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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2017
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from ____ to ____
Commission file No. 1-6908
AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
11-1988350
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
   
     
200 Vesey Street, New York, New York
 
10285
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 640-2000
   
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
THE REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND HAS THEREFORE OMITTED CERTAIN ITEMS FROM THIS REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PERMITTED UNDER GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(2).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
 Smaller reporting company
   Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at August 4, 2017
Common Stock (par value $0.10 per share)
 
1,504,938 Shares
 

Table of Contents
AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
             
Part I.
 
Page No.
             
   
Item 1.
   
             
       
1
             
       
2
             
       
3
             
       
4
             
       
5
             
   
Item 2.
 
17
             
   
Item 4.
 
24
             
Part II.
       
             
   
Item 1A.
 
26
             
   
Item 5.
 
26
             
   
Item 6.
 
26
             
         
27
             
         
E-1
             

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
AND RETAINED EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
                       
Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans
 
$
174
   
$
113
   
$
359
   
$
233
 
Interest income from affiliates and other
   
68
     
56
     
123
     
107
 
Finance revenue
   
11
     
10
     
23
     
19
 
Total revenues
   
253
     
179
     
505
     
359
 
Expenses
                               
Provisions for losses
   
54
     
32
     
116
     
68
 
Interest expense
   
123
     
82
     
220
     
159
 
Interest expense to affiliates
   
13
     
6
     
22
     
11
 
Other, net
   
11
     
(6
)
   
29
     
(1
)
Total expenses
   
201
     
114
     
387
     
237
 
Pretax income
   
52
     
65
     
118
     
122
 
Income tax (benefit) provision
   
(5
)
   
8
     
2
     
14
 
Net income
   
57
     
57
     
116
     
108
 
Retained earnings at beginning of period
   
3,370
     
3,165
     
3,311
     
3,114
 
Retained earnings at end of period
 
$
3,427
   
$
3,222
   
$
3,427
   
$
3,222
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

1

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

     
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Net income
 
$
57
   
$
57
   
$
116
   
$
108
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
   
14
     
(85
)
   
322
     
(32
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   
14
     
(85
)
   
322
     
(32
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
71
   
$
(28
)
 
$
438
   
$
76
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
(Millions, except share data)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,313
   
$
1,211
 
Card Member receivables, less reserves: 2017, $146; 2016, $110
   
21,730
     
18,108
 
Card Member loans, less reserves: 2017, $5; 2016, $5
   
466
     
471
 
Loans to affiliates and other
   
10,033
     
10,659
 
Due from affiliates
   
1,572
     
997
 
Other assets
   
247
     
490
 
Total assets
 
$
35,361
   
$
31,936
 
Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity
               
Liabilities
               
Short-term debt
 
$
998
   
$
2,993
 
Short-term debt to affiliates
   
4,970
     
4,559
 
Long-term debt
   
25,171
     
20,512
 
Total debt
   
31,139
     
28,064
 
Due to affiliates
   
1,290
     
1,517
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
285
     
146
 
Total liabilities
 
$
32,714
   
$
29,727
 
Shareholder’s Equity
               
Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 3 million shares; issued and outstanding 1.5 million shares
   
     
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
161
     
161
 
Retained earnings
   
3,427
     
3,311
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
               
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of: 2017, $(16); 2016, $329
   
(941
)
   
(1,263
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(941
)
   
(1,263
)
Total shareholder’s equity
   
2,647
     
2,209
 
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity
 
$
35,361
   
$
31,936
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
           
Net income
 
$
116
   
$
108
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provisions for losses
   
116
     
68
 
Amortization of underwriting expense
   
13
     
11
 
Deferred taxes
   
(51
)
   
4
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Interest, taxes and other amounts due from/to affiliates
   
256
     
23
 
Other operating assets and liabilities
   
12
     
315
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
462
     
529
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
               
Net (increase) decrease in Card Member receivables and loans, including held for sale (a)
   
(3,529
)
   
1,048
 
Net decrease in loans to affiliates and other
   
968
     
1,508
 
Net increase in due from/to affiliates
   
(756
)
   
(1,313
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
   
(3,317
)
   
1,243
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
               
Net decrease in short-term debt
   
(1,995
)
   
(1,989
)
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt to affiliates
   
380
     
(1,007
)
Issuance of long-term debt
   
8,443
     
1,743
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
   
(3,900
)
   
(460
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
2,928
     
(1,713
)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
29
     
2
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
102
     
61
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
1,211
     
173
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
1,313
   
$
234
 
(a)  Refer to Note 1 for additional information.
               

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
1.   Basis of Presentation
The Company
American Express Credit Corporation (Credco), together with its subsidiaries, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express).
Credco is engaged in the business of financing non-interest-earning Card Member receivables arising from the use of 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, although interest-earning revolving loans are primarily funded by subsidiaries of TRS other than Credco.
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; however, there can be no assurance that the terms of these arrangements are the same as would be negotiated between independent, unrelated parties.
American Express provides Credco with financial support with respect to maintenance of its minimum overall 1.25 fixed charge coverage ratio, which is achieved by charging appropriate discount rates on the purchases of receivables Credco makes from, and the interest rates on the loans Credco provides to, TRS and other American Express subsidiaries. Each monthly period, the discount and interest rates are determined to generate income for Credco that is sufficient to maintain its minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The revenue earned by Credco from purchasing Card Member receivables and loans at a discount is reported as discount revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings.
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, 2016 (Form 10-K). If not materially different, certain footnote disclosures included therein have been omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The interim consolidated financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim period consolidated financial information, 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.
 

5

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The accounting standard establishes the principles to apply to determine the amount and timing of revenue recognition, specifying the accounting for certain costs related to revenue, and requiring additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and related cash flows. The guidance, as amended, supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements, and is effective January 1, 2018.
Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance, Credco anticipates using the full retrospective method, which applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented. Credco has been working on the implementation of the standard since its issuance in 2014 and has made significant progress in evaluating the potential impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. Credco does not expect a significant impact to pretax income upon adoption.
In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The guidance, which is effective January 1, 2018, makes targeted changes to current GAAP, specifically to the classification and measurement of equity securities, and to certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. Credco continues to evaluate the impact this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the impact the standard may have on its accounting policies, business processes, systems and internal controls.
In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for recognition of credit losses on financial instruments, which is effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The guidance introduces a new credit reserving model known as the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) model, which is based on expected losses, and differs significantly from the incurred loss approach used today. The CECL model requires measurement of expected credit losses not only based on historical experience and current conditions, but also by including reasonable and supportable forecasts incorporating forward-looking information. The guidance requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the reporting period of adoption. Credco does not intend to adopt the new standard early and is currently evaluating the impact the new guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows; however, it is expected that the CECL model will alter the assumptions used in estimating credit losses on Card Member receivables and loans, among other financial instruments, and may result in material increases to Credco’s credit reserves as the new guidance involves earlier recognition of expected losses for the life of the assets. American Express has established an enterprise-wide, cross-discipline governance structure to implement the new standard. American Express is currently identifying key interpretive issues, and is evaluating existing credit loss forecasting models and processes in relation to the new guidance to determine what modifications may be required.

Other Information
During the fourth quarter of 2015, American Express determined it would sell Card Member loans and receivables related to certain of its cobrand partnerships. As a result of the determination, Credco classified Card Member receivables related to the Costco portfolio purchased from American Express Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII) in the form of participation interest as Card Member receivables held for sale (HFS) on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016.
During the second quarter of 2016, American Express completed the sales of substantially all of its outstanding Card Member loans and receivables HFS, and consequently Credco also sold back all of its participation interests in Card Member receivables HFS to RFC VIII.

6

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
2.   Card Member Receivables and Loans
American Express’ charge and credit card products result in the generation of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans, respectively.
The net volume of Card Member receivables purchased during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $124 billion and $109 billion, respectively. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Credco Receivables Corporation (CRC) owned approximately $6.5 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, of participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased without recourse from RFC VIII.
Card Member receivables as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of:
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
U.S. Consumer Services
 
$
5,601
   
$
3,518
 
International Consumer and Network Services (a)
   
1,579
     
1,526
 
Global Commercial Services (b)
   
14,696
     
13,174
 
Card Member receivables (c)
   
21,876
     
18,218
 
Less: Reserve for losses
   
146
     
110
 
Card Member receivables, net (d)
 
$
21,730
   
$
18,108
 
(a)
Comprised of International consumer card business.
(b)
Comprised of Corporate and Small Business Services.
(c)
Net of deferred discount revenue totaling $43 million and $27 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(d)
Card Member receivables modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) program were immaterial.

The net volume of Card Member loans purchased during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $2.1 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.
Card Member loans as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of:
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
International Consumer and Network Services (a)
 
$
471
   
$
476
 
Less: Reserve for losses
   
5
     
5
 
Card Member loans, net (b)
 
$
466
   
$
471
 
(a)
Comprised of International consumer card business.
(b)
Card Member loans modified in a TDR program were immaterial.
7

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Card Member Receivables and Loans Aging
Generally, a Card Member account is considered past due if payment is not received within 30 days after the billing statement date. The following table presents the aging of Card Member receivables and Card Member loans as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
           
30-59
     
60-89
             
         
Days
   
Days
   
90+ Days
       
2017 (Millions)
 
Current
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Total
 
Card Member Receivables:
                                 
U.S. Consumer Services
 
$
5,561
   
$
15
   
$
7
   
$
18
   
$
5,601
 
International Consumer and Network Services
   
1,560
     
7
     
4
     
8
     
1,579
 
Global Commercial Services
                                       
Global Small Business Services
   
1,615
     
7
     
3
     
8
     
1,633
 
Global Corporate Payments (a)
 
(b)
   
(b)
   
(b)
     
110
     
13,063
 
Card Member Loans:
                                       
International Consumer and Network Services
 
$
467
   
$
1
   
$
1
   
$
2
   
$
471
 
                                         
             
30-59
     
60-89
                 
           
Days
   
Days
   
90+ Days
         
2016 (Millions)
 
Current
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Total
 
Card Member Receivables:
                                       
U.S. Consumer Services
 
$
3,501
   
$
9
   
$
3
   
$
5
   
$
3,518
 
International Consumer and Network Services
   
1,506
     
6
     
4
     
10
     
1,526
 
Global Commercial Services
                                       
Global Small Business Services
   
1,202
     
9
     
2
     
5
     
1,218
 
Global Corporate Payments (a)
 
(b)
   
(b)
   
(b)
     
108
     
11,956
 
Card Member Loans:
                                       
International Consumer and Network Services
 
$
472
   
$
1
   
$
1
   
$
2
   
$
476
 
(a)
For Global Corporate Payments Card Member receivables in Global Commercial Services, delinquency data is tracked based on days past billing status rather than days past due. A Card Member account is considered 90 days past billing if payment has not been received within 90 days of the Card Member’s billing statement date. In addition, if collection procedures are initiated on an account prior to the account becoming 90 days past billing, the associated Card Member receivable balance is classified as 90 days past billing. These amounts are shown above as 90+ Days Past Due for presentation purposes. See also (b).
(b)
Delinquency data for periods other than 90 days past billing is not available due to system constraints. Therefore, such data has not been utilized for risk management purposes. The balances that are current to 89 days past due can be derived as the difference between the Total and the 90+ Days Past Due balances.
8

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Credit Quality Indicators for Card Member Receivables and Loans
The following tables present the key credit quality indicators as of or for the six months ended June 30:
 
2017
   
2016
 
       
30+ Days
         
30+ Days
 
 
Net
   
Past Due
   
Net
   
Past Due
 
 
Write-off
   
as a % of
   
Write-off
   
as a % of
 
 
Rate
 (a)  
Total
   
Rate
 (a)  
Total
 
Card Member Receivables:
                     
U.S. Consumer Services
0.67
 %  
0.71
%
   
0.67
 %    
0.58
%
International Consumer and Network Services
1.55
 %  
1.20
%
   
2.13
 %    
1.39
%
Global Small Business Services
1.03
 %  
1.10
%
   
1.18
 %    
0.82
%
Card Member Loans:
                         
International Consumer and Network Services
1.28
 %  
0.85
%
   
1.40
 %    
0.70
%
 
2017
   
2016
 
   
Net Loss
   
90+ Days
     
Net Loss
   
90+ Days
 
 
Ratio as a
   
Past Billing
   
Ratio as a
   
Past Billing
 
 
% of
   
as a % of
   
% of
   
as a % of
 
 
Charge Volume
 (b)  
Receivables
   
Charge Volume
 (b)  
Receivables
 
Card Member Receivables:
                     
Global Corporate Payments
0.08
 %  
0.84
%
   
0.06
 %    
0.72
%
(a)
Represents the amount of Card Member receivables or Card Member loans owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the average Card Member receivables or Card Member loans balances in each of the periods indicated.
(b)
Represents the amount of Card Member receivables owned by Credco that are written off, net of recoveries, expressed as a percentage of the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco in each of the periods indicated.


9

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
3.   Reserves for Losses
Reserves for losses relating to Card Member receivables and loans represent management’s best estimate of the probable inherent losses in Credco’s outstanding portfolio of receivables and loans, as of the balance sheet date. Management’s evaluation process requires certain estimates and judgments.

Changes in Card Member Receivables Reserve for Losses
The following table presents changes in the Card Member receivables reserve for losses for the six months ended June 30:
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Balance, January 1
 
$
110
   
$
114
 
Provisions
   
113
     
64
 
Other credits (a)
   
33
     
6
 
Net write-offs (b)
   
(94
)
   
(75
)
Other debits (c)
   
(16
)
   
(10
)
Balance, June 30
 
$
146
   
$
99
 
(a)
Primarily reserve balances related to participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased from affiliates. Participation interests in Card Member receivables purchased totaled $6.0 billion and $1.1 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(b)
Net of recoveries of $45 million and $47 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(c)
Primarily reserve balances related to participation interests in Card Member receivables sold to an affiliate. Participation interests in Card Member receivables sold totaled $2.6 billion and $2.3 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Changes in Card Member Loans Reserve for Losses
The following table presents changes in the Card Member loans reserve for losses for the six months ended June 30:
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Balance, January 1
 
$
5
   
$
4
 
Provisions
   
3
     
4
 
Net write-offs (a)
   
(3
)
   
(3
)
Balance, June 30
 
$
5
   
$
5
 
(a)
Net of recoveries of $1.0 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

10

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
4.   Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Credco uses derivative financial instruments (derivatives) to manage exposures to various market risks. These instruments derive their value from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including interest rates and foreign exchange rates, and are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These instruments enable end users to increase, reduce or alter exposure to various market risks and, for that reason, are an integral component of Credco’s market risk management. Credco does not transact in derivatives for trading purposes.
In relation to Credco’s credit risk, under the terms of the derivative agreements it has with its various counterparties, Credco is not required to either immediately settle any outstanding liability balances or post collateral upon the occurrence of a specified credit risk-related event. Based on its assessment of the credit risk of Credco’s derivative counterparties as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no credit risk adjustment to the derivative portfolio was required.
The following table summarizes the total fair value, excluding interest accruals, of derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
    
Other Assets
   
Other Liabilities
 
    
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
 
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
                       
Fair value hedges - Interest rate contracts (a)
 
$
   
$
22
   
$
   
$
69
 
Net investment hedges - Foreign exchange contracts
   
4
     
151
     
104
     
1
 
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
   
4
     
173
     
104
     
70
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                               
Foreign exchange contracts
   
32
     
128
     
36
     
28
 
Total derivatives, gross
   
36
     
301
     
140
     
98
 
Less: Cash collateral netting (b)(c)
   
     
(2
)
   
     
(49
)
          Derivative asset and derivative liability netting (d)
   
(11
)
   
(27
)
   
(11
)
   
(27
)
Total derivatives, net (e)
 
$
25
   
$
272
   
$
129
   
$
22
 
(a)
Effective January 2017, the Central Clearing Party changed the legal characterization of variation margin payments for centrally cleared derivatives to be settlement payments, as opposed to collateral. As of June 30, 2017, centrally cleared derivatives are fully collateralized.
(b)
Represents the offsetting of derivative instruments and the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) arising from derivatives executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
(c)
Credco held no non-cash collateral as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. To mitigate counterparty credit risk related to derivatives, Credco may accept non-cash collateral from its derivatives counterparties. Additionally, Credco posted $152 million and $144 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, as initial margin on its centrally cleared interest rate swaps; such amounts are recorded within Other assets on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not netted against the derivative balances.
(d)
Represents the amount of netting of derivative assets and derivative liabilities executed with the same counterparty under an enforceable master netting arrangement.
(e)
Credco has no individually significant derivative counterparties and therefore, no significant risk exposure to any single derivative counterparty. The total net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are presented within Other assets and Accrued interest and Other liabilities, respectively, on Credco’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
A majority of Credco’s derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are subject to master netting agreements with its derivative counterparties. Credco has no derivative amounts subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that are not offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fair Value Hedges
Credco is exposed to interest rate risk associated with its fixed-rate long-term debt obligations. At the time of issuance, certain fixed-rate debt obligations are designated in fair value hedging relationships using interest rate swaps to economically convert the fixed interest rate to a floating interest rate. Credco has $16.9 billion and $14.8 billion of its fixed-rate debt obligations designated in fair value hedging relationships as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
11

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table summarizes the gains (losses) recognized in Other expenses associated with Credco’s fair value hedges for the three and six months ended June 30:
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Interest rate derivative contracts
 
$
20
   
$
63
   
$
(30
)
 
$
205
 
Hedged items
   
(37
)
   
(55
)
   
(8
)
   
(201
)
Net hedge ineffectiveness
 
$
(17
)
 
$
8
   
$
(38
)
 
$
4
 

Credco also recognized a net reduction in interest expense on long-term debt of $17 million and $34 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $39 million and $68 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, primarily related to the net settlements (interest accruals) on Credco’s interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Net Investment Hedges
The effective portion of the gain or loss on net investment hedges, net of taxes, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) as part of the cumulative translation adjustment, was a loss of $40 million and a gain of $51 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and a loss of $168 million and a gain of $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with any ineffective portion recognized in Other expenses during the period. No ineffectiveness or other amounts associated with net investment hedges were reclassified from AOCI into income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are intended to offset the related foreign exchange gains or losses of the underlying foreign currency exposures. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives and the related underlying foreign currency exposures resulted in a net gain of $6 million and a net loss of $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and a net gain of $10 million and a net loss of $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are recognized in Other expenses.

5.   Fair Values
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value
The following table summarizes Credco’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by GAAP’s fair value hierarchy as Level 2, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Assets:
           
Derivatives (a)
 
$
36
   
$
301
 
Total assets
   
36
     
301
 
Liabilities:
               
Derivatives (a)
   
140
     
98
 
Total liabilities
 
$
140
   
$
98
 
(a)
Refer to Note 4 for the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, on a further disaggregated basis.
12

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Carried at Other Than Fair Value
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of Credco’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis, as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The fair values of these financial instruments are estimates based upon the market conditions and perceived risks as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and require management’s judgment. These figures may not be indicative of future fair values, nor can the fair value of Credco be estimated by aggregating the amounts presented.
    
Carrying
   
Corresponding Fair Value Amount
 
2017 (Billions)
 
Value
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Financial Assets:
                             
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value
                             
Cash and cash equivalents(a)
 
$
1.3
   
$
1.3
   
$
0.2
   
$
1.1
   
$
 
Other financial assets
   
23.4
     
23.4
     
     
23.4
     
 
Financial assets carried at other than fair value
                                       
Card Member loans, net
   
0.5
     
0.5
     
     
     
0.5
 
Loans to affiliates and other
   
10.0
     
10.0
     
     
7.1
     
2.9
 
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value
   
7.4
     
7.4
     
     
7.4
     
 
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
                                       
Long-term debt
 
$
25.2
   
$
25.4
   
$
   
$
25.4
   
$
 

    
Carrying
   
Corresponding Fair Value Amount
 
2016 (Billions)
 
Value
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Financial Assets:
                             
Financial assets for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value
                             
Cash and cash equivalents(a)
 
$
1.2
   
$
1.2
   
$
0.2
   
$
1.0
   
$
 
Other financial assets
   
19.3
     
19.3
     
     
19.3
     
 
Financial assets carried at other than fair value
                                       
Card Member loans, net
   
0.5
     
0.5
     
     
     
0.5
 
Loans to affiliates and other
   
10.7
     
10.7
     
     
7.9
     
2.8
 
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Financial liabilities for which carrying values equal or approximate fair value
   
9.1
     
9.1
     
     
9.1
     
 
Financial liabilities carried at other than fair value
                                       
Long-term debt
 
$
20.5
   
$
20.7
   
$
   
$
20.7
   
$
 
(a)
Level 1 amounts reflect interest-bearing deposits in banks and Level 2 amount reflects time deposits and short-term investments.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and during the year ended December 31, 2016, Credco did not have any assets that were measured at fair value due to impairment on a nonrecurring basis.


13

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
6.  Variable Interest Entity
Credco has established a Variable Interest Entity (VIE), American Express Canada Credit Corporation (AECCC), used primarily to lend funds to affiliates, through the issuance of notes in Canada under a medium-term note program. All notes issued under this program are fully guaranteed by Credco. Credco is considered the primary beneficiary of the entity and owns all of the outstanding voting interests and, therefore, consolidates the entity. Total assets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, the majority of which were eliminated in consolidation. Total liabilities as of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $1.7 billion. As of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $1.3 billion of liabilities were eliminated in consolidation. The assets of the VIE are not used solely to settle the obligations of the VIE. The note holders of the VIE have recourse to Credco.

14

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
7.  Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
AOCI is comprised of items that have not been recognized in earnings but may be recognized in earnings in the future when certain events occur. Changes in Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
   
Foreign
 
   
Currency
 
   
Translation
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Millions), net of tax
 
Adjustments
 
Balances as of March 31, 2017
 
$
(955
)
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations
   
54
 
Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations
   
(40
)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
14
 
Balances as of June 30, 2017
 
$
(941
)
         
   
Foreign
 
   
Currency
 
   
Translation
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Millions), net of tax
 
Adjustments
 
Balances as of December 31, 2016
 
$
(1,263
)
Net translation gain of investments in foreign operations (a)
   
490
 
Net losses related to hedges of investment in foreign operations
   
(168
)
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
322
 
Balances as of June 30, 2017
 
$
(941
)
         
(a) Includes $289 million of recognized tax benefits (Refer to Note 8).
 
         
   
Foreign
 
   
Currency
 
   
Translation
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Millions), net of tax
 
Adjustments
 
Balances as of March 31, 2016
 
$
(1,103
)
Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations
   
(136
)
Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations
   
51
 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(85
)
Balances as of June 30, 2016
 
$
(1,188
)
         
         
   
Foreign
 
   
Currency
 
   
Translation
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Millions), net of tax
 
Adjustments
 
Balances as of December 31, 2015
 
$
(1,156
)
Net translation loss of investments in foreign operations
   
(33
)
Net gains related to hedges of investment in foreign operations
   
1
 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(32
)
Balances as of June 30, 2016
 
$
(1,188
)


15

AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following table shows the tax impact for the three and six months ended June 30, for the changes in Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments presented above:
   
Tax (benefit) expense
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments (a)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
79
   
$
(345
)
 
$
49
 
Total tax impact
 
$
(27
)
 
$
79
   
$
(345
)
 
$
49
 
(a)
Includes $289 million of tax benefits recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2017 (Refer to Note 8).

No amounts were reclassified out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

8.   Income Taxes
The results of operations of Credco are included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of American Express. Under an agreement with American Express, provision for income taxes is recognized on a separate company basis. If benefits for net operating losses, future tax deductions and foreign tax credits cannot be recognized on a separate company basis, such benefits are then recognized based upon a share, derived by formula, of those deductions and credits that are recognizable on an American Express consolidated reporting basis.
The effective tax rate was (9.6) percent and 12.3 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 respectively, and 1.7 percent and 11.5 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 respectively. The changes in tax rates primarily reflected the geographic mix of expenses in the United States attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, which are indefinitely reinvested.
The tax rate in each of the periods reflects the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to Credco’s ongoing funding activities outside the United States. Credco’s provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective rate due to volatility in certain components of revenues and expenses that prevents Credco from projecting a reliable estimate of full year pretax income. A discrete calculation of the provision for income taxes is recorded for each interim period.
American Express is under continuous examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and tax authorities in other countries and states in which American Express has significant business operations. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction. In February 2017, American Express received notification that all matters outstanding with the IRS for tax years 1997-2007 were resolved. The resolution of such matters did not impact Credco’s effective tax rate. American Express is currently under examination with the IRS for tax years 2008 through 2014.
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, Credco’s unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $288 million. The decrease was primarily due to the resolution with the IRS of an uncertain tax position in January 2017, and resulted in the recognition of $289 million in shareholder’s equity, specifically within AOCI. Interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits also decreased by approximately $42 million due to the resolution of this uncertain tax position. The decrease in accrued interest had no impact on either the income tax provision or AOCI.
Credco believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by an immaterial amount within the next 12 months principally as a result of potential resolutions of prior years’ tax items with various taxing authorities. The prior years’ tax items include unrecognized tax benefits relating to the attribution of taxable income to a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions. The resolution of such items would not have a material impact on Credco’s effective tax rate.

16

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (MD&A)

Overview
American Express Credit Corporation (Credco), together with its subsidiaries, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (TRS), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company (American Express). Both American Express and TRS are bank holding companies.
Credco is engaged in the business of financing 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, although interest-earning and revolving loans are primarily funded by subsidiaries of TRS other than Credco.
Certain of the statements in this Form 10-Q report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Refer to the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” section.
Business Overview
Management’s discussion of the results of Credco is in the context of the wider business environment for American Express.
American Express’ results for the second quarter continue to reflect solid progress against its current priorities of accelerating revenue growth, optimizing investments and resetting the cost base.
Although competition remains intense and the regulatory environment is uncertain, American Express remains focused on delivering differentiated value to its merchants, customers and business partners, while delivering appropriate returns to its shareholders.
Effective December 1, 2015, American Express transferred the Card Member loans and receivables related to its cobrand partnerships with JetBlue and Costco in the United States to Card Member loans and receivables held for sale (HFS) on its Consolidated Balance Sheets, the sales of which were completed on March 18, 2016 and June 17, 2016, respectively. For the periods from December 1, 2015 through the sale completion dates, the primary impacts beyond the HFS classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were to provisions for losses and credit metrics, which do not reflect amounts related to these HFS loans and receivables, as credit costs were reported in Other expenses through a valuation allowance adjustment. Since Credco owns participation interests in receivables purchased from American Express Receivables Financing Corporation VIII LLC (RFC VIII), Credco also sold back all of its participation interests in Card Member receivables HFS to RFC VIII.
Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

Net income depends largely on the volume of Card Member receivables and loans purchased, the discount rate used to determine purchase price, interest earned, interest expense, collectability of purchased Card Member receivables and loans, and income taxes.
Credco’s consolidated net income increased $8 million or 7 percent to $116 million, as compared to $108 million for the same period in 2016. The year-over-year increase is primarily due to higher Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans, higher Interest income from affiliates and other and lower Income tax expense, partially offset by higher Interest expense, higher Provisions for losses and higher Other expenses.
17


Table 1: Total Revenues Summary

Six Months Ended June 30,
             
Change
 
(Millions, except percentages)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017 vs. 2016
 
Discount revenue earned from purchased Card Member receivables and loans
 
$
359
   
$
233
   
$
126
     
54
%
Interest income from affiliates and other
   
123
     
107
     
16
     
15
 
Finance revenue
   
23
     
19
     
4
     
21
 
Total revenues
 
$
505
   
$
359
   
$
146
     
41
%

Total revenues
Discount revenue increased, due to higher discount rates as well as higher volumes of receivables purchased.
Interest income increased, primarily due to higher interest rates.
Finance revenue increased, primarily due to higher average outstanding Card Member loan balances during 2017.
Table 2: Total Expense Summary
Six Months Ended June 30,
             
Change
 
(Millions, except percentages)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017 vs. 2016
 
Provisions for losses (a)
 
$
116
   
$
68
   
$
48
     
71
%
Interest expense
   
220
     
159
     
61
     
38
 
Interest expense to affiliates
   
22
     
11
     
11
     
#
 
Other, net
   
29
     
(1
)
   
30
     
#
 
Total expenses
 
$
387
   
$
237
   
$
150
     
63
%
# Denotes a variance greater than 100 percent
(a)
Effective December 1, 2015, does not reflect provisions related to the HFS portfolio.

Total expenses
Provisions for losses increased, primarily due to higher net write-offs and higher delinquencies.
Interest expense increased, primarily due to higher LIBOR rates.
Interest expense to affiliates increased, primarily due to higher LIBOR rates.
Other expenses increased, primarily driven by expenses associated with hedging of fixed-rate debt of $38 million, partially offset by forward point gains of $10 million.
Income taxes
The effective tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were 1.7 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively. The tax rates for both periods reflect the geographic mix of expenses in the United States attracting a 35 percent statutory benefit and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates, which are indefinitely reinvested.
The effective tax rates in each of the periods also reflect the favorable impact of the tax benefit related to Credco’s ongoing funding activities outside the United States.

18


 
Card Member Receivables and Card Member Loans
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Credco owned $21.9 billion and $18.2 billion, respectively, of gross Card Member receivables. Card Member receivables represent amounts due on American Express charge cards and are recorded at the time they are purchased from the seller. Included in Card Member receivables are Credco Receivables Corporation’s (CRC) purchases of the participation interests from RFC VIII in conjunction with TRS’ securitization program. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, CRC owned approximately $6.5 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, of such participation interests.
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Credco owned gross Card Member loans totaling $471 million and $476 million, respectively. These loans generally represent revolving amounts due on American Express credit cards.
The following table summarizes selected information related to the Card Member receivables portfolio as of or for the six months ended June 30:
Table 3: Selected Information Related to Card Member Receivables

(Millions, except percentages and where indicated)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Total gross Card Member receivables (a)
 
$
21,876
   
$
16,405
 
Loss reserves ― Card Member receivables (a)
 
$
146
   
$
99
 
Loss reserves as a % of receivables
   
0.7
%
   
0.6
%
Average life of Card Member receivables (# in days) (b)
   
29
     
30
 
(a)
Refer to Notes 2 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
(b)
Represents the average life of Card Member receivables owned by Credco, based upon the ratio of the average amount of both billed and unbilled receivables owned by Credco at the end of each month, during the periods indicated, to the volume of Card Member receivables purchased by Credco.

Loans to Affiliates and Other
Credco’s loans to affiliates and other represent floating-rate interest-bearing borrowings by American Express Company, other wholly owned subsidiaries of TRS and the joint ventures that issue American Express cards in certain countries. The components of loans to affiliates and other as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:

Table 4: Loans to Affiliates and Other

(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
American Express Company
 
$
3,107
   
$
4,044
 
American Express Services Europe Limited
   
2,602
     
2,484
 
Amex Bank of Canada
   
1,561
     
1,593
 
American Express Australia Limited
   
1,381
     
1,290
 
American Express Co. (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.
   
842
     
765
 
American Express Bank (Mexico) S.A.
   
348
     
291
 
American Express International, Inc.
   
108
     
107
 
American Express International (NZ) Inc.
   
84
     
85
 
Total (a)
 
$
10,033
   
$
10,659
 
(a)
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, approximately $3.5 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively, were collateralized by the underlying Card Member receivables and loans transferred with recourse.
Due from/to Affiliates
As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, amounts due from affiliates were $1.6 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, amounts due to affiliates were $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. These amounts relate primarily to timing differences from the purchase of Card Member receivables, net of remittances from TRS, as well as from operating activities.
19

Short-term Debt to Affiliates
Short-term debt to affiliates consists primarily of interest-bearing master notes for which there is no stated term. Credco does not expect any changes to its short-term funding strategies with affiliates. Components of short-term debt to affiliates as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:

Table 5: Short-term Debt to Affiliates
(Millions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
AE Exposure Management Ltd.
 
$
3,527
   
$
3,361
 
American Express Europe LLC
   
725
     
515
 
American Express Swiss Holdings
   
402
     
376
 
American Express Holdings (Netherlands) C.V.
   
192
     
192
 
Amex Funding Management (Europe) Limited
   
79
     
73
 
Accertify, Inc.
   
45
     
42
 
Total
 
$
4,970
   
$
4,559
 

Service Fees to Affiliates

Credco’s affiliates do not explicitly charge Credco a service fee for the servicing of receivables purchased. Instead Credco receives a lower discount rate on the receivables purchased than would be the case if servicing fees were charged. If a servicing fee had been charged by these affiliates from which Credco purchases receivables, fees to affiliates for servicing receivables would have been approximately $117 million and $127 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Correspondingly, discount revenue would have increased by approximately the same amounts in these periods.

20

 
CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Credco’s balance sheet management objectives are to maintain:
A broad, deep and diverse set of funding sources to finance its assets and meet operating requirements; and
Liquidity programs that enable Credco to continuously meet expected future financing obligations and business requirements for at least a twelve-month period, even in the event it is unable to continue to raise new funds under its traditional funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions.
Funding Strategy
American Express has in place an enterprise-wide funding policy. The principal funding objective is to maintain broad and well-diversified funding sources to allow American Express, including Credco, to meet its maturing obligations, cost-effectively finance current and future asset growth in its global businesses as well as to maintain a strong liquidity profile.

Credco has historically relied on the debt capital markets to fulfill a substantial amount of its funding needs. It has a variety of funding sources available to access the debt capital markets, including senior unsecured debentures and commercial paper. One of the principal tenets of Credco’s funding strategy is to issue debt with a wide range of maturities to distribute its refinancing requirements across future periods. Credco continues to assess its funding needs and investor demand and could change the mix of its existing sources as well as add new sources to its funding mix. Credco’s funding plan is subject to various risks and uncertainties, such as the disruption of financial markets or reductions in market capacity and demand for securities offered by Credco as well as any regulatory changes or changes in its long-term or short-term credit ratings. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond Credco’s control.
Credco’s funding strategy is designed, among other things, to maintain appropriate and stable unsecured debt ratings from the major credit rating agencies: Dominion Bond Rating Services (DBRS), Fitch Ratings (Fitch), Moody’s Investor Services (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s (S&P). Such ratings help support Credco’s access to cost-effective unsecured funding as part of its overall funding strategy.

Table 6: Unsecured Debt Ratings
Credit Agency
 
Short-Term Ratings
 
Long-Term Ratings
 
Outlook
DBRS
 
R-1 (middle)
 
A (high)
 
Stable
Fitch
 
F1
 
A
 
Negative
Moody’s
 
Prime 1
 
A2
 
Stable
S&P
 
A-2
 
A-
 
Stable

Downgrades in the ratings of Credco’s unsecured debt could result in higher funding costs, as well as higher fees related to borrowings under its unused lines of credit. Declines in credit ratings could also reduce Credco’s borrowing capacity in the unsecured term debt and commercial paper markets. The overall level of the funding provided by Credco to other American Express affiliates is impacted by a variety of factors, among them Credco’s ratings. To the extent that Credco is subject to a higher cost of funds, whether due to an adverse ratings action or otherwise, the affiliates could continue to use, or could increase their use of, alternative sources of funding for their receivables that offer better pricing.

Short-term Funding Programs
Short-term borrowing, such as commercial paper, is defined as debt with original contractual maturity of twelve months or less. Credco’s issuance and sale of commercial paper is primarily utilized for working capital needs. The amount of short-term borrowings issued in the future will depend on Credco’s funding strategy, its needs and market conditions. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Credco had $1.0 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, of commercial paper outstanding. The average commercial paper outstanding was $1.5 billion and $0.5 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

21


Long-term Debt Programs
Long-term debt is raised through the offering of debt securities both in and outside the United States. Long-term debt is generally defined as any debt with an original contractual maturity greater than twelve months. Credco had the following long-term debt outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

Table 7: Long-Term Debt Outstanding

(Billions)
 
2017
   
2016
 
Long-term debt outstanding (a)
 
$
25.2
   
$
20.5
 
Average long-term debt (b)
 
$
23.8
   
$
21.4
 
(a)
The outstanding balances include (i) unamortized discount, premium and fees (ii) the impact of movements in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated debt and (iii) the impact of fair value hedge accounting on certain fixed-rate notes that have been swapped to floating rate through the use of interest rate swaps.
(b)
Average long-term debt outstanding during the six and twelve months ended June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, Credco issued $4.0 billion of senior unsecured notes consisting of $1.5 billion of two year notes at a fixed-rate of 1.88 percent, $500 million of two year notes at a floating rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 33 basis points, and $2.0 billion of ten year notes at a fixed-rate of 3.30 percent.
Credco has the ability to issue debt securities under shelf registrations filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The latest shelf registration statement filed with the SEC is for an unspecified amount of debt securities. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Credco had $24.9 billion and $20.2 billion, respectively, of debt securities outstanding, issued under the SEC registration statement.
Credco has also established a program in Australia for the issuance of debt securities of up to approximately $4.6 billion (AUD $6 billion). During the six months ended June 30, 2017, no notes were issued under this program. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the entire amount of approximately $4.6 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, of notes was available for issuance under this program and there were no outstanding notes as of such dates.
Credco has also established a medium-term note program in Canada providing for the issuance of notes by American Express Canada Credit Corporation (AECCC), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Credco. The prospectus for this program expired in September 2014. All notes issued by AECCC under this program are guaranteed by Credco. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, no notes were issued under this program. As of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, AECCC had $0.4 billion of medium-term notes outstanding under this program. AECCC’s financial results are included in the consolidated financial results of Credco.

The covenants of debt instruments issued by Credco impose the requirement that Credco maintain a minimum consolidated net worth of $50 million, which limits the amount of dividends Credco can pay to its parent. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, Credco did not pay any cash dividends to TRS. When considering the amount of dividends it pays, Credco takes into account the amount of capital required to maintain capital strength, support business growth, and meet the expectations of debt investors. To the extent excess capital is available, it may be distributed to TRS, Credco’s parent company, via dividends. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of Credco to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan. Additionally, there are no limitations on the amount of debt that can be issued by Credco, provided it maintains the minimum required fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25. As of June 30, 2017, Credco was in compliance with all restrictive covenants contained in its debt agreements.
22

 
Liquidity Management
American Express, including Credco, incurs liquidity risk that arises in the course of its activities. The liquidity objective is to maintain access to a diverse set of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources. American Express and its subsidiaries, including Credco, seek to maintain liquidity sources, even in the event they are unable to raise new funds under their regular funding programs during a substantial weakening in economic conditions, in amounts sufficient to meet their expected future financial obligations and business requirements for liquidity for a period of at least twelve months. General principles and the overall framework for managing liquidity risk across American Express on an enterprise-wide basis are set out in American Express’ Liquidity Risk Policy.
The liquidity risk exposure could arise from a wide variety of scenarios. The liquidity management strategy thus includes a number of elements, including, but not limited to:
Maintaining diversified funding sources;
Maintaining unencumbered liquid assets and off-balance sheet liquidity sources;
Projecting cash inflows and outflows under a variety of economic and market scenarios;
Establishing clear objectives for liquidity risk management, including compliance with regulatory requirements; and
Incorporating liquidity risk management as appropriate into American Express’ capital adequacy framework.
Credco regularly accesses liquidity through its various funding programs, and maintains a variety of contingent sources of cash and financing, such as access to securitizations of Card Member receivables through sales of receivables to TRS for securitization by RFC VIII and the American Express Issuance Trust II, as well as a committed bank facility.
As of June 30, 2017, Credco had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.3 billion. In addition to its actual holdings of cash and cash equivalents, Credco maintains access to additional liquidity, in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by certain affiliates, through intercompany loan agreements.
As part of the liquidity and funding strategy to effectively manage inter-affiliate funding, Credco entered into new loan agreements in July 2017 with American Express Limited and American Express International, Inc. The new loans were funded by the repayment to Credco of an existing loan to American Express Company and outstanding balances owed to Credco by TRS.
Committed Bank Credit Facility
Credco maintained a U.S. dollar denominated committed syndicated bank credit facility as of June 30, 2017 of $3.0 billion, which expires on December 9, 2018. As of June 30, 2017, no amounts were drawn on the committed credit facility. The capacity of the facility mainly served to further enhance Credco’s contingent funding resources. The availability of this facility is subject to Credco’s compliance with certain financial covenants that require maintenance of a 1.25 ratio of earnings to fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Credco was 1.49 for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for American Express for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was 4.65.
The committed syndicated bank credit facility does not contain a material adverse change clause, which might otherwise preclude borrowing under the credit facility, nor is it dependent on Credco’s credit rating.

23

 
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Credco’s management, with the participation of Credco’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Credco’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, Credco’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, Credco’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in Credco’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to Credco’s management, including Credco’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There have not been any changes in Credco’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during Credco’s fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Credco’s internal control over financial reporting.


24

 
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Various statements have been made in this Quarterly Report on this Second Quarter 2017 Form 10-Q that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may also be made in Credco’s other reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in other documents. In addition, from time to time, Credco, through its management, may make oral forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Credco cautions you that the risk factors described above in Credco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the 2016 Form 10-K) and other factors described below are not exclusive. There may also be other risks that Credco is unable to predict at this time that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Credco undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Credco’s forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
credit trends, which will depend in part on the economic environment, including, among other things, the housing market and the rates of bankruptcies, which can affect spending on card products and debt payments by individual and corporate customers;
the effectiveness of Credco’s risk management policies and procedures, including Credco’s ability to accurately estimate the provisions for losses in Credco’s outstanding portfolio of Card Member receivables and loans, and operational risk;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
negative changes in Credco’s credit ratings, which could result in decreased liquidity and higher borrowing costs;
changes in laws or government regulations affecting American Express’ business, including the potential impact of regulations adopted by bank regulators relating to certain credit and charge card practices;
the effect of fluctuating interest rates, which could affect Credco’s borrowing costs and have an adverse effect on the market price of notes issued by Credco;
the impact on American Express’ business resulting from continuing geopolitical uncertainty (including potential impacts resulting from the U.S. Administration and the proposed exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union);
the impact on American Express’ business of changes in the substantial and increasing worldwide competition in the payments industry;
the impact on American Express’ business that could result from litigation such as class actions or proceedings brought by governmental and regulatory agencies;
Credco’s ability to satisfy its liquidity needs and execute on its funding plans, which will depend on, among other things, Credco’s future business growth, the impact of global economic, political and other events on market capacity, Credco’s credit ratings, demand for securities offered by Credco, performance by Credco’s counterparties under its bank credit facilities and other lending facilities, and regulatory changes; and
Credco’s tax rate remaining in line with current expectations, which could be impacted by, among other things, Credco’s geographic mix of income being weighted more to higher tax jurisdictions than expected, changes in tax laws and regulation and unfavorable tax audits and other unanticipated tax items.
25

 
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
For a discussion of Credco’s risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the 2016 Form 10-K. There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in the 2016 Form 10-K. However, the risks and uncertainties that Credco faces are not limited to those set forth in the 2016 Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Credco or that it currently believes to be immaterial may also adversely affect Credco’s business.

ITEM 5.   OTHER INFORMATION
Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) to the Exchange Act, an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.
American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and certain entities that may be considered affiliates of GBT have informed American Express that during the second quarter of 2017 they obtained approximately 95 visas from Iranian embassies and consulates around the world in connection with certain travel arrangements on behalf of clients. GBT had negligible gross revenues and net profits attributable to these transactions and intends to continue to engage in these activities on a limited basis so long as such activities are permitted under U.S. law.
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS
The list of exhibits required to be filed with this report are listed on page E-1 hereof, under “Exhibit Index,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

26

SIGNATURES
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, thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORPORATION
(Registrant)

             
       
      Date: August 4, 2017
 
 
 
By
 
/s/ David L. Yowan
 
 
 
 
 
 
David L. Yowan
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
       
      Date: August 4, 2017
 
 
 
By
 
/s/ Leah A. Schweller
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leah A. Schweller
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer

27

EXHIBIT INDEX

Pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K


Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
How Filed
12.1
   
Electronically filed herewith.
         
12.2
   
Electronically filed herewith.
         
31.1
   
Electronically filed herewith.
         
31.2
   
Electronically filed herewith.
         
32.1
   
Electronically filed herewith.
         
32.2
   
Electronically filed herewith.
         
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
Electronically filed herewith.
         
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
Electronically filed herewith.
         
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
Electronically filed herewith.
         
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
Electronically filed herewith.
         
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
Electronically filed herewith.
         
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
Electronically filed herewith.
         
         
         
E-1