Pros
American Express genuinely cares about people in a way I rarely see in large companies. In many places (especially in the US) it can feel like employees are disposable. At Amex it’s different: leadership consistently prioritizes stability, long-term thinking, and treating people with respect. Steve Squeri has repeatedly emphasized a people-first mindset and avoiding “easy” cuts, and that tone clearly trickles down through the org. The culture is strong, teams are collaborative, and your opinion is actively sought and taken seriously (surveys, feedback loops, retros). When the company performs well, employees share in it through meaningful bonuses and benefits. I’m genuinely proud to work here, which is not something I say easily about a multi-billion company.
Cons
Because it’s a large enterprise, things can move slowly. Decision-making can involve multiple stakeholders, and process/compliance can add overhead. Some systems are understandably complex due to scale, legacy, and risk management, so you sometimes need patience and persistence to get change shipped. If you like very fast startup-style execution with minimal process, this may feel heavy at times.