-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Qveu1E66Wv78vPJErn5zM99m8EMHA4aivr4rMxd4p5mmH+F3s6AutyabByFcLPd7 IF74A9pdwqEMi70/LukAog== 0000004962-04-000044.txt : 20040202 0000004962-04-000044.hdr.sgml : 20040202 20040202140130 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000004962-04-000044 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040129 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure FILED AS OF DATE: 20040202 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN EXPRESS CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000004962 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FINANCE SERVICES [6199] IRS NUMBER: 134922250 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07657 FILM NUMBER: 04558643 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 VESEY STREET STREET 2: 50TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10285 BUSINESS PHONE: 2126402000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 VESEY STREET STREET 2: 50TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10285 8-K 1 axpmbna.txt 8-K ============================================================================== SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 -------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 -------------------------- Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2004 -------------------------- AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) -------------------------- New York 1-7657 13-4922250 - ---------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) Identification No.) 200 Vesey Street, World Financial Center New York, New York 10285 ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000 --------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ============================================================================== Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure. On January 29, 2004, American Express Company issued a press release announcing a card issuing alliance between American Express Company and MBNA Corporation. A copy of such press release is furnished herein as Exhibit 99.1. Exhibit 99.1 A copy of a press release issued by American Express Company, dated January 29, 2004, announcing a card issuing alliance between American Express Company and MBNA Corporation. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY (REGISTRANT) By /s/ Stephen P. Norman -------------------------- Name: Stephen P. Norman Title: Secretary DATE: February 2, 2004 EXHIBIT INDEX Item No. Description - -------- ----------- 99.1 A copy of a press release issued by American Express Company, dated January 29, 2004, announcing a card issuing alliance between American Express Company and MBNA Corporation. EX-99.1 P RELEASE 3 axpmbnapr.txt PRESS RELEASE EXHIBIT 99.1 News Release News Release News Release News Release News AMERICAN EXPRESS AND MBNA ANNOUNCE CARD ISSUING ALLIANCE MBNA TO BE FIRST U.S. BANK TO ISSUE CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED ON AMERICAN EXPRESS NETWORK NEW YORK, NY AND WILMINGTON, DE (January 29, 2004)---American Express and MBNA Corporation today announced that MBNA will issue its own American Express-branded credit cards in the United States. In addition, the companies confirmed plans for MBNA to issue American Express-branded credit cards in Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The cards will carry the American Express logo and will be accepted on the American Express global merchant network. MBNA will own the loans and will manage and service the accounts on its own systems. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agreement is the first of its kind in the United States between American Express and a major U.S. financial institution. MBNA will begin issuing the credit cards later this year, at which time product details will be available. As a result of this agreement, MBNA will issue credit cards from each of the three leading payment networks, offering its customers a broader range of products and providing greater value, convenience, and choice. The new credit card products developed by MBNA as part of this agreement will be marketed to MBNA's qualified existing customers and new prospects. MBNA is the world's largest independent credit card issuer. The company has affinity or co-branded relationships with more than 5,000 organizations, including professional associations, colleges and universities, and sports teams and, through these relationships, has built a broad base of loyal, high-spending cardholders who comprise one of the most attractive customer segments for merchants worldwide. "Today's news marks a fundamental change in the U.S. credit card industry and we believe it will lead to better value and greater choice for consumers," said Ken Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express. "Our partnership with MBNA will be a catalyst for change and generate an environment that fosters greater product innovation in the years ahead. This partnership will also leverage the American Express global network, and help to deliver even greater value to merchants in the form of additional high-spending, loyal customers." Commenting on the announcement, MBNA President and CEO Bruce L. Hammonds said, "Research we've performed over the years tells us that our customers, our affinity partners, and the members of our affinity groups will be very receptive to an MBNA product with an American Express brand. We are pleased to have an agreement with American Express that makes economic sense for both organizations and that provides MBNA numerous marketing opportunities around the world." This alliance links the unique strengths of the American Express brand with the marketing strength of MBNA to provide MBNA's customers with credit card products that will deliver superior service and a wide array of benefits. The partnership will help MBNA expand its product offerings and increase customer loyalty. John R. Cochran, President and CEO of MBNA America Bank, N.A., MBNA's primary operating company, said, "This is a great opportunity for MBNA. American Express is a terrific global brand, and incorporating it into our marketing efforts around the world will have broad appeal to our customers. We look forward to working with American Express to make this program a success." ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company, founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, business services, insurance and international banking. Since 1996, American Express has been aggressively pursuing a strategy of opening its merchant network and card product portfolio to third party issuers around the world. By leveraging its global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of the American Express brand, the Company aims to gain even broader reach for its network worldwide. American Express has now established 80 card-issuing partnership arrangements in close to 90 countries. For more information about American Express and the partnership with MBNA, please visit www.americanexpress.com/bankpartnership. ABOUT MBNA MBNA Corporation, a bank holding company and parent of MBNA America Bank, N.A., a national bank, is the largest independent credit card lender in the world. MBNA also provides retail deposit, consumer loan, and insurance products. MBNA.com provides credit card, consumer loan, retail deposit, travel, and shopping services. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: AMERICAN EXPRESS Molly Faust: (212) 640-0624 Tony Mitchell: (212) 640-9668 MBNA Jim Donahue: (302) 432-1342 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----