产业链大逃亡？6.6 万亿豪赌引爆美金融，世界经济差点被拖垮

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid collapse of American International Group (AIG), once considered one of the safest companies globally, highlighting its critical role in the financial system and the challenges faced by the Federal Reserve in deciding whether to rescue it during the 2008 financial crisis [1][3][5]. Group 1: AIG's Historical Context - AIG was recognized as the largest insurance company in the U.S., with total assets of $1.2 trillion, surpassing 60% of China's foreign exchange reserves at the time [1]. - Before the crisis, AIG was a symbol of financial stability, even sponsoring Manchester United during its peak [1]. Group 2: The Crisis Unfolds - The crisis began on September 15, 2008, when Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, marking the start of the financial tsunami, with AIG's risks brewing beneath the surface [3]. - On the same day, AIG's stock plummeted by 60%, leading to a liquidity crisis and a request for a $30 billion emergency loan from the New York Federal Reserve [3][5]. Group 3: AIG's Systemic Importance - AIG employed 115,000 people and served as a guarantor for 401K social security plans, affecting the pensions of over 106 million Americans [5]. - The potential bankruptcy of AIG posed a catastrophic threat to the entire financial system due to its extensive interconnections with global financial institutions, with risk exposure nearing $3 trillion [5]. Group 4: Management Decisions and Failures - AIG's management expanded into unfamiliar derivative markets through its financial products subsidiary, AIGFP, which led to significant losses during the subprime mortgage crisis [6][9]. - The company had underwritten over 80 million life insurance policies with a face value of $1.9 trillion, but mismanagement and overconfidence in risk led to its downfall [7][9]. Group 5: Government Response - Timothy Geithner, then President of the New York Federal Reserve, played a crucial role in coordinating the rescue efforts for AIG, advocating for a government bailout due to its systemic importance [5][9]. - After assessing the situation, Geithner proposed a loan of $85 billion to AIG, which was initially met with skepticism but ultimately agreed upon by key government officials [9].