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Significant Credit Concentrations | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Text Block Abstract |
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] | NOTE 24 Significant Credit Concentrations Concentrations of credit risk exist when changes in economic, industry or geographic factors similarly affect groups of counterparties whose aggregate credit exposure is material in relation to American Express’ total credit exposure. The Company’s customers operate in diverse industries, economic sectors and geographic regions. The following table details the Company’s maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments, as of December 31:
(Billions) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
On-balance sheet: |  |  |  |  |  |
Individuals(a) |  | $ | 104 |  | $ | 101
Financial institutions(b) |  |  | 25 |  |  | 25
U.S. Government and agencies(c) |  |  | 4 |  |  | 4
All other(d) |  |  | 17 |  |  | 17
Total on-balance sheet(e) |  |  | 150 |  |  | 147
Unused lines-of-credit ― individuals(f) |  | $ | 297 |  | $ | 278
Individuals primarily include Card Member receivables and loans, including the HFS portfolios. Financial institutions primarily include debt obligations of banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and savings and loan associations. U.S. Government and agencies represent debt obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, states and municipalities and government-sponsored entities. All other primarily includes Card Member receivables from other corporate institutions. Certain distinctions betwee n categories require management judgment. Because charge card products generally have no preset spending limit, the associated credit limit on charge products is not quantifiable. Therefore, the quantified unused line-of-credit amounts only include the ap proximate credit line available on lending products. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s most significant concentration of credit risk was with individuals, including Card Member receivables and loans. These amounts are generally advanc ed on an unsecured basis. However, the Company reviews each potential customer’s credit application and evaluates the applicant’s financial history and ability and willingness to repay. The Company also considers credit performance by customer tenure, indu stry and geographic location in managing credit exposure. The following table details the Company’s Card Member loans and receivables exposure (including unused lines-of-credit on Card Member loans) in the United States and outside the United States as of December 31:
(Billions) |  | 2015 |  | 2014
On-balance sheet: |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S.(a) |  | $ | 99 |  | $ | 94
Non-U.S. |  |  | 19 |  |  | 21
On-balance sheet(b)(c) |  |  | 118 |  |  | 115
Unused lines-of-credit ― individuals: |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S.(a) |  |  | 259 |  |  | 234
Non-U.S. |  |  | 38 |  |  | 44
Total unused lines-of-credit ― individuals |  | $ | 297 |  | $ | 278
Includes on-balance sheet Card Member loans and receivables HFS and unused lines-of-credit for Card Member loans HFS, as of December 31, 2015. Represents Card Member loans to individuals as well as receivables from individuals and corporate institutions as discussed in footnotes (a) and (d) from the previous table. The remainder of the Company’s on-bala nce sheet exposure includes cash, investmen ts, other loans, oth er receivables and other assets including der ivative financial instruments. These balances are primarily within the U nited S tates.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for any concentrations existing at the date of the financial statements that make an entity vulnerable to a reasonably possible, near-term, severe impact. This disclosure informs financial statement users about the general nature of the risk associated with the concentration, and may indicate the percentage of concentration risk as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51801978&loc=d3e6327-108592 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49121117&loc=d3e13531-108611 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51801978&loc=d3e6404-108592 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51801978&loc=d3e6442-108592 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 18 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51801978&loc=d3e6351-108592 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49121117&loc=d3e13537-108611 + Details
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