8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

AMERICAN EXPRESS CO 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Jun 14, 2007)

Filed June 14, 2007For Securities:AXP

Summary

This 8-K filing by American Express Company (AXP) on June 14, 2007, primarily relates to the registration of additional shares issued in connection with a prior acquisition. Specifically, the company is filing a prospectus supplement to register the resale of 16,622 unregistered common shares of AXP received by former stockholders of Harbor Payments, Inc. This acquisition, referred to as the Merger, was completed on December 31, 2006. For investors, this filing signifies a procedural step related to a past transaction rather than a new strategic development or financial update. It ensures that the shares issued as consideration in the Harbor Payments acquisition are properly registered for potential resale by the former shareholders. The inclusion of an Opinion of Counsel (Exhibit 5.1) further solidifies the legality of these shares being offered.

Key Highlights

  • 1American Express Company (AXP) filed an 8-K on June 14, 2007, concerning the registration of shares.
  • 2The filing relates to the resale of 16,622 unregistered common shares of AXP.
  • 3These shares were issued to former stockholders of Harbor Payments, Inc. as part of a merger.
  • 4The merger with Harbor Payments, Inc. was completed on December 31, 2006.
  • 5AXP filed a prospectus supplement to register these shares for resale under an existing shelf registration statement.
  • 6An Opinion of Counsel regarding the legality of these shares is attached as Exhibit 5.1 and incorporated into the registration statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to register the resale of additional common shares issued by American Express as part of its acquisition of Harbor Payments, Inc. This ensures these shares are legally available for the former Harbor Payments stockholders to sell on the open market.

American Express completed its acquisition of Harbor Payments, Inc. on December 31, 2006.

No, these are existing unregistered shares that were issued to the former stockholders of Harbor Payments, Inc. as part of the merger consideration. This filing is for the registration of their resale, not the issuance of new shares by AXP.

The 'Opinion of Counsel' is a legal document provided by external legal counsel, confirming the legality of the common shares covered by the prospectus supplement. This opinion is being incorporated into American Express's registration statement with the SEC.