Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The Company

American Express Credit Corporation (Credco) is a wholly owned subsidiary of TRS, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express).

Credco is engaged in the business of financing certain non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of the American Express charge cards issued in the United States and in certain countries outside the United States. Credco also finances certain interest-earning revolving loans generated by Card Member spending on American Express credit cards issued in non-U.S. markets.

Credco executes material transactions with its affiliates. The agreements between Credco and its affiliates provide that the parties intend that the transactions thereunder be conducted on an arm’s-length basis and the price at which receivables are sold to Credco be at fair value.

Each monthly period, the discount rates on the purchase of receivables Credco makes from, and interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries are determined to ensure that these transactions occur on an arm’s-length basis. The revenue earned by Credco from purchasing Card Member receivables and Card Member loans at a discount is reported as Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and Card Member loans on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. If not materially different, certain note disclosures included therein have been omitted from these Consolidated Financial Statements.

The interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report have not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim Consolidated Financial Statements, have been made. Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These accounting estimates reflect the best judgment of management, but actual results could differ.

Other Information

As of September 30, 2021, Credco maintained a $3.5 billion syndicated credit facility, with any undrawn portion serving as a backstop for Credco’s commercial paper issuance. To simplify American Express’ funding and reporting structure, Credco terminated its credit facility and commercial paper program on October 1, 2021 and October 5, 2021, respectively. At the time of termination, there were no outstanding balances on the Credco’s credit facility or commercial paper program.