allincorporate.com

It seems that American Express may be in some financial trouble of their own. American Express (AXP) might have been feeling left out of the government’s $700 billion financial bailout package. But now, as the company’s consumer credit quality deteriorates faster than rivals while the economy falls into recession, it can get help from Uncle Sam. On Nov. 10, the Federal Reserve approved American Express’ application to become a bank holding company. Until now, AmEx couldn’t use the same tools as its rival credit-card companies to raise cash. Under the government’s bailout plan, banks regulated by the Federal Reserve could rely on cheap funding from the Fed and from other efforts by the government to prop up the banking system. Also, these banks can compete for deposits from bank customers, another relatively cheap form of funding. This may be just what AX needs to keep them going. There is something seriously wrong with our economy when the credit companies can’t even get credit.