American Express Co.

U.S. credit card and travel services company. Founded in 1850 as an express-transportation company, American Express originally provided rapid transport of goods across New York and the Midwest. The company introduced traveler's checks in 1891 and opened its first European office in Paris in 1895. Its contemporary businesses include credit cards and payment-processing systems, international banking, and services for travelers (including trip planning, tour packages, and business travel management).