AIG’s Hiring of Tucker May Trigger Prudential Bid, Analysts Say

American International Group Inc.’s appointment of Mark Tucker as chief executive officer of its Asian unit shows AIG may eventually be planning a takeover bid of Prudential Plc’s division in the region, analysts said.

AIA Group Ltd. today named Tucker, who headed Prudential for four years from 2005, as CEO and executive chairman, replacing Mark Wilson. After completing the firm’s planned initial public offering, Tucker may bid for Prudential Asia Corp., the unit he ran from 1993 to 2003, according to Panmure Gordon & Co.’s Barrie Cornes.