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NEW YORK--Mar. 15, 2009--
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) recognizes the importance of
upholding a high degree of transparency with respect to the use of
public funds. As a result, after close consultation with the Federal
Reserve, AIG is disclosing information identifying certain credit
default swap counterparties, municipal counterparties and securities
lending counterparties. Before disclosing this information, AIG
consulted with the Federal Reserve about the potential public benefit of
counterparty disclosure and the potential that such disclosure would
cause competitive harm to AIG or its counterparties.
Severe valuation losses on the super senior multi-sector credit default
swap portfolio of AIG Financial Products Corp. (AIGFP) triggered
collateral provisions in the swap contracts, creating a liquidity crisis
for AIG in September 2008. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY)
provided an emergency $85 billion loan to AIG to meet short-term cash
needs. The aid received by AIG helped avoid severe financial disruptions
by providing liquidity to important financial institutions and
municipalities.
Using funds from the emergency loan, financial counterparties listed on
Attachment A (all attachments are posted online at http://www.aig.com/Related-Resources_385_136430.html)
received a total of $22.4 billion in collateral relating to CDS
transactions from AIGFP between September 16, 2008 and December 31,
2008. This amount represents funds provided to such counterparties after
the date on which AIG began receiving government assistance. The
counterparties received additional collateral from AIG prior to
September 16, 2008.
On November 10, 2008, AIG and the FRBNY established Maiden Lane III, a
financing entity, to purchase the securities underlying certain CDS
contracts from the counterparties to such contracts, allowing the
cancellation of the contracts. Attachment B lists payments made by
Maiden Lane III to such counterparties.
Municipalities in the states listed on Attachment C received a total of
$12.1 billion from AIGFP between September 16, 2008 and December 31,
2008 in satisfaction of Guaranteed Investment Agreement (GIA)
obligations. GIAs are structured investments with a guaranteed rate of
return. Municipalities typically use GIAs to invest the proceeds from
bond issuances until the funds are needed.
Public aid was also used to satisfy obligations to financial
counterparties related to AIG’s securities lending operations.
Securities lending counterparties listed on Attachment D received $43.7
billion from September 18, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
AIG has used the balance of the public aid it received during that time
period for other purposes, including the funding of Maiden Lane II and
III, debt repayment and capital support for some of its businesses.
AIG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edward M. Liddy said that the
counterparty and collateral information show that billions in government
assistance flowed to dozens of financial counterparties and
municipalities during a time of acute stress in the economy.
Mr. Liddy emphasized that AIG’s disclosure of the counterparties does
not change AIG’s commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of its
business transactions. “Our decision to disclose these transactions was
made following conversations with the counterparties and the recognition
of the extraordinary nature of these transactions,” Mr. Liddy said.
American International Group, Inc., 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.
Source: American International Group, Inc.
American International Group, Inc.
Investment Community:
Teri
Watson, 212-770-7074
or
News Media:
Nick Ashooh,
212-770-3523