Julie Summersgill Townsend

American Express is an integrated payments company. They provide credit and charge cards to consumers, small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large corporations. Additionally, they offer products and insights to aid in business success. They are one of the largest financial services corporations in the world. As a global business, they cater to various customer groups through mobile and online applications, affiliate marketing, customer referral programs, third-party serve providers, business partners, direct mail, telephone, in-house sales, and direct response advertising. Their customers consist of consumers, travelers, businesses, merchants, and partners. With each customer, American Express works to amplify the power of every transaction. Their global headquarters is based in NYC, however, they operate in over 110 countries with 55 total office locations worldwide. They estimate around 60,000 colleagues are stationed around the world. American Express primarily engages in three operating segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. They function together through their Integrated Payments Platform. Their Integrated Payments Platform allows American Express to analyze information on Card Member spending and build analytical tools to underwrite risk, reduce fraud, and provide targeted marketing for merchants. Their card-issuing business offers a broad set of card products to a diverse consumer and commercial customer base. Their merchant-acquiring business builds and manages relationships with merchants that choose American Express cards. This includes signing new merchants to accept their cards and handling servicing for merchants. Lastly, their Card Network Business establishes and maintains relationships in 103 countries with third-party banks to extend the reach of their global network.