UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 18, 2005
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 1-7657 13-4922250
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or Identification No.)
organization)
200 Vesey Street, World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000
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None
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
---- (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
---- (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
---- Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
---- Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events.
As previously disclosed in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 1,
2005, American Express Company (the "Company") is pursuing a spin-off of its
American Express Financial Advisors unit, which includes American Express
Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries ("AEFC"). In view of the spin-off, on
February 18, 2005, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
engaged Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") to be the independent registered public
accountants of AEFC for the year ended December 31, 2005. PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP continues as the independent registered public accountants for the
consolidated financial statements of the Company for the 2005 fiscal year.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
(REGISTRANT)
By: /s/ Stephen P. Norman
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Name: Stephen P. Norman
Title: Secretary
DATE: February 24, 2005