Maiden Holdings Prices Preferred Shares Offering
Bermuda-based Maiden Holdings, Ltd. has priced an underwritten public offering of $150 million of its 8.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. Maiden expects to receive the net proceeds from the sale of the Preferred Shares on August 29, 2012.
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to August 29, 2017. After that date, the Company may redeem at its option, in whole or in part, the Preferred Shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus unpaid accumulated dividends to the extent declared. Maiden intends to apply to list the Preferred Shares for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MHPRA.”
Maiden expects to use the net proceeds from the offering for continued support and development of its reinsurance business and for other general corporate purposes, which may include repurchasing the Company’s outstanding common shares and repurchasing the Company’s outstanding 14% 30-year trust preferred securities [TRUPS] issued in January 2009.
The Company presently has no plans to repurchase a portion of the outstanding TRUPS with these proceeds prior to January 20, 2014 and, pending its use, expects to invest such net proceeds in marketable fixed income securities and short term investments. The Preferred Shares are being offered under the Company’s effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC].
The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has authorized management at its discretion to purchase its outstanding common shares in an amount not exceeding 50% of the net proceeds of the Preferred Share Offering. Repurchases under the program may be made in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, from time to time, depending on market conditions.
