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American Express vs Mastercard

On overall TruNorth grade, Mastercard scores higher (American Express: C, Mastercard: C). Both graded from public records across nine values categories.

C
American Express
46/100
C
Mastercard
50.7/100

Political donations

American Express

FEC: $34K PAC donations; 66% to Republican, 34% to Democratic committees.

Mastercard

FEC: $37K PAC donations; 60% to Republican, 40% to Democratic committees.

Environment

American Express

CDP Climate Change: A- (2024) — leadership-band environmental disclosure with validated targets.

Mastercard

CDP Climate Change: A- (2024) — leadership-band environmental disclosure with validated targets.

Labor

American Express

36 federal penalties totaling $675.1M since 2000 (Violation Tracker).

Mastercard

10 federal penalties totaling $3.4B since 2000 (Violation Tracker).

DEI

American Express

HRC Corporate Equality Index: 100/100 — Equality 100 Leader (2025). Top-rated LGBTQ+ workplace policies, benefits, and culture. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #91 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture. HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.

Mastercard

HRC Corporate Equality Index: 100/100 — Equality 100 Leader (2025). Top-rated LGBTQ+ workplace policies, benefits, and culture. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #9 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture. As You Sow Gender Equality Funds — top score on equal pay + diversity disclosure. [as-you-sow-funds] HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.

Charity

American Express

$45M reported corporate giving in 2024 (~0.07% of revenue) via American Express Foundation. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #91 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Fortune World's Most Admired Companies — ranked #12 (2024). Operates the American Express Foundation: $25.7M in charitable contributions, gifts & grants paid (FY2023, IRS Form 990-PF).

Mastercard

$150M reported corporate giving in 2024 (~0.58% of revenue) via Mastercard Foundation. JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #9 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Drucker Institute Management Top 250 — ranked #18 (2024) on customer satisfaction, employee engagement, innovation, social responsibility, and financial strength. Fortune World's Most Admired Companies — ranked #16 (2024). Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America — ranked #10 (2024).

Animal testing

American Express

No public record found.

Mastercard

No public record found.

Firearms

American Express

No public record found.

Mastercard

No public record found.

Privacy

American Express

CFPB consumer complaints: 56770 on record (100 in past 12mo); 100% timely response rate.

Mastercard

No public record found.

Executive pay

American Express

Federal banking regulator action (DOJ): $230M settlement — deceptive marketing of credit-card and wire-transfer products to small-business customers between 2014-2021.

Mastercard

CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio 284:1 (median employee pay $124,650) — SEC proxy statement (DEF 14A, 2026).

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