American Express is a global financial company that specializes in payment cards for consumers and businesses, as well as travel services. The company's green charge card has the distinction of being the world's first charge card to be made out of plastic, replacing the paper cards that were in use prior to its 1959 introduction. The company was founded as a freight forwarding company in 1850. American Express Travelers Cheques, introduced in 1891, made it possible for people to obtain cash in foreign countries, changing the nature of travel and the company's profile. Over its history, American Express has owned railways, cable television, and investment banking. The company is currently organized in four business segments: U.S. consumer services, international card services, commercial services, and global merchant and networking services.
Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance 2024
Employees say:
"Amex consistently looks out for their employees, their customers, and their business. During the pandemic, they found a unique way to still be able to keep each and every employee still employed. They take care of us, they care about us as people, and they give us the opportunity not only to advance our careers, but also to still maintain our lives outside of work. Amex is hands-down the best company I've ever worked for, and I won't be leaving anytime soon."
"I think Amex's flexible working policy is unique and really contributes to my overall sense of well-being and belongingness to the company. I can work in the office, work from home, work my own hours (within reason), as long as the work I produce is of high-quality and consistent. This makes me feel in charge of myself and my career and therefore makes me work harder and take a greater pride in the work I produce. Out of everywhere that I have worked, Amex is by far the most trusting of its employees and gives us the most space and responsibility to grow and deliver. It is called Amex Flex, and it is one of my favorite things about working here."
"Terrific management; truly care about customers and colleagues; great opportunities to do different jobs that allow for a great deal of professional and career growth. A wonderful culture that is very collegial and built on connecting with others."
American Express has built its success as a globally integrated payments company through its connected workplace, the core of which consists of informal “coffee chats” that bolster employee collaboration, increase their visibility, and provide feedback to supervisors. This transparency and consistent employee input has proved vital in sustaining the Amex Flex hybrid and remote work system. Doubling its amount of free annual counseling sessions, Amex continues to expand its mental health services and also provides employee dependent care, eldercare, and support for parents of children with disabilities. Amex has maintained 100% pay equity for four years running and has exceeded its initial goal of providing, by 2024, capital and financial education to over 250,000 businesses run by underrepresented owners. Beyond sustaining connection and support within the company, Amex has pledged more than $30 million through 2024 as part of its Backing Small initiative to support economically vulnerable small business owners through grant programs, mentoring support, and technical assistance.
Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For 2023 For the third year in a row, American Express achieved 100% pay equity across gender globally, and across race in the U.S., unfortunately still a rarity for many firms. It also increased the number of employees who are eligible for company stock options; expanded mental health benefits; and began subsidizing virtual tutoring for workers’ children who need the extra help. Beyond those benefits, Amex continues to take the lead among its financial-firm peers in scheduling flexibility, allowing employees not required to be on-site full-time to “Work From Anywhere” up to 30 days a year. Some 80% of employees can work remotely day-to-day, while 99% of the workforce is eligible for hybrid work. Unlike other companies, Amex has proved its commitment to diversity and inclusion is more than just a talking point: The company is expanding its $1 billion investment in diverse suppliers and other such initiatives to $4 billion by the end of 2025.
35 Best Large Workplaces in New York 2023 Employees say:
"I think we have great people that are talented, driven, highly competent, and truly care for our customers and each other. We have a healthy paid time off allocation each year that really enables work-life balance and mental health. We have very clear objectives and we all know how we contribute against those, giving us a sense of pride and commitment to keep going and driving results every day."
Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance 2023 Employees say:
"I love American Express. I believe that our company has one of the best brands in the world. We harvest a cohesive culture that embraces everything from change management to supporting one with personal growth and diversity. It makes me smile knowing and seeing pictures of employees who give back to our communities."
100 Best Large Workplaces for Women 2023 Employees say:
"The parental leave program for birthing AND non birthing parents is outstanding, and very generous. I am also eternally grateful for the childcare options we provide—as a parent, these benefits are indescribably valuable to me, along with the flexibility that hybrid work provides."
100 Best Large Workplaces for Millennials 2023 Employees say:
"American Express has amazing ethical and social stances and responsibilities and seems to always do the right thing. It's rare to have a CEO that has such ethical and humane beliefs that they stand by publicly. Benefits are good, including covering the majority of medications people need."
Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For 2022 American Express celebrates its 22nd year on the list, thanks in part to its flexible work policies, generous benefits, and a $1 billion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. Between late October 2020 and mid-2021, the company spent over $450 million on contracts with diverse suppliers, providing financial assistance and resources to minority-owned businesses, and improving pay equity internally, among other actions outlined in its first-ever DEI report. An outlier among the major financial firms, the company has also taken its workers’ calls for greater flexibility to heart. Employees haven’t been required to return to the office full-time; instead, more than 40% of staffers say they plan to stay remote, and the company is updating its offices and technology to make hybrid work easier for the rest, who will be required to come in two days a week at most.
35 Best Large Workplaces in New York 2022 Employees say:
“I love the focus on development and inclusion. For such a large company, there is a sense of belonging and community that makes it feel like leadership truly cares about the employees.”
Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance 2022 Employees say:
“American Express goes out of its way to make a safe work environment where anyone can succeed. We have one of the most diverse teams of any company I have worked for and diversity is built in to the culture, not just a talking point. American Express does a great job with work/life balance and growth opportunities both in education and promotion. The flexibility and generosity of the PTO program is excellent. Our 5+ program for training is outstanding.”
100 Best Large Workplaces for Women 2022 Employees say:
“Inclusion for everyone and the opportunity especially for women who are on their own financially makes this a great place to work. I feel I have had so many opportunities to thrive and strive toward my personal and professional goals.”