American International Group Inc (AIG): Did Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A)’s Poaching Just Send The Insurer Back Into the Abyss?

Executives move from from one company to another all the time — that’s a normal proceeding of the business world. But when several high-ranking executives leave all at once for the same company, we’re often seeing a piece of a larger puzzle. That’s what we saw this past Friday, when it was announced that four top employees were defecting from American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) to join the team at Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A).

The moves pose several questions for American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) investors: Are the people in the know fleeing because they know something we don’t? Does this leave AIG vulnerable? How will the company move forward? Let’s look at the people that left, how it may effect AIG, and what you should consider for your investment.

Name that executive!
A quick lineup of the defecting executives gives you a good idea of how Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) will be using their talent:

Peter Eastwood, head of American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG)’s U.S. property-casualty operations.

David Bresnahan, president of  Lexington Insurance, the excess and surplus insurance division of AIG.

Sanjay Godhwani, president for Latin America and the Caribbean for AIG’s property-casualty operations.

David Fields, another top property-casualty executive.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) is ranked seventh overall in the property-casualty providers as of year-end 2012, with 3.88% of the market share, while American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) is ranked fifth with 4.58%. So with three of the new employees heading major P&C units for AIG, their knowledge will surely help Berkshire to expand where necessary. The final member, Bresnahan, led the excess and surplus operations — one of AIG’s most successful segments, with the company dominating the market with an estimated 20% share. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A)’s E&S operations are only a fraction of American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG)’s, with an estimated 1.6% of the $25 billion market.

So with that info, we can see what Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A)’s objectives might be, but where does that leave AIG? The company itself has stated that it possesses a “deep bench,” with lots of talented and capable people willing to step up and take over added responsibilities after the departures. Since the business operations of the P&C and E&S divisions are so established, there is little to fear that the whole house of cards will fall because of the changes in personnel. But regardless, the move is a big hit to American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG) whether it realizes it or not.

It’s all a matter of perception
In investing, perception of a company can oftentimes sway someone’s opinion enough to make or abstain from a buy. With AIG, the company’s involvement in the financial crisis has created a lasting impression on investors that the company is bad, weak, deceiving, and the like. And with the news that four top players are leaving, investors’ perception of the company may be sustaining that impression further.