Ziua în care SUA au cumpărat 80% dintr-o „bombă cu ceas”

In September 2008, the U.S. government intervened dramatically by providing an $85 billion loan to AIG, acquiring a 79.9% stake. This action was taken to prevent AIG's imminent collapse, which could have triggered a global financial crisis. AIG, with assets of around $1 trillion, was heavily involved in risky financial products, particularly credit default swaps. The company's financial stability deteriorated rapidly due to falling real estate prices and increased demands for collateral. Unlike Lehman Brothers, which was allowed to fail, AIG's extensive connections with global financial institutions prompted the government to act. The initial loan amount was later increased to $182 billion as the crisis unfolded.