The American International Group is seeking a $40 billion bridge loan from the Federal Reserve,as it faces a potential downgrade from credit ratings agencies that could spell its doom,a person briefed on the matter said Sunday night.
Ratings agencies threatened to downgrade the insurance giant’s credit rating by Monday morning,allowing counterparties to withdraw capital from their contracts with the company. One person close to the firm said that if such an event occurred,A.I.G.may survive for only 48 hours to 72 hours.
A.I.G.’s sickly financial health emerged late into one of the most tumultuous days in Wall Street history. Lehman Brothers,the 158-year-old investment bank,is expected to file for bankruptcy protection Sunday night,while Bank of America has agreed to buy Merrill Lynch for $50.03 billion.