XML 83 R59.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Significant Credit Concentrations (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016
Table Text Block [Abstract] |
Maximum credit exposure by category | The following table details the Company’s maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with der ivative financial instruments, as of December 31:
(Billions) |  | 2016 |  | 2015
On-balance sheet: |  |  |  |  |  |
Individuals(a) |  | $ | 98 |  | $ | 104
Financial institutions(b) |  |  | 28 |  |  | 25
U.S. Government and agencies(c) |  |  | 3 |  |  | 4
All other(d) |  |  | 18 |  |  | 17
Total on-balance sheet(e) |  |  | 147 |  |  | 150
Unused lines-of-credit(f) (g) |  | $ | 242 |  | $ | 297
Individuals primarily include Card Member loa ns and receivables, including the HFS portfolios for 2015. 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 disti nctions between 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 approximate credit line available on lending products. Primarily relates to established lending product agreements with individuals.
Card Member loans and receivables exposure | The following table details the Company’s Card Member loans and receivables exposure (including unused line s-of-credit) in the Un ited States and outside the United States as of December 31:
(Billions) |  | 2016 |  | 2015
On-balance sheet: |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S.(a) |  | $ | 93 |  | $ | 99
Non-U.S. |  |  | 20 |  |  | 19
On-balance sheet(b)(c) |  |  | 113 |  |  | 118
Unused lines-of-credit:(d) |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S.(a) |  |  | 203 |  |  | 259
Non-U.S. |  |  | 39 |  |  | 38
Total unused lines-of-credit |  | $ | 242 |  | $ | 297
Includes on-balance sheet Card Member loans and receivables HFS and unused lines-of-credit for Card Member loans HFS, for December 31, 201 5. 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-balance sheet exposure includes cash, investmen ts, other loans, other receivables and other assets including derivative financial instruments. These balances are primarily within the United States. Primarily relates to established lending product agreements with individuals.

X
- Definition Represents table detailing the Company's Card Member loans and receivables exposure (including unused lines-of-credit on cardmember loans) in the United States and outside the United States. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskCardMemberLoansAndReceivablesByRegionTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents table detailing the Company's maximum credit exposure by category, including the credit exposure associated with derivative financial instruments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axp_ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | axp_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration