The Hindu Business Line : AmEx may get portion of bailout package

WASHINGTON: Global payment service provider American Express said on Wednesday said it has received preliminary approval to get about $3.39 billion from the $700 billion rescue package declared by the government.

“United States Department of Treasury has provided preliminary approval for the company to participate in the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP),” the company said in a statement.

On November 10, the US Federal Reserve had approved the application of credit card major to become a bank holding company and the change in status facilitated American Express to explore various government funding and lending programmes.

In return to the said loan, American Express will issue and sell preferred stock of around $3.39 billion and warrants to purchase shares of common stock for up to 15 per cent of that amount to the Treasury.

“The preferred shares would pay dividends at a rate of five per cent annually for the first five years and then nine per cent annually thereafter,” the statement added. Other than American Express the other financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, Morg an Stanley and Citigroup (all bank holding companies) have approached TARP for funding.

Shares of American Express closed at $17.96, fell 2.50 per cent or 0.46 cents yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange. - PTI

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