AMERICAN EXPRESS CO Presentation Networks

Line Image Concept Label Concept Type Period type Balance Concept name
* Network: (101 - Statement - Statement Of Income Interest Based Revenue)
1 us-gaap: Income Statement [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:IncomeStatementAbstract
2 us-gaap: Statement [Table] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementTable
3 us-gaap: Statement [Line Items] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementLineItems
4 us-gaap: Revenues xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:RevenuesAbstract
5 us-gaap: Non-interest revenues xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:NoninterestIncomeAbstract
6 axp: Discount revenue xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:DiscountRevenue
7 axp: Net card fees xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:NetCardFees
8 axp: Travel commissions and fees xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:TravelCommissionsAndFees
9 us-gaap: Other commissions and fees xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:FeesAndCommissionsOther
10 axp: Securitization income, net xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:SecuritizationIncomeNet
11 us-gaap: Other xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:NoninterestIncomeOtherOperatingIncome
12 us-gaap: Total non-interest revenues xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:NoninterestIncome
13 us-gaap: Interest income xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperatingAbstract
14 us-gaap: Interest and fees on loans xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:InterestAndFeeIncomeLoansAndLeases
15 us-gaap: Interest and dividends on investment securities xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeSecurities
16 us-gaap: Deposits with banks and other xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:InterestIncomeDepositsWithFinancialInstitutions
17 us-gaap: Total interest income xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating
18 us-gaap: Interest expense xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:InterestExpenseAbstract
19 us-gaap: Deposits xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:InterestExpenseDeposits
20 us-gaap: Short-term borrowings xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:InterestExpenseShortTermBorrowings
21 axp: Long-term debt and other xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:InterestExpenseLongTermDebtAndOther
22 us-gaap: Total interest expense xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:InterestExpense
23 us-gaap: Net interest income xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:InterestIncomeExpenseNet
24 axp: Total revenues net of interest expense xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpense
25 us-gaap: Provisions for losses xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLossesAbstract
26 axp: Charge card xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:ProvisionsForLossesChargeCard
27 us-gaap: Cardmember lending xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProvisionForLoanAndLeaseLosses
28 us-gaap: Other xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProvisionForOtherLosses
29 us-gaap: Total provisions for losses xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses
30 axp: Total revenues net of interest expense after provisions for losses xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:TotalRevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAfterProvisionsForLosses
31 us-gaap: Expenses xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:NoninterestExpenseAbstract
32 axp: Marketing, promotion, rewards and cardmember services xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:MarketingPromotionRewardsAndCardmemberServices
33 us-gaap: Salaries and employee benefits xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:LaborAndRelatedExpense
34 axp: Professional services xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:ProfessionalServices
35 us-gaap: Other, net xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:OtherNoninterestExpense
36 us-gaap: Total xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:NoninterestExpense
37 us-gaap: Pretax income from continuing operations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss
38 us-gaap: Income tax provision xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
39 us-gaap: Income from continuing operations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
40 us-gaap: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax
41 us-gaap: Net income xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
42 us-gaap: Earnings per Common Share - Basic: (Note 12) xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract
43 us-gaap: Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare
44 us-gaap: Loss from discontinued operations us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare
45 us-gaap: Net income attributable to common shareholders us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic
46 us-gaap: Earnings per Common Share - Diluted: (Note 12) xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract
47 us-gaap: Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare
48 us-gaap: Loss from discontinued operations us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare
49 us-gaap: Net income attributable to common shareholders us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted
50 us-gaap: Average common shares outstanding for earnings per common share: xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract
51 us-gaap: Basic xbrli:sharesItemType duration us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic
52 us-gaap: Diluted xbrli:sharesItemType duration us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
53 us-gaap: Cash dividends declared per common share us-types:perShareItemType duration us-gaap:CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
* Network: (102 - Statement - Statement Of Financial Position Unclassified - Deposit Based Operations)
54 us-gaap: Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract
55 us-gaap: Statement [Table] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementTable
56 us-gaap: Statement [Line Items] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementLineItems
57 us-gaap: Assets xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:AssetsAbstract
58 us-gaap: Cash and cash equivalents xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValueAbstract
59 us-gaap: Cash and cash due from banks xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:CashAndDueFromBanks
60 us-gaap: Interest-bearing deposits in other banks (including federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements: 2009, $151; 2008, $141) xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:InterestBearingDepositsInBanks
61 axp: Short-term investment securities xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:ShortTermInvestmentSecurities
62 us-gaap: Total xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:CashCashEquivalentsAndFederalFundsSold
63 us-gaap: Accounts receivable xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:AccountsReceivableNetAbstract
64 axp: Cardmember receivables, less reserves: 2009, $599; 2008, $810 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:CardmemberReceivables
65 us-gaap: Other receivables, less reserves: 2009, $118; 2008, $118 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:OtherReceivables
66 us-gaap: Loans xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountAbstract
67 us-gaap: Cardmember lending, less reserves: 2009, $3,359; 2008, $2,570 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:LoansAndLeasesReceivableConsumerRevolvingCreditCard
68 us-gaap: Other, less reserves: 2009, $30; 2008, $39 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:LoansAndLeasesReceivableOther
69 us-gaap: Investment securities xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:AvailableForSaleSecurities
70 us-gaap: Premises and equipment - at cost, less accumulated depreciation: 2009, $4,055; 2008, $3,743 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
71 us-gaap: Other assets xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:OtherAssets
72 us-gaap: Assets of discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation
73 us-gaap: Total assets xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:Assets
74 us-gaap: Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract
75 us-gaap: Liabilities xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:LiabilitiesAbstract
76 us-gaap: Customers' deposits xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:Deposits
77 axp: Travelers Cheques outstanding xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit axp:TravelersChequesOutstanding
78 us-gaap: Accounts payable xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AccountsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent
79 us-gaap: Short-term borrowings xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:ShortTermBorrowings
80 us-gaap: Long-term debt xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:LongTermDebt
81 us-gaap: Other liabilities xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:OtherLiabilities
82 us-gaap: Liabilities of discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation
83 us-gaap: Total liabilities xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:Liabilities
84 us-gaap: Contingencies (see Note 18) xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:CommitmentsAndContingencies2009
85 us-gaap: Shareholders' Equity xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StockholdersEquityAbstract
86 us-gaap: Common shares, $0.20 par value, authorized 3.6 billion shares; issued and outstanding 1,189 million shares in 2009 and 1,160 million shares in 2008 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:CommonStockValue
87 us-gaap: Additional paid-in capital xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapital
88 us-gaap: Retained earnings xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
89 us-gaap: Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax: xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxAbstract
90 us-gaap: Net unrealized securities gains (losses), net of tax: 2009, $(332); 2008, $458 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
91 us-gaap: Net unrealized derivatives losses, net of tax: 2009, $21; 2008, $44 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax
92 us-gaap: Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax: 2009, $35; 2008, $64 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
93 us-gaap: Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit costs, net of tax: 2009 $212; 2008, $216 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax
94 us-gaap: Total accumulated other comprehensive loss xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
95 us-gaap: Total shareholders' equity xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:StockholdersEquity
96 us-gaap: Total liabilities and shareholders' equity xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
* Network: (103 - Statement - Statement Of Financial Position Unclassified - Deposit Based Operations (Parenthetical))
97 us-gaap: Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract
98 us-gaap: Statement [Table] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementTable
99 us-gaap: Statement [Line Items] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementLineItems
100 us-gaap: Interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:FederalFundsSoldAndSecuritiesPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResell
101 axp: Cardmember receivables, reserves xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit axp:CardmemberReceivablesReserves
102 axp: Other receivables, reserves xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit axp:OtherReceivablesReserves
103 axp: Cardmember lending, reserves xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit axp:CardmemberLendingReserves
104 axp: Other, reserves xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit axp:OtherReserves
105 us-gaap: Premises and equipment, accumulated depreciation xbrli:monetaryItemType instant credit us-gaap:AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
106 us-gaap: Common shares, par value us-types:perShareItemType instant us-gaap:CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
107 us-gaap: Common shares, authorized xbrli:sharesItemType instant us-gaap:CommonStockSharesAuthorized
108 us-gaap: Common shares, issued xbrli:sharesItemType instant us-gaap:CommonStockSharesIssued
109 us-gaap: Common shares, outstanding xbrli:sharesItemType instant us-gaap:CommonStockSharesOutstanding
110 axp: Net unrealized securities gains (losses), tax xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:NetUnrealizedSecuritiesGainsLossesTax
111 axp: Net unrealized derivatives losses, tax xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:NetUnrealizedDerivativesLossesTax
112 axp: Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentsTax
113 axp: Net unrealized pension and other postretirement benefit costs, tax xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:NetUnrealizedPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitCostsTax
* Network: (104 - Statement - Statement Of Cash Flows Indirect Deposit Based Operations)
114 us-gaap: Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
115 us-gaap: Statement [Table] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementTable
116 us-gaap: Statement [Line Items] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementLineItems
117 us-gaap: Cash Flows from Operating Activities xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
118 us-gaap: Net income xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
119 us-gaap: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax
120 us-gaap: Income from continuing operations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
121 us-gaap: Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
122 axp: Provisions for losses xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:ProvisionForLosses
123 us-gaap: Depreciation and amortization xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
124 axp: Deferred taxes, acquisition costs and other xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:DeferredTaxesAcquisitionCostsAndOther
125 us-gaap: Stock-based compensation xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensation
126 us-gaap: Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract
127 us-gaap: Other receivables xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables
128 us-gaap: Other assets xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
129 us-gaap: Accounts payable and other liabilities xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
130 axp: Travelers Cheques outstanding xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:IncreaseDecreaseTravelersChequesOutstanding
131 us-gaap: Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
132 us-gaap: Net cash provided by operating activities xbrli:monetaryItemType duration us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
133 us-gaap: Cash Flows from Investing Activities xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
134 us-gaap: Sale of investments xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities
135 us-gaap: Maturity and redemption of investments xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities
136 us-gaap: Purchase of investments xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireInvestments
137 us-gaap: Net decrease in cardmember loans/receivables xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansAndLeases
138 us-gaap: Proceeds from cardmember loan securitizations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromSecuritizationsOfCreditCards
139 axp: Maturities of cardmember loan securitizations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:MaturitiesOfCardmemberLoanSecuritizations
140 us-gaap: Purchase of premises and equipment xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
141 us-gaap: Sale of premises and equipment xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
142 us-gaap: Acquisitions, net of cash acquired xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
143 us-gaap: Net cash provided by investing activities attributable to discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
144 us-gaap: Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
145 us-gaap: Cash Flows from Financing Activities xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
146 us-gaap: Net change in customer deposits xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:IncreaseDecreaseInDeposits
147 axp: Net decrease in short-term borrowings xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit axp:NetDecreaseIncreaseInShortTermBorrowings
148 us-gaap: Issuance of long-term debt xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
149 us-gaap: Principal payments on long-term debt xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
150 us-gaap: Issuance of American Express Series A preferred shares and warrants xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
151 us-gaap: Issuance of American Express common shares xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
152 axp: Repurchase of American Express Series A preferred shares xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit axp:RepaymentOfPreferredSharesIssued
153 us-gaap: Repurchase of American Express stock warrants xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfWarrants
154 us-gaap: Repurchase of American Express common shares xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
155 us-gaap: Common and preferred dividends paid xbrli:monetaryItemType duration credit us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends
156 us-gaap: Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities attributable to discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations
157 us-gaap: Net cash used in financing activities xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
158 us-gaap: Effect of exchange rate changes on cash xbrli:monetaryItemType duration debit us-gaap:EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents
159 us-gaap: Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents xbrli:monetaryItemType duration us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
160 us-gaap: Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period includes cash of discontinued operations: 2009, $3; 2008, $6,390 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
161 us-gaap: Cash and cash equivalents at end of period includes cash of discontinued operations: 2009, $0; 2008, $342 xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
* Network: (105 - Statement - Statement Of Cash Flows Indirect Deposit Based Operations (Parenthetical))
162 us-gaap: Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
163 us-gaap: Statement [Table] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementTable
164 us-gaap: Statement [Line Items] xbrli:stringItemType duration us-gaap:StatementLineItems
165 axp: Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period, cash of discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:CashBalanceOfDiscontinuedOperations
166 axp: Cash and cash equivalents at end of period, cash of discontinued operations xbrli:monetaryItemType instant debit axp:CashBalanceOfDiscontinuedOperations
* Network: (106 - Disclosure - 1. Basis of Presentation)
167 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
168 us-gaap: 1. Basis of Presentation us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (107 - Disclosure - 2. Discontinued Operations)
169 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
170 us-gaap: 2. Discontinued Operations us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (108 - Disclosure - 3. Accounts Receivable)
171 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
172 us-gaap: 3. Accounts Receivable us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTextBlock
* Network: (109 - Disclosure - 4. Loans)
173 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
174 us-gaap: 4. Loans us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:LoansNotesTradeAndOtherReceivablesDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (110 - Disclosure - 5. Investment Securities)
175 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
176 us-gaap: 5. Investment Securities us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:AvailableForSaleSecuritiesTextBlock
* Network: (111 - Disclosure - 6. Fair Values of Financial Instruments)
177 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
178 us-gaap: 6. Fair Values of Financial Instruments us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:FairValueDisclosuresTextBlock
* Network: (112 - Disclosure - 7. Asset Securitizations)
179 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
180 axp: 7. Asset Securitizations us-types:textBlockItemType duration axp:AssetSecuritizationTextBlock
* Network: (113 - Disclosure - 8. Comprehensive Income)
181 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
182 us-gaap: 8. Comprehensive Income us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:ComprehensiveIncomeNoteTextBlock
* Network: (114 - Disclosure - 9. Customer Deposits)
183 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
184 us-gaap: 9. Customer Deposits us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:DepositLiabilitiesDisclosuresTextBlock
* Network: (115 - Disclosure - 10. Income Taxes)
185 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
186 us-gaap: 10. Income Taxes us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (116 - Disclosure - 11. Preferred Shares and Warrants)
187 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
188 us-gaap: 11. Preferred Shares and Warrants us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:ScheduleOfStockByClassTextBlock
* Network: (117 - Disclosure - 12. Earnings Per Common Share (EPS))
189 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
190 us-gaap: 12. Earnings Per Common Share (EPS) us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:EarningsPerShareTextBlock
* Network: (118 - Disclosure - 13. Details of Certain Consolidated Statements of Income Lines)
191 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
192 axp: 13. Details of Certain Consolidated Statements of Income Lines us-types:textBlockItemType duration axp:AdditionalFinancialInformationDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (119 - Disclosure - 14. Reportable Operating Segment Information)
193 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
194 us-gaap: 14. Reportable Operating Segment Information us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (120 - Disclosure - 15. Derivatives and Hedging Activities)
195 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
196 us-gaap: 15. Derivatives and Hedging Activities us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (121 - Disclosure - 16. Guarantees)
197 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
198 us-gaap: 16. Guarantees us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTextBlock
* Network: (122 - Disclosure - 17. Restructuring Charges)
199 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
200 us-gaap: 17. Restructuring Charges us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:RestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (123 - Disclosure - 18. Contingencies)
201 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
202 us-gaap: 18. Contingencies us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock
* Network: (124 - Disclosure - 19. Subsequent Events)
203 axp: Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] xbrli:stringItemType duration axp:NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
204 us-gaap: 19. Subsequent Events us-types:textBlockItemType duration us-gaap:ScheduleOfSubsequentEventsTextBlock
* Network: (125 - Disclosure - Document Information)
205 dei: Document Information [Text Block] us-types:textBlockItemType duration dei:DocumentInformationTextBlock
206 dei: Document Type us-types:SECReportItemType duration dei:DocumentType
207 dei: Amendment Flag xbrli:booleanItemType duration dei:AmendmentFlag
208 dei: Document Period End Date xbrli:dateItemType duration dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate
* Network: (126 - Disclosure - Entity Information)
209 dei: Entity [Text Block] us-types:textBlockItemType duration dei:EntityTextBlock
210 dei: Trading Symbol xbrli:normalizedStringItemType duration dei:TradingSymbol
211 dei: Entity Registrant Name xbrli:normalizedStringItemType duration dei:EntityRegistrantName
212 dei: Entity Central Index Key us-types:centralIndexKeyItemType duration dei:EntityCentralIndexKey
213 dei: Current Fiscal Year End Date xbrli:gMonthDayItemType duration dei:CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
214 dei: Entity Filer Category us-types:filerCategoryItemType duration dei:EntityFilerCategory
215 dei: Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding xbrli:sharesItemType instant dei:EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding