In 30 June 1999, BTHC decided to write-off its investment in Extelcom in recognition of its share in losses incurred by the latter.

Members of the U.S. Congress demanded that AIG indicate to whom it is distributing taxpayer bailout funds and to what extent these trading partners are sharing in losses.

The partners do assume risk because, as owners, they share in losses as well as profits - and this year has been a tough one for Goldman and the rest of Wall Street, as rising interest rates brought spectacular trading losses.

"This denial was not true, however, because Yamaichi had shared in losses in a customer's account in November 1989 by repurchasing bond funds from the customer at a price determined to provide the expected yield, which was $1.4 million above the existing market price," the exchange said.