<PAGE>   1

American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ J. EVANS ATTWELL





<PAGE>   2
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ BRADY F. CARRUTH



<PAGE>   3
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ W. LIPSCOMB DAVIS, JR.




<PAGE>   4
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ ROBERT M. DEVLIN




<PAGE>   5
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ J. EDWARD EASLER II



<PAGE>   6
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ LARRY D. HORNER



<PAGE>   7
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.



          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ RICHARD J.V. JOHNSON



<PAGE>   8
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ MICHAEL E. MURPHY


<PAGE>   9
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ JON P. NEWTON



<PAGE>   10
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.



           LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ MICHAEL J. POULOS



<PAGE>   11
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ ROBERT E. SMITTCAMP



<PAGE>   12
American General Corporation: Board of Directors

Date:          January 20, 2000
Subject:       Form 10-K; Limited Power of Attorney for

Purpose.  The purpose of this limited power of attorney is to authorize certain
          officers of the company to execute, on behalf of the undersigned
          person, the company's 1999 annual report on Form 10-K, with such
          amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
          any and all exhibits and other related documents, and to file the
          Form 10-K with the SEC.


          LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY


      WHEREAS, AMERICAN GENERAL CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (company),
will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) under
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Act), its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (Form 10-K),
with such amendments thereto as may be necessary or appropriate, together with
any and all exhibits and other documents related thereto;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his/her capacity as a director or
officer or both, as the case may be, of the company does hereby appoint JON P.
NEWTON, NICHOLAS R. RASMUSSEN, and MARK S. BERG, and each of them, severally,
his/her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in
his/her name, place, and stead, in his/her capacity as a director or officer or
both, as the case may be, of the company, the Form 10-K and any and all
amendments thereto as said attorneys-in-fact or any of them shall deem
necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or incidental
in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to be filed
with the Commission. Each of said attorneys-in-fact shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable in
connection with the Form 10-K, as fully and for all intents and purposes as
the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of said attorneys-in-fact and each of them.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 20th
day of January, 2000.


                                                /S/ ANNE M. TATLOCK