American Express is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company, founded in 1850. The company is a leading provider of charge and credit cards, traveler s checks, travel, and business services. It issues cards to consumers, small businesses, and corporations through its own network, as well as by third party banks and other institutions in more than 45 currencies. The firm s travel services include travel reservation advice and booking transaction processing, travel expense management policy consultation, supplier negotiation and consultation, management information reporting, data analysis and benchmarking, and foreign exchange and international payment services. The company through Bank of America offers a full range of banking, investing, asset management, and other financial and risk management products and services. Kenneth I. Chenault has been the chief executive officer of American Express for more than five years. He has been with the credit card and financial company for over 25 years. Chenault is a graduate of Bowdoin College with a BA, and has a JD from Harvard. American Express has more than 100 card-issuing partnership arrangements in over 110 countries, and is headquartered in New York City.