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Regulatory Matters and Capital Adequacy (Details) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
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Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy |  |
Common Equity Tier 1 required, Minimum capital ratio | 0.045 |
Risk-based capital required, Minimum capital ratios | 0.060 |
Minimum capital ratios | 0.080 |
Leverage capital required, Minimum capital ratios | 0.040 |
Parent Company [Member] | American Express Company [Member] |  |
Regulatory capital ratios |  |
CET1 capital | $ 18,693 | $ 18,056
Tier 1 capital | 20,277 | 19,628
Total capital | $ 22,385 | $ 22,213
CET1 capital ratio | 0.135 | 0.107
Tier 1 capital ratio | 0.147 | 0.116
Total capital ratio | 0.162 | 0.132
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 0.110 | 0.102
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy |  |
Common Equity Tier 1 Required, Basel III Standards 2020 | 0.070 |
Risk-based capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 0.060 |
Tier 1 capital ratio, effective minimum | 0.085 |
Well-capitalized ratios | 0.100 |
Basel III Standards 2020 | 0.105 |
Leverage Capital Required, Basel III Standards 2020 | 0.040 |
Subsidiaries [Member] | American Express National Bank [Member] |  |
Regulatory capital ratios |  |
CET1 capital | $ 14,617 | $ 13,600
Tier 1 capital | 14,617 | 13,600
Total capital | $ 16,578 | $ 15,688
CET1 capital ratio | 0.162 | 0.134
Tier 1 capital ratio | 0.162 | 0.134
Total capital ratio | 0.183 | 0.154
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 0.109 | 0.111
Regulatory Matters And Capital Adequacy |  |
Common Equity Tier 1 required, Well-capitalized ratios | 0.065 |
Common Equity Tier 1 Required, Basel III Standards 2020 | 0.070 |
Risk-based capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 0.080 |
Tier 1 capital ratio, effective minimum | 0.085 |
Well-capitalized ratios | 0.100 |
Basel III Standards 2020 | 0.105 |
Leverage capital required, Well-capitalized ratios | 0.050 |
Leverage Capital Required, Basel III Standards 2020 | 0.040 |

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- Definition Common equity tier 1 capital as defined in the regulations + References No definition available. + Details
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