What It Does: American Express specialises in the issuance of various cards - prepaid, charge, and credit cards for private individuals and corporate bodies. The company also issues traveller's checks, tour packages, car-rental reservations, and personal travel planning services.
Mission: Amex’s mission is to become significant to its customers by offering diverse products and services to help them attain their aspirations.
Size and Presence: American Express employs over 2,200 workers across three offices in the UK.
Best Known For: Amex is best known for its payment cards - both charge and credit cards. Amex is one of the most popular credit card issuers in the world. The company has a very active customer loyalty program where long-term customers get juicy offers and benefits. Amex was the 9th ranked company in a 2020 survey regarding companies with the highest rates of employee satisfaction.
The Good Bits: Amex has an excellent welfare program for its employees. The work environment is inclusive and supportive. There are great career prospects with this company.
The Not-So-Good Bits: The work hours may be long, and this affects work-life balance.
The origins of this company can be traced to 1850. Amex was established as a fast mail business in Buffalo, New York. Amex was established as a joint-stock organisation through the merger of firms such as Livingston, Wells & Company, Wells, Butterfield & Company and Fargo & Company. The company directors proposed that the company's operations should be moved to California. Initially, Amex's headquarters was situated in the Tribeca section of Manhattan. In 1857, Amex launched its money order business which cemented its expansion into financial services. This put the company in a business rivalry with the United States Post Office's money orders.
The company, which is known today as American Express, had almost a total monopoly of the express shipments of currency, goods, and securities in New York. Twenty-four years after its inception, American Express moved its location to the Financial District of Manhattan. In 1914, American Express started issuing traveller's checks, and this gave the firm international prominence. This led to the British government appointing Amex as its official agent when the First World War began. In the 80s, Amex made some acquisitions and created an investment banking division. Amex came to the UK in 1963.
Amex has a good culture because the company ensures all its employees are seen, heard, and valued. The company creates an inclusive environment that gives every staff member a sense of belonging. It's more or less a family away from one's original family. The company embraces the diversity of its employees. The differences in gender, culture, social status, age, physical condition, race, sexuality, or religion don't matter. Amex also recognises the differences in its employees' perspectives or opinions. Collaboration among employees is strongly encouraged. The dress code of the company is relaxed - business casual.
Fresh graduates and interns at Amex are exposed to numerous mentorship and training opportunities. They can take advantage of these opportunities to learn, earn and grow, as well as make an impact and be part of a global community. The company has various internship programs, such as a 10-week Undergraduate Summer Internship program and a 10-week MBA Summer Internship program. Amex also offers three types of insight programs - Black Leaders Insight Program, Women in Tech Insight Program, and Spring Insight Program. Amex offers an 18-month Technology Apprenticeship program and a Graduate Program.
It's a short interview process that won't take more than two weeks. The process includes the following:
Amex pays its fresh graduates an average annual salary of £30,000.
Amex has donated large sums to non-profit organisations to help their cause in addressing inequality and social injustice.
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