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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): August 3, 2022
 
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
New York 1-7657 13-4922250
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
200 Vesey Street,
New York, New York 10285
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(212) 640-2000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares (par value $0.20 per Share) AXP New York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐





Item 8.01 Other Events.
Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the issuance by American Express Company (the “Company”), on August 3, 2022, of $2,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.950% Notes due August 1, 2025 and $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.420% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due August 3, 2033 pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement dated July 25, 2022 to the Prospectus dated February 12, 2021, filed as part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-253057).

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement as exhibits thereto and are filed as part of this Current Report:
ExhibitDescription
4
5
23
104The cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as inline XBRL



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SIGNATURES
 
 
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/ Kristina V. Fink
  Name:  Kristina V. Fink
  Title:    Corporate Secretary
 
Date: August 3, 2022
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EXHIBIT 4

Form of Permanent Registered Fixed-to-Floating Rate Global Note
THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE TO THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO A NOMINEE FOR DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
(Form of Face of Global Note)
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due        ,
$

No. CUSIP:
CC: ISIN:

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY, a New York corporation (hereinafter called the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, (a) the principal amount shown above, or, in the case of an Indexed Note, the face amount of this Note adjusted by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities or by such other objective price, economic or other measures (an “Index”), as described in the Prospectus (as defined below), in the specified currency indicated in the Prospectus and on the maturity date, or earlier, if and to the extent so provided in the Prospectus, and (b) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on



the principal amount then outstanding (or in the case of an Indexed Note, the face amount then outstanding) at the interest rate and on the interest payment dates, each as specified in the prospectus supplement attached hereto as Annex I and delivered herewith (together with any prospectuses, prospectus supplements or other supplements referenced therein (however titled), the “Prospectus”).
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and in the Prospectus, which further provisions shall have the same effect as though fully set forth in this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee for the Notes by manual or electronic signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:            ,
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
This is one of the Securities described in the within-mentioned Indenture.
By:_____________________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
As Trustee
Attest:
By:_____________________________
Authorized Signatory
By:_____________________________




(Form of Reverse of Global Note)
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due        ,
$
No.
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called “Securities”) of the Company of the series hereinafter specified, all such Securities issued and to be issued under an indenture dated as of August 1, 2007, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as Trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated as of February 12, 2021 between the Company and the Trustee (as so supplemented and as may be further supplemented from time to time, hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the rights and limitation of rights thereunder of the Holders of Securities and of the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee for each series of Securities and of the Company, and the terms upon which Securities are and are to be authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may be denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (including composite currencies), may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption or repurchase provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Note is one of a series of the Securities designated         % Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due         ,    (the “Notes”). Additional notes on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP number as those of the Notes may be issued by the Company without the consent of the Holders of the Notes. Such further notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes.
Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, this Note will be made in immediately available funds at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America or other currency or composite currency, as specified on the face of this Note or in the Prospectus, as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest on any Note issued in definitive form other than interest due at maturity may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Securities Register.
Redemption
If so specified in the Prospectus, the Company may, at its option, redeem this Note in whole or in part, on the redemption date specified in the Prospectus and at the redemption price specified therein. Provisions regarding requirements and procedures for redemption, if other than as set forth in the Indenture, will be set forth in the Prospectus.
R-1


Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus, this Note will not be subject to any sinking fund.
Other Terms
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance and discharge at the Company’s option of either the entire principal of all the Notes of any series or of certain covenants in the Indenture upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby. The Indenture also permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of any series, on behalf of the holders of all the Notes of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences with respect to a series. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain exceptions therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable on the Securities Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company to be maintained for that purpose in the City of New York, New York, or, at the option of the Holder, at the office or agency of the Company to be maintained for that purpose in the City of New York, New York, or at any other office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Securities Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.
The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations set forth in the Prospectus. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of a like tenor and of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
R-2


No service charge shall be made for any such transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the registration of such transfer or exchange, other than certain exchanges not involving any transfer.
In case this Note shall at any time become mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost and this Note or evidence of the loss, theft, or destruction hereof (together with such indemnity and such other documents or proof as may be required by the Company or the Trustee) shall be delivered to the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee, a new Note of like tenor and Principal Amount will be issued by the Company in exchange for, or in lieu of, this Note. All expenses and reasonable charges associated with procuring such indemnity and with the preparation, authentication and delivery of a new Note shall be borne by the holder of this Note.
Holders of Securities may not enforce their rights pursuant to the Indenture or the Note except as provided in the Indenture.
All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture, and all terms used in this Note that are defined in the Prospectus shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus. In the event of any inconsistency between the definitions in the Indenture and the definitions in the Prospectus, the definitions in the Prospectus shall govern.
This Note shall for all purposes be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee for the Notes and any agent of the Company or such Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the Holder hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, such Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
R-3


Annex I


Exhibit 5




axplogo.jpg
American Express Company
General Counsel’s Organization
200 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10285

August 3, 2022
American Express Company
200 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10285
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am Vice President and Senior Counsel of American Express Company (the “Company”), a New York corporation, and I have represented the Company in connection with the offering by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-253057) of $2,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.950% Notes due August 1, 2025 (the “Fixed Rate Notes”) and $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.420% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due August 3, 2033 (the “Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes” and, together with the Fixed Rate Notes, the “Securities”). The Securities are being issued pursuant to a senior indenture dated as of August 1, 2007 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture thereto dated as of February 12, 2021 between the Company and the Trustee (the “Supplemental Indenture” and the Base Indenture as so supplemented, the “Indenture”).
I, or members of the staff of the General Counsel’s Organization of the Company, have reviewed the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records and documents relating to the Company and have made such other investigations of law and fact as we have deemed appropriate as the basis for the opinions expressed below. In such examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, I have assumed the due authorization, execution, delivery and, where appropriate, authentication of the documents by all parties thereto other than the Company.
I am admitted to the practice of law only in the State of New York and do not purport to be expert in the laws of any jurisdictions other than the federal law of the United States of America and the law of the State of New York.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is my opinion that:




American Express Company, page 2
The issuance and sale of the Securities have been authorized by the Company. The Securities have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company, (a) I have assumed that each other party to such agreement or obligation has satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it (except that no such assumption is made as to the Company regarding matters of the federal law of the United States of America or the law of the State of New York), and (b) such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity. The foregoing opinions are limited to the law of the State of New York.
As to certain factual matters, I have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and certificates of public officials and other sources believed by me to be responsible; and I have assumed that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, that the Trustee’s certificates of authentication of the Securities have been signed by one of the Trustee’s authorized officers, that the Securities have been delivered against payment as contemplated in the prospectus and the prospectus supplement and that the signatures on all documents examined by me or members of the staff of the General Counsel’s Organization of the Company are genuine (assumptions that I have not independently verified).
I hereby consent to the use of my name in each of the prospectus and the prospectus supplement constituting a part of the Registration Statement under the heading “Legal Matters,” as counsel for the Company who has passed on the validity of the Securities, and to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 3, 2022, which will be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.


Very truly yours,

/s/ David S. Carroll
David S. Carroll
Vice President and Senior Counsel