The private members club that also owns the payment network

AMERICAN
EXPRESS

Visa processes payments. American Express owns the entire relationship. The network, the bank, the loyalty program — all under one roof. Every Amex transaction generates three revenue streams simultaneously: the merchant fee, the interest on credit, and the annual card fee. The Platinum Card at $695/year is not expensive — it is deliberately exclusive. The exclusivity attracts high spenders. High spenders justify high merchant fees. High merchant fees fund the benefits. The benefits attract more high spenders. The loop never breaks.

53% Aflac Japan Share of Adjusted Revenues
76% Aflac Japan Share of Total Assets
12,716 Total Employees
~$2.1B Compensation & Benefit Expense
~20,000 Japan Post Outlets
~6,300 Aflac Japan Sales Agencies
~5,300 Active U.S. Producing Agents
~90% Banks with Aflac Japan Agreements
10-K · Feb. 25, 2026
AXP · NYSE
Market Cap $180B
Card Members 140M+
Net Margin ~18%
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