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Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2009
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |
Preferred shares | $ 20
Preferred share dividends and related accretion | (94)
Earnings allocated to participating share awards and other items. | (22)
Repurchase of American Express Series A preferred shares | (3,389)
Accelerated Accretion Expense [Member] |
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items] |
Preferred shares | $ 212

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- Definition Equity impact of aggregate cash, stock, and paid-in-kind dividends declared for preferred shareholders during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 405 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957935&loc=d3e64057-112817 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 01-6 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph l -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
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