Reuters - Fears that American International Group Inc's large mortgage exposure could trigger another round of losses has rankled investors so much that the insurer has lost its iron grip as the world's industry leader by market value.

AP - Washington Mutual Inc. said Thursday it will take another multibillion write-down for bad bets on mortgage securities but insisted it has adequate capital to fund its operations amid concern about the thrift's financial stability.

Reuters - American International Group Inc , the world's largest insurer, holds between $550 million and $600 million in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred shares, according to a source familiar with the investment.

Reuters - Home loans to higher-risk borrowers fell sharply in 2007, as did some riskier practices such as layering "piggyback" mortgages to finance home purchases, U.S. regulators said in a report on Thursday.

Reuters - American International Group Inc , the world's largest insurer, has exposure to between $550 million and $600 million in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred shares, according to a source familiar with the investment.

Reuters - Washington Mutual Inc shares sank below $2 for the first time since 1990 as anxiety grew about the largest U.S. savings and loan's mortgage losses, capital needs and survival prospects.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Wednesday as OPEC's move to shore up oil prices boosted energy shares and Texas Instruments' outlook soothed fear about technology spending even as worries persisted about the health of the banking sector.

AP - Stocks ended a temperamental session moderately higher Wednesday as investors bought up the stocks of energy, materials and consumer-staple companies, but remained cautious about the beleaguered financial sector.

Reuters - Washington Mutual Inc shares sank 30 percent to a 17-year low and the perceived risk of its debt soared on worries the largest U.S. savings and loan will not find a buyer or raise enough capital to combat soaring mortgage losses.

Reuters - Stocks rose more than 1 percent on Wednesday as OPEC's move to shore up oil prices boosted energy shares and Texas Instruments' strong outlook eased fears about technology spending, offsetting anxiety about the banking sector.