产业链大逃亡？6.6万亿的豪赌引爆美国金融，世界经济差点遭拖垮

Core Insights - AIG, once recognized as one of the healthiest companies globally, faced a rapid collapse that posed a significant threat to the global economy [1] - The crisis began on September 15, 2008, known as "Black Monday," when AIG's stock plummeted by 60% and it faced a liquidity crisis [3][5] - AIG's downfall was primarily due to its uncontrolled business expansion and heavy involvement in derivatives, leading to massive losses during the subprime mortgage crisis [7][9] Company Overview - AIG originated in Shanghai and became the largest insurance company in the U.S., with total assets of $1.2 trillion and operations in 140 countries before 2008 [1] - The company had over 11.5 million employees and was integral to the U.S. financial system, with approximately 106 million Americans relying on its insurance services [5] Crisis Development - The crisis was triggered by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, which led to AIG's stock collapse and a subsequent request for a $30 billion emergency loan from the New York Federal Reserve [3][5] - AIG's risk exposure was estimated at $3 trillion, significantly higher than that of Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch combined [5] Government Response - Timothy Geithner, then President of the New York Federal Reserve, played a crucial role in advocating for a government bailout of AIG due to its interconnectedness with global financial institutions [5][9] - On September 15, 2008, Geithner proposed an $85 billion loan to AIG, which was initially met with skepticism but ultimately approved [9] Long-term Implications - The financial crisis highlighted the risks associated with large financial institutions and the complexities of government intervention in the financial markets [11][17] - The ongoing discussions among former Treasury officials emphasize the importance of maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve and the potential risks associated with U.S. government debt [11][13]