White House officials have approached American Express Co. ChiefExecutive Officer Kenneth Chenault about joining President BarackObama's second-term administration, possibly as Treasury secretary,according to two people familiar with the matter.

White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew remains the leadingcontender for the Treasury job, the people said. Still,consideration of Chenault among Obama's staff may indicate thepresident hasn't made a final decision on a replacement forTreasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, who has said he plans toleave the post.

Other potential roles for Chenault, a longtime Obama supporter,may be as Commerce secretary or as a senior adviser to thepresident, according to the people, who asked for anonymity todiscuss internal administration deliberations. White Houseofficials have also considered Xerox Corp. CEO Ursula Burns as apotential nominee for the Commerce Department job, both of thepeople said.