Robert V. Sicina has resigned after serving just five months as president of American Express Co.'s Latin American region.
Thomas O. Ryder, international president of American Express Travel Related Services Co., to whom Mr. Sicina reported, announced the resignation in an internal memo last week.
Roberto Cavalcanti and Edmundo Perez, American Express' top executives for Brazil and Mexico, respectively, are to lead the Latin American region on an interim basis.
Mr. Sicina resigned while American Express was campaigning to convince Latin American banks to oppose a Visa rule that would prohibit them from issuing cards cooperatively with American Express.
In an interview with American Banker in August, Mr. Sicina claimed to be making headway in the fight against Visa, with the ultimate aim of reversing American Express' five-year market share decline in Latin America.
Mr. Sicina, 57, spent 20 years with Citicorp before joining American Express in 1992 as chief financial officer of American Express Bank Ltd. He later became president of the bank.
Separately, American Express announced the departure of another senior executive.
Walter Berman resigned as chief financial officer of Travel Related Services and treasurer of American Express after 31 years with the company.
Word of his departure came just 17 days after American Express said Richard Goeltz would replace Michael P. Monaco, who resigned in April, as chief financial officer and vice chairman. Mr. Berman would have reported to Mr. Goeltz, who comes aboard later this month.
In a letter to employees, Harvey Golub, chairman and chief executive of American Express said, Mr. Berman plans to start his own consulting practice advising major companies on corporate finance.
"We will begin the process of recruiting Walter's successor when Richard Goeltz arrives. In doing so we will consider candidates from both inside and outside the company," said Mr. Golub.
Mr. Monaco's responsibilities were expanded for Mr. Goeltz, who will have the added title of vice chairman.
