TRS International Consumer Card

Our international consumer business gained significant momentum over the past year. We believe we increased share, growing the amount of business billed on American Express Cards, while also growing the total number of cards in force. We continued to create new alliances, launching cobranded cards and signing additional arrangements with banks and other qualified institutions to issue cards on the American Express network.

During 2000, we believe our competitive position improved in many of the major international markets that are strategically important to us. We launched proprietary charge and credit products in 15 international markets, 25 affinity card products and seven new distribution agreements. The more partnerships we establish, the more inquiries we receive from potential partners who want to do business with us in a similar manner.

New products we launched in international markets during 2000 include the Blue credit card from American Express in Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Sweden; a cobrand product with Singapore Airlines in Asia; two Costco cobrand cards in Canada; and a revitalized Personal Card in the United Kingdom. More customers moved to our Platinum Card and CenturionSM Card products during the year, reflecting the trend toward the "premiumization" of our customer base. And while it did not impact our 2000 results, signing a cobrand card agreement with British Airways during the year was a great way to begin 2001 when the product launched in the United Kingdom in January.

Internationally, the total number of cards in force rose from 16.1 million at year-end 1999 to 18.4 million at year-end 2000, an increase of 14 percent. Billed business for International rose from $67.7 billion at year-end 1999 to $75 billion at year-end 2000, an increase of 11 percent. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange translation, total billed business outside the United States rose approximately 17 percent, reflecting double-digit increases in all regions. Loans receivable grew by 41 percent during the year for International - albeit from a small base. Finance charge revenue also grew more than 30 percent.

Worldwide Annual Spending Per Card

Average annual spending on American Express Cards is nearly four times that of Visa or MasterCard products. The continuing expansion of the American Express merchant network and the popularity of the Membership Rewards program helped increase spending on American Express Cards in 2000.

©Copyright 2000 American Express Company. All Rights Reserved. Users of this site agree to be bound by the terms of the American Express Web Site Rules and Regulations. View Web Site Rules and Regulations and trademarks and Privacy Statement of American Express.