US could float Pru target AIA; Thiam to take up £1.5m rights

The US Treasury has secretly resurrected plans to float Asian insurer AIA on fears the £24bn sale to Prudential could fall apart.

Treasury officials have been working on the plans for two weeks, since the Pru deal was delayed by the FSA, the Sunday Times reports. Large Chinese banks including ICBC and Bank of China have been sounded out to buy as much as 20% of the company as part of a proposed listing. The US government took control of AIA after bailing out its parent company AIG in a $180bn rescue deal at the peak of the financial crisis. The Sunday Times understands Tim Geithner, the US Treasury secretary, still supports Prudential's offer but has asked for alternative plans. AIA's sale to Prudential now h...