...Ethics Initiative University of New Mexico http://danielsethics.mgt.unm.edu Coping with Financial and Ethical Risks at American International Group (AIG) INTRODUCTION When American International Group (AIG) collapsed in September 2008 and was subsequently saved by a government bailout, it became one of the most controversial players in the 2008–2009 financial crisis. The corporate culture at AIG had been involved in a high-stakes risk-taking scheme supported by managers and employees that appeared entirely focused on short-term financial gain. Out of a firm of 116,000 employees, one unit with around 500 employees, AIG Financial Products, was chiefly to blame for bringing down the company, and former CEO Ed Liddy, who was summoned by former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, estimates that of that number only twenty to thirty people were directly involved. The AIG Financial Products unit specialized in derivatives and other complex financial contracts that were tied to subprime mortgages or commodities. While its dealings were risky, the unit generated billions of dollars in profits for AIG. Even so, during his long tenure as CEO of AIG, Maurice “Hank” Greenberg had been open about his suspicions of the AIG Financial Products unit. After Greenberg resigned as chief executive of AIG in 2005, the Financial Products unit became even more speculative in its activities. Immediately before its collapse, AIG had exposure to $64 billion in potential subprime mortgage losses. The perfect...
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...A Summary of the case “Coping with Financial and ethical Risks at American International Group (AIG)” Background American International Group, Inc. is a company whose operation began back in 1919. It was established back then by Cornelius Vander Starr as an insurance agency in Shanghai, China. AIG left china in 1949 after Starr had established himself as the westerner the sell insurance to the Chinese people. AIG headquarters then shifted from china to New York City, which is still the headquarters up to date. It is from here that AIG began its expansion tapping into other markets such as the Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Europe through use of its subsidiaries. AIG – Causes of its demise The start of problems facing AIG began during the tenure of Greenberg as AIGs' CEO. It was during tenure that the company expanded from its initial line of insurance into other many complex lines of business and insuring risks that only a few other companies would consider handling. This led to the involvement of the company in businesses that it did not fully comprehend. AIG started investing in many different types of securities which included mortgage backed securities and also credit derivatives trading. AIG then went ahead to become a leading player in these markets, insuring other company's debt obligations against losses due to its excellent credit rating at the time. It was AIG's Financial Product Unit (AIGFP) that brought about the fall of the company...
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...Coping With Financial and Ethical risks AT A.I.G 1. American International Group’s headquarters is located in the American International building in New York. It is a company that is primarily engaged in insurance-related activities in the U.S and abroad, and offers services in more than 130 countries with 116,000 employees worldwide. AIG’s four major segments are general insurance, life insurance and retirement services, financial services and asset management. It was ranked as 16th in Fortune 500 in 2010 and was also known as the world’s fourth largest company according to “Global Forbes” in 2000. The company’s leading position in the global financial services market gives it significant bargaining power. However, exposure to the U.S sub prime crisis was the reason for its collapse. The AIG Financial Products unit, unfortunately, was operating as a company within the larger company in that the 500 employees of the unit who specialized in derivatives and complex financial contracts that were tied to subprime mortgages, sold credit default swaps (CDS) to financial institutions who in turn sold mortgage-based securities to the public. This of course contributed to the financial crisis of 2008 in that banks sold mortgages to people who were not credit worthy, because they received credit protection as a result. AIG made these collateralized debt obligations deals with a very small fraction of actual money on hand. Because most of the CDOs were attached to home mortgages...
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...Case Study: Coping with Financial and Ethical Risks at AIG Cesare Lucritzia Capella University In 2008-2009, AIG became one of the most controversial financial bailouts in U.S. history. AIG underwrites insurance risk coverage to insurance companies. If an insurance company acquires too much risk, they then go to AIG who is a reinsurance company. Reinsurance companies enable insurance companies the ability to sell more insurance policies and enable growth. Within AIG there was a division that was selling insurance on mortgage-backed securities that are known as credit default swaps. As the value of homes continued to rise in 2008, the contracts that AIG made with these credit default swaps expired and AIG pocketed the premiums. People were buying homes with zero money down. When the housing bubble burst and people started defaulting on their loans, AIG then had to buy a ton of bad mortgage backed securities that nobody else could afford to take on. Since AIG was the largest insurance company in the United States at that time, they simply could not afford to fail because this would create a domino effect on the entire U.S. financial system, so the United States government was forced to bail them out to keep the U.S. and the international financial system on its rails. AIG’s corporate culture played a large role in its downfall. For 38 years, Maurice Greenberg was AIG’s Chief Executive Officer and was the face of AIG and its evolving corporate culture. He was an incredibly...
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...24 September 2010-WEEK SIX Case Study Six Coping with Financial and Ethical Risks at American International Group (AIG) I. Introduction American International Group (AIG) a leading American insurance organization operating in 130 countries. Established in Shanghai, China by Cornelius Starr; Starr was the first to sell insurance to the Chinese. In the 1960s Starr handed control of AIG to Maurice Greenberg who remained the company's chief executive officer until 2005. II. Response to Question #1 If the corporate culture of AIG was a contributing factor in the downfall of the company, Maurice R. "Hank" Greenberg would have to be placed under the microscope and thoroughly examined as he would be held liable for creating such a culture. Maurice R. Greenberg was the chairman of the American International Group from 1968 to 2005, during which time he built the small insurance company into what became the world's largest insurance and financial services corporation (Times, 2010). From its beginning, AIG was at the front of the line in regards to the Global Market. Global business practices were embedded into the framework of the corporation and allowed AIG to conduct business successfully overseas. The company found its new home in New York in the 1940s and continued to operate fairly in the insurance market. When Greenberg took over as CEO, the company was not performing well. This forced Greenberg to adapt a win at all cost approach to business. Although his concepts...
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...Insurance Sector Analysis Project Details: Subject: Financial Management Topic: Insurance Sector analysis Teacher in charge: KB sir Made by: 1. Abhinav Aggrawal, BFIA 1A Roll number: 75101 2. Akhil Bedi, BFIA 1A Roll number: 75107 3. Jessica Singh BFIA 1A Roll number: 75124 Teacher Remarks: Contents Insurance Sector Analysis 1 Project Details: 2 Acknowledgement 4 An Overview of the project: 5 Objective: 5 A Brief History 8 Insurance Sector: Growth 9 Life insurance: 10 General Insurance 11 Ratio Analysis 13 Return on Equity 14 Combined Ratio 15 Debt Equity 17 Loss Ratio 18 Financial Statement Analysis 19 Profit 20 Share Capital 22 Reserves 24 Premium 26 Investments 28 References 30 Acknowledgement We would like to express our gratitude towards KB sir, who gave us the golden opportunity to peep into the financial world, and comprehend and adopt the techniques of analysis and interpretation. Alongside, he has also guided and directed the progress of this project as a member itself, assisting us at every dead lock. We are really thankful to him. Secondly, we would also like to thank the college authority for facilitating such an exposure and providing amenities that made this project possible. Lastly we would like to express appreciation towards each other for the cooperation and commitment shown by each member of the group, which helped shape this project within the limited time. Thank you...
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...example in the case where they are not taken seriously and broken they give the company name and when they are followed they build the company’s name leading to the growth and many benefits (Jennings, 2011). The cases outline the importance and how failure to follow the morals affects the company. Case 1: Coping with financial and ethical risks at American International Group (A.I.G) by Ferrell, Fraedric and Ferrell. Relativism and Absolutism 1. Introduction 1.1 Central Facts The company deals with the insuring large firms for example shanghai in china, insuring other insurance companies, mortgages for the companies all over the world. This company made huge profits until 2005 when the company’s chairman was sued of his dealings with finite insurance meaning he could insure a risk for a specific amount of money and in real sense a risk is supposed to be infinite that is the insurance company should pay no matter the damage caused (Rothstein, 2011). 2. Problem and Identification The company had taken real advantage of their customers since they did not understand about the insurance businesses and also they were among the few companies that could insure huge risks, and they had gained much trust from clients since the firm was among the first companies to be introduced (Joshi, 2004 ). The government also was involved in the company’s misconduct because they...
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...and incestuous in their ultimate pursuit of profit and power. The film clearly captures the systemic corruption of the United States by greedy and morally unbalanced industry leaders and their cohorts who engineered a financial catastrophe in 2008 not seen since the great depression. The film’s writer and director Charles Ferguson contends that the collapse of the financial industry could have been prevented had there been more regulation of Wall Street. He clearly establishes his line of reasoning through a series of interviews with many of the major players in government and the financial industry who indirectly and in some cases directly contributed to the financial fiasco of 2008. The financial collapse was caused by three main contributing factors; first, a toxic sub-prime mortgage market engineered by the financial industry; second, government’s failure of regulatory enforcement of the financial industry and Wall Street; and third, a collusive relationship between business leaders and government officials elected to curtail the same crisis they helped create. The financial collapse of 2008 resulted from a toxic sub-prime mortgage market engineered by an out-of-control industry that led to its inevitable implosion. In September 2008, the global financial market was rocked to its core when the sub-prime market tanked. As a result, a global recession followed and the national debt doubled, millions of people lost their life savings and were left unemployed. The film Inside...
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...analysis include information on causes of the financial crisis the government is experiencing, the impact, program cuts and the burden it is having on federal workers including low morale. Other information show the various programs cut over the past 3 years and how employees are coping with this stress of footing the bill for the American people. Results of information provided show how employers can be creative and reward their staff in other ways besides monetary. Time-off awards in the form of 59 minutes, offsite work retreats used as team building exercises, and thank you and little awards from managers to show their employees appreciation and how they are valued. This research paper shows the difficulties managers face in tough economic times, but provides examples on how managers can turn situations that look hopeless in positive elements. Recommendations included: providing valuable feedback, discussing how best to deal with the work, allowing employees to be part of developing a solution to accomplish the mission, listening to their concerns and rewarding them no matter how small for their efforts. This research paper also shows that this was only one way a manager dealt with the current economic crisis of her agency, but there are other ways to be creative and reward your staff in tough times. The only limitations that mangers have on rewarding their staff are the limitations they put on themselves. The financial crisis that began in 2008 was considered the worst...
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...|[pic] |BA 388T Strategic management | | |Section 02310 | | |SPRING 2014 | Professor Stephen E. Courter Class Time and Location 9:30 -11:00 am GSB 3.106 Office CBA 3.236 Office Hours Mondays 10:30-11:30 am and Thursdays 1:00-2:30 pm Also By Appointment Phone 512-232-3441 E-Mail Steve.Courter@Mccombs.utexas.edu Course Web Page via Blackboard Teaching Assistant Vanessa Gonzales Vanessa.Gonzales@mba14.mccombs.utexas.edu Course Objectives The traditional purpose of this course is to help you integrate your knowledge of the functional areas of business into a holistic view of the firm and thereby determine and execute proper business level and corporate strategies. Additionally, the field of strategic management has developed a number of concepts and models unique to a general management view, and designed to provide the tools to analyze the firm and its environment. A second purpose of the course will be to digest this body of knowledge, and explore real life situations in applying its...
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...Table Of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction 3 1.1 Objectives of the study 3 1.2 Methodology used in the study 4 1.3 Limitations of the study 5 Chapter 2: Introduction of flood insurance 6 Flood insurance 7 Chapter 3: Origin of flood insurance 8 Chapter 4: Necessity of flood insurance 10 Flood insurance eligibility 11 Top misconceptions about flood insurance: 12 Chapter 5 : Flood insurance(usa) 14 5.1: Overview 14 5.2: Development of flood insurance in usa & concern laws 16 5.3: Standard flood insurance policy 20 5.4: Terms & conditions 22 5.5: Criticism 28 5.5.1: Hurricane Andrew – 1992 28 5.5.2: Hurricane Katrina – 2005 28 Chapter 6: First flood insurance program 30 Chapter 7: Current overview of flood insurance in bangladesh 33 Chapter 8: Comparative analysis on flood insurance perspective between bangladesh and usa 36 Chapter 9: Conclusion 43 Bibliography 44 Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Objectives Of The Study * a brief knowledge about flood insurance. * describing the flood insurance in respect of usa. * describing the flood insurance in respect of bangladesh. * scope of flood insurance. * comparative analysis between usa and bangladesh over flood insurance. * 1.2 Methodology Used In The Study ------------------------------------------------- Outline Of Methodology methodology for this study regarding...
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...An Oracle White Paper June 2012 Seven Steps for Effective Leadership Development Seven Steps for Effective Leadership Development Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 Leadership Challenges in Business ................................................... 3 Elements of Leadership Development Programs ............................... 5 1. Determine the Best Leadership Style for Your Organization ...... 7 2. Identify Current and Potential Leaders Within the Company ...... 7 3. Identify Leadership Gaps ......................................................... 11 4. Develop Succession Plans for Critical Roles ........................... 12 5. Develop Career Planning Goals for Potential Leaders ............. 14 6. Develop a Skills Roadmap for Future Leaders ......................... 15 7. Develop Retention Programs for Current and Future Leaders . 18 Conclusion ...................................................................................... 19 Seven Steps for Effective Leadership Development Introduction The importance of business leadership is well articulated by this observation: A good leader can make a success of a weak business plan, but a poor leader can ruin even the best plan. That’s why developing effective leadership by using a consistent talent management program at all levels across the organization can return significant business value. To identify, attract, fill, and retain corporate leadership...
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...companies through this global disaster. Chaotics is a must read for those seeking a lifeline to save their business.” —Ed Kaplan, Chairman Emeritus, Zebra Technologies “A very timely and practical book on how to manage and market the enterprise through prolonged turbulence. The Chaotics Management System provides an excellent blueprint for making each major business function more resilient.” —Jagdish N. Sheth, Ph.D., Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing, Goizueta Business School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; author of The Self-Destructive Habits of Good Companies: . . . And How to Break Them “Chaotics is about real events in real time. World authorities on marketing and strategy Philip Kotler and John Caslione address the global financial crisis with experience, wisdom, and hands-on advice.” —Dr. Evert Gummesson, Professor of Marketing, Stockholm University School...
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...S T R A T E G Y – II S T R A T E G Y – II S T R A T E G Y – II S T R A T E G Y – II S T R A T E G Y – II www.ibscdc.org 1 Transformation Corporate Transformation Korean Air: Chairman/CEO Yang-Ho Cho’s Radical Transformation A series of fatal accidents, coupled with operational inefficiencies snowballed Korean Air into troubled times. Then, at the beginning of the 21st century, its CEO/ Chairman, Yang-Ho Cho undertook various transformation initiatives - for instance, improving service quality and safety standards, technology integration, upgrading pilot training, better business focus; putting in place a professional management team, improving corporate image through sponsorship marketing, etc. He gave a new corporate direction in the form of '10,10,10' goal. However, Korean Air is held up by a slew of challenges. Among which are inefficiencies of - Chaebol system of management, possible clash of its cargo business with its own shipping company, limited focus on the domestic market and growing competition from LCCs. How would Korean Air manage growth as a family-owned conglomerate? The case offers enriching scope for analysing a family business’s turnaround strategies, with all the legacy costs involved. Pedagogical Objectives • To discuss the (operational) dynamics of Korean Chaebols - their influence/ effects on the country’s industrial sector and the economy as a whole • To analyse how family-owned businesses manage the transition phase - from a supplier-driven...
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...Managing Human Resources, 14e, Bohlander/Snell - © 2007 Thomson South-Western © STONE/GETTY IMAGES chapter 15 International Human Resources Management After studying this chapter, you should be able to objective Identify the types of organizational forms used for competing internationally. objective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Identify the unique training needs for international assignees and their employees. objective Explain the economic, politicallegal, and cultural factors in different countries that HR managers need to consider. objective Identify the characteristics of a good international compensation plan. objective Explain how domestic and international HRM differ. objective Reconcile the difficulties of home- and host-country performance appraisals. objective Discuss the staffing process for individuals working internationally. objective Explain how labor relations differ around the world. PART 6 Expanding Human Resources Management Horizons 639 Managing Human Resources, 14e, Bohlander/Snell - © 2007 Thomson South-Western 640 PART 6 Expanding Human Resources Management Horizons W hen you pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV, you’ll notice that stories are constantly being told about companies competing globally. These stories might include mergers of U.S. and international companies, such as Daimler-Benz and Chrysler a few years ago. Or they might highlight companies expanding into other...
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