AIG Negotiating Yet Another Bailout

3rd rescue could see government acquire parts of insurer
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 24, 2009 6:51 AM CST
AIG Negotiating Yet Another Bailout
The logo of team sponsor AIG, is seen on the shirts of Manchester United's players during their a soccer match. AIG is looking for yet another bailout from the federal government.   (AP Photo/Jon Super)

AIG is seeking yet another bailout from the federal government, the Financial Times reports, as the troubled insurer prepares to post a quarterly loss the Wall Street Journal expects to exceed $60 billion. The new package would see the government swap its previous $60 billion loan for equity and acquire of some of its Asian businesses. A new bailout would be the third time in just five months that the taxpayer has bankrolled AIG; the authorities already own 80% of the company.

A central goal of the current effort is the preservation of AIG's credit rating; if it's downgraded, the insurer would be liable for billions in payouts to its trading partners. Both the Treasury and the Fed refused to comment on the negotiations, but an announcement is expected next week.
(More bailout stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X