American Express: Press Center

American Express Announces New Co-Brand Relationship with Charles Schwab

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

American Express (NYSE: AXP) today announced a new exclusive multi-year agreement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. to create two new premium co-branded cards. With the agreement recently finalized, the cards are expected to be available in early 2016.

“We look forward to working closely with Charles Schwab to develop a strong value proposition for the new cards,” said Josh Silverman, president of Consumer Products & Services for American Express. “The partnership is designed to generate positive economics over time for our shareholders, and allow our mutual customers to benefit from a relationship with two leading financial services brands.”

Additional details for the co-branded cards will be announced at a time closer to the products’ availability.

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products.

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 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 and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

BBVA Compass Announces a New Card-Issuing Partnership with American Express

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

BBVA Compass and American Express today announced a new card-issuing partnership, which brings together three global brands — BBVA, American Express and the NBA — through the BBVA Compass NBA American Express^® Card.

The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card, which will be available in the coming weeks, will be issued by BBVA Compass and accepted on the American Express network. The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card will be the first credit card bearing the global NBA brand when it launches. BBVA Compass customers can personalize their cards with the logos of their favorite NBA teams, as well as enjoy access to a number of exclusive benefits brought to them by both BBVA Compass and American Express.

The new partnership and credit card are expected to help BBVA Compass expand across the country, beyond its Sunbelt footprint, by tapping into basketball fans’ passions for the NBA and its 30 teams. With the BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card, BBVA Compass also is focusing on expanding its growing digital portfolio, following the success of the bank’s first all-digital account, NBA Banking.

Executives from BBVA Compass, American Express and BBVA Compass Brand Ambassador and NBA All-Star Kevin Durant announced the partnership today at a press conference hosted at the New York Stock Exchange.

“American Express is one of the world's most trusted brands and the NBA has some of the world’s most passionate fans,” said BBVA Compass Chairman and CEO Manolo Sánchez. “Our card brings all of that together to grow our profile and our business in some of the country’s most dynamic markets outside of our footprint and far beyond thanks to American Express’s vast global network. We certainly were thinking big with this new partnership.”

“Both BBVA Compass and American Express share an incredibly strong commitment to delivering the highest levels of customer service, innovation and value, and we look forward to working closely with BBVA Compass as it looks to expand its reach across the U.S.,” said William Stredwick, senior vice president, Global Network Partnerships, North America, American Express. “Building on our shared customer commitment, we are delighted to announce our new partnership, which will allow us to help basketball fans celebrate their love for the game and their favorite NBA teams.”

The BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card represents the latest in a series of alliances between BBVA Compass and professional sports leagues that have global appeal. In addition to being the official bank of the NBA in the U.S., the bank has naming rights to BBVA Compass Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo and the National Women's Soccer League’s Houston Dash, and offers a variety of affinity banking products for sports fans. Its parent company, Madrid-based BBVA Group — which has been in business for more than 150 years and now operates in more than 30 countries — sponsors one of the most popular soccer leagues in the world, Liga BBVA.

All cards subject to approval, including credit approval.

About BBVA Group
BBVA Compass is a subsidiary of BBVA Compass Bancshares Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) (MAD: BBVA). BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a solid position in Spain, is the largest financial institution in Mexico and has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt region of the United States. Its diversified business is geared toward high-growth markets and relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies the best practices. The Group is present in the main sustainability indexes. More information about the BBVA Group can be found at www.bbva.com.

About BBVA Compass
BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 672 branches, including 341 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 77 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (5th). BBVA Compass earned the top ranking with customers in American Banker’s 2014 annual reputation survey of the top 25 largest U.S. retail banks. It also has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration and in 2014 ranked 12th nationally in total SBA loan volume. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at www.bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com.

Editor's Note: BBVA Compass is a trade name of Compass Bank.

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 http://www.facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Since 1997, American Express has partnered with a select group of leading banks and financial institutions around the world to issue American Express-branded products and acquire merchants on to the American Express merchant network. By leveraging its partnerships, global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of the brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide.

American Express Introduces New Online and Mobile Payment Security Services

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0500

American Express today announced the launch of its American Express Token Service, a suite of solutions designed to enable its card-issuing partners, processors, acquirers and merchants to create a safer online and mobile payments environment for consumers.

With American Express Token Service, traditional card account numbers are replaced with unique "tokens," which can then be used to complete payment transactions online, in a mobile app or in-store with a mobile Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled device. By using tokens, merchants and digital wallet operators will no longer need to store consumers' sensitive payment account information in their systems. In addition, tokens can be assigned for use with a specific merchant, transaction type or payment device to provide further protection against fraud.

Based on EMVCo's Payment Tokenization Specification and Technical Framework published earlier this year, American Express Token Service offers the following features:

a token vault to store and map tokens to card account numbers,
the ability to issue tokens,
lifecycle management services to create, suspend, resume or delete tokens and
additional fraud and risk management services, such as authorization and payment data validation capabilities, for card-issuing financial institutions.

American Express Token Service is available in the U.S., and international rollout is expected to begin in 2015.

"We believe our payments network is a tremendous asset to American Express – one that will allow us to offer our customers new features and technologies to meet their evolving spending needs," said Paul Fabara, President, Global Banking and Global Network Business, American Express. "As we move ahead, we are excited to bring these new capabilities to our customers and look forward to continuing to serve them."

American Express also announced that it has developed network specifications for Host Card Emulation (HCE). American Express' HCE specifications provide its card-issuing partners with additional security options and solutions for payments made with mobile NFC-enabled devices that support Android OS KitKat. With HCE, card issuers use a secure cloud server to store their customers' card account details, which can be transmitted from the cloud server to an NFC-enabled mobile device and then to a Point-of-Sale terminal in a fast, secure manner. American Express' HCE specifications are available today globally.

Briefing for press at CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS
American Express will be present at CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS in Paris from 4^th-6^th November, when two executives will be participating in conference sessions.

JJ Kieley, Vice President, Head of Network Commercialization, Global Network Business, American Express, will present "The Future of Connected Commerce" and discuss recent industry developments in contactless and mobile payments. JJ will speak on Tuesday, 4^th November at 9:40-10:10 am in Conference Room 1 during the conference track, "mPOS & iBeacons: Always more Innovation for Connected Commerce."

Karen Czack, Vice President, Global Chip Products, Global Network Business, American Express, will join a panel on the "U.S. EMV Migration" and discuss the current progress and ongoing migration considerations. Karen will speak on Wednesday, 5^th November at 11:00-12:30 pm in Conference Room 3 during the conference track, "EMV: Challenges & Benefits."

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. The American Express Global Network Business brings together a diverse community of financial institutions, merchants, business partners and technology providers to build valued customer relationships and business success. Through its global payments network, American Express provides safe, reliable and convenient ways for consumers and businesses to make payments and process transactions online and at millions of merchant locations around the world. The American Express network is also delivering innovative products and capabilities in the online and mobile commerce space, enabling a wide range of payment capabilities and solutions, including chip-enabled and contactless products.

Santander and American Express Announce Partnership to Issue Credit Cards in Mexico

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Santander and American Express today announced a partnership to launch the Santander American Express® Credit Card in Mexico. This card offers an innovative way for Card Members to quickly earn rewards on their daily purchases.

The new Santander American Express Credit Card, issued by Santander, focuses on rewarding Card Members for their daily spending in department stores and supermarkets through its innovative, preferred points redemption program, Santander Rewards (Recompensas Santander), and includes a powerful points multiplier for interest-free installment payments during the first six months. The value proposition includes an attractive insurance platform, which provides services, such as Travel Assistance, Travel Accident Insurance, Car Rental Insurance, Purchase Protection Insurance and Extended Warranty Insurance.

As part of the partnership between both institutions, the new card will be accepted on American Express' global merchant network.

"For Santander, this partnership reaffirms our commitment to innovating in the marketplace. We are opening a new segment where clients are looking for a mix of the best services from both companies," stated Jorge Alfaro Lara, Associate General Director, Consumer Credit and Payment Tools, Santander Mexico.

"With this new alliance, we have a great opportunity to extend the reach of the benefits and services of the American Express network and create a new attractive array of products for Santander's customers," said Lisandro Delfino, Vice President, Global Network Partnerships Latin America, American Express.

The Santander Rewards program will offer the following points earning scheme for the new Santander American Express Credit Card:

3 (three) points per each US dollar spent in department stores in Mexico
2 (two) points for each US dollar spent in supermarkets in Mexico
1 (one) point per each US dollar spent in any merchant establishment in Mexico, except department stores and supermarkets
1 (one) point per each US dollar spent on purchases made abroad, regardless of the type of merchant establishment
Triple points on purchases made on interest-free installment payments during the first six months of using the card.

In this alliance, Santander will be responsible for owning the customer relationships, marketing and promoting the cards and managing credit authorizations and billing. The cards will be accepted and processed through American Express' global merchant network.

ABOUT GRUPO FINANCIERO SANTANDER MÉXICO, S.A.B. DE C.V. (NYSE: BSMX; BMV: SANMEX)
Grupo Financiero Santander México, S.A.B. de C.V. (Santander México), one of Mexico's leading financial services holding companies, provides a wide range of financial and related services, including retail and commercial banking, securities brokerage, financial advisory and other related investment activities. Santander México offers a multichannel financial services platform focused on mid- to high-income individuals and small- to medium-sized enterprises, while also providing integrated financial services to larger multinational companies in Mexico. As of June 30, 2014, Santander México had total assets of Ps.919.9 billion under Mexican Banking GAAP and more than 11 million customers. Headquartered in Mexico City, the Company operates 1,050 branches and 243 offices nationwide and has a total of 14,375 employees.

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. Since 1997, American Express has partnered with a select group of leading banks and financial institutions around the world to issue American Express-branded products and acquire merchants on to the American Express merchant network. By leveraging its partnerships, global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of its brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide.

CMBC and American Express Launch the CMBC American Express® Multi Currency Platinum Credit Card

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0400

China Minsheng Bank (CMBC) and American Express jointly announced the launch of the CMBC American Express^® Multi Currency Platinum Credit Card. Issued by CMBC, this product is the first-ever single network card product to be introduced on the American Express payment network in China and is designed for CMBC customers traveling abroad. This new product is the second product that has been launched by CMBC following the rollout of the CMBC Platinum Shangri-La American Express^® Card in 2012.

China Minsheng Bank is the first national joint-stock commercial bank primarily held by non-public-owned enterprises, and CMBC’s credit cards are among the top, leading high-end credit card products available in China today. This collaboration combines the powerful brand appeal of both companies and provides CMBC’s customers with outstanding travel-related customer service, benefits and experiences.

The CMBC American Express Multi Currency Platinum Credit Card is available in two tiers, Elite Platinum and Platinum, and is designed to meet the needs of CMBC’s distinct customer segments. The Card offers its customers a waiver on fees for foreign currency transactions, as well as cash withdrawal from the American Express network. Cardholders can also have travel-related benefits such as lounge access and airport pick-up service at key cities in the United Kingdom and United States. In addition, the Card provides comprehensive travel and medical insurance and emergency support abroad.

Yang Ke, President, Credit Card Center, China Minsheng Bank said, “American Express is a well established global credit card and travel services specialist. With its comprehensive network of merchants and global travel service expertise, we believe this collaboration will bring a high-quality overseas card experience for students and business travelers alike travelling outside China.”

“China Minsheng Bank is well known for its expertise in the premium card space in China, and we have enjoyed a very good relationship since the launch of the CMBC Platinum Shangri-La American Express Card two years ago. We are delighted to partner with CMBC again to introduce the new CMBC American Express Multi Currency Platinum Credit Card and further grow the American Express brand in a key country like China,” added Dave Keung, Vice President and General Manager, Partner Card Services, China, American Express.

About CMBC
China Minsheng Bank is highly experienced in the research and development of high-end co-branded credit cards and has so far successfully developed several products in cooperation with famous enterprises home and abroad such Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Chang An Club, BMW, Pacific Department Store and Shangri-La Hotels group. Under the “market oriented and innovation centered” guideline, the Bank has successfully partnered with such reputed domestic and overseas brands as Starbucks, Pizza Hut, KFC and Yili Milk for cross-service marketing, and launched many large promotional activities featuring vast public coverage, large input of resources and extensive influence, creating an extremely high level of social attention and upgrading the brand awareness for both parties. Since the issuance of credit cards in 2005, the Bank has issued nearly 18 million credit cards, over 70% activated, and has become a leader in the banking service in terms of average transaction volume per card and other major operating indices.

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/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

MatchMove launches MatchMove American Express® Virtual Pay

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0500

Leading online entertainment company, MatchMove, and American Express today announced a strategic partnership and the launch of MatchMove American Express Virtual Pay, a prepaid virtual product. Offered by MatchMove, the new product provides a secure and convenient payment solution for online shopping on the American Express network.

MatchMove American Express Virtual Pay offers state-of-the-art security features and allows customers to utilize the funds loaded in their MatchMove Wallet, an electronic wallet, to make online purchases locally and overseas, addressing the needs of a wide spectrum of consumers, particularly young adults and those who do not hold any credit cards.

"MatchMove American Express Virtual Pay provides security features, such as a one-time password, which are designed to prevent unauthorized use and allow immediate mobile access to transaction details. Furthermore, since this is a prepaid product, users have control of the amount that they load onto the MatchMove Wallet. This helps our customers manage and control their expenses easily," said Mr. Shailesh Naik, CEO of MatchMove Global. "Additionally, topping up the MatchMove Wallet is simple. Customers can add value to their MatchMove Wallet through selected local ATMs or online using their credit or debit cards. Purchase of Virtual Pay can also be conducted through direct telco operator billing."

MatchMove American Express Virtual Pay users will be able to book airline tickets and hotel accommodations and also shop for fashion, electronics, cosmetics, books, audio-visual products and other desired retail or virtual goods at many local and overseas online merchants that accept American Express.

Mr. Elroy Lim, Vice President, New Business Partnership, Partner Card Services Asia, American Express said, "The launch of MatchMove American Express Virtual Pay in Singapore is another key milestone for American Express. We believe the partnership with MatchMove and the launch of this new product will further drive business opportunities for both MatchMove and American Express and provide more value to consumers as well as American Express' online merchants."

About MatchMove (matchmove.com/corporate/)
MatchMove helps online businesses better monetize their strategies and engage their users through online and mobile social entertainment. In the process, companies that use the MatchMove solution are able to increase revenue and loyalty through the strategic use of its sophisticated games and apps, social networking and site gamification platform. Major corporations worldwide use the customizable, cloud-based MatchMove solution to rapidly establish their own branded games and apps catalogues with full-featured social networking, multiple monetisation and e-commerce options and with the ability to collect mobile payments anywhere in the world. Headquartered in Singapore with offices across Asia and the US, MatchMove is the exclusive games, social networking and gamification solution provider for many leading globally recognised online brands, telcos and mobile operators, media companies and entertainment providers that together have a combined base of more than 350 million users.

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. Since 1997, American Express has partnered with a select group of leading banks and financial institutions around the world to issue American Express-branded products and acquire merchants on to the American Express merchant network. By leveraging its partnerships, global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of its brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide.

Equity Bank and American Express Announce Card Issuing and Merchant Acquiring Partnership in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Equity Bank and American Express today announced a partnership agreement, through which Equity Bank will act as the exclusive issuer of American Express Card products in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. As part of this agreement, Equity Bank will also acquire merchants on to the American Express network in these countries.

Equity Bank will begin issuing American Express-branded products by the first half of 2014. The new products will be introduced in Kenya first, with additional cards launching in Tanzania and Uganda throughout 2014, subject to regulatory approval. Equity Bank will begin acquiring merchants beginning this December in Kenya.

"We are pleased to enter into this agreement with American Express, which will further strengthen our customer relationships and also give us an opportunity to serve American Express Card Members in East Africa," commented Dr. Mwangi, Group CEO and Managing Director, Equity Bank. "This partnership is in line with our business strategy of becoming a one stop shop for financial services and giving our customers and partners the freedom of modern banking in today’s fast-paced world. Our investment in a robust IT platform continues to pay dividends and gives us the opportunity to continue investing in products and services that suit our customers who are increasingly becoming technology-driven and seeking borderless and seamless financial services."

Over the last year, Equity Group has made significant investments in its diaspora remittances, merchant acquiring infrastructure and banking and transaction processing by connecting to leading global payment systems.

"Our partnership with Equity Bank marks our first foray into offering American Express products in East Africa, where we see a number of unique and exciting growth opportunities," said Peter Wright, Executive Vice President and Head of EMEA Partner Card Services. "We are delighted to partner with Equity Bank, who is a leader in financial innovation, and we look forward to delivering a compelling range of new products to its extensive base of customers and expanding the scope and reach of the American Express brand in this region."

Under the terms of the agreement, Equity Bank will be responsible for all elements related to issuing its American Express-branded products, including designing the product features, owning the customer relationships and providing billing and credit management. In addition, as an American Express merchant acquirer, Equity Bank will support the expansion of the American Express network by developing and maintaining new merchant relationships in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

About Equity Bank
Equity Bank is the leading inclusive bank in Africa, listed on the Nairobi and Uganda Securities Exchanges. It is the largest bank in the region in terms of its customer base with over 8.5 million bank accounts, which is over 50% of all bank accounts in Kenya, and has a presence in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania. The vision of Equity Bank is "to be the champion of social economic prosperity of the people of Africa" while its purpose "is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people socially and economically by availing them modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities."

equitybankgroup.com
facebook.com/KeEquityBank
twitter.com/KeEquityBank

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. Since 1997, American Express has partnered with a select group of leading banks and financial institutions around the world to issue American Express-branded products and acquire merchants on to the American Express merchant network. By leveraging its partnerships, global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of its brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide.

American Express Serve® Introduces New Money Management Capabilities and a Free Cash Load Network

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400

American Express (NYSE: AXP) Serve today announced a free nationwide cash load network and the addition of new money management capabilities to its full-service reloadable prepaid account. The new features include: Direct Deposit, Bill Pay, Mobile Check Capture, Personal Financial Management Tools, and Reserve, which allows customers to put money aside for future expenses. These enhancements are designed to meet the needs of the nearly 70 million Americans underserved by traditional financial services.(1)

“Unfortunately, the traditional banking system is not easily accessible to large segments of the population, making managing money cumbersome and expensive for many,” said Dan Schulman, group president, Enterprise Growth at American Express. “We launched Serve two years ago with the simple idea that consumers needed a better way to move their money. Today, we’ve added a number of new features to make the management and movement of money more affordable and convenient for everyone.”

More Ways to Add Money to American Express Serve For Free
According to Javelin Strategy & Research(2), 41 percent of underbanked consumers report they pay a fee of $3.00 to $3.99 to reload their prepaid cards. American Express Serve has introduced several cost-free options to add money to an account:

Free Cash Load Network: Starting this November, American Express Serve customers will be able to take cash to the register at more than 14,000 participating CVS/pharmacy and 7-Eleven stores and add it to their American Express Serve Account. This is made possible through a relationship with InComm and its Vanilla Reload Network.
Direct Deposit: Serve customers can add their paycheck or government disbursements directly into their Account through Serve.com.
Mobile Check Capture: Later this year, customers will be able to use their smartphone camera to snap a photo of a check and add it directly into their Account using the Serve mobile app.

Considering that prepaid card customers who report reloading their cards say they do so an average of two times per month, with 10 percent reloading 5 times or more per month, adding money to Serve using these options could amount to a potential savings of between $72 to nearly $240 a year for certain customers.(3)

With the rollout of a range of features that offer an alternative to traditional banking, American Express Serve will charge a monthly fee of $1 beginning December 3, 2013. This fee is one of the lowest among leading prepaid cards that charge a monthly fee. Based on an Aite Group study that evaluated the amount that people pay in fees among the leading prepaid cards, the average monthly fee was $4.57 per month, compared to the $1 monthly fee for using American Express Serve.

The $1 monthly fee is waived if customers use Direct Deposit to load their account or add $500 or more to their account during a monthly statement period. See fee chart for further details.

More Ways to Move & Manage Money with American Express Serve

American Express Serve Account Fee Summary
Card Price	$0 online $2.95 in retail locations $0 select retailers through 12/31/13
Monthly	$1 Monthly Fee (no fee in NY, TX, VT) --OR -- $0 with any Direct Deposit during your statement period --OR-- $0 when you add $500 or more during your statement period
Add Money:	$0 Direct Deposit
	$0 Checking/Savings Account
	$0 Debit Card
	$0 Credit Card*
	Add cash for $0 at nationwide CVS/pharmacy and participating 7-Eleven® locations(1) Add cash using MoneyPak® or Vanilla Reload (Third party fees may apply(2))
	$0 to add checks with Mobile App (available December 2013)
ATM Withdrawals	$0 at MoneyPass® ATMs
ATM Withdrawals	$2 at non MoneyPass ATMs. ATM operator fees apply(3)
Foreign Transactions	2.7% on each transaction after conversion to US dollars
*Cash advance fees for credit card loads may apply; check with your credit card issuer for details. (1) To find the location nearest you, please go to CVS.com or visit your neighborhood 7-Eleven store. (2) MoneyPak® fee of up to $4.95 applies. Vanilla Reload fee of up to $3.95 applies. (3) No fee in VT

To help customers make smart decisions about their finances, American Express has partnered with LearnVest to bring free educational financial content to Serve.com, and is introducing Reserve, a linked account that customers can use to store money for upcoming expenses. Additionally, American Express Serve customers have free access to Serve’s Bill Pay feature to pay bills online and can withdraw cash for free at MoneyPass® ATMs in the U.S.

LearnVest Partnership: LearnVest, a company aimed at making educational financial content accessible to everyone, will provide information designed to help customers set and achieve financial goals and save money. This free educational financial information will be integrated throughout the Serve.com experience.
Reserve: Customers can easily move funds with one time or recurring payments from their Serve Account to a linked Reserve to put money away – and keep it away – for future purchases like a vacation, holiday gifts, or for emergency funds.
Bill Pay: With electronic bill pay customers can pay any bill online using Serve.com and the Serve mobile app.
Free Withdrawals at MoneyPass® ATMs in the U.S.: American Express Serve customers can now withdraw money for free at more than 22,000 MoneyPass® ATMs nationwide. For the closest MoneyPass® ATM location, customers can visit: https://www.serve.com/
manage-money/#/atm-access

Additionally, all funds in permanent American Express Serve Accounts are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance. This feature also allows American Express Serve customers to arrange for direct deposit of U.S. government payments including social security benefits and military pay. Temporary account funds will not be FDIC insured.

American Express Serve will continue to offer customers the ability to easily create and manage subaccounts for friends and family, send or receive money, and enjoy access to benefits such as Purchase Protection(4), Roadside Assistance(5), Global Assist® Service(6), fraud protection in the event the Card is lost or stolen, and 24x7 live customer service.

“We are striving to provide the best value and convenience for the underserved market,” said Dan Schulman. “We’ve added a slew of new features to American Express Serve in an effort to build one of the most comprehensive full-service reloadable prepaid offerings available today.”

American Express Serve at More than 20,000 Stores by Year End
American Express Serve is now available online at www.serve.com and will be available at select CVS/pharmacy, Family Dollar, Office Depot, Walgreens and Duane Reade stores in the U.S. this fall for a one-time purchase price of $2.95.

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. American Express Serve is a full-service reloadable prepaid access account issued by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

(1) 2011 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households

(2) Javelin Strategy & Research, Prepaid Cards and Products in 2012, Enabling Financial Access for Underbanked and Gen Y Consumers

(3) Potential savings calculated based on Javelin Strategy & Research that 41 percent of underbanked consumers report they pay a fee of $3.00 to $3.99 to reload their prepaid cards. Prepaid card customers reload their cards an average of two times per month, with 10 percent reloading 5 times or more per month.

(4) Purchase Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix, AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Policy AX0951 or Policy PP-IND and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy.

(5) Roadside Assistance may arrange for the following services: towing, winching, jump starts, flat tire change when spare is available, lockout service when key is in vehicle and delivery of up to 2 gallons of fuel. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Services are available regardless of mileage from primary residence when traveling within the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Subject to additional terms, conditions and exclusions. Call 1-877-458-7304 for full terms and conditions.

(6) While the Global Assist® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

American Express Serve and Isis® Link Platforms

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0400

American Express and Isis® announced today that they will introduce American Express Serve to the Isis Mobile Wallet™. The new co-branded account will be offered in every Isis Mobile Wallet as a part of a nationwide launch later this year, enabling millions of Americans to tap and pay using their American Express Serve account.

By adding American Express Serve to the Wallet, customers will be able to pay bills online and send money to friends and family. They will also be able to add cash to their American Express Serve account or fund it using an existing bank account, any credit or debit card or through direct deposit.

“Linking the platforms will allow millions of people to conveniently and inexpensively manage and move their money,” said Dan Schulman, group president, Enterprise Growth, American Express. “From the palm of your hand, consumers including those without access to traditional bank accounts or credit can have access to everyday financial services. And our combined solution works in today’s retail environment, and in the emerging ‘tap to pay’ point of sale ecosystem.”

“Our relationship with American Express Serve underscores our mutual commitment to providing consumers with choice and value in mobile payments,” said Michael Abbott, chief executive officer, Isis. “We learned through our pilot that customers love the convenience of tap and pay with the ability to manage their payments and loyalty programs from one app. By adding American Express Serve to the Isis Wallet, we can immediately provide millions of consumers the opportunity to participate in mobile commerce as we continue to enrich the consumer experience.”

Customers will be able to use eligible American Express Serve accounts within the Isis Mobile Wallet to:

Load funds to their American Express Serve account from a variety of sources, including a bank account, debit, credit or charge card, or by receiving money from another American Express Serve account
Load cash to their American Express Serve account
Tap and pay with their phone at any NFC enabled retail location that accepts American Express
Use their American Express Serve Card at any merchant that accepts American Express Cards, both online and offline
Pay bills electronically
Make person to person (P2P) payments to other American Express Serve accountholders
Add funds using direct deposit

According to the FDIC, nearly 70 million Americans do not have bank accounts or access to credit. Many of these Americans are paid in cash and must rely on expensive services to pay their bills or send money to friends or family. By adding alternatives to traditional banking services at a low cost to the Isis and American Express Serve experience, American Express Serve is now able to provide a unique service proposition to millions of Americans.

The Isis Mobile Wallet uses near field communications (NFC) technology to allow consumers to pay, redeem coupons and present loyalty cards with their mobile phones. American Express' U.S. Consumer and OPEN® Small Business Cards are currently available in the Isis Mobile Wallet. Isis recently announced plans to expand nationwide later this year.

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, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

About Isis
The joint venture is between AT&T Mobility LLC, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Verizon Wireless and is based in New York City. The venture is chartered with building Isis, a national mobile commerce venture that will fundamentally transform how people shop, pay and save. The Isis Mobile Commerce Platform™ will be available to all merchants, banks, payment networks and mobile carriers. Isis, Isis Mobile Wallet, Isis Ready, Isis Mobile Commerce Platform and the associated logos are trademarks of JVL Ventures, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos, product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For more information visit www.paywithisis.com.

Wells Fargo and American Express Announce Credit Card Issuing Partnership

Wed, 07 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Two companies that share the same founders and a rich history, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and American Express (NYSE: AXP), announced today a new chapter of partnership that will see Wells Fargo issuing new credit cards accepted on the American Express network.

Wells Fargo will make the cards available in the marketplace nationwide by mid-2014. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are delivering on our strategy to expand our credit card business," said John Stumpf, Chairman and CEO of Wells Fargo. "Our goal is to offer Wells Fargo customers a suite of cards that help them meet their financial goals. We're proud to have American Express as a partner in this effort -- a great company with a proven brand for customer service."

Wells Fargo customers will be able to apply for the cards through mail, online, phone and 6,000 retail store locations. Wells Fargo will conduct a pilot program for customers in select U.S. markets starting in the third quarter of 2013, with a full scale launch in the first half of 2014. The new cards will be accepted on the American Express global merchant network.

"Given the fact that two of our founders were Henry Wells and William Fargo, this partnership is especially significant to all of us at American Express," said Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO, American Express. "Wells Fargo is an outstanding addition to our global network of card-issuing partners. We look forward to starting a new journey with them and to delivering premium value and service to Wells Fargo's customers."

Avid Modjtabai, head of Wells Fargo's Consumer Lending Group added, "We want to give the customers who already carry our card – and the ones who don't yet – greater rewards and benefits for having a Wells Fargo card in their wallets. The breadth of our offerings, our strong retail network and the power of this new partnership with American Express position us well to continue to deliver compelling choices and experiences to our customers."

As part of the card-issuing partnership, American Express is providing its Partner Advantage capabilities and services to support Wells Fargo in developing a suite of products that will offer a superior set of experiences, exclusive benefits and customized offers from the American Express network, both online and offline. Separately, LoyaltyEdge from American Express will assist in the design of a new Wells Fargo loyalty program by offering a broad range of merchandise and gift cards that Wells Fargo's consumer credit customers will be able to redeem with their points.

"Wells Fargo is one of the most respected financial institutions in the U.S., and we are delighted to bring the power of our brands together to offer Wells Fargo's customers an exciting new suite of high-value products that will provide rich rewards and benefits together with remarkable customer service," said William Stredwick, senior vice president, Global Network Partnerships, North America, American Express. "In doing so, we can support Wells Fargo's efforts to grow their credit card business and further extend the benefits of the American Express network."

About the Joint History between Wells Fargo and American Express
In 1850, Henry Wells, William G. Fargo and John Butterfield joined to establish the American Express Company to transport packages, valuables, and goods. In 1852, Henry Wells and William Fargo formed Wells Fargo & Company to extend reliable banking and express service to the Pacific Coast following the discovery of gold in California. John Butterfield, American Express founder and Vice President, maintained the American Express business based in New York, expanding its East Coast operations, while Henry Wells and William Fargo served as the first and second president of American Express, respectively.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank's customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune's 2013 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at blog.wellsfargo.com.

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/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

LoyaltyEdge helps organizations design, build and manage scalable loyalty solutions that serve all customers regardless of payment type. It was created in 2009 and is a part of the Enterprise Growth division of American Express.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and American Express Celebrate Inaugural Partnership with Card Product for Private Banking Customers

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPDB) and American Express kick off the inaugural partnership as they join hand to roll out a high-end credit card issued by SPDB on American Express' global network specifically for private banking customers – the SPDB Private Banking American Express® Credit Card.

The launch of the SPDB Private Banking American Express Credit Card aligns with SPDB's Private Banking brand value of "inheritance beyond wealth", as it offers full-scale personalized services for both the Cardmembers and their families, making it a card of inheriting success. This by-invitation-only product also lets Cardmembers enjoy American Express' expertise in the premium card segment and its comprehensive merchant network around the globe.

"Rolling out the SPDB Private Banking American Express Credit Card represents another example of SPDB Private Banking's dedication to raising our service quality," said Jiang Ming-sheng, Executive Vice President of SPDB. "American Express is well known for its service excellence in the premium segment, and SPDB enjoys high level of customer loyalty with its reliable operations in China. Riding on the strengths of both parties, this partnership results in a product that is tailor made for our private banking customers and bringing them best-in-class service experience and financial products."

"We are thrilled to establish this partnership with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank as this not only brings to market a credit card product that is specifically tailored for the private banking sector, but also represents a marriage of our expertise in the premium segment," said Y C Koh, President, Asia, Card Services of American Express. "This product reinforces American Express' commitment to be the network of choice for affluent customers around the world, and it is another important milestone in our long-term dedication to the Chinese market. With the launch of this product, we hope to bring the Chinese premium consumers closer to American Express' offerings around the globe."

About Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
A nationwide joint-stock commercial bank founded on August 28, 1992, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (known as SPD Bank for short) went listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange in 1999 (stock code: 600000). At present, SPD Bank’s registered capital stands at RMB 18.653 billion yuan. SPD Bank has earned respect and good fame in the domestic stock market on account of its outstanding performance and trustworthiness.

Holding on to the motto of “sticking to integrity and striving for excellence”, the bank has continuously developed its various businesses and enhanced its overall competence. By the end of 2012, its total assets stood at RMB 3.1457 trillion yuan, outstanding balance of loans being RMB 1.5446 trillion yuan and outstanding balance of deposits being RMB 2.1344 trillion yuan, making an after-tax profit of RMB 34.186 billion yuan. A national network was in place with 37 main branches and 824 banking outlets. A nationwide commercial bank has taken shape. In addition, with the opening of Hong Kong Branch and the preparation of London Representative Office, SPD Bank has taken steps towards going global.

About American Express
American Express is a global company providing its products, consulting services and experience to improve quality of life and professional growth for its customers. Read more at www.americanexpress.com, www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress, or www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

Since 1996, American Express has been pursuing its 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 brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide. American Express has now established 148 partnerships in 160 markets across the world.

Citibank and American Express Announce Card Issuing Alliance in Asia

Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Citibank and American Express today announced that they will be joining forces in Asia, starting with the launch of the Citi PremierMiles American Express® Card in Malaysia.

Through this partnership, Citibank will issue cards in the Asia Pacific region, which will be accepted on the American Express global merchant network.

Jonathan Larsen, Citi's Global Head of Retail Banking and Asia Pacific Head of Consumer Banking said, "Citibank's partnership with American Express will allow us to be even more competitive in our credit card offerings across Asia and, of course, to offer even greater rewards and associated benefits to our cardmembers."

Anil Wadhwani, Citi's Asia Pacific Head of Credit Cards and Personal Lending and South East Asia Head of Consumer Banking added, "As Asia's leading card issuer, we are delighted to be partnering with American Express to bring our cardmembers new value propositions offering enhanced travel rewards."

Paul Abbott, Executive Vice President and Head of American Express' Global Network Partnerships commented, "We are pleased to announce an expansion of our partnership with Citi through a new card-issuing alliance in Asia. Through this partnership, we can work together to offer new card products with outstanding benefits and services that will allow Citi to deliver even greater choice and value to their customers across the region."

With its inaugural launch in Malaysia, the Citi PremierMiles American Express® Card offers an enhanced earn rate of 1 PremierMile for every RM2 card spent on everyday purchases, as well as the flexibility to redeem these miles for travel on over 90 airlines worldwide. Given this earning power, cardmembers can easily earn a return ticket to a worldwide destination of their choice based on their annual spend.

Cardmembers will also be able to enjoy complimentary airport limousine service from Kuala Lumpur International Airport upon their return, as well as unlimited access to select Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Beyond travel, this card offers other lifestyle rewards including a complimentary night stay after paying for two nights at select Shangri-La properties and privilege dining at more than 50 premium restaurants around Malaysia.

Sergio Zanatti, Citi's Head of Consumer Banking in Malaysia added, "At Citi, we constantly strive to ensure our products bring the best value to customers, and the Citi PremierMiles American Express® Card is the best-in-class travel credit card designed for Malaysian frequent travelers. With this card, they can earn miles faster on their everyday purchases, enjoy the widest choice in redemption and, with miles that never expire, they can fly anytime, anywhere."

Siew Choo Ng, Senior Vice President, American Express' Global Network Partnerships Asia said, "Moving forward, we will continue to work closely with Citi to create targeted products that will offer exclusive privileges and benefits on the American Express network."

The Citi PremierMiles American Express® Card will help meet the needs of the increasing number of travelers in the region as evidenced in Citibank's 2011 Emerging Affluent Survey. The Survey affirms that emerging affluent clients are increasingly global in their outlook with more than half having traveled abroad.

Following Malaysia, other Citibank cards will be launched on the American Express network in key markets in Asia.

About Citi
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

Barclaycard and American Express to Expand Their Global Relationships With New UK Card Issuing Agreement

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Barclaycard and American Express have announced that they have agreed to expand the scope of their current global relationships with Barclaycard becoming an American Express card issuing partner in the UK. This builds upon their existing relationships and will enable Barclaycard to issue cards accepted on the American Express global network in the UK, for the first time.

Barclaycard and American Express currently have a number of business relationships around the world, including in the US for card issuing, and the UK for acceptance of payments.

This new UK card issuing agreement will increase the choice available to Barclaycard customers and will lead to a wider range of products being offered to UK consumers. Barclaycard and American Express will commence product development during 2013, with product details being announced at a later point.

Valerie Soranno Keating, Chief Executive of Barclaycard said: “Today’s news that two of the world’s leading payments businesses will be working more closely in the UK will mean greater choice for UK consumers. It also reinforces Barclaycard’s position as a partner of choice in the payments industry and as a leading innovator in UK payments.”

Paul Abbott, Executive Vice-President, American Express Global Network Services, Europe Middle East and Africa said: “We are very pleased to partner with Barclaycard, reflecting our strategy of building relationships with the best partners around the world. By working with Barclaycard we look forward to bringing new benefits and services to their customers which reflect our commitment to outstanding value and first class service.”

About Barclaycard
Barclaycard, part of Barclays Retail and Business Banking, is a leading global payment business which helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit when needed.

The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future. It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government. Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit.

In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe and Africa.

Key facts published in July 2012;

total number of Barclaycard customers: 23.0m
number of retailer/merchant relationships: 89,000

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, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Since 1996, American Express has been following its strategy of representation of its merchant network and card product portfolio to third party issuers all over the world. Using its global infrastructure and attractive brand, American Express extended its international network coverage. Currently, American Express has established 148 partner relations in 160 markets of the world. Read more at americanexpress.com/gns.

Centurion from American Express is Introduced to China

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Merchants Bank (CMB) and American Express today announced that ICBC and CMB will begin issuing the Centurion Card in China. ICBC and CMB will issue Centurion, by invitation only, to a select group of their respective top-tier customers.

According to the 2012 Hurun Wealth Report, by the end of 2011, there were a record 1,020,000 millionaires with assets of over RMB10 million (approximately equivalent to USD $1.6 million) in China, including an elite group of more than 60,000 “super affluent” individuals with assets over RMB100 million (approximately equivalent to USD $16 million).

“China is a fast-growing market with huge potential, especially in the affluent and super-affluent customer segments,” said Kula Kulendran, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Network Services, Japan, Asia-Pacific, Australia, American Express. “We are delighted that both ICBC and CMB recognize the value of Centurion and that they share our vision of offering the ultimate in privileges and service to their most discerning, affluent customers.”

“The launch of this flagship product in China, not only marks a milestone in our partnerships with both ICBC and CMB, but also reinforces American Express’ status as the network of choice for affluent customers around the world,” added Kulendran.

In 2004, ICBC became American Express’ first card-issuing bank partner in China. Since then, American Express and ICBC have worked together to introduce more than 30 credit card products for individual and corporate customers in China.

In 2010, American Express launched its card-issuing partnership with CMB, who launched the first American Express Green and Gold Cards with the iconic American Express Centurion image in China.

Globally, the Centurion Card is now being issued by invitation only in 31 markets.

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/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

About Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
ICBC is the world's largest bank by market value and customer deposits. It is also the leading credit card issuer in China with 76 million cardholders. ICBC is a market leader, providing a wide range of commercial banking services to individual and corporate customers.

About China Merchants Bank
Since its inception in 1987, CMB has grown with China’s economic progress into a national, joint-stock commercial bank that has a total net capital of 140 billion yuan, total assets of 2.6 trillion yuan, over 800 branches and over 50,000 employees, ranking it among the world’s top 100 banks.

Now Arriving: Scotiabank American Express travel rewards cards land in Canada

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Scotiabank today announced the launch of the new Scotiabank American Express Cards, marking a new strategic card-issuing alliance between Scotiabank and American Express. The suite of loyalty credit cards, designed for travel enthusiasts, comes at a time when Canadians are carefully evaluating the rewards they earn on the cards they choose to carry.

“This announcement launches a new collaboration between Scotiabank, Canada’s most international bank, and American Express, a leading global brand renowned in the payments sector for excellence in travel, rewards and service,” said Anatol von Hahn, Scotiabank Group Head of Canadian Banking. “Starting today, we are able to offer Canadians a new suite of travel cards which we believe lead all others in this market for travel rewards – which we know are particularly important to Canadians. In launching this card, Scotiabank is the only major Canadian bank able to offer customers the benefits of an American Express-branded card.”

“Scotiabank is a tremendous addition to our network of bank partnerships that we have been building across 159 countries around the world,” said Manish Gupta, Executive Vice President and Head of American Express Global Network Services – Americas. “By partnering with market leaders like Scotiabank, we can increase the number of American Express-branded products in the marketplace, expand the scale and relevance of our brand in Canada and drive more loyal, high-spending customers to merchants who welcome American Express.”

The new Scotiabank American Express suite includes three new cards: the Scotiabank American Express Card, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card and the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card. With these new cards, Cardmembers will be able to earn points that can quickly be turned into travel benefits. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, for example, carries a new level of value in the market, providing four points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment and carries a $99 annual fee, one of the most competitive fees in its class.

This suite of travel cards offer a range of exceptional travel benefits including: no blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees; flexibility to redeem points towards all travel purchases made with the card, including those made via a website or travel agent; ability to use points to purchase an entire trip, including all taxes and surcharges; redemption for merchandise and credits to Scotiabank investment accounts or credit card statements; and highly competitive travel insurance benefits, such as Travel Emergency Medical and Rental Car Collision insurance. For further details on the individual cards and rewards, please refer to the attached background information.

A recent Scotiabank poll underscores the value that Canadians place on rewards when selecting their credit card:

the large majority of Canadians (79 per cent) have a loyalty credit card;
over half (57 per cent) say collecting rewards or points is the most compelling reason to use their credit card;
61 per cent of Canadians listed travel rewards as an important reason when selecting their credit card; and
69 per cent of Canadians said they would consider switching credit cards if a loyalty program which better matched their needs or lifestyle became available.

“We’re listening to our customers and to Canadians more broadly and understand that people are looking at the value that they get from their credit cards when it comes to rewards and that they would consider switching cards based on an offer that better meets their needs,” said Mike Henry, Scotiabank Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Payments, Deposits and Lending. “This suite of cards is a new opportunity for individuals to turn routine purchases from gas stations, grocery stores, dining and entertainment into relevant and meaningful travel rewards.”

“We’ve worked closely with Scotiabank to help bring new innovative products and greater benefits and choice to their customer base,” said William Stredwick, Senior Vice President and Head of American Express Global Network Services – North America. “The cards that we have launched today with Scotiabank offer an excellent way for Scotiabank’s customers to quickly earn travel rewards and enjoy the privileges and benefits associated with the American Express brand,” added Stredwick.

This new suite of travel-oriented cards joins Scotiabank’s broader package of credit and debit cards designed for Canadian savvy savers, movie lovers, hockey fans and travel enthusiasts.

Canadians interested in learning more about the Scotiabank American Express suite of cards can visit their local Scotiabank branch or go to Scotiabank.com/4xfaster.

About the polling data
The Scotiabank Mega Poll was conducted online using Harris/Decima’s panel. A total of 2,013 completed surveys were collected from a random sample of panel members across Canada. The study was conducted from June 18th to 28th, 2012. A probability sample of this size has a margin or error of 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 81,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets of $670 billion (as at July 31, 2012), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

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/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress. Since 1996, American Express has been 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 brand, American Express has established more than 140 partnerships in 159 markets across the world. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com/gns.

BACKGROUNDER: Scotiabank American Express Suite of Cards

Feature highlights:

Scotiabank American Express Card

2 points for every dollar spent on the card at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment, 1 point for all other purchases with the card
No blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees
Full-service travel agency and online booking tool to book flights, hotels, rentals cars, cruises and vacation packages
Ability to redeem points at or after booking for travel including airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation packages. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise, and credits to Scotiabank investment / and credit products
Highly competitive insurance benefits, such as Travel Emergency Medical (including travelers age 65+) and Rental Car Collision insurance
$39 annual fee. Additional card annual fee is $15 and the interest rates are 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card cheques

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

4 points for every dollar spent on the card at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment, 1 point for all other purchases with the card
No blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees
Travel service with access to global concierge specialists
Ability to redeem points at or after booking for travel including airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation packages. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise and credits to Scotiabank investment and credit products
Highly competitive insurance benefits, such as Travel Emergency Medical (including travelers age 65+) and Rental Car Collision insurance
$99 annual fee (among the most competitive fee for a premium travel reward card currently on the market). Additional card annual fee is $29 and the interest rates are 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card cheques

Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

4 points for every dollar spent on the card at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment, 1 point for all other purchases with the card
No blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees
Travel service with integrated travel and lifestyle booking concierge
Ability to redeem points at or after booking for travel including airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation packages. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise and credits to Scotiabank investment and credit products
VIP Pass, airport lounge access, car rental benefit
Highly competitive insurance benefits, including Travel Emergency Medical and Rental Car Collision insurance
$399 annual fee. Additional card annual fee is $99 and the interest rates are 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card cheques