8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 24, 2017

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

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

Not Applicable

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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

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

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

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

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

(d)On January 24, 2017, the Board of Directors of American Express Company (the “Company”) elected John J. Brennan as a director of the Company. Mr. Brennan will serve as a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee and the Risk Committee. A copy of the press release announcing the election of Mr. Brennan is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Mr. Brennan and members of his immediate family are directors, employees and/or have equity interests in companies with whom the Company had entered into ordinary course business relationships prior to his election as a director of the Company and with whom the Company may enter into additional ordinary course relationships from time to time. These may include ordinary course merchant relationships pursuant to which these companies accept the Company’s charge and credit card products and pay the Company fees when their customers use these cards, as well as use of the Company’s cards and financial and other products and services, including extensions of credit, on terms and conditions similar to those available to other customers generally. From time to time, the Company may enter into joint marketing or other relationships with one or more of these companies in the ordinary course that encourage their customers to apply for and use the Company’s cards. The Company may also provide ordinary course Corporate Card, travel and other payments services to some of these companies for which these companies pay fees to the Company. The Company may also engage in other commercial transactions with these companies and pay or receive fees in those transactions.

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press Release dated January 24, 2017, regarding the election of John J. Brennan to the Company’s Board of Directors.

-2-

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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

Date: January 24, 2017

-3-

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press Release dated January 24, 2017, regarding the election of John J. Brennan to the Company’s Board of Directors.

-4-

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

News Release News Release News Release News Release News Release News

Contact:	Marina H. Norville
	212-640-2832
	marina.h.norville@aexp.com

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY ELECTS

JOHN BRENNAN TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NEW YORK, January 24, 2017 – American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) today announced that John J. “Jack” Brennan has been elected to its board of directors.

Mr. Brennan is chairman emeritus and senior advisor of Vanguard, one of the world’s largest and most respected investment companies. He joined Vanguard in 1982, was elected chief financial officer in 1985 and president in 1989.  He served as Vanguard’s chief executive officer from 1996 to 2008 and chairman of the board from 1998 to 2009.

“Jack’s accomplishments at Vanguard and his insights into financial markets, along with his regulatory and corporate governance expertise make him a terrific addition to the Board,” said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer.

Mr. Brennan is a director of General Electric Company, LPL Financial and the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. He is the chairman of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA); chairman of Vanguard Charitable; and chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Notre Dame.

Mr. Brennan graduated from Dartmouth College and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Harvard Business School.

The election of Mr. Brennan to the American Express Company Board of Directors is effective today.

###

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.