| American Express is a fascinating story of American | | | | services, although the banks could have done the |
| success. Most people hear ?American Express? and | | | | same to them, the American Express brand was |
| think credit cards and even think of a new, edgy | | | | already well trusted. They started with money orders, |
| company. The truth might be otherwise, but does | | | | and were selling traveler's checks already in 1891! They |
| American Express like their brand's position? The | | | | next expanded into Europe and in 1905, were |
| answer appears to be ?yes,? and it appears to be | | | | commissioned by the US government to be the official |
| working. | | | | money exchanger to the new emigrants to cut back |
| American Express is a company that is over 150 | | | | on the swindling. The first brand that most emigrants |
| years old, and got its name from its first service: an | | | | saw was American Express! |
| express company that shipped valuables. The old | | | | World War 1 brought American Express into the travel |
| days of the delivery business was tightly related to | | | | industry by helping stranded American civilians get |
| money. People had to ship money and money orders, | | | | home at a time when no other bank would take their |
| there was not a strong Post Office like there is today, | | | | checks. During this time, American Express continued |
| and you could not confidently ship larger items, or | | | | to expand into the travel business. Soon following, the |
| valuables. As the United States grew west, banks | | | | Great Depression struck and it was a bittersweet time |
| established themselves, and were a large client of | | | | for American Express. |
| American Express. They hired American Express to | | | | American Express is much more than a credit card |
| help move money, gold, stock certificates and | | | | company, they have earned their edgy reputation from |
| customers' valuables. | | | | the beginning, for a later history, 1930-today, check |
| As this became more profitable, American Express | | | | back for: |
| cut back on their large parcel deliveries and began to | | | | American Express: More than Credit Cards: Part II. |
| ?cut out the middleman? by offering their own financial | | | | |