American Express CEO to Resign Early

American Express Co. said Chief Executive Harvey Golub will step down at year’s end, four months sooner than expected. Golub, 61, will hand the reins over to his heir apparent Kenneth I. Chenault and will stay as chairman until April, when he plans to retire. Chenault, 49, joined American Express in 1981 and has been president and chief operating officer since 1997. “The CEO succession process from me to Ken has gone smoothly, and we have been able to move more quickly than I anticipated,” Golub said. American Express closed off $1.69 at $56.06 on the NYSE.