CEO and Chairman of AIG Maurice “Hank” Greenberg has resigned from the company’s board earlier than expected.

While 80-year-old Mr Greenberg was due to remain on the board until the company held elections later this year, he has informed the board by letter that he will resign immediately as the result of an “inability to receive information regarding the company and its operations necessary to fulfill my fiduciary duties”.

Mr Greenberg was CEO of the international insurer for almost 40 years before being forced to step down amid investigations by New York Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer into improper accounting on reinsurance contracts.

Mr Greenberg says he will defend Mr Spitzer’s allegations of fraud, while AIG on the other hand is looking to settle the matter.