $49,000,000 | $53,000,000 |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_3
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 2) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member] | ||
Financing receivable recorded investment aging | ||
Current | $61,995,000,000 | $57,772,000,000 |
30 to 59 days past due | 179,000,000 | 183,000,000 |
60 to 89 days past due | 128,000,000 | 134,000,000 |
90+ days past due | 290,000,000 | 306,000,000 |
Total aging | 62,592,000,000 | 58,395,000,000 |
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | ||
Financing receivable recorded investment aging | ||
Current | 22,096,000,000 | 21,488,000,000 |
30 to 59 days past due | 129,000,000 | 125,000,000 |
60 to 89 days past due | 72,000,000 | 69,000,000 |
90+ days past due | 171,000,000 | 160,000,000 |
Total aging | 22,468,000,000 | 21,842,000,000 |
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member] | ||
Financing receivable recorded investment aging | ||
Current | 7,621,000,000 | 8,664,000,000 |
30 to 59 days past due | 39,000,000 | 43,000,000 |
60 to 89 days past due | 27,000,000 | 28,000,000 |
90+ days past due | 57,000,000 | 55,000,000 |
Total aging | 7,744,000,000 | 8,790,000,000 |
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | ||
Financing receivable recorded investment aging | ||
Current | 7,557,000,000 | |
30 to 59 days past due | 29,000,000 | |
60 to 89 days past due | 20,000,000 | |
90+ days past due | 47,000,000 | 83,000,000 |
Total aging | 7,653,000,000 | 7,771,000,000 |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | ||
Financing receivable recorded investment aging | ||
90+ days past due | 120,000,000 | 132,000,000 |
Total aging | $14,583,000,000 | $14,391,000,000 |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_4
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 3) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member] | ||
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables | ||
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only | 1.50% | 1.80% |
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees | 1.70% | 2.00% |
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total | 1.00% | 1.10% |
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | ||
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables | ||
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only | 1.60% | 1.70% |
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees | 1.80% | 1.90% |
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total | 1.70% | 1.60% |
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member] | ||
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables | ||
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only | 2.00% | 1.90% |
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees | 2.40% | 2.30% |
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total | 1.60% | 1.40% |
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | ||
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables | ||
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal Only | 1.90% | |
Net Write-Off Rate - Principal, Interest, and Fees | 2.10% | |
30 Days Past Due as a % of Total | 1.30% | |
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume | 0.20% | |
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables | 1.10% | |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | ||
Credit Quality Indicator for Loans and Receivables | ||
Net Loss Ratio as a % of Charge Volume | 0.09% | 0.08% |
90 days past billing as a percentage of receivables | 0.80% | 0.90% |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_5
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 4) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Impaired loans and receivables | |||
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest | $218 | $221 | $132 |
Non-accrual loans | 241 | 298 | 431 |
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring | 334 | 406 | 750 |
Total impaired loans and receivables | 793 | 925 | 1,313 |
Unpaid principal balance | 750 | 886 | 1,253 |
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings | 102 | 116 | 244 |
Average balance of impaired loans | 859 | 1,096 | 1,431 |
Interest income recognized | 65 | 62 | 63 |
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, non-accrual | 34 | 43 | 320 |
Total loans and receivables modified as a TDR, past due 90 days and still accruing | 26 | 29 | 6 |
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member] | |||
Impaired loans and receivables | |||
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest | 161 | 167 | 73 |
Non-accrual loans | 241 | 294 | 426 |
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring | 286 | 351 | 627 |
Total impaired loans and receivables | 688 | 812 | 1,126 |
Unpaid principal balance | 646 | 775 | 1,073 |
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings | 67 | 78 | 152 |
Average balance of impaired loans | 750 | 948 | 1,221 |
Interest income recognized | 49 | 46 | 47 |
U S Card Services [Member] | Card Member Receivables [Member] | |||
Impaired loans and receivables | |||
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Non-accrual loans | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring | 48 | 50 | 117 |
Total impaired loans and receivables | 48 | 50 | 117 |
Unpaid principal balance | 48 | 49 | 111 |
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings | 35 | 38 | 91 |
Average balance of impaired loans | 47 | 81 | 135 |
Interest income recognized | 0 | 0 | 0 |
International Card Services [Member] | Card Member Loans [Member] | |||
Impaired loans and receivables | |||
Loans over 90 days past due and accruing interest | 57 | 54 | 59 |
Non-accrual loans | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Loans and receivables modified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring | 0 | 5 | 6 |
Total impaired loans and receivables | 57 | 63 | 70 |
Unpaid principal balance | 56 | 62 | 69 |
Related allowance for Troubled Debt Restructurings | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Average balance of impaired loans | 62 | 67 | 75 |
Interest income recognized | $16 | $16 | $16 |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_6
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 5) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Account | bp | Account | |
bp | M | M | |
M | Account | bp | |
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] | |||
Number of Accounts (in thousands) | 61,000 | 80,000 | 143,000 |
Aggregated Outstanding Balance | $518 | $695 | $1,204 |
Average basis point reduction in interest rate by class of Card Member loans | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,200 |
Average payment term extension | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Accounts Receivable and Loans Textuals [Abstract] | |||
Difference between pre- and post-modification outstanding balances | 0 | 4 | 24 |
Card Member Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] | |||
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] | |||
Number of Accounts (in thousands) | 46,000 | 60,000 | 106,000 |
Aggregated Outstanding Balance | 342 | 448 | 779 |
Card Member Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] | |||
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] | |||
Number of Accounts (in thousands) | 15,000 | 20,000 | 37,000 |
Aggregated Outstanding Balance | $176 | $247 | $425 |
Accounts_Receivable_and_Loans_7
Accounts Receivable and Loans (Details 6) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Account | Account | Account | |
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] | |||
Number of Accounts (in thousands) | 13,000 | 21,000 | 24,000 |
Aggregated Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | $129 | $197 | $219 |
Card Member Loans [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] | |||
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] | |||
Number of Accounts (in thousands) | 10,000 | 18,000 | 23,000 |
Aggregated Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | 85 | 159 | 182 |
Card Member Receivables [Member] | U S Card Services [Member] | |||
Financing Receivable, Modifications [Line Items] | |||
Number of Accounts (in thousands) | 3,000 | 3,000 | 1,000 |
Aggregated Outstanding Balance Upon Payment Default | $44 | $38 | $37 |
Reserves_for_Losses_Details
Reserves for Losses (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses | |||
Balance, January 1 | $386,000,000 | $428,000,000 | $438,000,000 |
Provisions | 792,000,000 | 648,000,000 | 601,000,000 |
Net write-offs | -683,000,000 | -669,000,000 | -640,000,000 |
Other | -30,000,000 | -21,000,000 | 29,000,000 |
Balance, December 31 | $465,000,000 | $386,000,000 | $428,000,000 |
Reserves_for_Losses_Details_1
Reserves for Losses (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |||
Card Member Receivables And Related Reserves Evaluated Separately and Collectively For Impairment [Abstract] | |||
Card Member receivables evaluated separately for impairment | $48 | $50 | $117 |
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated separately for impairment | 35 | 38 | 91 |
Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment | 44,803 | 44,113 | 42,649 |
Reserves on Card Member receivables evaluated collectively for impairment | $430 | $348 | $337 |
Reserves_for_Losses_Details_2
Reserves for Losses (Details 2) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses | |||
Balance, January 1 | $1,261 | $1,471 | $1,874 |
Card Member loans provisions | 1,138 | 1,115 | 1,030 |
Card Member loans net write-offs - principal | -1,023 | -1,141 | -1,280 |
Card Member loans net write-offs - interest and fees | -164 | -150 | -157 |
Card Member loans - other | -11 | -34 | 4 |
Balance, December 31 | $1,201 | $1,261 | $1,471 |
Reserves_For_Losses_Details_3
Reserves For Losses (Details 3) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |||
Card Member Loans And Related Reserves Evaluated Separately And Collectively For Impairment [Abstract] | |||
Card Member loans evaluated separately for impairment | $286 | $356 | $633 |
Reserves on Card Member loans evaluated separately for impairment | 67 | 78 | 153 |
Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment | 70,100 | 66,882 | 64,596 |
Reserves on Card Member loans evaluated collectively for impairment | $1,134 | $1,183 | $1,318 |
Reserves_For_Losses_Details_Te
Reserves For Losses (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Allowance for Card Member Receivables, Recoveries of Bad Debts | $358,000,000 | $402,000,000 | $383,000,000 |
Allowance for Card Member Loans, Recoveries of Bad Debts | 428,000,000 | 452,000,000 | 493,000,000 |
Allowance for Card Member Receivables, Recoveries of Bad Debts - TDR | 15,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 87,000,000 |
Allowance for Card Member Loans, Recoveries of Bad Debts - TDR | -10,000,000 | -1,000,000 | 25,000,000 |
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | 12,000,000 | -22,000,000 | -7,000,000 |
Unauthorized Transactions [Member] | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | -7,000,000 | ||
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | -6,000,000 | ||
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | -15,000,000 | -4,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | -17,000,000 | -12,000,000 | 7,000,000 |
Card Member Bankruptcy Reserves [Member] | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | 0 | 0 | 18,000,000 |
Card Member loans reserves for losses - other | 0 | 0 | 4,000,000 |
Other Items [Member] | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Card Member receivables reserves for losses - other | ($8,000,000) | ($17,000,000) | $9,000,000 |
Investment_Securities_Details
Investment Securities (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | $4,280,000,000 | $4,935,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 154,000,000 | 165,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | -3,000,000 | -84,000,000 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 4,431,000,000 | 5,016,000,000 | 5,614,000,000 |
State and municipal obligations [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 3,366,000,000 | 4,060,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 129,000,000 | 54,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | -2,000,000 | -79,000,000 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 3,493,000,000 | 4,035,000,000 | 4,474,000,000 |
U.S. Government agency obligations [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 0 | 0 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | 0 | 0 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 |
U.S. Government treasury obligations [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 346,000,000 | 318,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 4,000,000 | 3,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | 0 | -1,000,000 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 350,000,000 | 320,000,000 | 338,000,000 |
Corporate debt securities [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 37,000,000 | 43,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | 0 | 0 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 40,000,000 | 46,000,000 | 79,000,000 |
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 128,000,000 | 160,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 8,000,000 | 5,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | 0 | -1,000,000 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 136,000,000 | 164,000,000 | 224,000,000 |
Equity securities [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 0 | 29,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 1,000,000 | 95,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | 0 | 0 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 1,000,000 | 124,000,000 | 296,000,000 |
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 350,000,000 | 272,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 9,000,000 | 5,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | 0 | -1,000,000 | |
Estimated Fair Value | 359,000,000 | 276,000,000 | 149,000,000 |
Other [Member] | |||
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities by Type | |||
Cost | 50,000,000 | 50,000,000 | |
Gross Unrealized Gains | 0 | 0 | |
Gross Unrealized Losses | -1,000,000 | -2,000,000 | |
Estimated Fair Value | $49,000,000 | $48,000,000 | $51,000,000 |
Investment_Securities_Details_
Investment Securities (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | $0 | $1,759,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 105,000,000 | 123,000,000 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -67,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | -3,000,000 | -17,000,000 |
State and municipal obligations [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 1,320,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 72,000,000 | 106,000,000 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -63,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | -2,000,000 | -16,000,000 |
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 208,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 0 | 0 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -1,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | 0 | 0 |
U.S. Government treasury obligations [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 166,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 0 | 0 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -1,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | 0 | 0 |
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 35,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 0 | 0 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -1,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | 0 | 0 |
Other [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale investment securities with gross unrealized losses and length of time | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 30,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 33,000,000 | 17,000,000 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -1,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | ($1,000,000) | ($1,000,000) |
Investment_Securities_Details_1
Investment Securities (Details 2) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
securities | securities | |
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract] | ||
Number of securities, less than 12 months | 0 | 241 |
Number of securities, 12 months or more | 15 | 11 |
Number of securities, total | 15 | 252 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | $0 | $1,759,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 105,000,000 | 123,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Total | 105,000,000 | 1,882,000,000 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -67,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | -3,000,000 | -17,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total | -3,000,000 | -84,000,000 |
Ratio Of Fair Value To Amortized Cost Between Ninety And One Hundred Percent [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract] | ||
Number of securities, less than 12 months | 0 | 228 |
Number of securities, 12 months or more | 15 | 6 |
Number of securities, total | 15 | 234 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 1,665,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 105,000,000 | 24,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Total | 105,000,000 | 1,689,000,000 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -53,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | -3,000,000 | -2,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total | -3,000,000 | -55,000,000 |
Ratio Of Fair Value To Amortized Cost Less Than Ninety Percent [Member] | ||
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract] | ||
Number of securities, less than 12 months | 0 | 13 |
Number of securities, 12 months or more | 0 | 5 |
Number of securities, total | 0 | 18 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract] | ||
Estimated Fair Value, Less than 12 months | 0 | 94,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, 12 months or more | 0 | 99,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Total | 0 | 193,000,000 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses [Abstract] | ||
Gross Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months | 0 | -14,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or more | 0 | -15,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total | $0 | ($29,000,000) |
Investment_Securities_Details_2
Investment Securities (Details 3) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | $561,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 381,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 241,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 3,198,000,000 |
Total | 4,381,000,000 |
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost [Abstract] | |
Due within 1 year | 560,000,000 |
Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 374,000,000 |
Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 225,000,000 |
Due after 10 years | 3,071,000,000 |
Total | 4,230,000,000 |
Weighted average yields | |
Weighted average yields, due within 1 year | 2.50% |
Weighted averge yleids, due after 1 years but within 5 years | 2.07% |
Weighted averge yleids, due after 5 years but within 10 years | 6.71% |
Weighted average yield, due after 10 years | 6.81% |
State and municipal obligations [Member] | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | 182,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 74,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 233,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 3,004,000,000 |
Total | 3,493,000,000 |
U.S. Government treasury obligations [Member] | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 3,000,000 |
Total | 3,000,000 |
U.S. Government agency obligations [Member] | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | 66,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 264,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 8,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 12,000,000 |
Total | 350,000,000 |
Corporate debt securities [Member] | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | 6,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 34,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 0 |
Total | 40,000,000 |
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 2,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 134,000,000 |
Total | 136,000,000 |
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member] | |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Estimated Fair Value, Due within 1 year | 307,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 1 year but within 5 years | 7,000,000 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 5 years but within 10 years | 0 |
Estimated Fair Value, Due after 10 years | 45,000,000 |
Total | $359,000,000 |
Investment_Securities_Details_3
Investment Securities (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Investment Securities (Details) [Abstract] | |||
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized during the period | $0 | $0 | |
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate | 35.00% | 35.00% | 35.00% |
Asset_Securitizations_Details
Asset Securitizations (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] | ||
Restricted cash | $384 | $486 |
American Express Charge Trust [Member] | ||
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] | ||
Restricted cash | 2 | 2 |
American Express Lending Trust [Member] | ||
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] | ||
Restricted cash | 62 | 56 |
Restricted cash held by trusts [Member] | ||
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] | ||
Restricted cash | $64 | $58 |
Asset_Securitizations_Details_
Asset Securitizations (Details Textuals) (American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc [Member], USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 |
In Billions, unless otherwise specified | |
American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc [Member] | |
Securitized Trusts [Line Items] | |
Subordinated securities owned | $1.20 |
Other_Assets_Details
Other Assets (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Other Assets Details [Abstract] | |||
Goodwill | $3,024,000,000 | $3,198,000,000 | $3,181,000,000 |
Deferred tax assets, net | 2,110,000,000 | 2,443,000,000 | |
Prepaid expenses | 1,626,000,000 | 1,998,000,000 | |
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 854,000,000 | 817,000,000 | |
Derivative assets | 711,000,000 | 329,000,000 | |
Restricted cash | 384,000,000 | 486,000,000 | |
Other | 2,633,000,000 | 1,957,000,000 | |
Other assets (includes restricted cash of consolidated variable interest entities) | $11,342,000,000 | $11,228,000,000 |
Other_Assets_Details_1
Other Assets (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, Beginning Balance | $3,198 | $3,181 |
Acquisitions | 0 | 0 |
Dispositions | -102 | 0 |
Other, including foreign currency translation | -72 | 17 |
Goodwill, Ending Balance | 3,024 | 3,198 |
U S Card Services [Member] | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, Beginning Balance | 174 | 175 |
Acquisitions | 0 | 0 |
Dispositions | 0 | 0 |
Other, including foreign currency translation | 0 | -1 |
Goodwill, Ending Balance | 174 | 174 |
International Card Services [Member] | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, Beginning Balance | 1,052 | 1,031 |
Acquisitions | 0 | 0 |
Dispositions | 0 | 0 |
Other, including foreign currency translation | -70 | 21 |
Goodwill, Ending Balance | 982 | 1,052 |
Global Commercial Services [Member] | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, Beginning Balance | 1,543 | 1,544 |
Acquisitions | 0 | 0 |
Dispositions | -102 | 0 |
Other, including foreign currency translation | 0 | -1 |
Goodwill, Ending Balance | 1,441 | 1,543 |
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, Beginning Balance | 160 | 160 |
Acquisitions | 0 | 0 |
Dispositions | 0 | 0 |
Other, including foreign currency translation | 0 | 0 |
Goodwill, Ending Balance | 160 | 160 |
Corporate and Other [Member] | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, Beginning Balance | 269 | 271 |
Acquisitions | 0 | 0 |
Dispositions | 0 | 0 |
Other, including foreign currency translation | -2 | -2 |
Goodwill, Ending Balance | $267 | $269 |
Other_Assets_Details_2
Other Assets (Details 2) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Components of other intangible assets | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | $1,710 | $1,566 |
Accumulated Amortization | -856 | -749 |
Net Carrying Amount | 854 | 817 |
Other Contracts [Member] | ||
Components of other intangible assets | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 255 | 269 |
Accumulated Amortization | -102 | -89 |
Net Carrying Amount | 153 | 180 |
Customer Relationships [Member] | ||
Components of other intangible assets | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 1,455 | 1,297 |
Accumulated Amortization | -754 | -660 |
Net Carrying Amount | $701 | $637 |
Other_Assets_Details_3
Other Assets (Details 3) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |
Estimated amortization expense for other intangible assets | |
Estimated amortization expense, 2015 | $158 |
Estimated amortization expense, 2016 | 134 |
Estimated amortization expense, 2017 | 117 |
Estimated amortization expense, 2018 | 109 |
Estimated amortization expense, 2019 | $87 |
Other_Assets_Details_Textuals
Other Assets (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Prepaid expenses | $1,626,000,000 | $1,998,000,000 | |
Restricted cash | 384,000,000 | 486,000,000 | |
Amortization period of acquired finite-lived intangible assets | 7 years 0 months 0 days | 6 years 0 months 0 days | |
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 854,000,000 | 817,000,000 | |
Foreign deferred tax liabilities | 96,000,000 | ||
Other Assets (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Goodwill impaired | 0 | 0 | |
Amortization expense | 174,000,000 | 193,000,000 | 198,000,000 |
Affordable housing partnership interests | 622,000,000 | 541,000,000 | |
Sale of Concur Technologies | 990,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
Gain on sale of investments in Concur Technologies | 744,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
Carrying amount of Concur Technologies | 246,000,000 | ||
Customer Relationships [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 701,000,000 | 637,000,000 | |
Other Contracts [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 153,000,000 | 180,000,000 | |
Minimum [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Amortization period of intangible assets | 3 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Maximum [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Amortization period of intangible assets | 22 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Coupon and Certain Asset-Backed Securitization Maturities [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Restricted cash | 64,000,000 | 58,000,000 | |
Airline [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 340,000,000 | 290,000,000 | |
Airline [Member] | Delta [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Other intangible assets, at amortized cost | 206,000,000 | 117,000,000 | |
Prepaid Miles And Reward Points [Member] | Airline [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Prepaid expenses | 1,100,000,000 | 1,500,000,000 | |
Prepaid Miles And Reward Points [Member] | Airline [Member] | Delta [Member] | |||
Other Assets [Line Items] | |||
Prepaid expenses | $600,000,000 | $900,000,000 |
Customer_Deposits_Details
Customer Deposits (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
U.S.: | ||
Interest-bearing | $43,279 | $40,831 |
Non-interest-bearing | 418 | 360 |
Non-U.S.: | ||
Interest-bearing | 115 | 121 |
Non-interest-bearing | 359 | 451 |
Total customer deposits | 44,171 | 41,763 |
Card Member Credit Balances [Member] | ||
U.S.: | ||
Non-interest-bearing | 372 | 340 |
Non-U.S.: | ||
Non-interest-bearing | $347 | $437 |
Customer_Deposits_Details_1
Customer Deposits (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
U.S. retail deposits: | ||
Savings accounts - Direct | $26,159 | $24,550 |
Certificates of deposit - Direct | 333 | 489 |
Certificates of deposit - Third party | 7,838 | 6,929 |
Sweep accounts - Third party | 8,949 | 8,863 |
Non-U.S. deposits and U.S. non-interest bearing | 173 | 155 |
Card Member credit balances - U.S. and non-U.S. | 719 | 777 |
Total customer deposits | $44,171 | $41,763 |
Customer_Deposits_Details_2
Customer Deposits (Details 2) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 |
Time Deposits By Maturity | |
2015 | $1,765,000,000 |
2016 | 2,136,000,000 |
2017 | 1,491,000,000 |
2018 | 1,480,000,000 |
2019 | 1,304,000,000 |
After 5 years | 16,000,000 |
Total | 8,192,000,000 |
United States [Member] | |
Time Deposits By Maturity | |
2015 | 1,744,000,000 |
2016 | 2,136,000,000 |
2017 | 1,491,000,000 |
2018 | 1,480,000,000 |
2019 | 1,304,000,000 |
After 5 years | 16,000,000 |
Total | 8,171,000,000 |
Non United States [Member] | |
Time Deposits By Maturity | |
2015 | 21,000,000 |
2016 | 0 |
2017 | 0 |
2018 | 0 |
2019 | 0 |
After 5 years | 0 |
Total | $21,000,000 |
Customer_Deposits_Details_3
Customer Deposits (Details 3) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Time Deposits 250000 Or More [Abstract] | ||
U.S. | $111 | $148 |
Non-U.S. | 17 | 0 |
Total | $128 | $148 |
Debt_Details
Debt (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Outstanding Balance | $3,480,000,000 | $5,021,000,000 |
Face amount of eligible notes issued | 2,000,000,000 | |
Short-term Debt [Member] | ||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.69% | 1.04% |
Fees to maintain the secured financing facility | 7,000,000 | 7,200,000 |
Commercial Paper [Member] | ||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Outstanding Balance | 769,000,000 | 200,000,000 |
Commercial Paper [Member] | Short-term Debt [Member] | ||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.29% | 0.19% |
Other Short Term Borrowings [Member] | ||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Outstanding Balance | 2,711,000,000 | 4,821,000,000 |
Other Short Term Borrowings [Member] | Bank Overdrafts [Member] | ||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Outstanding Balance | $470,000,000 | $489,000,000 |
Other Short Term Borrowings [Member] | Short-term Debt [Member] | ||
Short-term Debt [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.81% | 1.08% |
Debt_Details_1
Debt (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Long-term Debt | $57,955 | $55,330 |
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | -116 | -105 |
Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.34% | 2.56% |
Parent Company [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Long-term Debt | 9,708 | 10,354 |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2016-2042 | |
Long-term Debt | 7,535 | 8,784 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 4.20% | 4.60% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 5.15% | 5.43% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2017 | |
Long-term Debt | 2,089 | 2,102 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 3.32% | 3.32% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 4.12% | 4.12% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 | |
Long-term Debt | 16,260 | 14,875 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 1.22% | 2.03% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 2.26% | 3.13% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2017 | |
Long-term Debt | 999 | 999 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 6.00% | 6.00% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2017 | |
Long-term Debt | 6,100 | 2,600 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Fixed Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 1.11% | 0.72% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2018 | |
Long-term Debt | 850 | 850 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.85% | 0.84% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2018 | |
Long-term Debt | 675 | 675 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.68% | 0.67% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 | |
Long-term Debt | 4,400 | 2,855 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.82% | 1.14% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2017 | |
Long-term Debt | 300 | 300 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.46% | 0.47% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2016-2018 | |
Long-term Debt | 3,700 | 4,200 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.41% | 0.49% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 | |
Long-term Debt | 8,876 | 10,685 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Senior Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.72% | 0.81% |
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2016-2018 | |
Long-term Debt | 87 | 87 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.80% | 0.80% |
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 | |
Long-term Debt | 488 | 847 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.73% | 0.81% |
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 6.80% | |
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2024-2036 | |
Long-term Debt | 1,350 | 749 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 4.42% | 0.00% |
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | Parent Company [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 5.39% | 6.80% |
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2016-2017 | |
Long-term Debt | 3,672 | 4,012 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Borrowings under Bank Credit Facilities [Member] | American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 4.25% | 4.18% |
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2017 | |
Long-term Debt | 300 | 300 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes Amount [Member] | American Express Lending Trust [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 1.08% | 1.08% |
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2016-2033 | |
Long-term Debt | 143 | 239 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 3.09% | 3.95% |
Fixed Rate Instruments [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Capitalized lease transactions | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Long-term Debt | 31 | 109 |
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Maturity Dates | 2015-2019 | |
Long-term Debt | $247 | $276 |
Year-End Effective Interest Rates with Swaps | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Floating Rate Borrowings [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 0.59% | 0.62% |
Debt_Details_2
Debt (Details 2) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | $12,079 | |
2016 | 11,552 | |
2017 | 16,354 | |
2018 | 9,443 | |
2019 | 6,114 | |
Thereafter | 3,180 | |
Total | 58,722 | |
Unamortized Underwriting Fees | -116 | -105 |
Unamortized Discount and Premium | -932 | |
Impacts due to Fair Value Hedge Accounting | 281 | |
Total long-term debt | 57,955 | 55,330 |
Parent Company [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 0 | |
2016 | 1,350 | |
2017 | 1,500 | |
2018 | 3,850 | |
2019 | 641 | |
Thereafter | 3,147 | |
Total | 10,488 | |
Total long-term debt | 9,708 | 10,354 |
American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 1,305 | |
2016 | 0 | |
2017 | 1,300 | |
2018 | 125 | |
2019 | 0 | |
Thereafter | 2 | |
Total | 2,732 | |
American Express Credit Corporation [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 5,227 | |
2016 | 7,057 | |
2017 | 6,532 | |
2018 | 1,295 | |
2019 | 4,150 | |
Thereafter | 0 | |
Total | 24,261 | |
American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 0 | |
2016 | 0 | |
2017 | 1,300 | |
2018 | 0 | |
2019 | 0 | |
Thereafter | 0 | |
Total | 1,300 | |
American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 0 | |
2016 | 2,500 | |
2017 | 0 | |
2018 | 1,287 | |
2019 | 0 | |
Thereafter | 0 | |
Total | 3,787 | |
American Express Lending Trust [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 5,422 | |
2016 | 500 | |
2017 | 5,639 | |
2018 | 2,886 | |
2019 | 1,317 | |
Thereafter | 0 | |
Total | 15,764 | |
Other Subsidiaries [Member] | ||
Aggregate annual maturities on long-term debt obligations | ||
2015 | 125 | |
2016 | 145 | |
2017 | 83 | |
2018 | 0 | |
2019 | 6 | |
Thereafter | 31 | |
Total | $390 |
Debt_Details_Textuals
Debt (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
M | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Face amount of eligible notes from Charge Trust | $3,000,000,000 | ||
Debt (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Date, interest rate automatically extended, Convertible subordinated notes | 1-Sep-66 | ||
Principal outstanding of Subordinated Debentures | 750,000,000 | 750,000,000 | 750,000,000 |
Interest rate of convertible subordinated debt LIBOR rate plus an annual percentage after year five following the balance sheet date | 3-month LIBOR + 2.23% | ||
Convertible Subordinated Debentures Redeemable Percentage Of Principal | 100.00% | ||
Number of months prior to trigger determination date decline in tangible common equity | 18 | ||
Percentage of Decline in Tangible Common Equity | 10.00% | ||
Total bank lines of credit of the company | 6,700,000,000 | 7,000,000,000 | |
Unutilized total credit lines | 3,000,000,000 | 3,000,000,000 | |
Fees to maintain credit lines | 49,900,000 | 50,200,000 | |
Line of credit facility financial covenants combined earnings and fixed charges to fixed charges ratio required | 1.25 | ||
Total Interest Paid | 1,700,000,000 | 2,000,000,000 | 2,200,000,000 |
Weighted-average coupon rate on senior subordinated notes | 3.60% | ||
Senior Subordinated Notes | 600,000,000 | ||
American Express Charge Trust II [Member] | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Face amount of eligible notes draw downs | $2,500,000,000 | ||
Specified date face amount of eligible notes issued | 15-Jul-16 | ||
Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member] | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Year-End Stated Rate on Debt | 6.80% |
Other_Liabilities_Details
Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Summary of other liabilities | ||
Membership Rewards liability | $6,521 | $6,151 |
Employee-related liablities | 2,258 | 2,227 |
Rebate and reward accruals | 2,389 | 2,210 |
Deferred card and other fees, net | 1,308 | 1,314 |
Book overdraft balances | 647 | 442 |
Other | 4,728 | 4,566 |
Total | 17,851 | 16,910 |
Carrying amount of deferred charge card and other fees | ||
Deferred card and other fees | 1,615 | 1,609 |
Deferred direct acquisition costs | -176 | -164 |
Reserves for membership cancellations | -131 | -131 |
Total | $1,308 | $1,314 |
Stock_Plans_Details
Stock Plans (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 |
Summary of Stock Option and RSA Activity | |
Beginning Balance, Shares | 18,615 |
Granted, shares | 295 |
Exercised, shares | -5,893 |
Forfeited, shares | -242 |
Expired, shares | -46 |
Ending Balance, Shares | 12,729 |
Beginning balance, weighted average exercise price | $44.98 |
Granted, weighted average exercise price | $86.64 |
Exercised, weighted average exercise price | $48.05 |
Forfeitures, weighted average exercise price | $51.83 |
Expired, weighted average exercise price | $47.84 |
Ending balance, weighted average exercise price | $44.39 |
Options vested and expected to vest, shares | 12,726 |
Options vested and expected to vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $44.39 |
Options exercisable, shares | 11,628 |
Options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $42.64 |
Beginning balance, shares | 9,578 |
Granted, shares | 2,639 |
Vested, shares | -3,427 |
Forfeited, shares | -916 |
Ending balance, shares | 7,874 |
Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Grant Price | $51.88 |
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Price | $86.65 |
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Price | $47.25 |
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Price | $60.98 |
Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Price | $64.48 |
Stock_Plans_Details_1
Stock Plans (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life and aggregate intrinsic value of the Company's stock options outstanding, exerciseable, and vested and expected to vest | |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, Outstanding | 3 years 10 months 0 days |
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding | $619 |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, Exercisable | 3 years 6 months 0 days |
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable | 586 |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, Vested and Expected to Vest | 3 years 10 months 0 days |
Aggregate intrinsic value, Vested and Expected to Vest | $619 |
Stock_Plans_Details_2
Stock Plans (Details 2) (Stock Option [Member], USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Stock Option [Member] | |||
Weighted Average Assumptions Used | |||
Dividend yield | 1.10% | 1.40% | 1.50% |
Expected volatility | 46.00% | 39.00% | 41.00% |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.20% | 1.30% | 1.30% |
Expected life of stock option (in years) | 6 years 8 months 0 days | 6 years 4 months 0 days | 6 years 4 months 0 days |
Weighted-average fair value per option | $32.36 | $21.11 | $17.48 |
Stock_Plans_Details_3
Stock Plans (Details 3) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | $290 | $350 | $297 |
Stock Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for stock-based compensation arrangements | 104 | 127 | 107 |
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | |||
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | 193 | 208 | 197 |
Stock Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Total unrecognized compensation cost | 211 | ||
Weighted-average remaining vesting period | 1 year 4 months 0 days | ||
Stock Option [Member] | |||
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | 13 | 23 | 29 |
Stock Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Total unrecognized compensation cost | 6 | ||
Weighted-average remaining vesting period | 2 years 1 month 0 days | ||
Liability-Based Awards [Member] | |||
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | 84 | 119 | 70 |
Performance And Market-Based Stock Options [Member] | |||
Stock Based Compensation Expense [Abstract] | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | $0 | $0 | $1 |
Stock_Plans_Details_Textuals
Stock Plans (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Stock Plans Details [Abstract] | |||
Common shares unissued and available for grant | 35,000,000 | 35,000,000 | 36,000,000 |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Weighted-average grant date fair value of RSAs granted | $86.65 | ||
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items] | |||
Exercisable non-qualified stock option awards granted to CEO | 687,000 | ||
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | |||
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items] | |||
Non-qualified stock option awards granted to CEO | 2,750,000 | ||
Contractual term in years of stock option awards | 10 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Vesting period in years of stock option awards | 6 years 0 months 0 days | ||
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Market-based conditions [Member] | |||
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items] | |||
Aggregate grant date fair value | $10,500,000 | ||
Total compensation expense | 0 | 300,000 | 500,000 |
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Performance-based conditions [Member] | |||
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items] | |||
Aggregate grant date fair value | 33,800,000 | ||
Total compensation expense | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stock Option [Member] | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Vesting rights | Stock options generally vest 25 percent per year beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date or at 100 percent on the third anniversary of the grant date. | ||
Intrinsic value for options exercised | 245,000,000 | 374,000,000 | 209,000,000 |
Cash received from the exercise of stock options | 283,000,000 | 580,000,000 | 368,000,000 |
Tax benefit realized from income tax deductions from stock option exercises | 54,000,000 | 84,000,000 | 45,000,000 |
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Vesting rights | RSAs are valued based on the stock price on the date of grant and generally vest 25 percent per year, beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date or at 100 percent on the third anniversary of the grant date. | ||
Total fair value of shares vested | 298,000,000 | 336,000,000 | 296,000,000 |
Weighted-average grant date fair value of RSAs granted | $86.65 | $60.13 | $49.80 |
Liability-Based Awards [Member] | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Cash paid upon vesting of PGs | $62,000,000 | $43,000,000 | $66,000,000 |
Retirement_Plans_Details_Textu
Retirement Plans (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Defined contribution retirement plans [Member] | |||
Retirement Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Total expense for all defined contribution retirement plans | $272,000,000 | $281,000,000 | $254,000,000 |
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Member] | |||
Retirement Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Net funded status related to the defined benefit pension plans | 767,000,000 | 661,000,000 | |
Total expense for all defined contribution retirement plans | $24,000,000 | $59,000,000 | $93,000,000 |
Commitments_and_Contingencies_
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |
Minimum aggregate rental commitment under all noncancelable operating leases | |
2015 | $189 |
2016 | 161 |
2017 | 144 |
2018 | 126 |
2019 | 94 |
Thereafter | 921 |
Total | $1,635 |
Commitments_and_Contingencies_1
Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] | |||
Total rental expense | $237,000,000 | $281,000,000 | $305,000,000 |
Commitments And Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Range of possible loss, minimum | 0 | ||
Range of possible loss, maximum | 360,000,000 | ||
Contingent obligations with co-brand partners | 1,000,000,000 | ||
Amount of rentals subject to subleasing arrangements | 34,000,000 | ||
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2015 | 4,000,000 | ||
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2016 | 4,000,000 | ||
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2017 | 4,000,000 | ||
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2018 | 4,000,000 | ||
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, in 2019 | 4,000,000 | ||
Future minimum payments on capital leases due, thereafter | $19,000,000 |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | $991 | $701 |
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | 164 | 213 |
Total derivatives assets, net | 711 | 329 |
Other Assets [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | 991 | 701 |
Cash collateral netting | -158 | -336 |
Derivative asset and liability netting | -122 | -36 |
Total derivatives assets, net | 711 | 329 |
Other Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | 806 | 637 |
Other Assets [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | 185 | 64 |
Other Assets [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | 314 | 455 |
Other Assets [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | 0 | 8 |
Other Assets [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative assets | 492 | 174 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | 164 | 213 |
Cash collateral netting | -4 | 0 |
Derivative asset and liability netting | -122 | -36 |
Total derivatives liabilities, net | 38 | 177 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | 50 | 118 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | 114 | 95 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | 4 | 2 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | Net Investment Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ||
Total fair value of derivative liabilities | $46 | $116 |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Fair Value Hedging [Member], USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Other Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Derivative contract | ($143) | ($370) | ($178) |
Hedged item | 148 | 351 | 132 |
Net hedge ineffectiveness | 5 | -19 | -46 |
Other Revenues [Member] | Total Return Swap [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Derivative contract | 11 | 15 | -53 |
Hedged item | -11 | -15 | 54 |
Net hedge ineffectiveness | $0 | $0 | $1 |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Amount reclassified from AOCI into income | $0 | $0 | ($1,000,000) |
Net hedge ineffectiveness | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Net Investment Hedging [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Amount reclassified from AOCI into income | 10,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
Net hedge ineffectiveness | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 3) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Pretax gains (losses) | $198,000,000 | $73,000,000 | ($58,000,000) |
Interest Expense [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Pretax gains (losses) | 0 | 0 | -1,000,000 |
Other Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Pretax gains (losses) | 0 | 1,000,000 | -1,000,000 |
Other Expense [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Pretax gains (losses) | 194,000,000 | 72,000,000 | -56,000,000 |
Cost Of Card Member Services [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | |||
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | |||
Pretax gains (losses) | $4,000,000 | $0 | $0 |
Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi6
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Net reduction in interest expense on long term debt and other | $283 | $346 | $491 |
Net pretax losses on derivatives reclassified from AOCI into earnings | 0 | ||
Shares held in equity investment | 0 | 180,700,000 | |
Shares held in equity investment Sold | 34,300,000 | ||
Margin on interest rate swap not netted | 114 | 26 | |
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Equity investment | 1 | 124 | |
Total derivatives assets, net | 711 | 329 | |
Not Sold Or Repledged [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Securities received as collateral | 91 | 0 | |
Risk Exposure Low [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Total derivatives assets, net | 620 | ||
Significant Counterparties [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Total derivatives assets, net | 0 | 0 | |
Total derivatives liabilities, net | 0 | 0 | |
Fair Value Hedges [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Notional amount of long-term debt | 17,600 | 14,700 | |
Fair Value Hedges [Member] | ICBC [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Equity investment | 0 | 122 | |
Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Notional amount of long-term debt | 0 | 0 | |
Net Investment Hedges [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Effective portion of gain (loss) on hedges | 455 | 253 | -288 |
Credit Valuation Adjustment [Member] | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Notional amount of long-term debt | $0 | $0 |
Fair_Values_Details
Fair Values (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Investment securities: | ||
Equity securities | $1 | $124 |
Debt securities and other | 4,430 | 4,892 |
Derivative assets | 991 | 701 |
Total assets | 5,422 | 5,717 |
Level 1 [Member] | ||
Investment securities: | ||
Equity securities | 1 | 124 |
Debt securities and other | 350 | 320 |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |
Total assets | 351 | 444 |
Level 2 [Member] | ||
Investment securities: | ||
Equity securities | 0 | 0 |
Debt securities and other | 4,080 | 4,572 |
Derivative assets | 991 | 701 |
Total assets | 5,071 | 5,273 |
Level 3 [Member] | ||
Investment securities: | ||
Total assets | $0 | $0 |
Fair_Values_Details_1
Fair Values (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Liabilities [Abstract] | ||
Derivative liabilities | $164 | $213 |
Total liabilities | 164 | 213 |
Level 1 [Member] | ||
Liabilities [Abstract] | ||
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |
Total liabilities | 0 | 0 |
Level 2 [Member] | ||
Liabilities [Abstract] | ||
Derivative liabilities | 164 | 213 |
Total liabilities | 164 | 213 |
Level 3 [Member] | ||
Liabilities [Abstract] | ||
Total liabilities | $0 | $0 |
Fair_Values_Details_2
Fair Values (Details 2) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $22,288,000,000 | $19,486,000,000 | $22,250,000,000 | $24,893,000,000 |
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 8,192,000,000 | |||
Long-term debt | 57,955,000,000 | 55,330,000,000 | ||
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 44,386,000,000 | 43,777,000,000 | ||
Card Member loans, net | 69,184,000,000 | 65,977,000,000 | ||
Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Long-term debt | 19,516,000,000 | 18,690,000,000 | ||
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 7,000,000,000 | 7,300,000,000 | ||
Carrying Value [Member] | ||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 19,000,000,000 | |||
Other financial assets | 48,000,000,000 | 48,000,000,000 | ||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||
Loans, net | 70,000,000,000 | 67,000,000,000 | ||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 61,000,000,000 | 60,000,000,000 | ||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 7,000,000,000 | |||
Long-term debt | 58,000,000,000 | 55,000,000,000 | ||
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | ||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 22,000,000,000 | 19,000,000,000 | ||
Other financial assets | 48,000,000,000 | 48,000,000,000 | ||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||
Loans, net | 71,000,000,000 | 67,000,000,000 | ||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 61,000,000,000 | 60,000,000,000 | ||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 8,000,000,000 | 8,000,000,000 | ||
Long-term debt | 60,000,000,000 | 58,000,000,000 | ||
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Variable Interest Enterprise [Member] | ||||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Long-term debt | 19,500,000,000 | 18,800,000,000 | ||
Fair Values (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Card Member loans, net | 29,900,000,000 | 31,000,000,000 | ||
Level 1 [Member] | ||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 21,000,000,000 | 17,000,000,000 | ||
Other financial assets | 0 | 0 | ||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||
Loans, net | 0 | 0 | ||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 0 | 0 | ||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 0 | 0 | ||
Long-term debt | 0 | 0 | ||
Level 2 [Member] | ||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,000,000,000 | 2,000,000,000 | ||
Other financial assets | 48,000,000,000 | 48,000,000,000 | ||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||
Loans, net | 0 | 0 | ||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 61,000,000,000 | 60,000,000,000 | ||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 8,000,000,000 | 8,000,000,000 | ||
Long-term debt | 60,000,000,000 | 58,000,000,000 | ||
Level 3 [Member] | ||||
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | 0 | ||
Other financial assets | 0 | 0 | ||
Financial assets carried at other than fair value | ||||
Loans, net | 71,000,000,000 | 67,000,000,000 | ||
Financial Liabilities: | ||||
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value | 0 | 0 | ||
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 0 | 0 | ||
Long-term debt | $0 | $0 |
Fair_Values_Details_Textuals
Fair Values (Details Textuals) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | ||
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Assets measured at fair value for impairment | $0 | $0 |
Guarantees_Details
Guarantees (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Type of Guarantee | ||
Maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments | $45,000,000,000 | $45,000,000,000 |
Amount of related liability | 111,000,000 | 161,000,000 |
Return and Merchant Protection [Member] | ||
Type of Guarantee | ||
Maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments | 37,000,000,000 | 37,000,000,000 |
Amount of related liability | 44,000,000 | 84,000,000 |
Other Guarantees [Member] | ||
Type of Guarantee | ||
Maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments | 8,000,000,000 | 8,000,000,000 |
Amount of related liability | $67,000,000 | $77,000,000 |
Common_and_Preferred_Shares_an2
Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants (Details) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Authorized shares and a reconciliation of common shares issued and outstanding | |||
Common shares, authorized | 3,600,000,000 | 3,600,000,000 | 3,600,000,000 |
Shares issued and outstanding at beginning of year | 1,064,000,000 | 1,105,000,000 | 1,164,000,000 |
Repurchases of common shares | -49,000,000 | -55,000,000 | -69,000,000 |
Other, primarily stock option exercises and RSAs granted | 8,000,000 | 14,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31 | 1,023,000,000 | 1,064,000,000 | 1,105,000,000 |
Stockholders' Equity Note (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||
Shares reserved for issuance under employee stock and employee benefit plans | 56,000,000 |
Common_and_Preferred_Shares_an3
Common and Preferred Shares and Warrants (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Mar. 25, 2013 | |
Common And Preferred Shares And Warrants (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Common share repurchases authorized | 150,000,000 | |||
Common shares repurchased | 49,000,000 | 55,000,000 | ||
Cost basis of common stock repurchased | $4,389,000,000 | $3,943,000,000 | $3,952,000,000 | |
Commissions paid included in cost basis of common stock repurchased | 1,000,000 | 1,100,000 | ||
Common shares remaining under share repurchase authorizations | 59,000,000 | |||
Shares held as treasury shares | 3,200,000 | 3,500,000 | 3,900,000 | |
Cost basis of treasury stock | 280,000,000 | 260,000,000 | 236,000,000 | |
Preferred shares, authorized | 20,000,000 | 0 | ||
Preferred shares, par value | 1.66 | 0 | ||
Preferred stock, shares issued | 750 | 0 | 0 | |
Preferred stock, shares outstanding | 750 | 0 | 0 | |
Depositary shares, issued | 750,000 | |||
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Value | 750,000,000 | |||
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage | 5.20% | |||
Preferred Stock, Dividend Payment. Rate Variable | 3-month Libor plus 3.428 percent | |||
Depositary Shares, Redemption Amount | $1,000 | |||
Warrants, issued and outstanding | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Changes in Other Comprehensive income | |||
Balances as of January 1 | ($1,426,000,000) | ||
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax | -117,000,000 | 89,000,000 | -7,000,000 |
Balances as of December 31 | -1,919,000,000 | -1,426,000,000 | |
Tax impact for the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | |||
Investment securities | 19,000,000 | -142,000,000 | 7,000,000 |
Cash flow hedges | 0 | 0 | 1,000,000 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | -64,000,000 | -49,000,000 | 24,000,000 |
Net investment hedges | 273,000,000 | 135,000,000 | -176,000,000 |
Pension and other postretirement benefit losses | -46,000,000 | 56,000,000 | 0 |
Total tax impact | 182,000,000 | 0 | -144,000,000 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member] | |||
Changes in Other Comprehensive income | |||
Balances as of January 1 | -1,426,000,000 | -927,000,000 | -876,000,000 |
Net unrealized gains (losses) | 104,000,000 | -159,000,000 | 106,000,000 |
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings | -66,000,000 | -93,000,000 | -77,000,000 |
Net translation of investments in foreign operations | -869,000,000 | -589,000,000 | 215,000,000 |
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 455,000,000 | 253,000,000 | -288,000,000 |
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax | -117,000,000 | 89,000,000 | -7,000,000 |
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | -493,000,000 | -499,000,000 | -51,000,000 |
Balances as of December 31 | -1,919,000,000 | -1,426,000,000 | -927,000,000 |
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member] | |||
Changes in Other Comprehensive income | |||
Balances as of January 1 | 63,000,000 | 315,000,000 | 288,000,000 |
Net unrealized gains (losses) | 104,000,000 | -159,000,000 | 106,000,000 |
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings | -71,000,000 | -93,000,000 | -79,000,000 |
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | 33,000,000 | -252,000,000 | 27,000,000 |
Balances as of December 31 | 96,000,000 | 63,000,000 | 315,000,000 |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | |||
Changes in Other Comprehensive income | |||
Balances as of January 1 | 0 | 0 | -1,000,000 |
Net unrealized gains (losses) | 0 | ||
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings | 1,000,000 | ||
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | 0 | 0 | 1,000,000 |
Balances as of December 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] | |||
Changes in Other Comprehensive income | |||
Balances as of January 1 | -1,090,000,000 | -754,000,000 | -682,000,000 |
Reclassification for realized (gains) losses into earnings | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Net translation of investments in foreign operations | -869,000,000 | -589,000,000 | 215,000,000 |
Net gains (losses) related to hedges of investment in foreign operations | 455,000,000 | 253,000,000 | -288,000,000 |
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | -409,000,000 | -336,000,000 | -72,000,000 |
Balances as of December 31 | -1,499,000,000 | -1,090,000,000 | -754,000,000 |
Net Unrealized Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Losses [Member] | |||
Changes in Other Comprehensive income | |||
Balances as of January 1 | -399,000,000 | -488,000,000 | -481,000,000 |
Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit (losses) gains, net of tax | -117,000,000 | 89,000,000 | -7,000,000 |
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | -117,000,000 | 89,000,000 | -7,000,000 |
Balances as of December 31 | ($516,000,000) | ($399,000,000) | ($488,000,000) |
Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C3
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] | |||
Other non-interest revenue | $2,989,000,000 | $2,274,000,000 | $2,425,000,000 |
Interest Expense, Long-term Debt | 1,334,000,000 | 1,516,000,000 | 1,746,000,000 |
Other expense | 6,089,000,000 | 6,796,000,000 | 6,851,000,000 |
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member] | |||
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] | |||
Other non-interest revenue | 111,000,000 | 145,000,000 | |
Income tax provision for other non-interest revenue | -40,000,000 | -52,000,000 | |
Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings | 71,000,000 | 93,000,000 | |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] | |||
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] | |||
Other expense | -9,000,000 | 0 | |
Income tax benefit for other, net expense | 4,000,000 | 0 | |
Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings | -5,000,000 | 0 | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | |||
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] | |||
Increase (decrease) due to amounts reclassified into earnings | $66,000,000 | $93,000,000 |
NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens2
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract] | |||
Foreign currency conversion fee revenue | $877,000,000 | $877,000,000 | $855,000,000 |
Delinquency fees | 722,000,000 | 667,000,000 | 604,000,000 |
Loyalty Partner-related fees | 383,000,000 | 310,000,000 | 290,000,000 |
Service fees | 366,000,000 | 375,000,000 | 362,000,000 |
Other | 160,000,000 | 185,000,000 | 206,000,000 |
Total Other commissions and fees | $2,508,000,000 | $2,414,000,000 | $2,317,000,000 |
NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens3
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 1) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract] | |||
Gain on sale of investment in Concur Technologies | $744,000,000 | $0 | $0 |
Global Network Services partner revenues | 694,000,000 | 650,000,000 | 664,000,000 |
Net realized gains on investment securities | 100,000,000 | 136,000,000 | 126,000,000 |
Other | 1,451,000,000 | 1,488,000,000 | 1,635,000,000 |
Total Other revenues | 2,989,000,000 | 2,274,000,000 | 2,425,000,000 |
Gross realized losses on investment securities | $0 | $0 | $1,000,000 |
NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens4
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 2) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract] | |||
Marketing and promotion | $3,320 | $3,043 | $2,890 |
Card Member rewards | 6,931 | 6,457 | 6,282 |
Card Member services and other | 822 | 767 | 772 |
Total Marketing, promotion, rewards, Card Member services and other | $11,073 | $10,267 | $9,944 |
NonInterest_Revenue_and_Expens5
Non-Interest Revenue and Expense Detail (Details 3) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Details Of Certain Statements Of Income Lines Details [Abstract] | ||||
Professional services | $3,008,000,000 | $3,102,000,000 | $2,963,000,000 | |
Occupancy and equipment | 1,807,000,000 | 1,904,000,000 | 1,823,000,000 | |
Card-related fraud losses | 369,000,000 | 278,000,000 | 278,000,000 | |
Communications | 383,000,000 | 379,000,000 | 383,000,000 | |
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | -626,000,000 | -630,000,000 | ||
Other | 1,152,000,000 | 1,133,000,000 | 1,404,000,000 | |
Total Other, net | $6,089,000,000 | $6,796,000,000 | $6,851,000,000 |
Restructuring_Charges_Details
Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Beginning Balance | $233,000,000 | $470,000,000 | $200,000,000 | ||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 313,000,000 | 133,000,000 | 411,000,000 | -4,000,000 | 403,000,000 |
Payments | -115,000,000 | -229,000,000 | -133,000,000 | ||
Other non-cash | -59,000,000 | -4,000,000 | |||
Ending Balance | 470,000,000 | 470,000,000 | 233,000,000 | 470,000,000 | |
U S Card Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 38,000,000 | ||||
International Card Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 139,000,000 | ||||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 54,000,000 | ||||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 25,000,000 | ||||
Corporate and Other [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 155,000,000 | ||||
Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Beginning Balance | 196,000,000 | 412,000,000 | 170,000,000 | ||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 383,000,000 | -7,000,000 | 366,000,000 | ||
Payments | -93,000,000 | -206,000,000 | -124,000,000 | ||
Other non-cash | -51,000,000 | -3,000,000 | |||
Ending Balance | 435,000,000 | 435,000,000 | 196,000,000 | 412,000,000 | |
Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Beginning Balance | 37,000,000 | 58,000,000 | 30,000,000 | ||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 28,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 37,000,000 | ||
Payments | -22,000,000 | -23,000,000 | -9,000,000 | ||
Other non-cash | -8,000,000 | -1,000,000 | |||
Ending Balance | 35,000,000 | 35,000,000 | 37,000,000 | 58,000,000 | |
GBT JV [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 42,000,000 | ||||
Foreign exchange and other non-cash charges | |||||
Restructuring Charges | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | $17,000,000 |
Restructuring_Charges_Details_
Restructuring Charges (Details 1) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | $313,000,000 | $133,000,000 | $411,000,000 | ($4,000,000) | $403,000,000 |
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 919,000,000 | 919,000,000 | |||
Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 383,000,000 | -7,000,000 | 366,000,000 | ||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 798,000,000 | 798,000,000 | |||
Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 28,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 37,000,000 | ||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 121,000,000 | 121,000,000 | |||
U S Card Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 38,000,000 | ||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 72,000,000 | 72,000,000 | |||
U S Card Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 66,000,000 | 66,000,000 | |||
U S Card Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | |||
International Card Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 139,000,000 | ||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 221,000,000 | 221,000,000 | |||
International Card Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 220,000,000 | 220,000,000 | |||
International Card Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | |||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 54,000,000 | ||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 267,000,000 | 267,000,000 | |||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 249,000,000 | 249,000,000 | |||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 18,000,000 | 18,000,000 | |||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 25,000,000 | ||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 68,000,000 | 68,000,000 | |||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 68,000,000 | 68,000,000 | |||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 0 | 0 | |||
Corporate and Other [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 155,000,000 | ||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 291,000,000 | 291,000,000 | |||
Severance and other charges | 222,000,000 | ||||
Corporate and Other [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | 195,000,000 | 195,000,000 | |||
Corporate and Other [Member] | Other Terminations [Member] | |||||
Restructuring charges, by reportable segment | |||||
Cumulative Restructuring Expense Incurred To Date On In-Progress Restructuring Programs | $96,000,000 | $96,000,000 |
Restructuring_Charges_Details_1
Restructuring Charges (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | $313,000,000 | $133,000,000 | $411,000,000 | ($4,000,000) | $403,000,000 |
Restructuring charges, revision adjustments | 35,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 16,000,000 | ||
Employee Severance [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 383,000,000 | -7,000,000 | 366,000,000 | ||
U S Card Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 38,000,000 | ||||
International Card Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 139,000,000 | ||||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 54,000,000 | ||||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | 25,000,000 | ||||
Corporate and Other [Member] | |||||
Restructuring Charges (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Restructuring charges, net of revisions | $155,000,000 |
Income_Taxes_Details
Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Current income tax expense: | |||
U.S. federal | $2,136 | $1,730 | $982 |
U.S. state and local | 264 | 288 | 189 |
Non-U.S. | 412 | 514 | 445 |
Total current income tax expense | 2,812 | 2,532 | 1,616 |
Deferred income tax expense (benefit): | |||
U.S. federal | 352 | 113 | 359 |
U.S. state and local | 39 | 4 | 39 |
Non-U.S. | -97 | -120 | -45 |
Total deferred income tax expense | 294 | -3 | 353 |
Total income tax expense on continuing operations | $3,106 | $2,529 | $1,969 |
Income_Taxes_Details_1
Income Taxes (Details 1) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Effective tax rate reconciliation | |||
Combined tax at U.S. statutory federal income tax rate | 35.00% | 35.00% | 35.00% |
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: | |||
Tax-exempt income | -1.50% | -1.60% | -1.60% |
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit | 2.70% | 3.10% | 2.50% |
Non-U.S. subsidiaries earnings | -2.20% | -2.80% | -5.20% |
Tax settlements | -0.50% | -1.90% | -0.20% |
All other | 1.00% | 0.30% | 0.00% |
Actual tax rates | 34.50% | 32.10% | 30.50% |
Income_Taxes_Details_2
Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Deferred tax assets: | ||
Reserves not yet deducted for tax purposes | $3,926,000,000 | $3,813,000,000 |
Employee compensation and benefits | 789,000,000 | 721,000,000 |
Other | 266,000,000 | 546,000,000 |
Gross deferred tax assets | 4,981,000,000 | 5,080,000,000 |
Valuation allowance | -75,000,000 | -121,000,000 |
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance | 4,906,000,000 | 4,959,000,000 |
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
Intangibles and fixed assets | 1,597,000,000 | 1,465,000,000 |
Deferred revenue | 498,000,000 | 453,000,000 |
Deferred interest | 350,000,000 | 363,000,000 |
Asset Securitization | 162,000,000 | 130,000,000 |
Investment in joint ventures | 223,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
Foreign deferred tax liabilities | 62,000,000 | 95,000,000 |
Gross deferred tax liabilities | 2,892,000,000 | 2,516,000,000 |
Net deferred tax assets | $2,014,000,000 | $2,443,000,000 |
Income_Taxes_Details_3
Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance, January 1 | $1,044,000,000 | $1,230,000,000 | $1,223,000,000 |
Increases: | |||
Current year tax positions | 4,000,000 | 124,000,000 | 51,000,000 |
Tax positions related to prior years | 111,000,000 | 176,000,000 | 64,000,000 |
Decreases: | |||
Tax positions related to prior years | -181,000,000 | -371,000,000 | -44,000,000 |
Settlements with tax authorities | -67,000,000 | -94,000,000 | -25,000,000 |
Lapse of statute of limitations | -1,000,000 | -21,000,000 | -37,000,000 |
Effects of foreign currency translations | -1,000,000 | 0 | -2,000,000 |
Balance, December 31 | $909,000,000 | $1,044,000,000 | $1,230,000,000 |
Income_Taxes_Details_Textuals
Income Taxes (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Income Taxes (Textuals) | ||||
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate | 35.00% | 35.00% | 35.00% | |
Aggregate of federal taxes | $3,000,000,000 | |||
Income taxes paid | 2,500,000,000 | 2,000,000,000 | 1,900,000,000 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits | 909,000,000 | 1,044,000,000 | 1,230,000,000 | 1,223,000,000 |
Unrecognized tax benefits as a result of potential resolutions of prior years' tax | 489,000,000 | |||
Unrecognized tax benefits that affect effective tax rate | 412,000,000 | 427,000,000 | 452,000,000 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits, amounts recorded to equity | 369,000,000 | |||
Unrecognized tax benefits impact not possible to quantify | 0 | |||
Unrecognized tax benefits income tax penalties and interest expense | 19,000,000 | 31,000,000 | 8,000,000 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits income tax penalties and interest accrued | 126,000,000 | 144,000,000 | ||
Income Taxes Of Non Us Subsidiaries [Line Items] | ||||
Accumulated earnings intended to be permanently reinvested outside the U.S. | 9,700,000,000 | |||
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Year [Member] | ||||
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] | ||||
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction | 2008 | |||
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Latest Year [Member] | ||||
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] | ||||
Open tax years by major tax jurisdiction | 2011 | |||
International [Member] | ||||
Income Taxes Of Non Us Subsidiaries [Line Items] | ||||
Benefits related to the realization of certain foreign tax credits | $146,000,000 | |||
Decrease in tax rate related to the realization of certain foreign tax credits | 2.30% |
Earnings_Per_Common_Share_EPS_1
Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |||
Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||||
Earnings allocated to participating share awards | ($11) | ($11) | ($12) | ($12) | ($11) | ($12) | ($13) | ($11) | ($46) | ($47) | ($49) | |||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | 5,839 | 5,312 | 4,433 | |||||||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||||
Basic: Weighted-average common stock | 1,045,000,000 | 1,082,000,000 | 1,135,000,000 | |||||||||||
Add: Weighted-average stock options | 6,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 6,000,000 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 1,051,000,000 | 1,089,000,000 | 1,141,000,000 | |||||||||||
Basic EPS: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | $5.58 | [1] | $4.91 | [1] | $3.91 | [1] | ||||||||
Diluted | $5.56 | $4.88 | $3.89 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $1.40 | $1.41 | $1.44 | $1.34 | $1.22 | $1.26 | $1.28 | $1.15 | ||||||
Diluted EPS: | ||||||||||||||
Diluted | $5.56 | $4.88 | $3.89 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $1.39 | $1.40 | $1.43 | $1.33 | $1.21 | $1.25 | $1.27 | $1.15 | ||||||
Earnings Per Common Share (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||
Subordinated debentures | $750 | $750 | $750 | $750 | $750 | |||||||||
Stock Option [Member] | ||||||||||||||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per Share, amount | 200,000 | 100,000 | 7,600,000 | |||||||||||
[1] | Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $46 million, $47 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Regulatory_Matters_and_Capital2
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy [Abstract] | ||
Well-capitalized ratios | 10.00% | 10.00% |
Minimum capital ratios | 8.00% | 8.00% |
Leverage capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 5.00% | 5.00% |
Leverage capital required, Minimum capital ratios | 4.00% | 4.00% |
Risk-based capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 6.00% | 6.00% |
Risk-based capital required, Minimum capital ratios | 5.50% | 5.50% |
Common Equity Tier 1 required, Minimum capital ratio | 4.00% | |
Parent Company [Member] | ||
Regulatory capital ratios | ||
Tier 1 capital | 18,176 | 16,174 |
Total capital | 20,801 | 18,585 |
Tier 1 capital ratio | 13.60% | 12.50% |
Total capital ratio | 15.60% | 14.40% |
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 11.80% | 10.90% |
CET1 capital | 17,525 | |
CET1 capital ratio | 13.10% | |
American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | ||
Regulatory capital ratios | ||
Tier 1 capital | 6,174 | 6,366 |
Total capital | 6,584 | 6,765 |
Tier 1 capital ratio | 18.80% | 19.90% |
Total capital ratio | 20.10% | 21.20% |
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 18.70% | 19.00% |
CET1 capital | 6,174 | |
CET1 capital ratio | 18.80% | |
American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | ||
Regulatory capital ratios | ||
Tier 1 capital | 6,722 | 6,744 |
Total capital | 7,604 | 7,662 |
Tier 1 capital ratio | 14.20% | 15.60% |
Total capital ratio | 16.00% | 17.70% |
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 15.10% | 17.50% |
CET1 capital | 6,722 | |
CET1 capital ratio | 14.20% |
Regulatory_Matters_and_Capital3
Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
In Billions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy [Abstract] | ||
Restricted net assets of subsidiaries | $11 | |
Retained Earnings Available For Payment Of Dividends | 3.6 | 4.6 |
American Express Centurion Bank [Member] | ||
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy [Abstract] | ||
Dividends paid from retained earnings to its parent company | 1.9 | 1.4 |
American Express Bank, FSB [Member] | ||
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy [Abstract] | ||
Dividends paid from retained earnings to its parent company | $2.10 | $1.80 |
Significant_Credit_Concentrati2
Significant Credit Concentrations (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
In Billions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category | ||
On-balance sheet | $147 | $141 |
Individuals [Member] | ||
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category | ||
On-balance sheet | 101 | 98 |
Unused lines-of-credit | 278 | 265 |
Financial Institutions [Member] | ||
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category | ||
On-balance sheet | 25 | 22 |
United States Government And Agencies [Member] | ||
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category | ||
On-balance sheet | 4 | 4 |
Other Concentration [Member] | ||
Maximum Credit Exposure by Category | ||
On-balance sheet | $17 | $17 |
Significant_Credit_Concentrati3
Significant Credit Concentrations (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Billions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | ||
On-balance sheet | $115 | $111 |
Individuals [Member] | ||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | ||
Unused lines-of-credit | 278 | 265 |
U.S. [Member] | ||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | ||
On-balance sheet | 94 | 89 |
U.S. [Member] | Individuals [Member] | ||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | ||
Unused lines-of-credit | 234 | 219 |
Non-U.S. [Member] | ||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | ||
On-balance sheet | 21 | 22 |
Non-U.S. [Member] | Individuals [Member] | ||
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | ||
Unused lines-of-credit | $44 | $46 |
Reportable_Operating_Segments_
Reportable Operating Segments and Geographic Operations (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | $28,820 | $27,927 | $26,927 | ||||||||||
Interest income | 7,179 | 7,005 | 6,854 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 1,707 | 1,958 | 2,226 | ||||||||||
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 9,107 | 8,329 | 8,657 | 8,199 | 8,547 | 8,301 | 8,245 | 7,881 | 34,292 | 32,974 | 31,555 | ||
Total provision | 2,044 | 1,832 | 1,712 | ||||||||||
Pretax income | 2,225 | 2,246 | 2,312 | 2,208 | 1,980 | 2,004 | 1,995 | 1,909 | 8,991 | 7,888 | 6,451 | ||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 3,106 | 2,529 | 1,969 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 20,673 | 19,496 | 20,673 | 19,496 | 18,886 | 18,794 | 18,794 | ||||||
U S Card Services [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 12,732 | 12,123 | 11,469 | ||||||||||
Interest income | 5,786 | 5,565 | 5,342 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 604 | 693 | 765 | ||||||||||
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 17,914 | 16,995 | 16,046 | ||||||||||
Total provision | 1,396 | 1,250 | 1,253 | ||||||||||
Pretax income | 5,100 | 4,994 | 4,069 | ||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 1,900 | 1,801 | 1,477 | ||||||||||
Net Income from continuing operations | 3,200 | 3,193 | 2,592 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 10,400 | 9,300 | 10,400 | 9,300 | 8,700 | ||||||||
International Card Services [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 4,737 | 4,644 | 4,561 | ||||||||||
Interest income | 1,085 | 1,118 | 1,147 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 330 | 361 | 402 | ||||||||||
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 5,492 | 5,401 | 5,306 | ||||||||||
Total provision | 370 | 388 | 279 | ||||||||||
Pretax income | 449 | 643 | 659 | ||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 38 | 12 | 25 | ||||||||||
Net Income from continuing operations | 411 | 631 | 634 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 3,000 | 3,100 | 3,000 | 3,100 | 2,900 | ||||||||
Global Commercial Services [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 5,173 | 5,085 | 4,995 | ||||||||||
Interest income | 15 | 13 | 11 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 240 | 245 | 257 | ||||||||||
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 4,948 | 4,853 | 4,749 | ||||||||||
Total provision | 180 | 129 | 106 | ||||||||||
Pretax income | 2,408 | 1,244 | 960 | ||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 865 | 384 | 316 | ||||||||||
Net Income from continuing operations | 1,543 | 860 | 644 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 3,800 | 3,700 | 3,800 | 3,700 | 3,600 | ||||||||
Global Network And Merchant Services [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 5,426 | 5,229 | 5,005 | ||||||||||
Interest income | 52 | 32 | 23 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | -269 | -252 | -243 | ||||||||||
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 5,747 | 5,513 | 5,271 | ||||||||||
Total provision | 93 | 67 | 73 | ||||||||||
Pretax income | 2,620 | 2,469 | 2,219 | ||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 960 | 894 | 776 | ||||||||||
Net Income from continuing operations | 1,660 | 1,575 | 1,443 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||||||||
Corporate and Other [Member] | |||||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | 752 | 846 | 897 | ||||||||||
Interest income | 241 | 277 | 331 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 802 | 911 | 1,045 | ||||||||||
Total revenues, net of interest expense | 191 | 212 | 183 | ||||||||||
Total provision | 5 | -2 | 1 | ||||||||||
Pretax income | -1,586 | -1,462 | -1,456 | ||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | -657 | -562 | -625 | ||||||||||
Net Income from continuing operations | -929 | -900 | -831 | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | $1,500 | $1,400 | $1,500 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
Reportable_Operating_Segements
Reportable Operating Segements and Geographic Operations (Details 1) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $9,107 | $8,329 | $8,657 | $8,199 | $8,547 | $8,301 | $8,245 | $7,881 | $34,292 | $32,974 | $31,555 |
Pretax income | 2,225 | 2,246 | 2,312 | 2,208 | 1,980 | 2,004 | 1,995 | 1,909 | 8,991 | 7,888 | 6,451 |
United States Geographic Region [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 24,855 | 23,745 | 22,631 | ||||||||
Pretax income | 8,869 | 7,679 | 6,468 | ||||||||
EMEA Geographic Region [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 3,767 | 3,700 | 3,594 | ||||||||
Pretax income | 525 | 524 | 505 | ||||||||
JAPA Geographic Region [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 2,934 | 2,952 | 3,106 | ||||||||
Pretax income | 463 | 488 | 426 | ||||||||
LACC Geographic Region [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | 2,888 | 2,900 | 2,774 | ||||||||
Pretax income | 683 | 701 | 605 | ||||||||
Other Unallocated [Member] | |||||||||||
Segment Revenues And Pretax Income Loss By Geographic Location [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | -152 | -323 | -550 | ||||||||
Pretax income | ($1,549) | ($1,504) | ($1,553) |
Parent_Company_Details
Parent Company (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Non-interest revenues | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | $100 | $136 | $126 | ||||||||
Other | 2,989 | 2,274 | 2,425 | ||||||||
Total non-interest revenues | -28,820 | -27,927 | -26,927 | ||||||||
Interest income | 7,179 | 7,005 | 6,854 | ||||||||
Interest expense | -1,707 | -1,958 | -2,226 | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | -9,107 | -8,329 | -8,657 | -8,199 | -8,547 | -8,301 | -8,245 | -7,881 | -34,292 | -32,974 | -31,555 |
Expenses | |||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 6,095 | 6,191 | 6,597 | ||||||||
Other | 6,089 | 6,796 | 6,851 | ||||||||
Total | -23,257 | -23,254 | -23,392 | ||||||||
Pretax loss | 2,225 | 2,246 | 2,312 | 2,208 | 1,980 | 2,004 | 1,995 | 1,909 | 8,991 | 7,888 | 6,451 |
Income tax provision (benefit) | -3,106 | -2,529 | -1,969 | ||||||||
Net income | 1,447 | 1,477 | 1,529 | 1,432 | 1,308 | 1,366 | 1,405 | 1,280 | 5,885 | 5,359 | 4,482 |
Parent Company [Member] | |||||||||||
Non-interest revenues | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | 99 | 135 | 121 | ||||||||
Other | 270 | 5 | -12 | ||||||||
Total non-interest revenues | 369 | 140 | 109 | ||||||||
Interest income | 141 | 134 | 137 | ||||||||
Interest expense | -543 | -583 | -609 | ||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | -33 | -309 | -363 | ||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 275 | 206 | 165 | ||||||||
Other | 357 | 261 | 214 | ||||||||
Total | 632 | 467 | 379 | ||||||||
Pretax loss | -665 | -776 | -742 | ||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | -249 | -297 | -258 | ||||||||
Net loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | -416 | -479 | -484 | ||||||||
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | 6,301 | 5,838 | 4,966 | ||||||||
Net income | $5,885 | $5,359 | $4,482 |
Parent_Company_Details_1
Parent Company (Details 1) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
Assets | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $22,288,000,000 | $19,486,000,000 | $22,250,000,000 | $24,893,000,000 | |
Investment securities | 4,431,000,000 | 5,016,000,000 | 5,614,000,000 | ||
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 44,386,000,000 | 43,777,000,000 | |||
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation | 3,938,000,000 | 3,875,000,000 | |||
Other assets | 11,342,000,000 | 11,228,000,000 | |||
Total assets | 159,103,000,000 | 153,375,000,000 | |||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||||
Long-term debt | 57,955,000,000 | 55,330,000,000 | |||
Total liabilities | 138,430,000,000 | 133,879,000,000 | |||
Shareholders' Equity | |||||
Preferred shares | 0 | 0 | |||
Common shares | 205,000,000 | 213,000,000 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 12,874,000,000 | 12,202,000,000 | |||
Retained earnings | 9,513,000,000 | 8,507,000,000 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | -1,919,000,000 | -1,426,000,000 | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 20,673,000,000 | 19,496,000,000 | 18,886,000,000 | 18,794,000,000 | 18,794,000,000 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 159,103,000,000 | 153,375,000,000 | |||
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Premises and equipment, accumulated depreciation | 6,270,000,000 | 5,978,000,000 | |||
Parent Company [Member] | |||||
Assets | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 8,824,000,000 | 6,076,000,000 | 4,797,000,000 | 6,914,000,000 | |
Investment securities | 1,000,000 | 123,000,000 | |||
Equity in net assets of subsidiaries and affiliates | 20,123,000,000 | 19,571,000,000 | |||
Accounts receivable, less reserves | 134,000,000 | 378,000,000 | |||
Premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation | 139,000,000 | 136,000,000 | |||
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates | 7,809,000,000 | 5,236,000,000 | |||
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates | 1,477,000,000 | 1,126,000,000 | |||
Other assets | 365,000,000 | 335,000,000 | |||
Total assets | 38,872,000,000 | 32,981,000,000 | |||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 1,590,000,000 | 1,386,000,000 | |||
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates | 964,000,000 | 926,000,000 | |||
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,937,000,000 | 819,000,000 | |||
Long-term debt | 9,708,000,000 | 10,354,000,000 | |||
Total liabilities | 18,199,000,000 | 13,485,000,000 | |||
Shareholders' Equity | |||||
Preferred shares | 0 | 0 | |||
Common shares | 205,000,000 | 213,000,000 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 12,874,000,000 | 12,202,000,000 | |||
Retained earnings | 9,513,000,000 | 8,507,000,000 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | -1,919,000,000 | -1,426,000,000 | |||
Total shareholders' equity | 20,673,000,000 | 19,496,000,000 | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 38,872,000,000 | 32,981,000,000 | |||
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] | |||||
Premises and equipment, accumulated depreciation | $106,000,000 | $76,000,000 |
Parent_Company_Details_2
Parent Company (Details 2) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||||||
Net income | $1,447,000,000 | $1,477,000,000 | $1,529,000,000 | $1,432,000,000 | $1,308,000,000 | $1,366,000,000 | $1,405,000,000 | $1,280,000,000 | $5,885,000,000 | $5,359,000,000 | $4,482,000,000 |
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | -100,000,000 | -136,000,000 | -126,000,000 | ||||||||
Premium paid on debt exchange | 0 | 0 | -541,000,000 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 10,990,000,000 | 8,547,000,000 | 7,082,000,000 | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||||||
Purchase of premises and equipment | 1,195,000,000 | 1,006,000,000 | 1,053,000,000 | ||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | -7,967,000,000 | -7,269,000,000 | -6,545,000,000 | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||||
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long term debt | -12,768,000,000 | -14,763,000,000 | -14,076,000,000 | ||||||||
Issuance of American Express preferred shares | 742,000,000 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Issuance of American Express common shares and other | 362,000,000 | 721,000,000 | 443,000,000 | ||||||||
Repurchase of American Express common shares | -4,389,000,000 | -3,943,000,000 | -3,952,000,000 | ||||||||
Dividends paid | -1,041,000,000 | -939,000,000 | -902,000,000 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 11,000,000 | -3,891,000,000 | -3,268,000,000 | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 2,802,000,000 | -2,764,000,000 | -2,643,000,000 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 19,486,000,000 | 22,250,000,000 | 19,486,000,000 | 22,250,000,000 | 24,893,000,000 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 22,288,000,000 | 19,486,000,000 | 22,288,000,000 | 19,486,000,000 | 22,250,000,000 | ||||||
Parent Company [Member] | |||||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||||||
Net income | 5,885,000,000 | 5,359,000,000 | 4,482,000,000 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Equity in net income of subsidiaries and affiliates | -6,301,000,000 | -5,838,000,000 | -4,966,000,000 | ||||||||
Dividends received from subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,455,000,000 | 4,768,000,000 | 3,355,000,000 | ||||||||
Gain on sale of securities | -99,000,000 | -135,000,000 | -121,000,000 | ||||||||
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries and affiliates | 173,000,000 | 324,000,000 | 196,000,000 | ||||||||
Premium paid on debt exchange | 0 | 0 | -541,000,000 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 5,113,000,000 | 4,478,000,000 | 2,405,000,000 | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||||||
Sales of available-for-sale investment securities | 111,000,000 | 157,000,000 | 118,000,000 | ||||||||
Purchase of premises and equipment | -39,000,000 | -39,000,000 | -38,000,000 | ||||||||
Loans to subsidiaries and affiliates | -2,574,000,000 | 1,498,000,000 | -1,601,000,000 | ||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates | 0 | 0 | -11,000,000 | ||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | -2,502,000,000 | 1,616,000,000 | -1,532,000,000 | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||||
(Principal payments on) / issuance of long term debt | -655,000,000 | 843,000,000 | 0 | ||||||||
Short-term debt of subsidiaries and affiliates | 5,118,000,000 | -1,497,000,000 | 1,421,000,000 | ||||||||
Issuance of American Express preferred shares | 742,000,000 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Issuance of American Express common shares and other | 362,000,000 | 721,000,000 | 443,000,000 | ||||||||
Repurchase of American Express common shares | -4,389,000,000 | -3,943,000,000 | -3,952,000,000 | ||||||||
Dividends paid | -1,041,000,000 | -939,000,000 | -902,000,000 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 137,000,000 | -4,815,000,000 | -2,990,000,000 | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 2,748,000,000 | 1,279,000,000 | -2,117,000,000 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 6,076,000,000 | 4,797,000,000 | 6,076,000,000 | 4,797,000,000 | 6,914,000,000 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $8,824,000,000 | $6,076,000,000 | $8,824,000,000 | $6,076,000,000 | $4,797,000,000 |
Parent_Company_Details_Textual
Parent Company (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Jun. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | ($626,000,000) | ($630,000,000) | ||
Non Cash [Member] | ||||
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Charge related to impacts of debt exchange on long-term debt | 0 | 0 | 439,000,000 | |
Gain on business travel joint venture transaction | -630,000,000 | 0 | 0 | |
Parent Company [Member] | Non Cash [Member] | ||||
Parent Company Details (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||
Charge related to impacts of debt exchange on long-term debt | $0 | $0 |
Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | ||||
Disclosure of quarterly financial data | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues net of interest expense | $9,107,000,000 | $8,329,000,000 | $8,657,000,000 | $8,199,000,000 | $8,547,000,000 | $8,301,000,000 | $8,245,000,000 | $7,881,000,000 | $34,292,000,000 | $32,974,000,000 | $31,555,000,000 | |||
Pretax income | 2,225,000,000 | 2,246,000,000 | 2,312,000,000 | 2,208,000,000 | 1,980,000,000 | 2,004,000,000 | 1,995,000,000 | 1,909,000,000 | 8,991,000,000 | 7,888,000,000 | 6,451,000,000 | |||
Net income | 1,447,000,000 | 1,477,000,000 | 1,529,000,000 | 1,432,000,000 | 1,308,000,000 | 1,366,000,000 | 1,405,000,000 | 1,280,000,000 | 5,885,000,000 | 5,359,000,000 | 4,482,000,000 | |||
Earnings per Common Share | ||||||||||||||
Basic | $5.58 | [1] | $4.91 | [1] | $3.91 | [1] | ||||||||
Diluted | $5.56 | $4.88 | $3.89 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $1.40 | $1.41 | $1.44 | $1.34 | $1.22 | $1.26 | $1.28 | $1.15 | ||||||
Earnings per Common Share Diluted: (Note 18) | ||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $5.56 | $4.88 | $3.89 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $1.39 | $1.40 | $1.43 | $1.33 | $1.21 | $1.25 | $1.27 | $1.15 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | $0.26 | $0.26 | $0.26 | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.20 | $1.01 | $0.89 | $0.80 | |||
Common share price: | ||||||||||||||
High | 94.89 | 96.24 | 96.04 | 94.35 | 90.79 | 78.63 | 78.61 | 67.48 | ||||||
Low | $78.41 | $85.75 | $83.99 | $82.63 | $72.08 | $71.47 | $63.43 | $58.31 | ||||||
[1] | Represents net income less earnings allocated to participating share awards of $46 million, $47 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. | |||||||||||||
Quarterly_Financial_Data_Detai
Quarterly Financial Data (Details Textuals) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | |||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Quarterly Financial Data (Textuals) [Abstract] | ||||||||||||
Earnings allocated to participating share awards | $11 | $11 | $12 | $12 | $11 | $12 | $13 | $11 | $46 | $47 | $49 | |
Periods in the prior year [Member] | ||||||||||||
Statement [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Card Member reimbursements | 0 | |||||||||||
Periods prior to the prior year [Member] | ||||||||||||
Statement [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Card Member reimbursements | $0 |