M and A

AIG Divests Asset Management Stake to Hong Kong Firm

Vanessa Doctor Asia Editor 1 April 2010

AIG Divests Asset Management Stake to Hong Kong Firm

American International Group has finalised the sale of Pinebridge Investments to Asia-based investment firm Pacific Century Group.

The deal, valued at $277 million in cash, is expected to help AIG pay off its remaining $129.3 billion bailout debt with the US government and bring it down to around $78 billion, the company said.

Also covered under the agreement are the option to claim additional payments based on performance and a continuing share of carried interest. Pinebridge, based in New York, covers 31 countries with more than 900 employees and about $87.3 billion worth of assets under management.

"Pinebridge's extensive network in Asia complements our existing global reach, and their strong financial position benefits our future plans for growth," said Win J Neuger, the chief executive of Pinebridge.

The divested business's management team will keep its position after the sale. Pacific Century Group is run by Richard Li, a prominent businessman in Hong Kong and son of one of Asia's richest individuals, Li Ka-shing.

Register for WealthBriefing today

Gain access to regular and exclusive research on the global wealth management sector along with the opportunity to attend industry events such as exclusive invites to Breakfast Briefings and Summits in the major wealth management centres and industry leading awards programmes