THE AMERICAN EXPRESS INTRODUCTION In January 2006, the American Express Company (AmEx) was featured on Fortune's list of the '100 Best Companies to Work for' in America. AmEx was ranked ninth among large companies, and 37th in the overall ranking of the list of the best employers in the US. company stood ninth in the overall ranking WHAT IT DOES? Each day, American Express makes it easier, safer and more rewarding for consumers and businesses to purchase the things they need and for merchants to sell their goods and services. American Express provides innovative payment, travel and expense management solutions for individuals and businesses of all sizes. BACKGROUND American Express Company, sometimes known as AmEx, is a diversified global financial services company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average(stock market index). The company is best known for its credit card, charge card, traveller's cheque businesses and travel. It was founded as a joint stock corporation by the merger of the express companies owned by Henry Wells (Wells & Company), William Fargo (Livingston, Fargo & Company), and John Warren Butterfield (Wells,Butterfield & Company). Henry Wells William Fargo John Warren (Wells & Company) (Livingston, Fargo & Butterfield (Wells, Company), Butterfield & Company Kenneth Irvine Chenault has been the CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001.He is the third African- American CEO of a Fortune 500 company AMERICAN EXPRESS Type Public (NYSE: AXP) Industry Banking , Financial services Founded 1850 Founded by Henry Wells, William Fargo,John Warren Butterfield Headquarters New York City, New York, United States Area served Worldwide Key people Kenneth Chenault(Chairman & CEO) Products Financial ,Travel services, Insurance Revenue US$26.7 Billion (FY 2009) Net income US$2.13Billion (FY 2009) Total assets US$124 Billion (FY 2009) Total equity US$14.4 Billion (FY 2009) Employees 67,701 (2008) MISSION To be the most respected brand in the world..