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Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy [Abstract] |  |
Well-capitalized ratios | 10.00% |
Minimum capital ratios | 8.00% |
Leverage capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 5.00% |
Leverage capital required, Minimum capital ratios | 4.00% |
Risk-based capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 8.00% |
Risk-based capital required, Minimum capital ratios | 6.00% |
Common Equity Tier 1 required, Minimum capital ratio | 4.50% |
Common Equity Tier 1 required, Well-capitalized ratios | 6.50% |
Parent Company [Member] |  |
Regulatory capital ratios |  |
Tier 1 capital | $ 18,265 | $ 18,176
Total capital | $ 20,551 | $ 20,801
Tier 1 capital ratio | 13.51% | 13.60%
Total capital ratio | 15.20% | 15.60%
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 11.68% | 11.80%
CET1 capital | $ 16,747 | $ 17,525
CET1 capital ratio | 12.40% | 13.10%
American Express Centurion Bank [Member] |  |
Regulatory capital ratios |  |
Tier 1 capital | $ 6,013 | $ 6,174
Total capital | $ 6,460 | $ 6,584
Tier 1 capital ratio | 16.90% | 18.80%
Total capital ratio | 18.20% | 20.10%
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 17.70% | 18.70%
CET1 capital | $ 6,013 | $ 6,174
CET1 capital ratio | 16.90% | 18.80%
American Express Bank, FSB [Member] |  |
Regulatory capital ratios |  |
Tier 1 capital | $ 6,927 | $ 6,722
Total capital | $ 7,601 | $ 7,604
Tier 1 capital ratio | 13.70% | 14.20%
Total capital ratio | 15.10% | 16.00%
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 13.20% | 15.10%
CET1 capital | $ 6,927 | $ 6,722
CET1 capital ratio | 13.70% | 14.20%

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- Definition The amount of total capital as defined in the regulations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 948 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47304-110998 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1H -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=d3e65071-112826 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1H -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=d3e65071-112826 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 948 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490092&loc=d3e47080-110998 + Details
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- Definition The minimum Total risk based capital ratio (total capital divided by risk weighted assets) required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=SL5958568-112826 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1H -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=d3e65071-112826 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=SL5958570-112826 + Details
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- Definition The minimum amount of Tier 1 Leverage Capital for capital adequacy purposes divided by average assets as defined in the regulations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=SL5958568-112826 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1H -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=d3e65071-112826 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=SL5958570-112826 + Details
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