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NEW YORK--Nov. 11, 2008--Edward M. Liddy,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American International Group,
has issued the following statement:
"Recent news reports have grossly mischaracterized an American
International Group seminar for 150 independent financial planners
held in Phoenix last week.
The financial planners are not AIG employees. In addition, the
cost to AIG for this event was minimal. More than 90 percent of the
costs were paid either by sponsors or by the independent financial
planners themselves.
It is essential for AIG to conduct seminars of this kind to keep
independent financial planners abreast of investment products and
services including those offered by AIG. The financial planners are
responsible for generating almost $200 million in revenue this year
for AIG as of September 30th.
On October 10, I issued a directive to all AIG employees and
subsidiaries to reduce expenses and conserve cash, including
cancelling all nonessential conferences or meetings, unnecessary
travel and excessive overhead. Since then, we have canceled more than
160 events. We conducted a top-to-bottom review of all expenses of the
Phoenix meeting in advance and found that it was consistent with my
October 10th directive. This conference was approved because it
provides the kind of communication we must conduct with the people who
sell our products if we are to be successful and repay the U.S.
taxpayer."
American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a world leader in
insurance and financial services, is the leading international
insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and
jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional and
individual customers through the most extensive worldwide
property-casualty and life insurance networks of any insurer. In
addition, AIG companies are leading providers of retirement services,
financial services and asset management around the world. AIG's common
stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the stock
exchanges in Ireland and Tokyo.
CONTACT:
AIG
Nicholas J. Ashooh, 212-770-3523
Senior Vice President, Communications