Douglas Buckminster to retire as American Express (NYSE: AXP) vice chairman

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

American Express Company filed a current report to disclose a planned leadership change. Douglas E. Buckminster, the company’s Vice Chairman, will retire from American Express after a long career with the company. He will continue serving as Vice Chairman until his retirement in March 2026, providing for an orderly transition. The company has also made available a newsroom post announcing his retirement, which is included as an exhibit to this report.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0000004962false00000049622025-09-292025-09-290000004962us-gaap:CommonStockMember2025-09-292025-09-290000004962axp:FixedToFloatingRateNoteMember2025-09-292025-09-29

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): September 29, 2025

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

   

New York

1-7657

13-4922250

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 Vesey Street,

New York, New York 10285

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(212) 640-2000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares (par value $0.20 per Share)

AXP

New York Stock Exchange

3.433% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due May 20, 2032

AXP32

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) On September 29, 2025, American Express Company (the “Company”) announced that Douglas E. Buckminster will be retiring after a distinguished career with American Express. Mr. Buckminster will remain in his role as Vice Chairman until his retirement from the Company in March 2026.

A copy of the Company’s newsroom post announcing the retirement of Mr. Buckminster is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit			Description
99.1			Newsroom post, dated September 29, 2025, of American Express Company.
104			The cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted as inline XBRL.

-2-

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 hereunto duly authorized.

			AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
			(REGISTRANT)
			By:			/s/ James J. Killerlane III
						Name:  James J. Killerlane III
						Title:    Corporate Secretary

Date: September 29, 2025

-3-

FAQ

What leadership change did American Express (AXP) report in this 8-K?

American Express reported that Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster will retire after a long career with the company. He will remain in his role until March 2026, allowing time for an orderly leadership transition and planning within the organization.

When will Douglas E. Buckminster retire from American Express (AXP)?

Douglas E. Buckminster is scheduled to retire from American Express in March 2026. Until that date, he will continue serving as Vice Chairman, giving the company a defined period to manage succession and maintain continuity in its senior leadership team.

What role does Douglas E. Buckminster currently hold at American Express (AXP)?

Douglas E. Buckminster currently serves as Vice Chairman of American Express Company. The filing notes he will stay in this position until his planned retirement in March 2026, after what is described as a distinguished career with the company.

How did American Express (AXP) announce Douglas Buckminster’s retirement?

American Express announced Douglas Buckminster’s retirement through a company newsroom post. A copy of this announcement is included as Exhibit 99.1 to the current report, allowing investors and stakeholders to review the company’s official communication in full.

Does the American Express (AXP) filing mention other corporate changes?

The filing focuses on the planned retirement of Douglas E. Buckminster as Vice Chairman and references the related newsroom post. It does not describe additional transactions, financial results, or other major corporate changes within the provided excerpt of the report.