UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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 17, 2005
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
New York
---------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-7657 13-4922250
----------------------- ---------------------------------
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
200 Vesey Street, World Financial Center,
New York, New York 10285
------------------------------------------ ----------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 640-2000
----------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
None
-------------------------------------------------------------
(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
On February 17, 2005, the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation
filed a petition against American Express Financial Advisors ("AEFA"). The
petition alleges that AEFA violated New Hampshire and federal securities
laws by failing to disclose revenue sharing and directed brokerage payments
received from non-proprietary mutual funds for agreeing to make their products
available through AEFA's national distribution network. The petition also
alleges that AEFA failed to disclose incentives for advisors to sell
proprietary products and other alleged conflicts of interest. The petition
seeks, among other things, an order to show cause why AEFA's broker-dealer
license should not be denied, suspended or revoked, a proposed fine and
restitution of financial planning fees during the relevant period (principally
1999 to 2003) in the amount of $17.5 million, and disgorgement of revenue
sharing and directed brokerage payments and other relief. AEFA intends to
cooperate fully in this matter.
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
---------------------
Name: Stephen P. Norman
Title: Secretary
DATE: February 18, 2005