Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Reports First Quarter Operating Earnings of $16.8 Million and...

Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Reports First Quarter Operating Earnings of $16.8 Million
and Net Income of $13.1 Million

HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maiden Holdings, Ltd.
(Nasdaq:MHLD) today reported operating earnings(1) of $16.8 million. Net written
premium for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $336.5 million and net income
was $13.1 million.

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company incurred a realized loss of $1.9
million on its investment portfolio.

"The acquisition and integration of the GMAC RE platform are on target, and we
continue to see the enormous long term potential of this acquisition for
strengthening Maiden Holdings' position in the marketplace. The first quarter
reflects continued progress towards defined business targets with solid
underwriting performance reflecting continued discipline and revenue growth from
existing client relationships and new account development. We remain focused on
maintaining a high quality balance sheet and continue our efforts to carefully
deploy cash. As a result of the significant cash balance held during the first
quarter, investment earnings have not yet met their full potential. We expect
continued growth in earnings as investable assets are fully deployed," stated
Art Raschbaum, President and CEO of Maiden Holdings, Ltd.

First Quarter Overview

Net written premium for the first quarter 2009 increased by $234.1 million, or
228.6% from $102.4 million in 2008 to $336.5 million in the first quarter of
2009. Operating earnings for the first quarter increased by $4.4 million, or
35.6% from $12.4 million in 2008 to $16.8 million in the first quarter of 2009.

First Quarter 2009 Highlights:

* Net written premium for first quarter 2009 was $336.5 million
($102.4 million in 2008)
* Operating earnings for the quarter were $16.8 million ($12.4 million
in 2008)
* Annualized return on equity on operating earnings for the first
quarter was 12.9% (9.4% in 2008)
* The combined ratio for the first quarter was 95.4% (92.7% in 2008)
* Quarterly operating earnings per basic share was $0.25 ($0.21 in
2008)
* Quarterly earnings per basic share was $0.19 ($0.21 in 2008)
* Book value per share was $7.79 as of March 31, 2009
* Cash and cash equivalents were $457.8 million as of March 31, 2009
First Quarter 2009 Results:

Revenue:

Net written premium for the first quarter was $336.5 million, an increase of
$234.1 million, or 228.6%, from 102.4 million in the first quarter 2008. The
increase was attributable to the successful integration of GMAC RE as well as
organic growth.

Net earned premium was $210.1 million, an increase of $144.8 million or 221.7%
from $65.3 million in the first quarter 2008.

Net investment income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $14.3 million, an
increase of $6.7 million or 87.4% from $7.6 million in the first quarter 2008.

Expenses:

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company's loss and loss adjustment
expenses were $146.3 million; the loss ratio for the quarter was 69.6% compared
to 57.9% in 2008.

Commission, acquisition expenses together with general and administrative
expenses for the first quarter 2009 were $54.2 million compared to $22.7 million
in 2008. The Company's expense ratio for the first quarter 2009 was 25.8%
compared to 34.8% in 2008.

The Company's combined ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was 95.4%
compared to 92.7% in 2008.

Other Matters:

Shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2009 was $547.4 million compared to $509.8
million as of December 31, 2008. During the first quarter, the Board of
Directors declared a dividend of $0.06 per share. Book value per share as of
March 31, 2009 was $7.79.

As previously disclosed, during the first quarter of 2009 Maiden's wholly owned
subsidiary Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. issued debentures in the amount
of $260 million. As part of the transaction, Maiden issued 11.7 million shares
of common stock to the purchasers of the debentures.

As of March 31, 2009 the Company's debt-to-capitalization ratio was 28.2% as a
result of the 30-year trust preferred securities issuance.

Conference Call:

On Monday, May 11th, at 3:00 p.m. Atlantic Time (2:00 p.m. ET), the Company will
hold a conference call regarding its first quarter earnings and full year
results:

Toll Dial-in (International Callers): 719.325.4793
Toll-free Dial-in: 877.723.9521
Webcast: http://ir.maiden.bm
In order to participate in the conference call, you must register at
http://ir.maiden.bm. At the time of the call slides will be available for
reference at http://ir.maiden.bm.

A replay of the conference call will be available starting at 6:00 p.m. Atlantic
Time on Monday, May 11th, 2009 through Monday, May 18th, 2009 by dialing toll
719.457.0820 or toll-free 888.203.1112. The passcode for the replay is 6687434.
Replay of the webcast will also be available at http://ir.maiden.bm.

About Maiden Holdings, Ltd.

Maiden Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company formed in 2007 to offer
customized reinsurance products and services to regional and specialty insurance
companies in the United States and Europe.

The Maiden Holdings, Ltd. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5006

Forward Looking Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" which are made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current
expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential
effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual developments will
be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from
those projected as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including
non-receipt of the expected payments, changes in interest rates, effect of the
performance of financial markets on investment income and fair values of
investments, developments of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in
projecting loss reserves, the impact of competition and pricing environments,
changes in the demand for the Company's products, the effect of general economic
conditions, adverse state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory
investigations into industry practices, developments relating to existing
agreements, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes
in asset valuations. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statements.

Maiden Holdings, Ltd.
Income Statement
(in thousands (000's), except per share data)
(Unaudited)

For the Three For the Three
Months Ended Months Ended
March 31, 2009 March 31, 2008

Revenues:
Premium income:
Net premiums written $ 336,548 $ 102,432
Change in unearned premiums (126,456) (37,127)
----------- -----------
Net earned premium 210,092 65,305
Net investment income 14,259 7,609
Net realized investment gains (losses) (1,930) 125
----------- -----------
Total revenues 222,421 73,039
--------------------------
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expenses 146,288 37,836
Commission and other acquisition expenses 46,631 21,261
General and administrative expenses 7,535 1,426
----------- -----------
Total expenses 200,454 60,523

Income from operations 21,967 12,516

Other income(expense)
Amortization of intangible assets (1,564) --
Foreign exchange loss (213) --
Trust preferred interest (7,090) --
----------- -----------
(8,867) --

Net income $ 13,100 $ 12,516
=========== ===========
Operating earnings (1) $ 16,807 $ 12,391
=========== ===========

Basic and diluted earnings per
common share $ 0.19 $ 0.21
=========== ===========
Basic and diluted operating earnings
per common share $ 0.25 $ 0.21
=========== ===========

Dividends declared per common share $ 0.06 $ 0.05
=========== ===========

Weighted average number of basic
shares outstanding 67,687,664 59,550,000
Weighted average number of basic and
diluted shares outstanding 67,939,790 59,550,000

Combined ratio 95.4% 92.7%
Annualized return on equity 10.1% 9.4%
Annualized return on equity on
operating earnings 12.9% 9.4%

Maiden Holdings, Ltd.
Balance Sheet
(in thousands (000's), except per share data)
(unaudited)

(Unaudited)
31-Mar-09 31-Dec-08
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale,
at fair value (amortized cost
$1,279,902 ; $1,163,926) $ 1,219,451 $ 1,119,955
Other investments, at fair value
(cost $5,919 ; $5,818) 5,386 5,291
----------- -----------
Total investments 1,224,837 1,125,246
Cash and cash equivalents 95,193 131,897
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 362,583 409,277
Accrued investment income 9,453 10,293
Reinsurance balances receivable, net 182,052 71,895
Loan to related party 167,975 167,975
Deferred commission and other
acquisition costs 152,616 104,470
Other assets 7,647 2,617
Intangible assets 53,582 55,147
Goodwill 49,747 49,747

----------- -----------
Total Assets $ 2,305,685 $ 2,128,564
=========== ===========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
Loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves $ 925,816 $ 895,608
Unearned premiums 570,936 444,479
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 46,489 46,072
Securities sold under agreements to
repurchase, at contract value -- 232,646
Trust preferred securities 215,084 --
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities 1,758,325 1,618,805
----------- -----------

Shareholders' Equity:
Common shares 713 596
Additional paid-in capital 575,606 530,519
Treasury stock (3,801) (3,801)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (60,985) (44,499)
Retained earnings 35,827 26,944
----------- -----------
Total Shareholders' Equity 547,360 509,759
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity $ 2,305,685 $ 2,128,564
=========== ===========

Book value per share $ 7.79 $ 8.70

Common shares outstanding 70,287,664 58,587,664

Maiden Holdings, Ltd.
Income Statement
(in thousands (000's), except per share data)
(Unaudited)

For the Three For the Three
Months Ended Months Ended
March 31, 2009 March 31, 2008

Reconciliation of net income to
operating earnings:

Net income $ 13,100 $ 12,516
Less: Net realized gains (losses) (1,930) 125
Add: Foreign exchange loss 213 --
Amortization of intangibles 1,564

----------- -----------
Operating earnings (1) $ 16,807 $ 12,391
=========== ===========

Operating earnings per common share:

Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.25 $ 0.21

(1) Net operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by
the Company as net income excluding realized investment gains
and losses, foreign exchange gains and losses and amortization
of intangible assets which provides a useful indicator of trends
in the Company's underlying operations.
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CONTACT: Maiden Holdings, Ltd.
Devora M. Goldenberg
441.292.7090
irelations@maiden.bm