Fed starts monitoring AIG, Prudential

MANILA, Philippines - The American International Group Inc. (AIG), Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU) and a unit of General Electric Co. (GE)were identified by US regulators as potential risks to the financial system in a step toward putting the firms under tighter government scrutiny. Fed chairman Ben S. Bernankedesignated companies systemically important, meaning they could pose a risk to the broader financial system if they were to fail. The Financial Stability Oversight Council, which made the selection, was created by the Dodd-Frank law three years ago to help prevent another financial crisis. “The council took another important step forward by exercising one of its principal authorities to protect taxpayers, reduce risk in the financial system and promote financial stability,” US Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement. Prudential, the second-largest US life insurer, said it is evaluating whether to appeal the decision. AIG previously said it wouldn’t oppose such a ruling.