UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)


xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172018


oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from _________ to _________


Commission File No. 001-34042


MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Bermuda
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
98-0570192
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
  
131 Front Street, Hamilton,94 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)
HM12HM08
(Zip Code)


(441) 298-4900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company o
  
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act).
Yes o No x


As of November 2, 2017,2018, the number of the Registrant's Common Stock ($.01 par value) outstanding was 84,624,829.82,942,737.







INDEX
  Page
PART I - Financial Information 
 
 

 
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 (unaudited)2018 and December 31, 2016 (audited)2017 (unaudited)
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (unaudited)
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (unaudited)
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (unaudited)
   
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 (unaudited)
   
 
   
   
   
   
PART II - Other Information 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 (Unaudited) (Audited) September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
ASSETS        
Investments:        
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost 2017: $3,844,996; 2016: $4,005,642) $3,884,587
 $3,971,666
Fixed maturities, held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value 2017: $1,152,106; 2016: $766,135) 1,118,368
 752,212
Other investments, at fair value (cost 2017: $5,640; 2016: $10,057) 7,041
 13,060
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost 2018: $2,867,251; 2017: $2,699,297) $2,781,553
 $2,707,516
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value 2018: $1,019,741; 2017: $1,125,626) 1,032,885
 1,097,801
Other investments, at fair value 22,586
 6,600
Total investments 5,009,996
 4,736,938
 3,837,024
 3,811,917
Cash and cash equivalents 182,677
 45,747
 94,578
 54,470
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 131,598
 103,788
 169,996
 94,905
Accrued investment income 35,547
 36,517
 29,658
 28,798
Reinsurance balances receivable, net (includes $150,985 and $132,056 from related parties in 2017 and 2016, respectively) 479,472
 410,166
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (includes $2,374 and $5,085 from related parties in 2017 and 2016, respectively) 140,629
 99,936
Reinsurance balances receivable, net (includes $125,046 and $94,597 from related parties in 2018 and 2017, respectively) 161,436
 72,494
Loan to related party 167,975
 167,975
 167,975
 167,975
Deferred commission and other acquisition expenses (includes $371,733 and $339,172 from related parties in 2017 and 2016, respectively) 469,617
 424,605
Goodwill and intangible assets, net 76,116
 77,715
Deferred commission and other acquisition expenses (includes $396,799 and $379,395 from related parties in 2018 and 2017, respectively) 419,265
 380,204
Other assets 145,470
 148,912
 41,083
 131,608
Assets held for sale 1,615,486
 1,901,818
Total assets $6,839,097
 $6,252,299
 $6,536,501
 $6,644,189
LIABILITIES        
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses (includes $2,131,851 and $1,776,784 from related parties in 2017 and 2016, respectively) $3,365,011
 $2,896,496
Unearned premiums (includes $1,238,085 and $1,152,484 from related parties in 2017 and 2016, respectively) 1,601,069
 1,475,506
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses (includes $2,749,601 and $2,337,096 from related parties in 2018 and 2017, respectively) $2,851,685
 $2,386,722
Unearned premiums (includes $1,223,736 and $1,170,397 from related parties in 2018 and 2017, respectively) 1,298,933
 1,230,882
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 175,540
 161,334
 18,460
 90,069
Liability for investments purchased 21,658
 6,402
Senior notes - principal amount 262,500
 362,500
 262,500
 262,500
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs 8,070
 11,091
 7,860
 8,018
Senior notes, net 254,430
 351,409
 254,640
 254,482
Liabilities held for sale 1,339,618
 1,449,408
Total liabilities 5,417,708
 4,891,147
 5,763,336
 5,411,563
Commitments and Contingencies 

 

 


 


EQUITY        
Preference shares 465,000
 315,000
 465,000
 465,000
Common shares ($0.01 par value; 87,728,554 and 87,321,012 shares issued in 2017 and 2016, respectively; 84,624,829 and 86,271,109 shares outstanding in 2017 and 2016, respectively) 877
 873
Common shares ($0.01 par value; 87,932,287 and 87,730,054 shares issued in 2018 and 2017, respectively; 82,942,737 and 82,974,895 shares outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively) 879
 877
Additional paid-in capital 747,464
 749,256
 749,214
 748,113
Accumulated other comprehensive income 46,079
 14,997
Retained earnings 181,510
 285,662
Treasury shares, at cost (3,103,725 and 1,049,903 shares in 2017 and 2016, respectively) (19,903) (4,991)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (116,369) 13,354
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings (294,656) 35,472
Treasury shares, at cost (4,989,550 and 4,755,159 shares in 2018 and 2017, respectively) (31,514) (30,642)
Total Maiden shareholders’ equity 1,421,027
 1,360,797
 772,554
 1,232,174
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 362
 355
 611
 452
Total equity 1,421,389
 1,361,152
 773,165
 1,232,626
Total liabilities and equity $6,839,097
 $6,252,299
 $6,536,501
 $6,644,189

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018
2017
2018
2017
Revenues                
Gross premiums written $630,972
 $706,854
 $2,259,597
 $2,259,290
 $484,494
 $443,001
 $1,629,347
 $1,650,762
Net premiums written $617,330
 $690,653
 $2,201,950
 $2,133,911
 $482,806
 $432,677
 $1,626,485
 $1,603,414
Change in unearned premiums 36,536
 7,625
 (127,475) (182,060) 37,271
 24,601
 (85,207) (90,977)
Net premiums earned 653,866
 698,278
 2,074,475
 1,951,851
 520,077
 457,278
 1,541,278
 1,512,437
Other insurance revenue 2,488
 2,345
 7,816
 8,696
 1,870
 2,488
 7,629
 7,816
Net investment income 40,823
 35,666
 123,492
 107,291
 34,419
 30,950
 101,548
 91,597
Net realized gains on investment 5,859
 1,900
 8,316
 4,511
Net realized (losses) gains on investment (225) 5,859
 (282) 8,316
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses (479) 
 (479) 
Total revenues 703,036
 738,189
 2,214,099
 2,072,349
 555,662
 496,575
 1,649,694
 1,620,166
Expenses                
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 535,968
 466,751
 1,545,157
 1,297,361
 600,296
 370,847
 1,323,503
 1,090,608
Commission and other acquisition expenses 193,462
 206,706
 625,530
 587,501
 167,618
 145,352
 497,026
 487,771
General and administrative expenses 19,492
 16,952
 52,252
 49,738
 18,936
 15,439
 48,343
 38,161
Interest and amortization expenses 4,829
 6,856
 18,430
 21,314
 4,829
 4,829
 14,487
 18,430
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost 
 
 2,809
 2,345
 
 
 
 2,809
Amortization of intangible assets 533
 616
 1,599
 1,846
Foreign exchange losses (gains) 3,550
 (687) 12,193
 (6,474) 552
 3,550
 (1,862) 12,193
Total expenses 757,834
 697,194
 2,257,970
 1,953,631
 792,231
 540,017
 1,881,497
 1,649,972
(Loss) income before income taxes (54,798) 40,995
 (43,871) 118,718
Less: income tax expense 256
 199
 1,017
 1,206
Net (loss) income (55,054) 40,796
 (44,888) 117,512
Add: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 3
 56
 34
 166
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden (55,051) 40,852
 (44,854) 117,678
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (236,569) (43,442) (231,803) (29,806)
Less: income tax (benefit) expense (7,437) 1,704
 (930) (1,978)
Net loss from continuing operations (229,132) (45,146) (230,873) (27,828)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax (71,100) (9,908) (44,336) (17,060)
Net loss (300,232) (55,054) (275,209) (44,888)
Add: net (income) loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests (62) 3
 (180) 34
Net loss attributable to Maiden (300,294) (55,051) (275,389) (44,854)
Dividends on preference shares (8,545) (9,023) (20,611) (27,723) (8,545) (8,545) (25,636) (20,611)
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(63,596) $31,829
 $(65,465) $89,955
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(0.74) $0.42
 $(0.76) $1.20
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(0.74) $0.40
 $(0.76) $1.15
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(308,839) $(63,596) $(301,025) $(65,465)
Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(2.86) $(0.62) $(3.09) $(0.56)
Basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(0.86) $(0.12) $(0.53) $(0.20)
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(3.72) $(0.74) $(3.62) $(0.76)
Dividends declared per common share $0.15
 $0.14
 $0.45
 $0.42
 $0.05
 $0.15
 $0.35
 $0.45
Weighted average number of common shares - basic 85,859,201
 75,993,451
 86,256,481
 74,625,839
Adjusted weighted average number of common shares and assumed conversions - diluted 85,859,201
 86,150,951
 86,256,481
 86,018,019
Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted 83,089,172
 85,859,201
 83,085,441
 86,256,481


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Net (loss) income $(55,054) $40,796
 $(44,888) $117,512
Other comprehensive income        
Net unrealized holdings gains on available-for-sale fixed maturities arising during the period 25,019
 8,888
 68,798
 155,052
Adjustment for reclassification of net realized (gains) losses recognized in net income (3,650) (1,202) 1,123
 578
Foreign currency translation adjustment (10,828) (2,730) (38,803) (7,927)
Other comprehensive income, before tax 10,541
 4,956
 31,118
 147,703
Income tax (expense) benefit related to components of other comprehensive income (25) 11
 5
 (28)
Other comprehensive income, after tax 10,516
 4,967
 31,123
 147,675
Comprehensive (loss) income (44,538) 45,763
 (13,765) 265,187
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 3
 56
 34
 166
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (12) (17) (41) (32)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (9) 39
 (7) 134
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Maiden $(44,547) $45,802
 $(13,772) $265,321
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Net loss $(300,232) $(55,054) $(275,209) $(44,888)
Other comprehensive (loss) income        
Net unrealized holdings (losses) gains on available-for-sale fixed maturities arising during the period (24,658) 25,019
 (141,926) 68,798
Adjustment for reclassification of net realized losses (gains) recognized in net income 785
 (3,650) 40
 1,123
Foreign currency translation adjustment 4,458
 (10,828) 12,123
 (38,803)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax (19,415) 10,541
 (129,763) 31,118
Income tax benefit (expense) related to components of other comprehensive income 2
 (25) 19
 5
Other comprehensive (loss) income, after tax (19,413) 10,516
 (129,744) 31,123
Comprehensive loss (319,645) (44,538) (404,953) (13,765)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (62) 3
 (180) 34
Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 3
 (12) 21
 (41)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (59) (9) (159) (7)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Maiden $(319,704) $(44,547) $(405,112) $(13,772)


See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2017
2016
2018
2017
Preference shares    
Preference shares - Series A, C and D    
Beginning balance $315,000
 $480,000
 $465,000
 $315,000
Issuance of Preference Shares – Series D 150,000
 
 
 150,000
Mandatory conversion of Preference Shares - Series B 
 (165,000)
Ending balance 465,000
 315,000
 465,000
 465,000
Common shares        
Beginning balance 873
 747
 877
 873
Exercise of options and issuance of shares 4
 4
 2
 4
Shares issued on mandatory conversion of Preference Shares - Series B 
 121
Ending balance 877
 872
 879
 877
Additional paid-in capital        
Beginning balance 749,256
 579,178
 748,113
 749,256
Exercise of options and issuance of common shares 1,072
 662
 13
 1,072
Share-based compensation expense 2,194
 2,625
 1,088
 2,194
Issuance costs of Preference Shares - Series D (5,058) 
 
 (5,058)
Mandatory conversion of Preference Shares - Series B 
 164,879
Others 
 (141)
Ending balance 747,464
 747,203
 749,214
 747,464
Accumulated other comprehensive income    
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income    
Beginning balance 14,997
 (23,767) 13,354
 14,997
Change in net unrealized gains on investment 69,926
 155,602
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment (141,867) 69,926
Foreign currency translation adjustment (38,844) (7,959) 12,144
 (38,844)
Ending balance 46,079
 123,876
 (116,369) 46,079
Retained earnings    
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings    
Beginning balance 285,662
 316,184
 35,472
 285,662
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden (44,854) 117,678
Net loss attributable to Maiden (275,389) (44,854)
Dividends on preference shares (20,611) (27,723) (25,636) (20,611)
Dividends on common shares (38,687) (32,799) (29,103) (38,687)
Ending balance 181,510
 373,340
 (294,656) 181,510
Treasury shares        
Beginning balance (4,991) (4,521) (30,642) (4,991)
Shares repurchased (14,912) (470) (872) (14,912)
Ending balance (19,903) (4,991) (31,514) (19,903)
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries        
Beginning balance 355
 1,278
 452
 355
Change in minority interest 
 (54)
Dividend paid to noncontrolling interest 
 (31)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (34) (166)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 180
 (34)
Foreign currency translation adjustment 41
 32
 (21) 41
Ending balance 362
 1,059
 611
 362
Total equity $1,421,389
 $1,556,359
 $773,165
 $1,421,389

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2018 2017
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net (loss) income $(44,888) $117,512
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Net loss $(275,209) $(44,888)
Less: net loss from discontinued operations 44,336
 17,060
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation 10,472
 16,841
 4,774
 8,464
Net realized gains on investment (8,316) (4,511)
Foreign exchange losses (gains) 12,193
 (6,474)
Net realized losses (gains) on investment 282
 (8,316)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses 479
 
Foreign exchange (gains) losses (1,862) 12,193
Changes in assets (increase) decrease:
        
Reinsurance balances receivable, net (62,517) (154,091) (92,904) (22,098)
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (40,455) (26,281)
Accrued investment income 1,545
 (1,537) (1,000) 1,124
Deferred commission and other acquisition expenses (43,171) (49,713) (40,097) (38,773)
Other assets (1,865) (32,027) 91,422
 (22,804)
Changes in liabilities increase (decrease):
        
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses 419,660
 250,937
 481,227
 325,221
Unearned premiums 117,882
 204,752
 72,200
 94,489
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 14,239
 10,749
 (66,401) 6,877
Net cash provided by continuing operations 217,247
 328,549
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations (54,624) 46,265
Net cash provided by operating activities 374,779
 326,157
 162,623
 374,814
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of investments:    
Purchases of fixed-maturities – available-for-sale (715,838) (732,001) (517,839) (538,429)
Purchases of other investments (986) (167) (17,532) (986)
Sale of investments:    
Proceeds from sales of fixed-maturities – available-for-sale 199,751
 101,923
 185,089
 116,306
Proceeds from maturities and calls of fixed maturities – available-for-sale 302,496
 442,490
Proceeds from maturities, paydowns and calls of fixed maturities – available-for-sale 196,275
 224,940
Proceeds from maturities and calls of fixed maturities – held to maturity 20,744
 
 62,018
 20,744
Proceeds from sale and redemption of other investments 11,119
 572
 2,160
 11,119
Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents (27,040) (103,685)
Other, net (2,299) (521) (2,985) (1,997)
Net cash used in investing activities (212,053) (291,389)
Net cash used in investing activities for continuing operations (92,814) (168,303)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for discontinued operations 119,965
 (16,710)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 27,151
 (185,013)
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Preference shares, net of issuance costs 144,942
 
Senior notes, net of issuance costs 
 106,424
Redemption of 2012 senior notes (100,000) 
Redemption of 2011 senior notes 
 (107,500)
Issuance of common shares 1,076
 666
Repurchase of common shares (14,912) (470)
Repurchase of common shares, net of issuance (857) (13,836)
Dividends paid – Maiden common shareholders (38,935) (31,062) (37,400) (38,935)
Dividends paid – preference shares (20,611) (27,723) (25,636) (20,611)
Preference shares, net of issuance costs 
 144,942
Redemption of 2012 senior notes 
 (100,000)
Net cash used in financing activities (28,440) (59,665) (63,893) (28,440)
Effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash 2,644
 2,715
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 136,930
 (22,182)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 45,747
 89,641
Effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash and cash equivalents (1,131) 3,379
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 124,750
 164,740
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 191,503
 149,535
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period 316,253
 314,275
Less: cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period (51,679) (88,606)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period $264,574
 $225,669
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents reported within Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total shown above:    
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $182,677
 $67,459
 $94,578
 $154,152
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period 169,996
 71,517
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period $264,574
 $225,669
See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)




1.Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Maiden Holdings, Ltd. ("Maiden Holdings") and its subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Maiden"). They have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP" or "U.S.U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. All significant inter-companyintercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
These interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, including these notes, should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and related notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. Certain reclassificationsprior year comparatives have been madereclassified for 20162017 to conform to the 20172018 presentation and haveincluding as discussed below. The effect of these reclassifications had no impact on consolidatedpreviously reported shareholders' equity or net income (loss).

Discontinued Operations
As part of the strategic review initiated by the Company's Board of Directors earlier in 2018, during the third quarter of 2018, the Company made the strategic decision to divest its U.S. reinsurance treaty operations. Except as explicitly described as held for sale or as discontinued operations, and unless otherwise noted, all discussions and amounts presented herein relate to the Company's continuing operations except for net loss, net loss attributable to Maiden and net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders. Please see “Note 8. Discontinued Operations" for additional information related to discontinued operations. All prior years presented in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to this new presentation.
Background
On August 29, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a Renewal Rights Agreement ("Renewal Rights"), dated as of August 29, 2018, with Transatlantic Reinsurance Company ("TransRe"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell, and TransRe agreed to purchase, Maiden Reinsurance North America, Inc.'s ("Maiden US") rights to: (i) renew Maiden US’s treaty reinsurance agreements upon their expiration or cancellation, (ii) solicit renewals of and replacement coverages for the treaty reinsurance agreements and (iii) replicate and use the products and contract forms used in Maiden US’s business. The sale was consummated on August 29, 2018. The payment received for the sale of the Renewal Rights was $7,500 subject to potential additional amounts payable in the future in accordance with the agreement.
On August 31, 2018, the Company announced that its subsidiary, Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. ("Maiden NA"), entered into a sale agreement ("Master Transaction Agreement") dated as of August 31, 2018, with Enstar Group Limited ("Enstar"), pursuant to which Maiden NA agreed to sell, and Enstar agreed to purchase Maiden NA’s subsidiary Maiden US. Pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement:
(i)Maiden NA will sell, and Enstar will purchase, all of the share capital of Maiden US (the “Maiden US Sale”) for a price of $321,500, which is subject to certain closing adjustments;
(ii)Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited ("Cavello"), Enstar’s Bermuda reinsurance affiliate, and Maiden Reinsurance Ltd. ("Maiden Bermuda"), the Company’s Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary, will enter into a novation agreement pursuant to which certain assets and liabilities associated with the Company’s U.S. treaty reinsurance business held by Maiden Bermuda will be novated for a ceding commission payable by Maiden Bermuda of $12,250;
(iii)Cavello and Maiden Bermuda will enter into a retrocession agreement pursuant to which certain assets and liabilities associated with the Motors Insurance business held by Maiden Bermuda will be retroceded to Cavello in exchange for a $1,750 ceding commission; and
(iv)Maiden Bermuda will provide Enstar with adverse loss reserve development cover up to a maximum of $25,000 when losses are more than $100,000 in excess of the net loss and loss adjustment expenses recorded as of June 30, 2018, for no additional consideration.
The transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The Company’s current analysis indicates that the conditions to redeem the 2013 Senior Notes as stipulated by the securities may exist. Should final analysis support such a conclusion, the Company expects to redeem all of the $152,500 2013 Senior Notes at that time pursuant to the terms of the underlying securities.
The assets and liabilities related to the sale of Maiden US were classified as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as at September 30, 2018 and reclassified as held for sale as at December 31, 2017. The operations of the Company's U.S. reinsurance treaty business have been reported as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 since the Company has determined that the divestiture

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


1.Basis of Presentation (continued)
represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on its ongoing operations and financial results and all of the held for sale criteria have been met. Please refer to "Note 8. Discontinued Operations" for additional information regarding the effect of the reclassifications on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Segments
As a result of the strategic decision to divest all of the Company's U.S. treaty reinsurance operations noted above, the Company has revised the composition of its reportable segments. As described in more detail below under “Note 3. Segment Information”, the reportable segments include: (i) Diversified Reinsurance which consists of a portfolio of property and casualty reinsurance business focusing on regional and specialty property and casualty insurance companies located primarily in Europe; and (ii) AmTrust Reinsurance which includes all business ceded to the Company from subsidiaries of AmTrust Financial Services Inc. ("AmTrust"). In addition to these reportable segments, the results of operations of the former National General Holdings Corporation Quota Share ("NGHC Quota Share") segment is included in the "Other" category. All prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this new presentation.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company's AmTrust Reinsurance segment accounted for 93.5% and 93.2%, respectively (2017 - 94.8% and 95.5%, respectively), of the Company's total equity previously reported.consolidated gross premiums written.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 except for the following:
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Updates
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment AccountingRevenue Recognition
In March 2016,May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2016-092014-09 guidance that outlines changessupersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard excludes from its scope the accounting for insurance contracts, leases, financial instruments, and certain other agreements that are governed under other GAAP guidance, but could affect the revenue recognition for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees, such as accounting for forfeitures, which applies to the Company. Under the new guidance, the entities can elect to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur. Theour other insurance revenue activities. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal yearreporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and2017, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, in any annual or interim period for which financial statements haven't been issued or made available for issuance, but all ofthat reporting period. The Company has adopted the guidance must be adopted in the same period. BasedASU 2014-09 on the Company's history, forfeitures have never been material. The Company will account for forfeitures as they occur. The adoptionJanuary 1, 2018. Our analysis of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. There were no forfeituresrevenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
Simplified Accounting for Goodwill Impairment
In February 2017,2018 indicates that substantially all of our revenues are from sources not within the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 guidance that simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment for all entities by requiring impairment charges to be based on Step 1scope of the two-step impairment test under ASC 350 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. Under the new guidance, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, thestandard. The Company will recordgenerates an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limited to theinsignificant amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard eliminates the requirement to calculate goodwill impairmentfee income which is reported under Step 2, which calculates any impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount. The Update does not change the guidance on completing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. The standard has tiered effective dates, startingother insurance revenue in 2020 for calendar public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08 to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. Current GAAP excludes certain callable debt securities from consideration of early repayment of principal even if the holder is certain that the call will be exercised. As a result, upon the exercise of a call on a callable debt security held at a premium, the unamortized premium is recorded as a loss in earnings.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The amendments in ASU 2017-08 affect all entities that hold investments in callable debt securities that have an amortized cost basis in excess of the amount that is repayable by the issuer at the earliest call date. The amendments shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity should apply the amendments on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Additionally, in the period of adoption, an entity should provide disclosures about a change in accounting principle.
The Company holds a number of securities with callable features on the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetStatements of Income and is within the scope of ASU 2014-09. The Company’s current accounting policy for this includes certain securities that have been purchased at a premium thatrevenue is being amortized to recognize fee income as earned when the associated security's maturity date. The Companyrelated services are performed which is consistent with the guidance in this ASU. Other insurance revenue is currently evaluatingless than 1% of total revenues so the impactexpanded disclosure requirements mandated by this ASU are not required or deemed relevant due to materiality. As substantially all of this guidanceour revenue sources are not within the scope of the standard, the adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company'sour reported condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations financial position or liquidity at the date of adoption.cash flows.
Scope of Modification Accounting
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09 to amend the guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met:
1.The fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification;
2.The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and
3.The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.
The current disclosure requirements in Topic 718 apply regardless of whether an entity is required to apply modification accounting under the amendments in this Update.
The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for (1) public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date.
The Company currently has a number of share based payment awards as disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, however, we do not anticipate any modifications to the terms or conditions at this time.2017. The impactadoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 did not have an impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements will be evaluated once ASU-2017-09 is adopted and when the Company makes any modification toas no modifications were made in any of its current sharedshare based payment awards.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 that will change how entities measure certain equity investments and present changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option that are attributable to their own credit. Under the new guidance, entities will have to measure many equity investments at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. This includes investments in partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method. Entities will no longer be able to recognize unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities they classify today as available-for-sale ("AFS") in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI"). The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2018 resulted in the recognition of $465 of net unrealized losses and $358 of net unrealized gains on our investments in limited partnerships within net income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Our investments in limited partnerships do not have a readily determinable fair value and therefore, the new guidance was adopted prospectively. Please refer to "Note 4. Investments (d) - Realized Gains on Investment" for additional information.
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 guidance to clarify how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 230 Statement of Cash Flows, a principles based requiring judgment to determine the appropriate classification of cash flow as operating, investing or financing activities which created diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments were classified. The new guidance
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
clarifies that if a receipt or payment has aspects of more than one class of cash flows and cannot be separated, the classification will depend on the predominant source or use. While the new guidance attempts to clarify how the predominance principle should be applied, judgment will still be required. The guidance is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. Entities will have to apply the guidance retrospectively, but if it is impracticable to do so for an issue, the amendments related to that issue would be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
Presentation of Restricted Cash in the Statement of Cash Flows
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 guidance that require entities to show the changes in the total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, the new guidance requires a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet. This reconciliation can be presented either on the face of the statement of cash flows or in the notes to the financial statements. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations and disclosures, other than the presentation of restricted cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The financial impact in the consolidated statements of cash flows has eliminated the presentation of changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents from cash flows from investing activities. Therefore, changes that result from transfers between cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents are no longer presented as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows. Additionally, a reconciliation between the statement of financial position and the statement of cash flows has been disclosed to show the movement in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents from the prior period.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07 guidance that simplifies the accounting for share-based payments granted to non-employees for goods and services. Under the guidance, most of the guidance on such payments to non-employees would be aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees as the board viewed the awards to both employees and non-employees to be economically similar and that two different accounting models are not justified. Under the new guidance, i) non-employee share-based payment awards should be measured at the grant date fair value rather than the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever can be more reliably measured, ii) the measurement date for equity classified non-employee share-based payment awards is at the grant date and not the earlier of the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty is reached and the date at which the counterparty's performance is complete, and iii) entities should consider the probability of satisfying the performance conditions when awards contain such conditions. The amendments in this guidance are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, but not earlier than an entity's adoption date of Topic 606. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company's results of operations and financial position; however, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Codification Improvements
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09 which includes clarifications to existing codifications or corrections of unintended application of guidance that is not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The amendments in this update include items raised for board consideration through the codification's feedback system that met the scope of this project, making due process necessary. The amendments affect a wide variety of topics in the codification. The amendments apply to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance. None of the topics deemed applicable have a material impact in the Company's interim consolidated financial statements. However, the Company is currently evaluating the impact of applicable sections on its results of operations and financial position once those sections are adopted beginning after December 15, 2018.
Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 for targeted improvements related to Update 2016-02 which provides entities with an additional transition method to apply the new standard. Under the new optional transition method, an entity initially applies ASC 842 at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Updates related to Topic 842 become effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2019 and will be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company intends to elect the new transition method permitted by ASU No. 2018-11.
The Company's future minimum lease payments, which represent minimum annual rental commitments excluding taxes, insurance and other operating costs for non-cancellable operating leases, and which will be subject to this new guidance, will be recorded on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset. However, under this guidance, the Company shall continue to recognize the related leasing expense within net income. Therefore, adoption of this standard will impact the Company’s consolidated balance sheets but is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 for changes to the disclosure framework related to Topic 820 which amends the disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The following disclosure requirements were removed from Topic 820: (i) amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (ii) policy for timing of transfers between levels, and (iii) valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. The following disclosure requirements were added to Topic 820: (i) changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; and (ii) range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information (such as the median or arithmetic average) in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.
The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this Update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this Update and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. These amendments only impact disclosures made in "Note 5. Fair Value Measurements" therefore, the adoption of this standard will not impact the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, results of operations or cash flows.
3. Segment Information
The Company currently has two reportable segments: Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance. Our Diversified Reinsurance segment consists of a portfolio of predominantly property and casualty reinsurance business focusing on regional and specialty property and casualty insurance companies located primarily in the U.S. and Europe. Our AmTrust Reinsurance segment includes all business ceded to our wholly owned subsidiary, Maiden Reinsurance Ltd. ("Maiden Bermuda")Bermuda, from AmTrust, Financial Services, Inc. ("AmTrust"), primarily the AmTrust Quota Share and the European Hospital Liability Quota Share. In addition to our reportable segments, the results of operations of the former National General Holdings CorporationNGHC Quota Share ("NGHC Quota Share") segment and the remnants of the U.S. excess and surplus ("E&S") business have been included in the "Other" category. Please refer to "Note 8.10. Related Party Transactions" for additional information.
As a result of the strategic decision to divest all of the Company's U.S. treaty reinsurance operations as discussed in "Note 1. Basis of Presentation" and "Note 8. Discontinued Operations", the Company has revised the composition of its reportable segments. Previously, the underwriting results associated with the discontinued operations of the Company's U.S. treaty reinsurance business were included within the Diversified Reinsurance segment and the operating results associated with the remnants of the U.S. excess and surplus business were included within the Other category. These are now excluded and all prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this new presentation.
The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment profit separately from the results of our investment portfolio. General and administrative expenses are allocated to the segments on an actual basis except salaries and benefits where management’s judgment is applied. The Company does not allocate general corporate expenses to the segments. In determining total assets by reportable segment, the Company identifies those assets that are attributable to a particular segment such as reinsurance balances receivable, reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, deferred commission and other acquisition expenses, loans, goodwill and intangible assets, restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments and reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, unearned reinsurance premiums ceded and funds withheld receivable and reinsurance recoverable on paid losses (presented as part of other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet). All remaining assets are allocated to Corporate.
The following tables summarize our reporting segment's underwriting results and the reconciliation of our reportable segments and Other category's underwriting results to our consolidated net income:loss from continuing operations:

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
Gross premiums written $210,953
 $420,019
 $
 $630,972
Net premiums written $207,137
 $410,193
 $
 $617,330
Net premiums earned $217,513
 $436,353
 $
 $653,866
Other insurance revenue 2,488
 
 
 2,488
Net loss and loss adjustment expense ("loss and LAE") (172,273) (355,030) (8,665) (535,968)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (54,810) (138,650) (2) (193,462)
General and administrative expenses (8,595) (771) 
 (9,366)
Underwriting loss $(15,677) $(58,098) $(8,667) (82,442)
Reconciliation to net loss        
Net investment income and net realized gains on investment       46,682
Interest and amortization expenses       (4,829)
Amortization of intangible assets       (533)
Foreign exchange losses       (3,550)
Other general and administrative expenses       (10,126)
Income tax expense       (256)
Net loss       $(55,054)
         
Net loss and LAE ratio(1)
 78.3% 81.4%   81.6%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio(2)
 24.9% 31.7%   29.5%
General and administrative expense ratio(3)
 3.9% 0.2%   3.0%
Expense ratio(4)
 28.8% 31.9%   32.5%
Combined ratio(5)
 107.1% 113.3%   114.1%













MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)



3. Segment Information (continued)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
Gross premiums written $186,750
 $520,104
 $
 $706,854
 $31,699
 $452,795
 $
 $484,494
Net premiums written $179,092
 $511,561
 $
 $690,653
 $31,291
 $451,515
 $
 $482,806
Net premiums earned $175,141
 $523,137
 $
 $698,278
 $28,784
 $491,293
 $
 $520,077
Other insurance revenue 2,345
 
 
 2,345
 1,870
 
 
 1,870
Net loss and LAE (132,396) (334,310) (45) (466,751)
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses ("loss and LAE") (19,764) (579,163) (1,369) (600,296)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (39,868) (166,836) (2) (206,706) (8,961) (158,657) 
 (167,618)
General and administrative expenses (9,038) (759) 
 (9,797) (4,256) (952) 
 (5,208)
Underwriting (loss) income $(3,816) $21,232
 $(47) 17,369
Reconciliation to net income        
Net investment income and net realized gains on investment       37,566
Underwriting loss $(2,327) $(247,479) $(1,369) (251,175)
Reconciliation to net loss from continuing operations        
Net investment income and realized losses on investment       34,194
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses       (479)
Interest and amortization expenses       (6,856)       (4,829)
Amortization of intangible assets       (616)
Foreign exchange gains       687
Foreign exchange losses       (552)
Other general and administrative expenses       (7,155)       (13,728)
Income tax expense       (199)
Net income       $40,796
Income tax benefit       7,437
Net loss from continuing operations       $(229,132)
                
Net loss and LAE ratio(1)
 74.6% 63.9%   66.6% 64.5% 117.9%   115.0%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio(2)
 22.5% 31.9%   29.5% 29.2% 32.3%   32.1%
General and administrative expense ratio(3)
 5.1% 0.1%   2.4% 13.9% 0.2%   3.6%
Expense ratio(4)
 27.6% 32.0%   31.9% 43.1% 32.5%   35.7%
Combined ratio(5)
 102.2% 95.9%   98.5% 107.6% 150.4%   150.7%
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


3. Segment Information (continued)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
Gross premiums written $683,839
 $1,575,677
 $81
 $2,259,597
 $22,982
 $420,019
 $
 $443,001
Net premiums written $671,880
 $1,529,980
 $90
 $2,201,950
 $22,484
 $410,193
 $
 $432,677
Net premiums earned $623,574
 $1,450,811
 $90
 $2,074,475
 $20,925
 $436,353
 $
 $457,278
Other insurance revenue 7,816
 
 
 7,816
 2,488
 
 
 2,488
Net loss and LAE (487,759) (1,047,222) (10,176) (1,545,157) (13,979) (355,030) (1,838) (370,847)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (159,744) (465,789) 3
 (625,530) (6,702) (138,650) 
 (145,352)
General and administrative expenses (25,819) (2,240) 
 (28,059) (4,158) (771) 
 (4,929)
Underwriting loss $(41,932) $(64,440) $(10,083) (116,455) $(1,426) $(58,098) $(1,838) (61,362)
Reconciliation to net loss        
Net investment income and net realized gains on investment       131,808
Reconciliation to net loss from continuing operations ��      
Net investment income and realized gains on investment       36,809
Interest and amortization expenses       (18,430)       (4,829)
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost       (2,809)
Amortization of intangible assets       (1,599)
Foreign exchange losses       (12,193)       (3,550)
Other general and administrative expenses       (24,193)       (10,510)
Income tax expense       (1,017)       (1,704)
Net loss       $(44,888)
Net loss from continuing operations       $(45,146)
                
Net loss and LAE ratio(1)
 77.2% 72.2%   74.2% 59.7% 81.4%   80.6%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio(2)
 25.3% 32.1%   30.0% 28.6% 31.7%   31.6%
General and administrative expense ratio(3)
 4.1% 0.1%   2.5% 17.8% 0.2%   3.4%
Expense ratio(4)
 29.4% 32.2%   32.5% 46.4% 31.9%   35.0%
Combined ratio(5)
 106.6% 104.4%   106.7% 106.1% 113.3%   115.6%

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


3. Segment Information (continued)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
Gross premiums written $667,388
 $1,591,902
 $
 $2,259,290
 $111,139
 $1,518,208
 $
 $1,629,347
Net premiums written $626,522
 $1,507,389
 $
 $2,133,911
 $109,279
 $1,517,206
 $
 $1,626,485
Net premiums earned $538,152
 $1,413,699
 $
 $1,951,851
 $82,838
 $1,458,440
 $
 $1,541,278
Other insurance revenue 8,696
 
 
 8,696
 7,629
 
 
 7,629
Net loss and LAE (395,718) (898,703) (2,940) (1,297,361) (51,828) (1,270,306) (1,369) (1,323,503)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (139,895) (447,604) (2) (587,501) (28,261) (468,765) 
 (497,026)
General and administrative expenses (26,717) (2,308) 
 (29,025) (13,330) (2,954) 
 (16,284)
Underwriting (loss) income $(15,482) $65,084
 $(2,942) 46,660
Reconciliation to net income        
Net investment income and net realized gains on investment       111,802
Underwriting loss $(2,952) $(283,585) $(1,369) (287,906)
Reconciliation to net loss from continuing operations        
Net investment income and realized losses on investment       101,266
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses       (479)
Interest and amortization expenses       (21,314)       (14,487)
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost       (2,345)
Amortization of intangible assets       (1,846)
Foreign exchange gains       6,474
       1,862
Other general and administrative expenses       (20,713)       (32,059)
Income tax expense       (1,206)
Net income       $117,512
Income tax benefit       930
Net loss from continuing operations       $(230,873)
                
Net loss and LAE ratio(1)
 72.4% 63.5%   66.2% 57.3% 87.1%   85.5%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio(2)
 25.6% 31.7%   30.0% 31.3% 32.1%   32.1%
General and administrative expense ratio(3)
 4.8% 0.2%   2.5% 14.7% 0.2%   3.1%
Expense ratio(4)
 30.4% 31.9%   32.5% 46.0% 32.3%   35.2%
Combined ratio(5)
 102.8% 95.4%   98.7% 103.3% 119.4%   120.7%

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

3. Segment Information (continued)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Other Total
Gross premiums written $75,085
 $1,575,677
 $
 $1,650,762
Net premiums written $73,434
 $1,529,980
 $
 $1,603,414
Net premiums earned $61,626
 $1,450,811
 $
 $1,512,437
Other insurance revenue 7,816
 
 
 7,816
Net loss and LAE (41,548) (1,047,222) (1,838) (1,090,608)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (21,982) (465,789) 
 (487,771)
General and administrative expenses (11,831) (2,240) 
 (14,071)
Underwriting loss $(5,919) $(64,440) $(1,838) (72,197)
Reconciliation to net loss from continuing operations        
Net investment income and realized gains on investment       99,913
Interest and amortization expenses       (18,430)
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost       (2,809)
Foreign exchange losses       (12,193)
Other general and administrative expenses       (24,090)
Income tax benefit       1,978
Net loss from continuing operations       $(27,828)
         
Net loss and LAE ratio(1)
 59.8% 72.2%   71.7%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio(2)
 31.7% 32.1%   32.1%
General and administrative expense ratio(3)
 17.0% 0.1%   2.5%
Expense ratio(4)
 48.7% 32.2%   34.6%
Combined ratio(5)
 108.5% 104.4%   106.3%
(1)Calculated by dividing net loss and LAE by the sum of net premiums earned and other insurance revenue.
(2)Calculated by dividing commission and other acquisition expenses by the sum of net premiums earned and other insurance revenue.
(3)Calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses by the sum of net premiums earned and other insurance revenue.
(4)Calculated by adding together the commission and other acquisition expense ratio and general and administrative expense ratio.
(5)Calculated by adding together net loss and LAE ratio and the expense ratio.
The following tables summarize the financial position of our reportable segments including the reconciliation to our consolidated assets at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
September 30, 2018 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Total
Total assets - reportable segments $180,676
 $4,297,992
 $4,478,668
Corporate assets 
 
 442,347
Assets held for sale 
 
 1,615,486
Total Assets $180,676
 $4,297,992
 $6,536,501
       
December 31, 2017 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Total
Total assets - reportable segments $167,638
 $4,258,607
 $4,426,245
Corporate assets 
 
 316,126
Assets held for sale 
 
 1,901,818
Total Assets $167,638
 $4,258,607
 $6,644,189
September 30, 2017 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Total
Total assets - reportable segments $1,898,036
 $4,362,008
 $6,260,044
Corporate assets 
 
 579,053
Total Assets $1,898,036
 $4,362,008
 $6,839,097
       
December 31, 2016 Diversified Reinsurance AmTrust Reinsurance Total
Total assets - reportable segments $1,787,320
 $3,900,067
 $5,687,387
Corporate assets 
 
 564,912
Total Assets $1,787,320
 $3,900,067
 $6,252,299

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


3. Segment Information (continued)
The following table setstables set forth financial information relating to net premiums written by major line of business and reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2018 2017
 Total % of Total Total % of Total
Net premiums written         Total % of Total Total % of Total
Diversified Reinsurance                
Property $37,962
 6.2% $30,606
 4.4%
International $31,291
 6.5% $22,503
 5.2 %
Casualty 129,726
 21.0% 115,360
 16.7% 
 % (19)  %
Accident and Health 16,946
 2.7% 14,845
 2.2%
International 22,503
 3.7% 18,281
 2.6%
Total Diversified Reinsurance 207,137
 33.6% 179,092
 25.9% 31,291
 6.5% 22,484
 5.2 %
AmTrust Reinsurance                
Small Commercial Business 295,499
 47.9% 314,677
 45.6% 232,163
 48.1% 295,499
 68.3 %
Specialty Program 63,816
 10.3% 98,895
 14.3% 94,077
 19.5% 63,816
 14.7 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 50,878
 8.2% 97,989
 14.2% 125,275
 25.9% 50,878
 11.8 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance 410,193
 66.4% 511,561
 74.1% 451,515
 93.5% 410,193
 94.8 %
Total Net Premiums Written $617,330
 100.0% $690,653
 100.0% $482,806
 100.0% $432,677
 100.0 %
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2018 2017
 Total % of Total Total % of Total
Net premiums written         Total % of Total Total % of Total
Diversified Reinsurance                
Property $132,398
 6.0% $123,991
 5.8%
International $109,238
 6.7% $73,475
 4.6 %
Casualty 391,503
 17.8% 365,332
 17.1% 41
 % (41)  %
Accident and Health 74,504
 3.4% 68,140
 3.2%
International 73,475
 3.3% 69,059
 3.2%
Total Diversified Reinsurance 671,880
 30.5% 626,522
 29.3% 109,279
 6.7% 73,434
 4.6 %
AmTrust Reinsurance                
Small Commercial Business 1,028,905
 46.7% 983,601
 46.1% 879,403
 54.1% 1,028,905
 64.2 %
Specialty Program 255,767
 11.6% 268,193
 12.6% 286,404
 17.6% 255,767
 15.9 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 245,308
 11.2% 255,595
 12.0% 351,399
 21.6% 245,308
 15.3 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance 1,529,980
 69.5% 1,507,389
 70.7% 1,517,206
 93.3% 1,529,980
 95.4 %
Other 90
 % 
 %
Total Net Premiums Written $2,201,950
 100.0% $2,133,911
 100.0% $1,626,485
 100.0% $1,603,414
 100.0 %
The following tables set forth financial information relating to net premiums earned by major line of business and reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Net premiums earned Total % of Total Total % of Total
Diversified Reinsurance        
International $28,784
 5.5% $20,943
 4.6 %
Casualty 
 % (18)  %
Total Diversified Reinsurance 28,784
 5.5% 20,925
 4.6 %
AmTrust Reinsurance        
Small Commercial Business 273,456
 52.6% 314,773
 68.8 %
Specialty Program 98,359
 18.9% 59,143
 12.9 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 119,478
 23.0% 62,437
 13.7 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance 491,293
 94.5% 436,353
 95.4 %
Total Net Premiums Earned $520,077
 100.0% $457,278
 100.0 %


MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


3. Segment Information (continued)
The following table sets forth financial information relating to net premiums earned by major line of business and reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Net premiums earned Total % of Total Total % of Total
Diversified Reinsurance        
International $82,797
 5.4% $61,667
 4.1 %
Casualty 41
 % (41)  %
Total Diversified Reinsurance 82,838
 5.4% 61,626
 4.1 %
AmTrust Reinsurance        
Small Commercial Business 882,679
 57.3% 946,782
 62.6 %
Specialty Program 283,592
 18.4% 251,153
 16.6 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 292,169
 18.9% 252,876
 16.7 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance 1,458,440
 94.6% 1,450,811
 95.9 %
Total Net Premiums Earned $1,541,278
 100.0% $1,512,437
 100.0 %


For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
  Total % of Total Total % of Total
Net premiums earned        
Diversified Reinsurance        
Property $43,362
 6.6% $29,921
 4.3%
Casualty 130,428
 20.0% 105,893
 15.2%
Accident and Health 22,780
 3.5% 18,436
 2.6%
International 20,943
 3.2% 20,891
 3.0%
Total Diversified Reinsurance 217,513
 33.3% 175,141
 25.1%
AmTrust Reinsurance        
Small Commercial Business 314,773
 48.1% 320,596
 45.9%
Specialty Program 59,143
 9.1% 89,856
 12.9%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 62,437
 9.5% 112,685
 16.1%
Total AmTrust Reinsurance 436,353
 66.7% 523,137
 74.9%
Total Net Premiums Earned $653,866
 100.0% $698,278
 100.0%
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
  Total % of Total Total % of Total
Net premiums earned        
Diversified Reinsurance        
Property $122,888
 5.9% $103,023
 5.3%
Casualty 375,141
 18.1% 313,736
 16.1%
Accident and Health 63,878
 3.1% 55,788
 2.8%
International 61,667
 3.0% 65,605
 3.4%
Total Diversified Reinsurance 623,574
 30.1% 538,152
 27.6%
AmTrust Reinsurance        
Small Commercial Business 946,782
 45.6% 864,699
 44.3%
Specialty Program 251,153
 12.1% 251,543
 12.9%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 252,876
 12.2% 297,457
 15.2%
Total AmTrust Reinsurance 1,450,811
 69.9% 1,413,699
 72.4%
Other 90
 % 
 %
Total Net Premiums Earned $2,074,475
 100.0% $1,951,851
 100.0%

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


4. Investments
a)Fixed Maturities and Other Investments
The original or amortized cost, estimated fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses of fixed maturities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:
September 30, 2018 Original or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
AFS fixed maturities:        
U.S. treasury bonds $125
 $
 $(1) $124
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 1,484,434
 830
 (58,068) 1,427,196
U.S. agency bonds – other 24,870
 
 (1,180) 23,690
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 22,550
 122
 (1,827) 20,845
Asset-backed securities 226,652
 552
 (2,000) 225,204
Corporate bonds 1,108,620
 8,834
 (32,960) 1,084,494
Total AFS fixed maturities 2,867,251
 10,338
 (96,036) 2,781,553
Held-to-maturity ("HTM") fixed maturities:        
Corporate bonds 974,947
 6,103
 (18,190) 962,860
Municipal bonds 57,938
 
 (1,057) 56,881
Total HTM fixed maturities 1,032,885
 6,103
 (19,247) 1,019,741
Total fixed maturity investments $3,900,136
 $16,441
 $(115,283) $3,801,294
December 31, 2017 Original or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
AFS fixed maturities:        
U.S. treasury bonds $35,093
 $4
 $
 $35,097
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 1,475,682
 6,181
 (13,723) 1,468,140
U.S. agency bonds – other 19,868
 
 (149) 19,719
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 32,380
 231
 (1,713) 30,898
Asset-backed securities 225,015
 3,457
 (79) 228,393
Corporate bonds 911,259
 28,423
 (14,413) 925,269
Total AFS fixed maturities 2,699,297
 38,296
 (30,077) 2,707,516
HTM fixed maturities:        
Corporate bonds 1,037,464
 28,694
 (913) 1,065,245
Municipal bonds 60,337
 128
 (84) 60,381
Total HTM fixed maturities 1,097,801
 28,822
 (997) 1,125,626
Total fixed maturity investments $3,797,098
 $67,118
 $(31,074) $3,833,142

During the second quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2018, we did not designate any additional fixed maturities as HTM. During 2017, we designated additional fixed maturities with a fair value of $391,934 as held-to-maturity ("HTM") and during 2016 we designated fixed maturities with a total fair value of $155,538 as HTM reflecting our intent to hold these securities to maturity. The net unrealized holding gain of $4,313 and $15,770, respectively, as at eachthe designation date continues to be reported in the carrying value of the HTM securities and is amortized through other comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities using the effective yield method in a manner consistent with the amortization of any premium or discount.
The original or amortized cost, estimated fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses of fixed maturities and other investments at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, are as follows:
September 30, 2017 Original or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
Available-for-sale ("AFS") fixed maturities :        
U.S. treasury bonds $5,194
 $150
 $(8) $5,336
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 2,004,645
 14,208
 (12,451) 2,006,402
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 33,392
 216
 (2,012) 31,596
Asset-backed securities 257,969
 4,456
 (164) 262,261
Corporate bonds 1,541,296
 52,717
 (17,624) 1,576,389
Municipal bonds 2,500
 103
 
 2,603
Total AFS fixed maturities 3,844,996
 71,850
 (32,259) 3,884,587
Held-to-maturity ("HTM") fixed maturities:        
Corporate bonds 1,057,943
 34,027
 (748) 1,091,222
Municipal bonds 60,425
 459
 
 60,884
Total HTM fixed maturities 1,118,368
 34,486
 (748) 1,152,106
Other investments 5,640
 1,401
 
 7,041
Total investments $4,969,004
 $107,737
 $(33,007) $5,043,734
December 31, 2016 Original or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value
AFS fixed maturities:        
U.S. treasury bonds $5,186
 $238
 $(11) $5,413
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 1,720,436
 12,867
 (17,265) 1,716,038
U.S. agency bonds – other 18,082
 20
 
 18,102
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 35,158
 73
 (5,297) 29,934
Asset-backed securities 217,232
 3,713
 (69) 220,876
Corporate bonds 1,947,347
 30,951
 (62,093) 1,916,205
Municipal bonds 62,201
 2,897
 
 65,098
Total AFS fixed maturities 4,005,642
 50,759
 (84,735) 3,971,666
HTM fixed maturities:        
Corporate bonds 752,212
 16,370
 (2,447) 766,135
Total HTM fixed maturities 752,212
 16,370
 (2,447) 766,135
Other investments 10,057
 3,003
 
 13,060
Total investments $4,767,911
 $70,132
 $(87,182) $4,750,861
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


4. Investments (continued)
The contractual maturities of our fixed maturities are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
  AFS fixed maturities HTM fixed maturities
September 30, 2018 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value
Maturity        
Due in one year or less $3,873
 $3,522
 $9,297
 $9,289
Due after one year through five years 596,895
 583,069
 371,750
 372,294
Due after five years through ten years 555,397
 542,562
 651,838
 638,158
  1,156,165
 1,129,153
 1,032,885
 1,019,741
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 1,484,434
 1,427,196
 
 
Asset-backed securities 226,652
 225,204
 
 
Total fixed maturities $2,867,251
 $2,781,553
 $1,032,885
 $1,019,741
  AFS fixed maturities HTM fixed maturities
September 30, 2017 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value
Maturity        
Due in one year or less $40,440
 $38,784
 $49,293
 $49,298
Due after one year through five years 577,760
 583,569
 335,922
 346,747
Due after five years through ten years 961,682
 990,968
 723,297
 746,131
Due after ten years 2,500
 2,603
 9,856
 9,930
  1,582,382
 1,615,924
 1,118,368
 1,152,106
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 2,004,645
 2,006,402
 
 
Asset-backed securities 257,969
 262,261
 
 
Total fixed maturities $3,844,996
 $3,884,587
 $1,118,368
 $1,152,106

The following tables summarize fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position and the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
September 30, 2018 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturities            
U.S. treasury bonds $124
 $(1) $
 $
 $124
 $(1)
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 831,457
 (25,160) 595,740
 (32,908) 1,427,197
 (58,068)
U.S. agency bonds – other 23,689
 (1,180) 
 
 23,689
 (1,180)
Non–U.S. government and supranational bonds 6,637
 (148) 14,209
 (1,679) 20,846
 (1,827)
Asset-backed securities 221,300
 (1,896) 3,904
 (104) 225,204
 (2,000)
Corporate bonds 1,793,528
 (31,031) 253,825
 (20,119) 2,047,353
 (51,150)
Municipal bonds 56,882
 (1,057) 
 
 56,882
 (1,057)
Total temporarily impaired fixed maturities $2,933,617
 $(60,473) $867,678
 $(54,810) $3,801,295
 $(115,283)
  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
September 30, 2017 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturities            
U.S. treasury bonds $
 $
 $592
 $(8) $592
 $(8)
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 700,173
 (5,545) 390,211
 (6,906) 1,090,384
 (12,451)
Non–U.S. government and supranational bonds 12,678
 (1,116) 15,132
 (896) 27,810
 (2,012)
Asset-backed securities 21,499
 (105) 3,323
 (59) 24,822
 (164)
Corporate bonds 152,959
 (4,437) 262,782
 (13,935) 415,741
 (18,372)
Total temporarily impaired fixed maturities $887,309
 $(11,203) $672,040
 $(21,804) $1,559,349
 $(33,007)

At September 30, 2017,2018, there were approximately 148406 securities in an unrealized loss position with a fair value of $1,559,349$3,801,295 and unrealized losses of $33,007.$115,283. Of these securities, there were 9399 securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or greater with a fair value of $672,040$867,678 and unrealized losses of $21,804.$54,810.
  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
December 31, 2017 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturities            
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed $632,142
 $(5,299) $327,339
 $(8,424) $959,481
 $(13,723)
U.S. agency bonds – other 19,718
 (149) 
 
 19,718
 (149)
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 1,909
 (2) 25,192
 (1,711) 27,101
 (1,713)
Asset-backed securities 12,408
 (30) 3,017
 (49) 15,425
 (79)
Corporate bonds 161,661
 (1,557) 290,592
 (13,769) 452,253
 (15,326)
Municipal bonds 39,492
 (84) 
 
 39,492
 (84)
Total temporarily impaired fixed maturities $867,330
 $(7,121) $646,140
 $(23,953) $1,513,470
 $(31,074)

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


4. Investments (continued)
  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
December 31, 2016 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
 Fair
value
 Unrealized
losses
Fixed maturities            
U.S. treasury bonds $589
 $(11) $
 $
 $589
 $(11)
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 997,943
 (14,440) 47,969
 (2,825) 1,045,912
 (17,265)
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 3,169
 (160) 25,236
 (5,137) 28,405
 (5,297)
Asset-backed securities 30,589
 (69) 
 
 30,589
 (69)
Corporate bonds 642,599
 (15,058) 357,954
 (49,482) 1,000,553
 (64,540)
Total temporarily impaired fixed maturities $1,674,889
 $(29,738) $431,159
 $(57,444) $2,106,048
 $(87,182)
At December 31, 2016,2017, there were approximately 251156 securities in an unrealized loss position with a fair value of $2,106,048$1,513,470 and unrealized losses of $87,182.$31,074. Of these securities, there were 9189 securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or greater with a fair value of $431,159$646,140 and unrealized losses of $57,444.$23,953.
OTTIOther-than-temporarily impaired ("OTTI")
The Company performs quarterly reviews of its fixed maturities in order to determine whether declines in fair value below the amortized cost basis were considered other-than-temporary in accordance with applicable guidance. At September 30, 2017,2018, we have determined that the unrealized losses on fixed maturities were primarily due to widening of credit and interest rate spreadsrates rising as well as the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on certain foreign currency denominated AFS fixed maturities since their date of purchase. Because we doAll fixed maturity securities in the investment portfolio continue to pay the expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Any credit-related impairment related to fixed maturity securities that the Company does not intendplan to sell these securities and itfor which the Company is not more likely than not that we willto be required to do so until a recoverysell is recognized in net earnings, with the non-credit related impairment recognized in comprehensive earnings. Based on our analysis, our fixed maturity portfolio is of fair value tohigh credit quality and we believe we will recover the amortized cost we currently believebasis of our fixed maturity securities. We continually monitor the credit quality of our fixed maturity investments to assess if it is probable that we will collect all amounts due according to their respectivereceive our contractual terms. Therefore, we do not consider these fixed maturities to be other-than-temporarily impaired ("OTTI") at September 30, 2017. The Company has recognized no OTTI through earnings foror estimated cash flows in the form of principal and interest. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018, we recognized $479 in OTTI charges in earnings on one fixed maturity security. Comparatively, there were no OTTI losses recognized in earnings on the fixed maturity portfolio in the three and 2016.nine months ended September 30, 2017.
The following summarizes the credit ratings of our fixed maturities:
Ratings(1) at September 30, 2017
 Amortized cost Fair value % of Total
fair value
U.S. treasury bonds $5,194
 $5,336
 0.1%
U.S. agency bonds 2,004,645
 2,006,402
 39.8%
AAA 169,514
 173,589
 3.4%
AA+, AA, AA- 238,268
 244,507
 4.9%
A+, A, A- 1,395,001
 1,421,504
 28.3%
BBB+, BBB, BBB- 1,093,491
 1,125,119
 22.3%
BB+ or lower 57,251
 60,236
 1.2%
Total fixed maturities $4,963,364
 $5,036,693
 100.0%
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

4. Investments (continued)
Ratings(1) at September 30, 2018
 Amortized cost Fair value % of Total
fair value
U.S. treasury bonds $125
 $124
 %
U.S. agency bonds 1,509,304
 1,450,886
 38.2%
AAA 166,512
 163,099
 4.3%
AA+, AA, AA- 174,111
 169,207
 4.4%
A+, A, A- 1,136,634
 1,113,761
 29.3%
BBB+, BBB, BBB- 851,348
 839,940
 22.1%
BB+ or lower 62,102
 64,277
 1.7%
Total fixed maturities $3,900,136
 $3,801,294
 100.0%
Ratings(1) at December 31, 2016
 Amortized cost Fair value % of Total
fair value
Ratings(1) at December 31, 2017
 Amortized cost Fair value % of Total
fair value
U.S. treasury bonds $5,186
 $5,413
 0.1% $35,093
 $35,097
 0.9%
U.S. agency bonds 1,738,518
 1,734,140
 36.6% 1,495,550
 1,487,859
 38.8%
AAA 170,515
 171,090
 3.6% 156,631
 159,682
 4.2%
AA+, AA, AA- 238,315
 237,169
 5.0% 146,264
 147,054
 3.8%
A+, A, A- 1,386,023
 1,374,860
 29.0% 1,089,230
 1,106,430
 28.9%
BBB+, BBB, BBB- 1,053,529
 1,047,376
 22.2% 824,351
 845,244
 22.1%
BB+ or lower 165,768
 167,753
 3.5% 49,979
 51,776
 1.3%
Total fixed maturities $4,757,854
 $4,737,801
 100.0% $3,797,098
 $3,833,142
 100.0%
(1)Based on Standard & Poor’s ("S&P"), or equivalent, ratings
b)Other Investments
The table below shows our portfolio of other investments:
  September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
  Fair value % of Total
fair value
 Fair value % of Total
fair value
Investment in limited partnerships $3,554
 15.7% $5,100
 77.3%
Other 19,032
 84.3% 1,500
 22.7%
Total other investments $22,586
 100.0% $6,600
 100.0%
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
  Fair value % of Total
fair value
 Fair value % of Total
fair value
Investment in limited partnerships $5,541
 78.7% $5,474
 41.9%
Investment in quoted equity 
 % 6,586
 50.4%
Other 1,500
 21.3% 1,000
 7.7%
Total other investments $7,041
 100.0% $13,060
 100.0%

The Company has a remaining unfunded commitment on its investment in limited partnerships of approximately $319$414 at September 30, 20172018 (December 31, 20162017 - $463)$306).
c)Net Investment Income
Net investment income was derived from the following sources:
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Fixed maturities $40,369
 $35,769
 $123,849
 $108,018
Cash and cash equivalents 899
 506
 1,328
 1,147
Loan to related party 913
 599
 2,441
 1,729
Other 569
 572
 1,460
 1,519
  42,750
 37,446
 129,078
 112,413
Investment expenses (1,927) (1,780) (5,586) (5,122)
Net investment income $40,823
 $35,666
 $123,492
 $107,291
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


4. Investments (continued)
The Company also has a remaining unfunded commitment on its other investments of approximately $7,468 at September 30, 2018. There were no such commitments outstanding at December 31, 2017.
c)Net Investment Income
Net investment income was derived from the following sources:
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Fixed maturities $32,443
 $30,496
 $97,485
 $91,954
Cash and cash equivalents 905
 899
 1,596
 1,328
Loan to related party 1,658
 913
 4,651
 2,441
Other 471
 569
 1,061
 1,460
  35,477
 32,877
 104,793
 97,183
Investment expenses (1,058) (1,927) (3,245) (5,586)
Net investment income $34,419
 $30,950
 $101,548
 $91,597

d)Realized Gains (Losses) on Investment
Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of the first in first out cost method. The following provides an analysis of net realized gains on investment included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $40
 $(558) $(518)
Other investments 293
 
 293
Net realized gains (losses) on investment $333
 $(558) $(225)
       
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $1,366
 $(997) $369
Other investments 5,490
 
 5,490
Net realized gains (losses) on investment $6,856
 $(997) $5,859
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $2,979
 $(5,256) $(2,277)
Other investments 1,995
 
 1,995
Net realized gains (losses) on investment $4,974
 $(5,256) $(282)
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $3,854
 $(1,253) $2,601
Other investments 5,715
 
 5,715
Net realized gains (losses) on investment $9,569
 $(1,253) $8,316
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $1,366
 $(997) $369
Other investments 5,490
 
 5,490
Net realized gains on investment $6,856
 $(997) $5,859
       
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $1,813
 $
 $1,813
Other investments 87
 
 87
Net realized gains on investment $1,900
 $
 $1,900
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $3,854
 $(1,253) $2,601
Other investments 5,715
 
 5,715
Net realized gains on investment $9,569
 $(1,253) $8,316
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Gross gains Gross losses Net
AFS fixed maturities $4,953
 $(891) $4,062
Other investments 449
 
 449
Net realized gains on investment $5,402
 $(891) $4,511

Proceeds from sales of AFS fixed maturities classified as AFS were $97,357$20,198 and $199,751$185,089 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, respectively (2016(2017 - $15,260$30,440 and $101,923,$116,306, respectively).

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

4. Investments (continued)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments, including those allocated to discontinued operations and classified as held for sale, were as follows:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Fixed maturities $47,888
 $(23,635) $(119,919) $20,586
Other investments 1,401
 3,003
 
 1,381
Total net unrealized gains (losses) 49,289
 (20,632)
Total net unrealized (losses) gains (119,919) 21,967
Deferred income tax (79) (84) (59) (78)
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $49,210
 $(20,716)
Net unrealized (losses) gains, net of deferred income tax $(119,978) $21,889
Change, net of deferred income tax $69,926
 

 $(141,867) $42,605
The portion of unrealized gains recognized in net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 that are related to other investments still held at the end of the reporting period were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Net gains recognized in net income on other investments during the period $293
 $5,490
Net realized gains recognized on other investments divested during the period (758) (5,490)
Net unrealized losses recognized on other investments still held at end of period $(465) $
     
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Net gains recognized in net income on other investments during the period $1,995
 $5,715
Net realized gains recognized on other investments divested during the period (1,637) (5,715)
Net unrealized gains recognized on other investments still held at end of period $358
 $

e)Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments
We are required to maintain assets on deposit to support our reinsurance operations and to serve as collateral for our reinsurance liabilities under various reinsurance agreements. The assets on deposit are available to settle reinsurance liabilities. We also utilize trust accounts to collateralize business with our reinsurance counterparties. These trust accounts generally take the place of letter of credit requirements.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

4. Investments (continued)
The assets in trust as collateral are primarily cash and highly rated fixed maturities. The fair value of our restricted assets was as follows:
  September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Restricted cash – third party agreements $20,884
 $21,889
Restricted cash – related party agreements 149,112
 73,016
Total restricted cash 169,996
 94,905
Restricted investments – in trust for third party agreements at fair value (amortized cost: 2018 – $75,279; 2017 – $212,507)
 75,233
 211,331
Restricted investments AFS – in trust for related party agreements at fair value (amortized cost: 2018 – $2,515,190; 2017 – $2,281,668)
 2,447,970
 2,294,367
Restricted investments HTM – in trust for related party agreements at fair value (amortized cost: 2018 – $1,032,885; 2017 – $1,097,801)
 1,019,741
 1,125,626
Total restricted investments 3,542,944
 3,631,324
Total restricted cash and investments $3,712,940
 $3,726,229

  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Restricted cash – third party agreements $80,999
 $56,891
Restricted cash – related party agreements 50,467
 46,777
Restricted cash – U.S. state regulatory authorities 132
 120
Total restricted cash 131,598
 103,788
Restricted investments – in trust for third party agreements at fair value (Amortized cost: 2017 – $1,337,185; 2016 – $1,307,926)
 1,354,548
 1,299,569
Restricted investments AFS– in trust for related party agreements at fair value (Amortized cost: 2017 – $2,193,678; 2016 – $2,242,565)
 2,218,382
 2,225,066
Restricted investments HTM– in trust for related party agreements at fair value (Amortized cost: 2017 – $1,118,368; 2016 – $752,212)
 1,152,106
 766,135
Restricted investments – in trust for U.S. state regulatory authorities (Amortized cost: 2017 – $4,071; 2016 – $4,059)
 4,188
 4,238
Total restricted investments 4,729,224
 4,295,008
Total restricted cash and investments $4,860,822
 $4,398,796
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
(a) Fair Values of Financial Instruments
Fair Value Measurements Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC")ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820") defines fair value as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between open market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
Level 1 — Valuations based on unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Level 1 — Valuations based on unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Valuation adjustments(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation per share data)


5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment. Examples of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include: exchange-traded equity securities and U.S. Treasury bonds;
Level 2 — Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data. Examples of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include: U.S. government-sponsored agency securities; non-U.S. government and supranational obligations; commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"); collateralized loan obligations ("CLO"); corporate and municipal bonds; and
Level 3 — Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions about assumptions that market participants would use. Examples of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include: an investment in preference shares of a start-up insurance producer.
Level 2 — Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data. Examples of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include: U.S. government-sponsored agency securities; non-U.S. government and supranational obligations; commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"); collateralized loan obligations ("CLO"); corporate and municipal bonds; and
Level 3 — Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions about assumptions that market participants would use. Examples of assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include: an investment in preference shares of a start-up insurance producer.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires significantly more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. We use prices and inputs that are current at the measurement date. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified between levels.
For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in the Level 1 hierarchy. The Company receives the quoted market prices from a third party nationally recognized provider, the Pricing Service. When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Company utilizes the Pricing Service to determine an estimate of fair value. The fair value estimates are included in the Level 2 hierarchy. The Company will challenge any prices for its investments which are considered not to be representation of fair value. If quoted market prices and an estimate from the Pricing Service are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on dealer quotations for recent activity in positions with the same or similar characteristics to that being valued or through consensus pricing of a pricing service. The Company determines whether the fair value estimate is in the Level 2 or Level 3 hierarchy depending on the level of observable inputs available when estimating the fair value. The Company bases its estimates of fair values for assets on the bid price as it represents what a third party market participant would be willing to pay in an orderly transaction.
ASC 825, "Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments", requires all entities to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to determine the fair value of financial instruments held at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
U.S. government and U.S. agency — Bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal National Mortgage Association.Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. The fair values of U.S. treasury bonds are based on quoted market prices in active markets, and are included in the Level 1 fair value hierarchy. We believe the market for U.S. treasury bonds is an actively traded market given the high level of daily trading volume. The fair values of U.S. agency bonds are determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. As the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the spreads for these securities are observable market inputs, the fair values of U.S. agency bonds are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds — These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services. The Pricing Service may use current market trades for securities with similar quality, maturity and coupon. If no such trades are available, the Pricing Service typically uses analytical models which may incorporate spreads, interest rate data and market/sector news. As the significant inputs used to price non-U.S. government and supranational bonds are observable market inputs, the fair values of non-U.S. government and supranational bonds are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.
Asset-backed securities — These securities comprise CMBS and CLO originated by a variety of financial institutions that on acquisition are rated BBB-/Baa3 or higher. These securities are priced by independent pricing services and brokers. The pricing provider applies dealer quotes and other available trade information, prepayment speeds, yield curves and credit spreads to the valuation. As the significant inputs used to price the CMBS and CLO are observable market inputs, the fair value of the CMBS and CLO issecurities are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.
Corporate bonds — Bonds issued by corporations that on acquisition are rated BBB-/Baa3 or higher. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services. The spreads are sourced from broker/dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, we obtain non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. As the significant inputs used to price corporate bonds are observable market inputs, the fair values of corporate bonds are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.
Municipal bonds — Bonds issued by U.S. state and municipality entities or agencies. The fair values of municipal bonds are generally priced by independent pricing services. The pricing services typically use spreads obtained from broker-dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. As the significant inputs used to price the municipal bonds are observable market inputs, municipal bonds are classified withinincluded in the Level 2.2 fair value hierarchy.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
Other investments — Includes both quoted and unquoted investments. The fair valueinvestments comprised of our quoted equity investment is obtained from the Pricing Service and is classified within Level 1. The quoted equity investment was sold in the third quarter of 2017.
Unquoted other investments comprise investments in limited partnerships and twoother investments which includes investments in lending vehicles as well as investments in start-up insurance related companies.entities. The fair values of the limited partnerships are determined by the fund manager based on recent filings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth and other business and market sector fundamentals. The fair value of these investments are measured using the NAV practical expedient and therefore have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. If there is a reporting lag between the current period end and reporting date of the latest available fund valuation, we estimate fair values by starting with the most recently available valuation and adjusting for return estimates as well as any subscriptions and distributions that took place during the current period.
The fair value of the other investments, including those investments in thelending vehicles and start-up insurance related companiesentities, was determined using recent private market transactions and as such, the fair value is included in the Level 3 fair value hierarchy.
Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted amounts), accrued investment income, reinsurance balances receivable, and certain other assets and liabilities — The carrying values reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair value due to their short term nature and are classified as Level 2.
Loan to related party — The carrying value reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for this financial instrument approximates its fair value and it is included in the Level 2 hierarchy.
Senior notes The amount reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for these financial instruments represents the carrying value of the notes. The fair values are based on indicative market pricing obtained from a third-party service provider and as such, are included in the Level 2 hierarchy.
(b) Fair Value Hierarchy
The Company’s estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in ASC 820. The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation and gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available. The disclosure of fair value estimates in the ASC 820 hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions.
At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we classified our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the following valuation hierarchy:    
September 30, 2018 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Based on NAV Practical Expedient Total Fair Value
AFS fixed maturities          
U.S. treasury bonds $124
 $
 $
 $
 $124
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 
 1,427,196
 
 
 1,427,196
U.S. agency bonds – other 
 23,690
 
 
 23,690
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 
 20,845
 
 
 20,845
Asset-backed securities 
 225,204
 
 
 225,204
Corporate bonds 
 1,084,494
 
 
 1,084,494
Other investments 
 
 19,032
 3,554
 22,586
Total $124
 $2,781,429
 $19,032
 $3,554
 $2,804,139
As a percentage of total assets % 42.6% 0.3% 0.1% 43.0%


MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we classified our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the following valuation hierarchy:
December 31, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Based on NAV Practical Expedient Total Fair Value
AFS fixed maturities          
U.S. treasury bonds $35,097
 $
 $
 $
 $35,097
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 
 1,468,140
 
 
 1,468,140
U.S. agency bonds – other 
 19,719
 
 
 19,719
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 
 30,898
 
 
 30,898
Asset-backed securities 
 228,393
 
 
 228,393
Corporate bonds 
 925,269
 
 
 925,269
Other investments 
 
 1,500
 5,100
 6,600
Total $35,097
 $2,672,419
 $1,500
 $5,100
 $2,714,116
As a percentage of total assets 0.5% 40.2% % 0.1% 40.8%
September 30, 2017 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Based on NAV Practical Expedient Total Fair Value
AFS fixed maturities          
U.S. treasury bonds $5,336
 $
 $
 $
 $5,336
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 
 2,006,402
 
 
 2,006,402
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 
 31,596
 
 
 31,596
Asset-backed securities 
 262,261
 
 
 262,261
Corporate bonds 
 1,576,389
 
 
 1,576,389
Municipal bonds 
 2,603
 
 
 2,603
Other investments 
 
 1,500
 5,541
 7,041
Total $5,336
 $3,879,251
 $1,500
 $5,541
 $3,891,628
As a percentage of total assets 0.1% 56.7% % 0.1% 56.9%
December 31, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Based on NAV Practical Expedient Total Fair Value
AFS fixed maturities          
U.S. treasury bonds $5,413
 $
 $
 $
 $5,413
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 
 1,716,038
 
 
 1,716,038
U.S. agency bonds – other 
 18,102
 
 
 18,102
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 
 29,934
 
 
 29,934
Asset-backed securities 
 220,876
 
 
 220,876
Corporate bonds 
 1,916,205
 
 
 1,916,205
Municipal bonds 
 65,098
 
 
 65,098
Other investments 6,586
 
 1,000
 5,474
 13,060
Total $11,999
 $3,966,253
 $1,000
 $5,474
 $3,984,726
As a percentage of total assets 0.2% 63.4% % 0.1% 63.7%

The Company utilizes a Pricing Service to assist in determining the fair value of our investments; however, management is ultimately responsible for all fair values presented in the Company’s financial statements. This includes responsibility for monitoring the fair value process, ensuring objective and reliable valuation practices and pricing of assets and liabilities and pricing sources. The Company analyzes and reviews the information and prices received from the Pricing Service to ensure that the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value.
The Pricing Service was utilized to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 99.9%100.0% and 98.8%99.8% of itsour fixed maturities at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. The Pricing Service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted market prices in active markets. Since fixed maturities other than U.S. treasury bonds generally do not trade actively on a daily basis, the Pricing Service prepares estimates of fair value measurements using relevant market data, benchmark curves, sector groupings and matrix pricing and these have been classified as Level 2.
At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 0.1% and 1.2%, respectively,2017, 0.2% of the fixed maturities are valued using the market approach. At each of those dates, a total of threeThree securities or approximately $6,463 and $56,674, respectively,$9,489 of Level 2 fixed maturities, were priced using a quotation from a broker and/or custodian as opposed to the Pricing Service due to lack of information available. At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, we have not adjusted any pricing provided to us based on the review performed by our investment managers.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
The Company utilized a Pricing Service to estimate fair value measurement for the quoted equity investment reflecting the closing price quoted for the final trading day of the period and is included in Level 1. The quoted equity investment was sold in the third quarter of 2017.
There have not been anywere no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 and there has not been anywere no transfers to or from Level 3 during the periods represented by these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c) Level 3 Financial Instruments
TheAt September 30, 2018, the Company also has other investments of $1,500$19,032 (December 31, 20162017 - $1,000)$1,500) including investments in lending vehicles as well as investments in start-up insurance related companies,entities, the fair value of each was determined using recent private market transactions. Due to the significant unobservable inputs in these valuations, the Company includes the estimate of the fair value of these unquoted investments as Level 3.
The Company has determined that its investment in Level 3 securities is not material to its financial position or results of operations. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, there have been no transfers into or out of Level 3.
(d) Financial Instruments not measured at Fair Value
The following table presents the fair value and carrying value or principal amount of the financial instruments not measured at fair value:
  September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Financial Assets Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
HTM – corporate bonds $974,947
 $962,860
 $1,037,464
 $1,065,245
HTM – municipal bonds 57,938
 56,881
 60,337
 60,381
Total financial assets $1,032,885
 $1,019,741
 $1,097,801
 $1,125,626
         
Financial Liabilities        
Senior Notes - MHLA – 6.625% $110,000
 $75,812
 $110,000
 $101,200
Senior Notes - MHNC – 7.75% 152,500
 124,135
 152,500
 149,029
Total financial liabilities $262,500
 $199,947
 $262,500
 $250,229
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
  Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
Financial Assets        
HTM – corporate bonds $1,057,943
 $1,091,222
 $752,212
 $766,135
HTM – municipal bonds 60,425
 60,884
 
 
Total financial assets $1,118,368
 $1,152,106
 $752,212
 $766,135
         
Financial Liabilities        
Senior Notes - MHLA – 6.625% $110,000
 $117,040
 $110,000
 $111,452
Senior Notes - MHNC – 7.75% 152,500
 159,600
 152,500
 164,700
Senior Notes - MHNB – 8.00%(1)
 
 
 100,000
 101,600
Total financial liabilities $262,500
 $276,640
 $362,500
 $377,752
(1)
Please refer to "Note 6. Long-Term Debt", for disclosure regarding the redemption of the 2012 Senior Notes during the second quarter of 2017.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)



6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The goodwill and intangible assets are assigned to our Diversified Reinsurance segment. The following table shows the change in the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets held:
  Goodwill Intangible Assets Total
December 31, 2016 $57,192
 $20,523
 $77,715
Amortization 
 (2,132) (2,132)
December 31, 2017 $57,192
 $18,391
 $75,583
Amortization 
 (1,387) (1,387)
Impairment losses (57,192) (17,004) (74,196)
September 30, 2018 $
 $
 $

The goodwill and intangible assets are subject to annual impairment testing on October 1 or when “triggering events” occur or circumstances change that could potentially reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value.

The announced sale of our U.S. treaty reinsurance operations resulted in a triggering event and consequently during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company has written off the remaining balance of goodwill and intangible assets. The goodwill and intangible assets were deemed to be permanently impaired due to the sale of the U.S. treaty reinsurance renewal rights and the anticipated sale of the U.S. Diversified Reinsurance business. Please refer to "Note 8. Discontinued Operations" for further details of this disposal. The Company recognized an impairment loss of $74,196 as a result of these dispositions, which is presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as part of the loss from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. No impairment was recorded during the same periods in 2017.

The following tables show the analysis of goodwill and intangible assets classified as held for sale at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (please refer to "Note 8. Discontinued Operations" for further details):
September 30, 2018 Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Useful Life
Goodwill $58,992
 $
 $(58,992) $
 Indefinite
State licenses 4,527
 
 (4,527) 
 Indefinite
Customer relationships 51,400
 (38,923) (12,477) 
 15 years double declining
Net balance $114,919
 $(38,923) $(75,996) $
  
December 31, 2017 Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Useful Life
Goodwill $58,992
 $
 $(1,800) $57,192
 Indefinite
State licenses 4,527
 
 
 4,527
 Indefinite
Customer relationships 51,400
 (37,536) 
 13,864
 15 years double declining
Net balance $114,919
 $(37,536) $(1,800) $75,583
  


7. Long-Term Debt
Senior Notes
At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Maiden Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiary, Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. ("Maiden NA"),NA, both have an outstanding public debt offering of senior notes, which were issued in 2016 and 2013, respectively, (the "Senior Notes"). The 2013 Senior Notes issuance madeissued by Maiden NA isthe subsidiary are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.Maiden Holdings. The Senior Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligationobligations of the Company. As discussed in "Note 1. Basis of Presentation", the transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The Company’s current analysis indicates that the conditions to redeem the 2013 Senior Notes as stipulated by the securities may exist. Should final analysis support such a conclusion, the Company expects to redeem all of the $152,500 2013 Senior Notes at that time pursuant to the terms of the underlying securities.




MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

7. Long-Term Debt (continued)

The following table details the Company's Senior Notes issuances as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:    
September 30, 2018 2016 Senior Notes 2013 Senior Notes Total
Principal amount $110,000
 $152,500
 $262,500
Less: unamortized issuance costs 3,622
 4,238
 7,860
Carrying value $106,378
 $148,262
 $254,640
       
December 31, 2017 2016 Senior Notes 2013 Senior Notes Total
Principal amount $110,000
 $152,500
 $262,500
Less: unamortized issuance costs 3,654
 4,364
 8,018
Carrying value $106,346
 $148,136
 $254,482
       
Other details:      
Original debt issuance costs $3,715
 $5,054
  
Maturity date June 14, 2046
 Dec 1, 2043
  
Earliest redeemable date (for cash) June 14, 2021
 Dec 1, 2018
  
Coupon rate 6.625% 7.75%  
Effective interest rate 7.07% 8.04%  


The interest expense incurred on the Senior Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $4,776 and $14,329, respectively (2017 - $4,776 and $18,218, respectively) of which $1,342 was accrued at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The issuance costs related to the Senior Notes were capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes. The amount of amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $53 and $158, respectively (2017 - $53 and $212, respectively).
On June 27, 2017, we fully redeemed all of the 2012 Senior Notes using a portion of the proceeds from the Preference Shares - Series D issuance (see related discussionas previously disclosed in "Note 11. Shareholders' Equity").the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The 2012 Senior Notes were redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of $100,000 plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed up to, but not including, the redemption date. As a result, the Company accelerated the amortization of the remaining 2012 Senior Note issuance cost of $2,809.
The following table details the Company's Senior Notes issuances as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
September 30, 2017 2016 Senior Notes 2013 Senior Notes 2012 Senior Notes Total
Principal amount $110,000
 $152,500
 $
 $262,500
Less: unamortized issuance costs 3,664
 4,406
 
 8,070
Carrying value $106,336
 $148,094
 $
 $254,430
         
December 31, 2016 2016 Senior Notes 2013 Senior Notes 2012 Senior Notes Total
Principal amount $110,000
 $152,500
 $100,000
 $362,500
Less: unamortized issuance costs 3,694
 4,532
 2,865
 11,091
Carrying value $106,306
 $147,968
 $97,135
 $351,409
         
         
Other details:        
Original debt issuance costs $3,715
 $5,054
 $3,406
  
Maturity date June 14, 2046
 Dec 1, 2043
 Mar 27, 2042
  
Earliest redeemable date (for cash) June 14, 2021
 Dec 1, 2018
 Mar 27, 2017
  
Coupon rate 6.625% 7.75% 8.00%  
Effective interest rate 7.07% 8.04% 8.31%  
The interest expense incurred on the Senior Notes$2,809 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172017.

8. Discontinued Operations
Sale of U.S. Treaty Reinsurance operations
As described in "Note 1. Basis of Presentation", on August 29, 2018, the Company entered into a Renewal Rights transaction with TransRe. The Company continues to earn premiums and remain liable for losses occurring subsequent to August 29, 2018 for any policies in force prior to and as of August 29, 2018, until those policies expire. Subsequently, on August 31, 2018, the Company entered into a Master Transaction Agreement with Enstar.
The Company estimated the fair value of the net assets held for sale to be based on the estimated selling price less costs to sell and was $4,776 and $18,218, respectively, (2016 - $6,776 and $21,049, respectively)classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as of which $1,342 and $1,453 was accrued at September 30, 20172018. The classes of assets and liabilities to be sold and classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The issuance costs related to the Senior Notes were capitalized and are being amortized over the life2017 consist of the Senior Notes. The amount of amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $53 and $212, respectively, (2016 - $80 and $265, respectively).following:









MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


7.
8. Discontinued Operations (continued)
  September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
  (Unaudited)
ASSETS    
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value $1,153,793
 $1,336,854
Cash and cash equivalents 16,723
 13,449
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 34,956
 28,679
Accrued investment income 6,575
 6,195
Reinsurance balances receivable, net 227,454
 272,549
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 75,197
 92,728
Deferred commission and other acquisition expenses 50,532
 59,393
Goodwill and intangible assets, net 
 75,583
Other assets 50,256
 16,388
Total assets held for sale $1,615,486
 $1,901,818
LIABILITIES    
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses $1,098,119
 $1,160,526
Unearned premiums 224,794
 246,156
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 16,705
 42,726
Total liabilities held for sale $1,339,618
 $1,449,408

The following table summarizes the major classes of line items constituting the total loss from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in which the results of operations of the discontinued operations are presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Gross premiums written $130,200
 $187,971
 $492,222
 $608,835
Net premiums written $128,398
 $184,653
 $479,640
 $598,536
Net premiums earned 170,579
 196,588
 502,156
 562,038
Net investment income 9,675
 9,873
 29,729
 31,895
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses (129,414) (165,121) (371,085) (454,549)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (44,158) (48,110) (122,109) (137,759)
General and administrative expenses (10,929) (4,053) (21,046) (14,091)
Amortization of intangible assets (462) (533) (1,387) (1,599)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes (4,709) (11,356) 16,258
 (14,065)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (66,697) 
 (66,697) 
Income tax benefit (expense) 306
 1,448
 6,103
 (2,995)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax $(71,100) $(9,908) $(44,336) $(17,060)

The loss on disposal from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 includes the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $74,196 that was recognized due to the sale of Maiden US partly offset by the proceeds of the sale of the Renewal Rights of $7,500. Please refer to "Note 6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for additional information regarding the Company's impairment of goodwill and intangible assets that was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.



MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


9. Reserve for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Our reserve for loss and LAE comprises:
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Reserve for reported loss and LAE $1,898,474
 $1,617,956
Reserve for losses incurred but not reported ("IBNR") 1,466,537
 1,278,540
Reserve for loss and LAE $3,365,011
 $2,896,496
The following table represents a reconciliation of our beginning and ending gross and net loss and LAE reserves:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
Gross loss and LAE reserves, January 1 $2,896,496
 $2,510,101
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, January 1 99,936
 71,248
Net loss and LAE reserves, January 1 2,796,560
 2,438,853
Net incurred losses related to:    
Current year 1,394,623
 1,255,493
Prior years 150,534
 41,868
  1,545,157
 1,297,361
Net paid losses related to:    
Current year (400,908) (356,135)
Prior years (765,049) (722,395)
  (1,165,957) (1,078,530)
Effect of foreign exchange movements 48,622
 4,764
Net loss and LAE reserves, September 30 3,224,382
 2,662,448
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, September 30 140,629
 97,070
Gross loss and LAE reserves, September 30 $3,365,011
 $2,759,518
Management believes that its use ofCompany uses both historical experience and industry-wide loss development factors to provide a reasonable basis for estimating future losses. In the future, certain events may be beyond the control of management, such as changes in law, judicial interpretations of law, and inflation, which may favorably or unfavorably impact the ultimate settlement of the Company’s loss and LAE reserves.
The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for loss and LAE. While anticipated changes in claim costs due to inflation are considered in estimating the ultimate claim costs, changes in average severity of claims are caused by a number of factors that vary with the individual type of policy written. Ultimate losses are projected based on historical trends adjusted for implemented changes in underwriting standards, policy provisions, and general economic trends. Those anticipated trends are monitored based on actual development and are modified if necessary.
The reserving process begins with the collection and analysis of paid losses and incurred claims data for each of our contracts. While reserves are reviewed on a contract by contract basis, paid losses and incurred claims data is also aggregated into reserving segments. The segmental data is disaggregated by reserving class and further disaggregated by either accident year (i.e. the year in which the loss event occurred) or by underwriting year (i.e. the year in which the contract generating the premium and losses incepted). The Company uses underwriting year information to analyze our Diversified Reinsurance segment and subsequently allocate reserves to the respective accident years. Our reserve for loss and LAE comprises:
  September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Reserve for reported loss and LAE $1,577,494
 $1,393,560
Reserve for losses incurred but not reported ("IBNR") 1,274,191
 993,162
Reserve for loss and LAE $2,851,685
 $2,386,722
The following table represents a reconciliation of our beginning and ending gross and net loss and LAE reserves:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Gross loss and LAE reserves, January 1 $2,386,722
 $1,845,407
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, January 1 24,883
 35,948
Net loss and LAE reserves, January 1 2,361,839
 1,809,459
Net incurred losses related to:    
Current year 1,073,052
 979,416
Prior years 250,451
 111,192
  1,323,503
 1,090,608
Net paid losses related to:    
Current year (283,477) (273,050)
Prior years (555,718) (501,799)
  (839,195) (774,849)
Commuted recoverables 19,929
 
Effect of foreign exchange movements (16,202) 48,622
Net loss and LAE reserves, September 30 2,849,874
 2,173,840
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, September 30 1,811
 45,643
Gross loss and LAE reserves, September 30 $2,851,685
 $2,219,483

Effective July 1, 2018, Maiden Bermuda commuted its retrocessional quota share agreements with a highly rated global insurer which incepted on January 1, 2015.
Prior period development arises from changes to loss estimates recognized in the current year that relate to loss reserves in previous calendar years. The development reflects changes in management's best estimate of the ultimate losses under the relevant reinsurance policies after review of changes in actuarial assessments.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company recognized approximately $77,670$212,473 and $150,534,$250,451, respectively (2016(2017 - $12,446$64,044 and $41,868,$111,192, respectively) of net adverse development in both the Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance segments as well as in its run-off business.
ForIn the Diversified Reinsurance segment, the adverse prior year loss development was $7,878$671 and $39,486$1,756, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively (20162018 (2017 - $10,408$1,079 and $37,404,$8,482, respectively) which was largelyprimarily due to a higher than expectedadverse prior year loss emergence emanating largely fromdevelopment in facultative commercial auto as well as a handful of specific contracts across several lines of business.reinsurance run-off partially offset by favorable development in International Auto.
For the AmTrust Reinsurance segment, the net adverse development was $61,127 and $100,872 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, largely from program and non-program general liability, auto liability and workers compensation lines where elevated loss activity has been observed, $16,237 of which, came from one program that was terminated on September 1, 2017 (2016 - $1,993 and $1,524, respectively).
Our Other category also incurred adverse development of $8,665 and $10,176 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, (2016 - $45 and $2,940, respectively) due to increased reserves in the remaining run–off litigated U.S. E&S property claims and increased reserves in the run–off of the NGHC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)



7.9. Reserve for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (continued)
ForIn the AmTrust Reinsurance segment, the adverse prior year loss development was $210,433 and $247,326 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively (2017 - $61,127 and $100,872, respectively). The 2018 development was largely from Workers Compensation which represented nearly half of the adverse development and was primarily driven by accident years 2014 to 2017, and to a lesser extent, development in European hospital liability and Commercial Auto and General Liability lines of business. The development in 2017 was primarily due to Worker's Compensation, General liability as well as Commercial Auto liability lines of business for both Specialty Programs and Small Commercial Business where elevated loss activity had been observed.
Our Other category also incurred adverse prior year loss development of $1,369 for both the Company recorded an estimate of $20,000 in losses from Hurricanes Harveythree and Irma, predominantlynine months ended September 30, 2018 (2017 - $1,838 and $1,838, respectively) due to increased reserves in the Diversified segment largely fromrun-off of the property and casualty lines. The Company expects no impact from the Mexico earthquakes or Hurricane Maria.NGHC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
8.10. Related Party Transactions
The Founding Shareholders of the Company are Michael Karfunkel, George Karfunkel and Barry Zyskind. Michael Karfunkel passed away on April 27, 2016. Based on each individual's most recent public filing, Leah Karfunkel (wife of Michael Karfunkel) owns or controls approximately 8.0%8.2% of the outstanding shares of the Company and Barry Zyskind (the Company's non-executive chairman) owns or controls approximately 7.6%7.7% of the outstanding shares of the Company as at September 30, 2017.Company. George Karfunkel now owns or controls less than 5.0% of the outstanding shares of the Company as at September 30, 2017 so there is no longer a public filing requirement.Company. Leah Karfunkel and George Karfunkel are directors of AmTrust, and Barry Zyskind is the president, CEOchief executive officer and chairman of AmTrust. Leah Karfunkel, George Karfunkel and Barry Zyskind own or control approximately 42.8%44.0% of the outstanding shares of AmTrust. AmTrust owns 1.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of National General Holdings Corporation ("NGHC") common stock,, and Leah Karfunkel and the Michael Karfunkel 2005 Family Trust (which is controlled by Leah Karfunkel) owns 41.8%41.7% of the outstanding common shares of NGHC. Barry Zyskind is the non-executive chairman of NGHC.
AmTrust
The following describes transactions between the Company and AmTrust:
AmTrust Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement
Effective July 1, 2007, the Company and AmTrust entered into a master agreement, as amended (the "Master Agreement"), by which they caused Maiden Bermuda, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and AmTrust's Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary, AmTrust International Insurance, Ltd. ("AII"), to enter into a quota share reinsurance agreement (the "Reinsurance Agreement") by which AII retrocedes to Maiden Bermuda an amount equal to 40% of the premium written by subsidiaries of AmTrust, net of the cost of unaffiliated inuring reinsurance and 40% of losses. The Master Agreement further provided that AII receives a ceding commission of 31% of ceded written premiums. On June 11, 2008, Maiden Bermuda and AII amended the Reinsurance Agreement to add Retail Commercial Package Business to the Covered Business. AII receives a ceding commission of 34.375% on Retail Commercial Package Business.
On July 1, 2016, the agreement was renewed through June 30, 2019. The agreement automatically renews for successive three-year periods thereafter unless AII or Maiden Bermuda elects to so terminate the Reinsurance Agreement by giving written notice to the other party not less than five months prior to July 1, 2019 or not less than nine months prior to the expiration of any successive three-year period. Either party is entitled to terminate on thirty days' notice or less upon the occurrence of certain early termination events, which include a default in payment, insolvency, change in control of AII or Maiden Bermuda, run-off, or a reduction of 50% or more of the shareholders' equity of Maiden Bermuda or the combined shareholders' equity of AII and the AmTrust subsidiaries.On August 8, 2018, the Company’s and AmTrust’s Board of Directors agreed to extend the renewal provision for the Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement between Maiden Bermuda and AII. The new written notice date for renewal of the agreement has been extended from September 30, 2018 to January 31, 2019.
Effective July 1, 2018, the amount AEL cedes to the Company was reduced to 20%.
Additionally, for the Specialty Program portion of Covered Business only, AII will be responsible for ultimate net loss otherwise recoverable from Maiden Bermuda to the extent that the loss ratio to Maiden Bermuda, which shall be determined on an inception to date basis from July 1, 2007 through the date of calculation, is between 81.5% and 95%. Above and below the defined corridor, Maiden Bermuda will continue to reinsure losses at its proportional 40% share per the Reinsurance Agreement.
AmTrust European Hospital Liability Quota Share Agreement ("European Hospital Liability Quota Share")
Effective April 1, 2011, Maiden Bermuda, entered into a quota share reinsurance contract with AmTrust Europe Limited ("AEL")AEL and AmTrust International Underwriters Limited ("AIUL"), both wholly owned subsidiaries of AmTrust. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Maiden Bermuda assumed 40% of the premiums and losses related to policies classified as European Hospital Liability, including associated liability coverages and policies covering physician defense costs, written or renewed on or after April 1, 2011. The contract also covers policies written or renewed on or before March 31, 2011, but only with respect to losses that occur, accrue or arise on or after April 1, 2011. The maximum limit of liability attaching shall be €5,000 (€10,000 effective January 1, 2012) or currency equivalent (on a 100% basis) per original claim for any one original policy. Maiden Bermuda will pay a ceding commission of 5%. The agreement has beenis renewed through March 31, 20182019 and can be terminated at any April 1 by either party on four months notice.
Effective July 1, 2016, the contract was amended such that Maiden Bermuda assumes from AEL 32.5% of the premiums and losses of all policies written or renewed on or after July 1, 2016 until June 30, 2017 and 20% of all policies written or renewed on or after July 1, 2017. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded approximately $138,171 and $460,667 (2016 - $163,336 and $447,767, respectively) of commission expense as a result of both of these quota share arrangements with AmTrust.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


8.10. Related Party Transactions (continued)
Other Reinsurance Agreements
Effective September 1, 2010,The table below shows the Company, through a subsidiary, entered into aeffect of both of these quota share reinsurance agreementarrangements with Technology Insurance Company, Inc. ("Technology"), a subsidiaryAmTrust on the Company's results of AmTrust. Under the agreement, we ceded (a) 90% of its gross liability written under the Open Lending Program ("OPL") and (b) 100% of its surplus lines general liability business under the Naxos Avondale Specialty Casualty Program ("NAXS"). Our involvement is limited to certain states where Technology was not fully licensed. The agreement also provides that we receive a ceding commission of 5% of ceded written premiums.
The OPL program was terminated on December 31, 2011, on a run-off basis, and the NAXS program was terminated on October 31, 2012. We recorded $1 and $4 of ceded premiumsoperations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively (2016 - $nil2018 and $12, respectively).2017:
Effective April 1, 2012, the Company, through a subsidiary, entered into a reinsurance agreement with AmTrust's wholly owned subsidiary, AmTrust North America, Inc. ("AmTrust NA"). We indemnify AmTrust NA, on an excess of loss basis, as a result of losses occurring on AmTrust NA's new and renewal policies relating to the lines of business classified as Automobile Liability by AmTrust NA in its annual statement utilizing the specific underwriting guidelines defined in the reinsurance agreement. AmTrust NA shall retain the first $1,000 of loss, per any one policy or per any one loss occurrence. This agreement has a term of one year and automatically renews annually unless terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, under the terms of this agreement, we have recorded net premiums earned of approximately $351 and $1,182, respectively (2016 - $305 and $745, respectively) and commission expense of $53 and $256, respectively (2016 - $87 and $187, respectively).
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
Gross and net premiums written $452,795
 $420,019
 $1,518,208
 $1,575,677
Net premiums earned 491,613
 451,372
 1,472,614
 1,492,948
Net loss and LAE (579,240) (364,574) (1,275,723) (1,080,480)
Commission expenses (152,511) (138,171) (456,861) (460,667)


Collateral provided to AmTrust
a) AmTrust Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement
In order to provide AmTrust's U.S. insurance subsidiaries with credit for reinsurance on their statutory financial statements, AII, as the direct reinsurer of the AmTrust's insurance subsidiaries, has established trust accounts ("Trust Accounts") for their benefit. Maiden Bermuda has agreed to provide appropriate collateral to secure its proportional share under the Reinsurance Agreement of AII's obligations to the AmTrust subsidiaries to whom AII is required to provide collateral. This collateral may be in the form of (a) assets loaned by Maiden Bermuda to AII for deposit into the Trust Accounts, pursuant to a loan agreement between those parties, (b) assets transferred by Maiden Bermuda for deposit into the Trust Accounts, (c) a letter of credit obtained by Maiden Bermuda and delivered to an AmTrust subsidiary on AII's behalf, or (d) premiums withheld by an AmTrust subsidiary at Maiden Bermuda's request in lieu of remitting such premiums to AII. Maiden Bermuda may provide any or a combination of these forms of collateral, provided that the aggregate value thereof equals Maiden Bermuda's proportionate share of its obligations under the Reinsurance Agreement with AII.
Maiden Bermuda satisfied its collateral requirements under the Reinsurance Agreement with AII as follows:
by lending funds in the amount of $167,975 at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 pursuant to a loan agreement entered into between those parties. Advances under the loan, which were made in three separate tranches of $113,542 (December 18, 2007), $20,193 (April 11, 2008) and $34,240 (June 23, 2008), are secured by promissory notes. TheEffective December 18, 2017, the maturity date with respect to each advance is ten years fromshall be the dateearliest of (i) June 30, 2019, (ii) such time as there are no remaining obligations due to AmTrust under the Reinsurance Agreement in respect of which such advance was made.originally made or (iii) such time as AII is no longer required to secure its proportionate share of such obligations. This loan was assigned by AII to AmTrust effective December 31, 2014 and is carried at cost. InterestEffective December 18, 2017, interest is payable at a rate equivalent to the Federal Funds Effective Rate ("Fed Funds") plus 200 basis points per annum. Prior to that date, the interest was payable at a rate equivalent to the one-month LIBOR plus 90 basis points per annum; and
effective December 1, 2008, the Company entered into a Reinsurer Trust Assets Collateral agreement to provide to AII sufficient collateral to secure its proportional share of AII's obligations to the U.S. AmTrust subsidiaries. The amount of the collateral at September 30, 20172018 was approximately $3,245,369$3,351,365 (December 31, 20162017 - $2,766,032)$3,328,757) and the accrued interest was $21,288$22,391 (December 31, 20162017 - $20,420)$20,830). Please refer to "Note 4. (e) Investments" for additional information.
b) European Hospital Liability Quota Share
AEL requested that Maiden Bermuda provide collateral to secure its proportional share under the European Hospital Liability Quota Share agreement. Please refer to "Note 4. (e) Investments" for additional information.
Brokerage Agreement
Effective July 1, 2007, the Company entered into a reinsurance brokerage agreement with AII Reinsurance Broker Ltd. ("AIIB"), a wholly owned subsidiary of AmTrust. Pursuant to the brokerage agreement, AIIB provides brokerage services relating to the Reinsurance Agreement and the European Hospital Liability Quota Share agreement for a fee equal to 1.25% of the premium assumed. The brokerage fee is payable in consideration of AIIB's brokerage services. AIIB is not the Company's exclusive broker. The agreement may be terminated upon 30 days written notice by either party. Maiden Bermuda recorded approximately $5,642$6,145 and $18,662$18,408 of reinsurance brokerage expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, respectively (2016(2017 - $6,652$5,642 and $18,330,$18,662, respectively) and deferred reinsurance brokerage of $15,297 at September 30, 2017 of $15,4762018 (December 31, 20162017 - $14,395)$14,741) as a result of this agreement.
The Company also paid brokerage fees to AmTrust's subsidiary, AmTrust North America, of $54 and $55 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (2016 - $41 and $42), respectively, for acting as insurance intermediary in relation to certain insurance placements.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

8. Related Party Transactions (continued)
Asset Management Agreement
Effective July 1, 2007, the Company entered into an asset management agreement with AII Insurance Management Limited ("AIIM"), a wholly owned subsidiary of AmTrust, pursuant to which AIIM has agreed to provide investment management services to the Company. Effective January 1, 2018, AIIM provides investment management services for a quarterly fee of 0.0375% if0.02125% of the average value of the account foraccount. Prior to that date, the previous calendar quarter is greater than $1 billion.fee was payable at a rate of 0.0375%. The agreement may be terminated upon 30 days written notice by either party. The Company recorded approximately $1,927$1,055 and $5,586$3,137 of investment management fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, respectively (2016(2017 - $1,780$1,927 and $5,122,$5,586, respectively) as a result of this agreement.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

10. Related Party Transactions (continued)
Other
The Company entered into time sharing agreements for the lease of aircraft owned by AmTrust Underwriters, Inc. ("AUI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of AmTrust, and by AmTrust on March 1, 2011 and November 5, 2014, respectively. The agreements automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the agreements. Pursuant to the agreements, the Company will reimburse AUI and AmTrust for actual expenses incurred as allowed by Federal Aviation Regulations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company recorded an expense of $nil$21 and $39,$54, respectively (2016(2017 - $22$0 and $61,$39, respectively) for the use of the aircraft.
NGHC
The following describes transactions between the Company and NGHC and its subsidiaries:
NGHC Quota Share
Maiden Bermuda, effective March 1, 2010, had a 50% participation in the NGHC Quota Share, by which it received 25% of net premiums of the personal lines automobile business and assumed 25% of the related net losses. On August 1, 2013, the Company received notice from NGHC of the termination of the NGHC Quota Share effective on that date. The Company and NGHC mutually agreed that the termination is on a run-off basis.
Other
Effective April 1, 2015, Maiden US renewed the Medical Excess of Loss reinsurance agreement with wholly owned subsidiaries of NGHC, Distributors Insurance Company PCC, AIBD Insurance Company IC and Professional Services Captive Corporation IC. Pursuant to this agreement, Maiden US indemnifies on an excess of loss basis, for the amounts of net loss, paid from April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016. Maiden US was liable for 100% of the net loss for each covered person per agreement year in excess of the $1,175 retention (each covered person per agreement year). Maiden US' liability did not exceed $8,825 per covered person per agreement year. In addition, Maiden US continued to indemnify extra contractual obligations with a maximum liability of $2,000. This agreement terminated on March 31, 2016 and Maiden US was relieved of all liability hereunder for losses incurred or paid subsequent to such termination date. Under these agreements, Maiden US recorded no premiums earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (2016 - $nil and $157, respectively).
Effective May 1, 2015, Maiden US entered into an agreement with several NGHC subsidiaries for medical excess of loss programs. This program covers employer aggregate and traditional specific medical stop loss policies underwritten by the Managing General Agent that they support. The NGHC companies covered under the treaty are Integon Indemnity Insurance Company, Integon National Insurance Company and National Health Insurance Company. This agreement expired on April 30, 2017. Upon expiration of this agreement, coverage remains in full force and effect on all assumed liability for policies in force on the date of expiration until expiration, cancellation or next anniversary date of such subject policies.
The treaty limit of the aggregate medical stop loss is subject to a limit of $4,000 in excess of $1,000 any one insured person. The treaty limit on the traditional specific medical stop loss Layer 1 is subject to a limit of $1,000 in excess of $1,000 any one insured person; Layer 2 is subject to a limit of $3,000 in excess of $2,000 any one insured person and Layer 3 is subject to a limit of $5,000 in excess of $5,000. In addition to these limits, the Company shall cover extra contractual obligations arising under this agreement with a maximum liability of $2,000. Under these agreements, Maiden US recorded $163 and $403 of premiums earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively (2016 - $136 and $295, respectively).
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

9.11. Commitments and Contingencies
a)Concentrations of Credit Risk
At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company’s assets where significant concentrations of credit risk may exist include investments, cash and cash equivalents, loan to related party, reinsurance balances receivable and reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses.losses (presented as part of other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet).
The reinsurers with the three largest balances accounted for 44.7%, 15.7% and 14.6%, respectively, of the Company's reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses balance at September 30, 20172018 was $1,811 (December 31, 2016 – 54.8%, 31.6% and 2.9%, respectively)2017 - $24,883). At September 30, 2017, 98.7%2018, 94.6% (December 31, 20162017 - 97.2%99.5%) of the reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses was due from reinsurers and retrocessionaires with credit ratings from A.M Best of AA+ or better, and 1.3% (December 31, 2016 - 2.8%) of the reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses was due from reinsurers with ratings of B++ or lower.better. At September 30, 2017, 89.1% (December 31, 2016 - 98.6%) of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, due from reinsurers with ratings of B++ or lower, were collateralized.
At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had no valuation allowance against reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses.
The Company manages concentration of credit risk in the investment portfolio through issuer and sector exposure limitations. The Company believes it bears minimal credit risk in its cash on deposit. The Company also monitors the credit risk related to the loan to related party and its reinsurance balances receivable, within which the largest balance is due from AmTrust.receivable. To mitigate credit risk, we generally have a contractual right of offset thereby allowing us to settle claims net of any premiums or loan receivable. The Company believes these balances as at September 30, 2018 will be fully collectible.
b)Concentrations of Revenue
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, our gross premiums written from AmTrust accounted for $420,019$452,795 or 66.6%93.5% and $1,575,677$1,518,208 or 69.7%93.2%, respectively, of our total gross premiums written (2016(2017$520,104$420,019 or 73.6%94.8% and $1,591,902$1,575,677 or 70.5%95.5%, respectively).
c)Dividends Declared
On August 3, 2017,8, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the following quarterly dividend:
  Dividend per Share Payable on: Record date:
Common shares $0.150.05 October 16, 201715, 2018 October 2, 20171, 2018
d)Redemption of 2013 Senior Notes
As discussed in "Note 1. Basis of Presentation", the transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The Company's current analysis indicates that the conditions to redeem the 2013 Senior Notes as stipulated by the securities may exist. Should final analysis support such a conclusion, the Company expects to redeem all of the $152,500 2013 Senior Notes at that time pursuant to the terms of the underlying securities.
e)Legal Proceedings
Except as noted below, the Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings. From time to time, the Company is subject to routine legal proceedings, including arbitrations, arising in the ordinary course of business. These legal proceedings generally relate to claims asserted by or against the Company in the ordinary course of insurance or reinsurance operations. Based on the Company's opinion, the eventual outcome of these legal proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
In April 2009, the Company learned that Bentzion S. Turin, the former Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of Maiden Holdings and Maiden Bermuda, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor claiming that his employment with the Company was terminated in retaliation for corporate whistle blowingwhistleblowing in violation of the whistle blowerwhistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Mr. Turin alleged that he was terminated for raising concerns regarding corporate governance with respect to the negotiation of the terms of the Trust Preferred Securities Offering. He seeks reinstatement as Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of Maiden Holdings and Maiden Bermuda, back pay and legal fees incurred. On December 31,
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

11. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
2009, the U.S. Secretary of Labor found no reasonable cause for Mr. Turin’s claim and dismissed the complaint in its entirety. Mr. Turin objected to the Secretary's findings and requested a hearing before an administrative law judge in the U.S. Department of Labor. The Company moved to dismiss Mr. Turin's complaint, and its motion was granted by the Administrative Law Judge on June 30, 2011.
On July 13, 2011, Mr. Turin filed a petition for review of the Administrative Law Judge's decision with the Administrative Review Board in the U.S. Department of Labor. On March 29, 2013, the Administrative Review Board reversed the dismissal of the complaint on procedural grounds, and remanded the case to the administrative law judge. The administrative hearing began in September 2014. Twelve hearing days have taken place,2014, and we expect the hearings to conclude in late 2017 or early 2018. The Company believes that it had good and sufficient reasons for terminating Mr. Turin's employment and that the claim is without merit. The Company will continue to vigorously defend itself against this claim.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

10.12. Earnings per Common Share
The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
Numerator:    
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden $(55,051) $40,852
Dividends on preference shares – Series A, C and D (8,545) (6,032)
Dividends on convertible preference shares – Series B 
 (2,991)
Amount allocated to participating common shareholders(1)
 (6) (19)
Numerator for basic EPS - net (loss) income allocated to Maiden common shareholders (63,602) 31,810
Potentially dilutive securities:    
Dividends on convertible preference shares – Series B(2)
 
 2,991
Numerator for diluted EPS - net (loss) income allocated to Maiden common shareholders after assumed conversion $(63,602) $34,801
Denominator:    
Weighted average number of common shares – basic 85,859,201
 75,993,451
Potentially dilutive securities:    
Share options and restricted share units 
 1,100,206
Convertible preference shares(2)
 
 9,057,294
Adjusted weighted average number of common shares and assumed conversions – diluted 85,859,201
 86,150,951
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders: $(0.74) $0.42
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders: $(0.74) $0.40
     
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
Numerator:    
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden $(44,854) $117,678
Dividends on preference shares – Series A, C and D (20,611) (18,752)
Dividends on convertible preference shares – Series B 
 (8,971)
Amount allocated to participating common shareholders(1)
 (17) (55)
Numerator for basic EPS - net (loss) income allocated to Maiden common shareholders (65,482) 89,900
Potentially dilutive securities:    
Dividends on convertible preference shares – Series B(2)
 
 8,971
Numerator for diluted EPS - net (loss) income allocated to Maiden common shareholders after assumed conversion $(65,482) $98,871
Denominator:    
Weighted average number of common shares – basic 86,256,481
 74,625,839
Potentially dilutive securities:    
Share options and restricted share units 
 1,085,740
Convertible preference shares(2)
 
 10,306,440
Adjusted weighted average number of common shares and assumed conversions – diluted 86,256,481
 86,018,019
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders: $(0.76) $1.20
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders: $(0.76) $1.15
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Numerator:    
Net loss from continuing operations $(229,132) $(45,146)
Add: net (income) loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests (62) 3
Net loss attributable to Maiden from continuing operations (229,194) (45,143)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (71,100) (9,908)
Net loss attributable to Maiden (300,294) (55,051)
Dividends on preference shares – Series A, C and D (8,545) (8,545)
Amount allocated to participating common shareholders(1)
 (8) (6)
Net loss allocated to Maiden common shareholders $(308,847)
$(63,602)
Denominator:    
Weighted average number of common shares – basic and diluted 83,089,172
 85,859,201
Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(2.86) $(0.62)
Basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders (0.86) (0.12)
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders: $(3.72) $(0.74)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
Numerator:    
Net loss from continuing operations $(230,873) $(27,828)
Add: net (income) loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests (180) 34
Net loss attributable to Maiden from continuing operations (231,053) (27,794)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (44,336) (17,060)
Net loss attributable to Maiden (275,389) (44,854)
Dividends on preference shares – Series A, C and D (25,636) (20,611)
Amount allocated to participating common shareholders(1)
 (17) (17)
Net loss allocated to Maiden common shareholders $(301,042)
$(65,482)
Denominator:    
Weighted average number of common shares – basic and diluted 83,085,441
 86,256,481
Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(3.09) $(0.56)
Basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders (0.53) (0.20)
Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders: $(3.62) $(0.76)
(1)This represents earnings allocated to the holders of non-vested restricted shares issued to the Company's employees under the 2007 Share Incentive Plan.
(2)

Please refer to "Note 13. Shareholders' Equity" and "Note 14. Share Compensation and Pension Plans" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for the terms and conditions of each of these anti-dilutive instruments.

MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


11.13. Shareholders' Equity
a)Common Shares
At September 30, 2017,2018, the aggregate authorized share capital of the Company is 150,000,000 shares from which the Company has issued 87,728,55487,932,287 common shares, of which 84,624,82982,942,737 common shares are outstanding, and 18,600,000 preference shares, all of which are outstanding. The remaining 43,671,44643,467,713 are undesignated at September 30, 2017.2018. For further discussion on the components of Shareholders' Equity, please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
b)
Preference Shares Series D
On June 15, 2017, the Company issued and authorized a total of 6,000,000, 6.700% Preference Shares – Series D (the "Preference Shares - Series D"), par value $0.01 per share, at a price of $25 per preference share. The Company's total net proceeds from the offering was $144,942, after deducting issuance costs of $5,058, which were recognized as a reduction in additional paid-in capital. The Preference Shares – Series D have no stated maturity date and are redeemable in whole or in part at the sole option of the Company any time after June 15, 2022, subject to certain regulatory restrictions at a redemption price of $25 per preference share plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends. Additionally, at any time prior to June 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all but not less than all of the Series D Preference Shares at a redemption price of $26 per share, plus declared and unpaid dividends, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption subject to certain conditions and regulatory approval.
Dividends on the Preference Shares – Series D are non-cumulative. Consequently, in the event a dividend is not declared on the Preference Shares – Series D for any dividend period, holders of Preference Shares – Series D will not be entitled to receive a dividend for such period, and such undeclared dividend will not accrue and will not be payable. The holders of Preference Shares – Series D will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by the Company's board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors. Any such dividends will be payable from, and including, the date of original issue on a non-cumulative basis, quarterly in arrears.
To the extent declared, these dividends will accumulate, with respect to each dividend period, in an amount per share equal to 6.7% of the $25 liquidation preference per annum. During any dividend period, so long as any Preference Shares – Series D remain outstanding, unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on all outstanding Preference Shares – Series D have been declared and paid, no dividend shall be paid or declared on the common shares.
The holders of the Preference Shares – Series D have no voting rights other than the right to elect up to two directors if preference share dividends are not declared and paid for six or more dividend periods.
c)Treasury Shares
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the Company repurchased a total of 2,015,700 common shares at an average price of $7.11 per share under its share repurchase authorization. As at September 30, 2017, the Company has a remaining authorization of $85,662 for share repurchases.
In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company repurchased a total of 38,12229,391 (2017 - 38,122) shares at an average price per share of $15.06$6.57 (2017 - $15.06) from employees, which represent withholdings in respect of tax obligations on the vesting of restricted shares and performance based shares. None of these repurchases took place during
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018, 205,000 shares (2017 - 2,015,700) were repurchased on the open market at an average price per share of $3.31 (2017- $7.11) under the Company's share repurchase plan which has a remaining authorization of $74,245 at September 30, 2018 (December 31, 2017 - $74,924).
c)Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The following tables set forth financial information regarding the changes in the balances of each component of AOCI:

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $(96,107) $(918) $(97,025)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (24,656) 4,458
 (20,198)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax 785
 
 785
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (23,871) 4,458
 (19,413)
Ending balance (119,978) 3,540
 (116,438)
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (69) (69)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $(119,978) $3,609
 $(116,369)
       
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $27,866
 $7,629
 $35,495
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 24,994
 (10,828) 14,166
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax (3,650) 
 (3,650)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 21,344
 (10,828) 10,516
Ending balance 49,210
 (3,199) 46,011
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (68) (68)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $49,210
 $(3,131) $46,079

















MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)


11.
13. Shareholders' Equity (continued)
d)Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following tables set forth financial information regarding the changes in the balances of each component of AOCI:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $21,889
 $(8,583) $13,306
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (141,907) 12,123
 (129,784)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax 40
 
 40
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (141,867) 12,123
 (129,744)
Ending balance (119,978) 3,540
 (116,438)
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (69) (69)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $(119,978) $3,609
 $(116,369)
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $(20,716) $35,604
 $14,888
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 68,803
 (38,803) 30,000
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax 1,123
 
 1,123
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 69,926
 (38,803) 31,123
Ending balance 49,210
 (3,199) 46,011
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (68) (68)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $49,210
 $(3,131) $46,079
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $27,866
 $7,629
 $35,495
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 24,994
 (10,828) 14,166
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax (3,650) 
 (3,650)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 21,344
 (10,828) 10,516
Ending balance 49,210
 (3,199) 46,011
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (68) (68)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $49,210
 $(3,131) $46,079
       
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $93,793
 $25,034
 $118,827
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 8,899
 (2,730) 6,169
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax (1,202) 
 (1,202)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 7,697
 (2,730) 4,967
Ending balance 101,490
 22,304
 123,794
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (82) (82)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $101,490
 $22,386
 $123,876
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $(20,716) $35,604
 $14,888
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 68,803
 (38,803) 30,000
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax 1,123
 
 1,123
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 69,926
 (38,803) 31,123
Ending balance 49,210
 (3,199) 46,011
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (68) (68)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $49,210
 $(3,131) $46,079
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Change in net unrealized gains on investment Foreign currency translation adjustments Total
Beginning balance $(54,112) $30,231
 $(23,881)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 155,024
 (7,927) 147,097
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax 578
 
 578
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 155,602
 (7,927) 147,675
Ending balance 101,490
 22,304
 123,794
Less: AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest 
 (82) (82)
Ending balance, Maiden shareholders $101,490
 $22,386
 $123,876

12.14. Subsequent Events
On November 7, 2017,9, 2018, the Company's BoardCompany signed an agreement ("Enstar Master Agreement") with Enstar, pursuant to which, an Enstar subsidiary would enter into a retrocession agreement to effect a loss portfolio transfer in which the Enstar subsidiary would assume all of Directors authorized the following quarterly dividends:liabilities for loss reserves as of June 30, 2018 associated with the quota share reinsurance agreements that Maiden Bermuda has with AmTrust or its subsidiaries. Enstar will assume $2,675,000 of net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves upon closing, subject to adjustment for paid losses since June 30, 2018. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
Both of the Company’s current quota share reinsurance contracts with AmTrust remain in-force. As previously disclosed in "Note 10. Related Party Transactions", the Company and AmTrust have mutually agreed to extend the notice period of non-renewal for the current Master Agreement until January 31, 2019.
 
Dividend per Share
Payable on:
Record date:
Common shares
$0.15
 January 16, 2018 January 2, 2018
Preference shares - Series A
$0.515625
 December 15, 2017 December 1, 2017
Preference shares - Series C $0.445313
 December 15, 2017 December 1, 2017
Preference shares - Series D $0.418750
 December 15, 2017 December 1, 2017





Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Form 10-Q" or this "Report"). References in this Form 10-Q to the terms "we", "us", "our", "the Company" or other similar terms mean the consolidated operations of Maiden Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. References in this Form 10-Q to the term "Maiden Holdings" means Maiden Holdings, Ltd. only.Certain reclassifications have been made for 20162017 to conform to the 20172018 presentation and have no impact on consolidated net income and total equity previously reported.
Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes projections concerning financial information and statements concerning future economic performance and events, plans and objectives relating to management, operations, products and services, and assumptions underlying these projections and statements. These projections and statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are not historical facts but instead represent only our belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. These projections and statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, product development, financial results and reserves. Our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from these projections and statements and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ, possibly materially, from those in the specific projections and statements are discussed throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 6, 2017,1, 2018, however these factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.


Overview
We are a Bermuda-based holding company, primarily focused on serving the needs of regional and specialty insurers in the United States ("U.S."), Europe and select other global markets by providing innovative reinsurance solutions designed to support their capital needs. We specialize in reinsurance solutions that optimize financing and risk management by providing coverage within the more predictable and actuarially credible lower layers of coverage and/or reinsuring risks that are believed to be lower hazard, more predictable and generally not susceptible to catastrophe claims. Our tailored solutions include a variety of value added services focused on helping our clients grow and prosper.
Our principal operating subsidiaries are rated "A" (Excellent)Board of Directors initiated a review of strategic alternatives earlier this year to evaluate ways to increase shareholder value as a result of continuing higher than targeted combined ratios and lower returns on equity than planned.
On August 29, 2018, we entered into a Renewal Rights Agreement (“Renewal Rights”), with a stable outlook by A.M. BestTransatlantic Reinsurance Company ("A.M. Best") which rating is the third highest of sixteen rating levels and "BBB+" (Good) with a negative outlook by S&P Global Ratings ("S&P"TransRe"), pursuant to which iswe agreed to sell, and TransRe agreed to purchase, Maiden Reinsurance North America, Inc.'s ("Maiden US") rights to: (i) renew its treaty reinsurance agreements upon their expiration or cancellation, (ii) solicit renewals of and replacement coverages for the eighth highesttreaty reinsurance agreements and (iii) replicate and use the products and contract forms used in Maiden US’s business. The sale was consummated on August 29, 2018. We continue to earn premiums and remain liable for losses occurring subsequent to August 29, 2018 for any policies in force prior to and as of twenty-two rating levels. Our common shares trade onAugust 29, 2018, until those policies expire. The payment received for sale of the NASDAQ Global Select MarketRenewal Rights was $7.5 million, subject to further increases in accordance with the agreement.
On August 31, 2018, we entered into a sale agreement (the “Master Transaction Agreement”), with Enstar Group Limited ("NASDAQ"Enstar"), pursuant to which Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. ("Maiden NA") underwill sell, and Enstar will purchase, all of the symbol "MHLD".
We providecapital stock of our subsidiary Maiden US, the entity that conducts our U.S. reinsurance in the U.S. and Europe through our wholly owned subsidiaries,business. Maiden Reinsurance Ltd. ("Maiden Bermuda") will enter into a novation agreement and a retrocession agreement pursuant to which certain assets and liabilities associated with the U.S. treaty reinsurance business held by Maiden Bermuda will be novated or retroceded to Cavello Bay Reinsurance North America,Limited (“Cavello”), Enstar’s Bermuda reinsurance affiliate in exchange for a ceding commission of $14.0 million, and (iii) Maiden Bermuda will provide Enstar with a reinsurance cover for adverse reinsurance cover for loss reserve development up to a maximum of $25,000 when losses are more than $100,000 in excess of the net loss and loss adjustment expenses recorded as of June 30, 2018. The purchase price for the Maiden US Sale is $321.5 million payable in cash, which amount is gross of the ceding commission referred to above and subject to certain closing adjustments. The transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The Company’s current analysis indicates that the conditions to redeem the 2013 Senior Notes as stipulated by the securities may exist. Should final analysis support such a conclusion, the Company expects to redeem all of the $152.5 million 2013 Senior Notes at that time pursuant to the terms of the underlying securities.
As a result of the above decision to divest all of our U.S. reinsurance treaty operations, these operations are now classified as discontinued operations, and except as explicitly described as held for sale or as discontinued operations, and unless otherwise noted, all discussions and amounts presented herein relate to the Company's continuing operations, except for net loss, net loss attributable to Maiden and net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders.
While the transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement have significantly reduced revenues in our Diversified Reinsurance segment, we expect to continue to pursue our international reinsurance solutions written through Maiden Bermuda and in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment, also through Maiden Bermuda. The current AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. ("AmTrust") reinsurance agreements expire on March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, respectively, and are subject to renewal negotiations between AmTrust and us.
We continue to provide reinsurance in Europe through our wholly owned subsidiary, Maiden US").Bermuda. Internationally, we continue to provide insurance sales and distribution services through Maiden Global Holdings, Ltd. ("Maiden Global") and its subsidiaries. Maiden Global primarily focuses on providing branded auto and credit life insurance products through insurer partners to retail clients in the European Union ("EU") and other global markets. These products also produce reinsurance programs which are underwritten by Maiden Bermuda. Certain international credit life business is written on a primary basis by Maiden Life Försäkrings AB ("Maiden LF"). During 2016,
Our principal operating subsidiaries, Maiden Bermuda and Maiden US, each currently has a financial strength rating of "A-" (Excellent, the fourth highest out of sixteen rating levels) with a negative outlook by A.M. Best Company incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary, Maiden General Försäkrings AB ("Maiden GF"A.M. Best"). Our common shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") in Sweden.under the symbol "MHLD".
Our business consists of two reportable segments: Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance. As a result of the strategic decision to divest all of the Company's U.S. treaty reinsurance operations as discussed above, the Company has revised the composition of its reportable segments. Our Diversified Reinsurance segment now only consists of a portfolio of predominantly property and casualty reinsurance business focusing on regional and specialty property and casualty insurance companies located primarily in the U.S. and also in Europe. Our AmTrust Reinsurance segment includes all business ceded by AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. ("AmTrust") to Maiden Bermuda, primarily the AmTrust Quota Share and the European Hospital Liability Quota Share.
On November 9, 2018, the Company signed an agreement ("Enstar Master Agreement") with Enstar, pursuant to which, an Enstar subsidiary would enter into a retrocession agreement to effect a loss portfolio transfer in which the Enstar subsidiary would assume all of the liabilities for loss reserves as of June 30, 2018 associated with the quota share reinsurance agreements that Maiden Bermuda has with AmTrust or its subsidiaries. Enstar will assume $2.675 billion of net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves upon closing, subject to adjustment for paid losses since June 30, 2018. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.


Both of the Company’s current quota share reinsurance contracts with AmTrust remain in-force. As previously disclosed, the Company and AmTrust have mutually agreed to extend the notice period of non-renewal for the current Master Agreement until January 31, 2019.
The reinsurance industry is mature and highly competitive and the market conditions in which we operate have historically been cyclical, experiencing periods of price erosion followed by rate strengthening as a result of catastrophes or other significant losses that affect the overall capacity of the industry to provide coverage.competitive. Reinsurance companies compete on the basis of many factors, including premium rates, company and underwriter relationships, general reputation and perceived financial strength, the terms and conditions of the products offered, ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, speed of claims payments, reputation and experience in risks underwritten, capacity and coverages offered and various other factors. These factors operate at the individual market participant level and generally in the aggregate across the reinsurance industry. In addition, underlying economic conditions and variations in the reinsurance buying practices of ceding companies, by participant and in the aggregate, contribute to cyclical movements in rates, terms and conditions and may impact industry aggregate results and subsequently the level of completioncompetition in the reinsurance industry.
While the business we write as part of our business model remains somewhat more insulated from these competitive conditions, we continue to experience residual pricing pressures as a result of these broader industry conditions. As market conditions evolve,continue to develop, we continue to maintain our adherence to disciplined underwriting by declining business when pricing terms and conditions do not meet our underwriting and pricing standards.
During the third quarter of 2017, a series of natural catastrophes caused significant losses in insurance and reinsurance markets globally. Consistent with our low volatility, non–catastrophe oriented business model, we experienced more limited losses from these events than other market participants, with an estimate of $20.0 million from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in the U.S., and no expected losses from Hurricane Maria or the Mexican earthquakes. While the ultimate losses from these events are not known presently, it appears the magnitude of loss may be sufficient to result in some level of pricing increases, primarily in property lines but possibly more broadly. We believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of market conditions should the pricing environment become more favorable.
Since our founding in 2007, we have entered into a series of significant strategic and capital transactions that have transformed the scope and scale of our business while maintaining our low volatility, non-catastrophe risk profile. These transactions have supported the growth in our gross premiums written to in excess of $2.8 billion in 2016 while significantly enhancing our total capital resources. Total capital resources are approximately $1.7 billion at September 30, 2017.
To date, we have not yet attained our targeted returns. We believe our efficient balance sheet and low volatility business are the primary reasons our returns have generally exceeded industry averages. Our capital management strategy in recent years has appreciably lowered our cost of capital and improved our returns on common equity. More recently, higher than targeted combined ratios have affected our underwriting profitability and limited our progress toward our objective. We believe, however, that the underwriting initiatives we have implemented will enable us to make progress toward our long term operating return on common equity target during the next 12 to 24 months.
Please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 for further information.

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 Financial Highlights
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change
Summary Consolidated Statement of Income Data: ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net (loss) income $(55,054) $40,796
 $(95,850)
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders (63,596) 31,829
 (95,425)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings(1)
 (56,414) 30,196
 (86,610)
Basic (loss) earnings per common share:      
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders(2)
 (0.74) 0.42
 (1.16)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders(1)
 (0.66) 0.40
 (1.06)
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
      
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders(2) (9)
 (0.74) 0.40
 (1.14)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders(1) (9)
 (0.66) 0.39
 (1.05)
Dividends per common share 0.15
 0.14
 0.01
Gross premiums written 630,972
 706,854
 (75,882)
Net premiums earned 653,866
 698,278
 (44,412)
Underwriting (loss) income(3)
 (82,442) 17,369
 (99,811)
Net investment income 40,823
 35,666
 5,157
Combined ratio(4)
 114.1 % 98.5% 15.6
Annualized non-GAAP operating return on average common shareholders' equity(1)
 (22.5)% 11.0% (33.5)
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
2016
Change
Summary Consolidated Statement of Income Data: ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net (loss) income $(44,888) $117,512
 $(162,400)
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders (65,465) 89,955
 (155,420)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings(1)
 (46,226) 86,974
 (133,200)
Basic (loss) earnings per common share:      
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders(2)
 (0.76) 1.20
 (1.96)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders(1)
 (0.54) 1.16
 (1.7)
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:      
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders(2) (9)
 (0.76) 1.15
 (1.91)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders(1) (9)
 (0.54) 1.11
 (1.65)
Dividends per common share 0.45
 0.42
 0.03
Gross premiums written 2,259,597
 2,259,290
 307
Net premiums earned 2,074,475
 1,951,851
 122,624
Underwriting (loss) income(3)
 (116,455) 46,660
 (163,115)
Net investment income 123,492
 107,291
 16,201
Combined ratio(4)
 106.7 % 98.7% 8.0
Annualized non-GAAP operating return on average common shareholders' equity(1)
 (6.2)% 11.8% (18.0)

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Change
Summary Consolidated Statement of Income Data: ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net loss $(300,232) $(55,054) $(245,178)
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders (308,839) (63,596) (245,243)
Non-GAAP operating loss(1)
 (235,114) (54,159) (180,955)
Basic and diluted loss per common share(9):
      
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders(2)
 (3.72) (0.74) (2.98)
Non-GAAP operating loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders(1)
 (2.83) (0.63) (2.20)
Dividends per common share 0.05
 0.15
 (0.10)
Gross premiums written 484,494
 443,001
 41,493
Net premiums earned 520,077
 457,278
 62,799
Underwriting loss(1)(3)
 (251,175) (61,362) (189,813)
Net investment income 34,419
 30,950
 3,469
Combined ratio(4)
 150.7 % 115.6 % 35.1
Annualized non-GAAP operating return on average common shareholders' equity(1)
 (196.7)% (21.6)% (175.1)
       
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
2017
Change
Summary Consolidated Statement of Income Data: ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net loss $(275,209) $(44,888) $(230,321)
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders (301,025) (65,465) (235,560)
Non-GAAP operating loss(1)
 (256,421) (39,881) (216,540)
Basic and diluted loss per common share(9):
      
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders(2)
 (3.62) (0.76) (2.86)
Non-GAAP operating loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders(1)
 (3.09) (0.46) (2.63)
Dividends per common share 0.35
 0.45
 (0.10)
Gross premiums written 1,629,347
 1,650,762
 (21,415)
Net premiums earned 1,541,278
 1,512,437
 28,841
Underwriting loss(1)(3)
 (287,906) (72,197) (215,709)
Net investment income 101,548
 91,597
 9,951
Combined ratio(4)
 120.7 % 106.3 % 14.4
Annualized non-GAAP operating return on average common shareholders' equity(1)
 (63.8)% (5.3)% (58.5)

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Change
Consolidated Financial Condition ($ in thousands except per share data) ($ in thousands except per share data)
Total investments and cash and cash equivalents(5)
 $5,324,271
 $4,886,473
 $437,798
 $4,101,598
 $3,961,292
 $140,306
Total assets 6,839,097
 6,252,299
 586,798
 6,536,501
 6,644,189
 (107,688)
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expense ("loss and LAE") 3,365,011
 2,896,496
 468,515
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses ("loss and LAE") 2,851,685
 2,386,722
 464,963
Senior notes - principal amount 262,500
 362,500
 (100,000) 262,500
 262,500
 
Maiden common shareholders' equity 956,027
 1,045,797
 (89,770) 307,554
 767,174
 (459,620)
Maiden shareholders' equity 1,421,027
 1,360,797
 60,230
 772,554
 1,232,174
 (459,620)
Total capital resources(6)
 1,683,527
 1,723,297
 (39,770) 1,035,054
 1,494,674
 (459,620)
Ratio of debt to total capital resources 15.6% 21.0% (5.4) 25.4% 17.6% 7.8
            
Book Value            
Book value per common share(7)
 $11.30
 $12.12
 $(0.82) $3.71
 $9.25
 $(5.54)
Accumulated dividends per common share 3.77
 3.32
 0.45
 4.27
 3.92
 0.35
Book value per common share plus accumulated dividends $15.07
 $15.44
 $(0.37) $7.98
 $13.17
 $(5.19)
            
Diluted book value per common share(8) (9)
 $11.20
 $12.00
 $(0.80)
Diluted book value per common share(8)
 $3.70
 $9.18
 $(5.48)
(1)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings,loss, non-GAAP operating (loss) earningsloss per common share, and non-GAAP operating return on average common equity and underwriting loss income are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Key Financial Measures" for additional information and a reconciliation to the nearest U.S. GAAP financial measure (net (loss) income).net income.
(2)
Please refer to "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 10.12. Earnings per Common Share" for the calculation of basic and diluted (loss) earningsloss per common share.
(3)Underwriting (loss) incomeloss is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated as net premiums earned plus other insurance revenue less net loss and LAE, commission and other acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses directly related to underwriting activities.
(4)Calculated by adding together the net loss and LAE ratio and the expense ratio.
(5)Total investments and cash and cash equivalents includes both restricted and unrestricted.
(6)
Total capital resources is the sum of the Company's principal amount of debt and Maiden shareholders' equity. See "Key Financial Measures" for additional information.
(7)Book value per common share is calculated using Maiden common shareholders’ equity (shareholders' equity excluding the aggregate liquidation value of our preference shares) divided by the number of common shares outstanding.
(8)Diluted book value per common share is calculated by dividing Maiden common shareholders' equity, adjusted for assumed proceeds from the exercise of dilutive options, by the number of outstanding common shares plus dilutive options and restricted share units (assuming exercise of all dilutive share based awards).
(9)During a period of loss, the basic weighted average common shares outstanding is used in the denominator of the diluted loss per common share computation
as the effect of including potential dilutive shares would be anti-dilutive.

Key Financial Measures
In addition to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, management uses certain key financial measures, some of which are non-GAAP measures, to evaluate its financial performance and the overall growth in value generated for the Company’s common shareholders. Management believes that these measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, better explain the Company’s results in a manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s business. The non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These key financial measures are:
Non-GAAP operating earningsloss and non-GAAP diluted operating earningsloss per common share: managementshare: Management believes that the use of non-GAAP operating earningsloss and non-GAAP diluted non-GAAP operating earningsloss per share enables investors and other users of the Company’s financial information to analyze its performance in a manner similar to how management analyzes performance. Management also believes that these measures generally follow industry practice and, therefore, allow the users of financial information to compare the Company’s performance with its industry peer group, and that the equity analysts and certain rating agencies which follow the Company, and the insurance industry as a whole, generally exclude these items from their analyses for the same reasons. Non-GAAP operating earningsloss should not be viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income.
Non-GAAP operating earningsloss is an internal performance measure used by management as these measures focus on the underlying fundamentals of the Company's operations by excluding, on a recurring basis: (1) net realized gains or losses on investment; (2) total other-than-temporary impairment losses; (3) foreign exchange gains or losses; (3) amortization of intangible assets;and (4) loss and related activity from our run-off operations comprised of our former segment NGHC Quota Share and our divested excess and surplus ("E&S") business; (5)run-off operations. It also excludes on a non-recurring basis: (1) in 2017, accelerated amortization of debtsenior note issuance costs;cost; and (6) non-cash deferred tax expenses. (2) in 2018, loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax.
We exclude net realized gains or losses on investment, total other-than-temporary impairment losses and foreign exchange gains or losses as we believe these are influenced by market opportunities and other factors. We do not believe amortization of intangible assets and loss and related activity from our NGHC Quota Share run-off operations, accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost and loss from discontinued operations are representative of our ongoing and future business. We believe all of these amounts are largely independent of our business and future underwriting process and including them distorts the analysis of trends in our operations.
Underwriting (loss) incomeloss is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated as net premiums earned plus other insurance revenue less net loss and LAE, commission and other acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses directly related to underwriting

activities. Management believes that this measure is important in evaluating the underwriting performance of the Company and its segments. This measure is also a useful tool to measure the profitability of the Company separately from the investment results and is also a widely used performance indicator in the insurance industry. A reconciliation of the Company's underwriting results can be found in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Please refer to "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 3. Segment Reporting" for further details.


Non-GAAPoperating (loss) earningsloss and non-GAAP diluted operating (loss) earningsloss per common share can be reconciled to the nearest U.S. GAAP financial measure as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
  ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(63,596) $31,829
Add (subtract):    
Net realized gains on investment (5,859) (1,900)
Foreign exchange losses (gains) 3,550
 (687)
Amortization of intangible assets 533
 616
Divested E&S business and NGHC run-off 8,667
 47
Non-cash deferred tax expense 291
 291
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(56,414) $30,196
     
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(0.74) $0.40
Add (subtract):    
Net realized gains on investment (0.07) (0.02)
Foreign exchange losses (gains) 0.04
 (0.01)
Amortization of intangible assets 0.01
 0.02
Divested E&S business and NGHC run-off 0.10
 
Non-GAAP diluted operating (loss) earnings per common share
 $(0.66) $0.39
     
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016
  ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(65,465) $89,955
Add (subtract):    
Net realized gains on investment (8,316) (4,511)
Foreign exchange losses (gains) 12,193
 (6,474)
Amortization of intangible assets 1,599
 1,846
Divested E&S business and NGHC run-off 10,083
 2,942
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost 2,809
 2,345
Non-cash deferred tax expense 871
 871
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(46,226) $86,974
     
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(0.76) $1.15
Add (subtract):    
Net realized gains on investment (0.10) (0.05)
Foreign exchange losses (gains) 0.14
 (0.08)
Amortization of intangible assets 0.02
 0.02
Divested E&S business and NGHC run-off 0.12
 0.03
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost 0.03
 0.03
Non-cash deferred tax expense 0.01
 0.01
Non-GAAP diluted operating (loss) earnings per common share
 $(0.54) $1.11
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
  ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(308,839) $(63,596)
Add (subtract):    
Net realized losses (gains) on investment 225
 (5,859)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses 479
 
Foreign exchange losses 552
 3,550
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax 71,100
 9,908
Loss from divested NGHC Quota Share run-off 1,369
 1,838
Non-GAAP operating loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(235,114) $(54,159)
     
Diluted loss per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(3.72) $(0.74)
Add (subtract):    
Net realized losses (gains) on investment 
 (0.07)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses 0.01
 
Foreign exchange losses 0.01
 0.04
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax 0.85
 0.12
Loss from divested NGHC Quota Share run-off 0.02
 0.02
Non-GAAP diluted operating loss per common share
 $(2.83) $(0.63)
     
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017
  ($ in thousands except per share data)
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(301,025) $(65,465)
Add (subtract):    
Net realized losses (gains) on investment 282
 (8,316)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses 479
 
Foreign exchange (gains) losses (1,862) 12,193
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax 44,336
 17,060
Loss from divested NGHC Quota Share run-off 1,369
 1,838
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost 
 2,809
Non-GAAP operating loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(256,421) $(39,881)
     
Diluted loss per share attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(3.62) $(0.76)
Add (subtract):    
Net realized losses (gains) on investment 
 (0.10)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses 0.01
 
Foreign exchange (gains) losses (0.03) 0.14
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax 0.53
 0.20
Loss from divested NGHC Quota Share run-off 0.02
 0.02
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost 
 0.04
Non-GAAP diluted operating loss per common share
 $(3.09) $(0.46)
Non-GAAPoperating (loss) earningsloss attributable to Maiden common shareholders decreasedincreased by $86.6$181.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. This decrease was largely due to $77.7an increased underwriting loss of $189.8 million of prior year adverse loss development in both of our key operating segments as well as third quarter catastrophe losses of $20.0 million from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The decline in underwriting income during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was partially offsetparticularly caused by a $5.2 million increase in net investment income.both significantly

higher adverse prior year loss development and reserve strengthening during the period in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment. As a result of these factors, the total loss ratio increased by 34.4 points year-over-year. Please refer to "Results of Operations - Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses" on page 46 for the reasons regarding the changes in the loss ratio.
Non-GAAPoperating (loss) earningsloss attributable to Maiden common shareholders decreasedincreased by $133.2$216.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. This decrease was largely due to $150.5an increased underwriting loss of $215.7 million of prior year adverse loss development as well as higher initial current year loss ratios during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 inparticularly caused by both our operating segments as well as third quarter catastrophe losses of $20.0 million from Hurricanes Harveysignificantly higher adverse prior year loss development and Irma. The decline in underwriting incomereserve strengthening during the nine months ended September 30, 2017period in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment. As a result of these factors, the total loss ratio increased by 13.8 points year-over-year. This was partially offset by the $16.2 million increase in net investment income.income which increased $10.0 million compared to the same period in 2017.
Non-GAAP Operating Return on Average Common Equity ("Non-GAAP Operating ROACE"): Management uses non-GAAP operating return on average common shareholders' equity as a measure of profitability that focuses on the return to common shareholders. It is calculated using non-GAAP operating (loss) earningsloss available to common shareholders (as defined above) divided by average common shareholders' equity. Management has set, as a target, a long-term average of 15% non-GAAP Operating ROACE, which management believes provides an attractive return to shareholders for the risk assumed from our business.
Non-GAAP Operating ROACE for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 was computed as follows:
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 ($ in thousands)
Non-GAAP operating (loss) earnings attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(56,414) $30,196
 $(46,226) $86,974
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Non-GAAP operating loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(235,114) $(54,159) $(256,421) $(39,881)
Opening Maiden common shareholders’ equity $1,035,399
 $1,049,714
 $1,045,797
 $867,821
 640,742
 1,035,399
 767,174
 1,045,797
Ending Maiden common shareholders’ equity $956,027
 $1,240,300
 $956,027
 $1,240,300
 307,554
 956,027
 307,554
 956,027
Average Maiden common shareholders’ equity $995,713
 $1,091,203
 $1,000,912
 $981,196
 474,148
 995,713
 537,364
 1,000,912
Operating ROACE (22.5)% 11.0% (6.2)% 11.8%
Non-GAAP Operating ROACE (196.7)% (21.6)% (63.8)% (5.3)%
Book Value per Common Share and Diluted Book Value per Common Share: Management uses growth in both of these metrics as a prime measure of the value we are generating for our common shareholders, as management believes that growth in each metric ultimately results in growth in the Company’s common share price. These metrics are impacted by the Company’s net (loss) income and external factors, such as interest rates, which can drive changes in unrealized gains or losses on our investment portfolio. At September 30, 2017,2018, book value per common share decreased by 6.8%59.9% and diluted book value per common share decreased by 6.7%59.7%, compared to December 31, 2016, (see2017, primarily due to the decrease in retained earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 caused by our net loss during both periods as well as the decline in AOCI during the period due to unrealized losses on our investment portfolio. Please see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Investments" on page 5854 for further information). information on the change in fair value of our fixed maturity investment portfolio.
Book value and diluted book value per common share at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 were computed as follows:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 ($ in thousands except share and per share data) ($ in thousands except share and per share data)
Ending Maiden common shareholders’ equity $956,027
 $1,045,797
 $307,554
 $767,174
Proceeds from assumed conversion of dilutive options 9,697
 13,383
 583
 9,416
Numerator for diluted book value per common share calculation $965,724
 $1,059,180
 $308,137
 $776,590
        
Common shares outstanding 84,624,829
 86,271,109
 82,942,737
 82,974,895
Shares issued from assumed conversion of dilutive options and restricted share units 1,611,917
 1,961,457
 349,368
 1,627,236
Denominator for diluted book value per common share calculation 86,236,746
 88,232,566
 83,292,105
 84,602,131
        
Book value per common share $11.30
 $12.12
 $3.71
 $9.25
Diluted book value per common share $11.20
 $12.00
 $3.70
 $9.18

Ratio of Debt to Total Capital Resources: Management uses this non-GAAP measure to monitor the financial leverage of the Company. This measure is calculated using the total principal amount of debt divided by the sum of total capital resources. The ratio of Debt to Total Capital Resources at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 was computed as follows:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Senior notes - principal amount $262,500
 $362,500
 $262,500
 $262,500
Maiden shareholders’ equity 1,421,027
 1,360,797
 772,554
 1,232,174
Total capital resources $1,683,527
 $1,723,297
 $1,035,054
 $1,494,674
Ratio of debt to total capital resources 15.6% 21.0% 25.4% 17.6%
Certain Operating Measures and Relevant Factors
Refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 for a general discussion on "Certain Operating Measures" utilized by the Companyand the "Relevant Factors" associated with these Certain Operating Measures.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017.1, 2018. The critical accounting policies and estimates should be read in conjunction with "Part I, Item 1 - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies" included in this Form 10Q and "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies" included inwithin the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the SEC.SEC on March 1, 2018. There have been no material changes in the application of our critical accounting estimates subsequent to that report.


Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our selected unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income data for each of the periods indicated:
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Gross premiums written $630,972
 $706,854
 $2,259,597
 $2,259,290
 $484,494
 $443,001
 $1,629,347
 $1,650,762
Net premiums written $617,330
 $690,653
 $2,201,950
 $2,133,911
 $482,806
 $432,677
 $1,626,485
 $1,603,414
Net premiums earned $653,866
 $698,278
 $2,074,475
 $1,951,851
 $520,077
 $457,278
 $1,541,278
 $1,512,437
Other insurance revenue 2,488
 2,345
 7,816
 8,696
 1,870
 2,488
 7,629
 7,816
Net loss and LAE (535,968) (466,751) (1,545,157) (1,297,361) (600,296) (370,847) (1,323,503) (1,090,608)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (193,462) (206,706) (625,530) (587,501) (167,618) (145,352) (497,026) (487,771)
General and administrative expenses(1)
 (9,366) (9,797) (28,059) (29,025) (5,208) (4,929) (16,284) (14,071)
Underwriting (loss) income(2)
 (82,442) 17,369
 (116,455) 46,660
Underwriting loss(2)
 (251,175) (61,362) (287,906) (72,197)
Other general and administrative expenses(1)
 (10,126) (7,155) (24,193) (20,713) (13,728) (10,510) (32,059) (24,090)
Net investment income 40,823
 35,666
 123,492
 107,291
 34,419
 30,950
 101,548
 91,597
Net realized gains on investment 5,859
 1,900
 8,316
 4,511
Net realized (losses) gains on investment (225) 5,859
 (282) 8,316
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses (479) 
 (479) 
Accelerated amortization of senior note issuance cost 
 
 (2,809) (2,345) 
 
 
 (2,809)
Amortization of intangible assets (533) (616) (1,599) (1,846)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains (3,550) 687
 (12,193) 6,474
 (552) (3,550) 1,862
 (12,193)
Interest and amortization expenses (4,829) (6,856) (18,430) (21,314) (4,829) (4,829) (14,487) (18,430)
Income tax expense (256) (199) (1,017) (1,206)
Net (loss) income (55,054) 40,796
 (44,888) 117,512
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 3
 56
 34
 166
Income tax benefit (expense) 7,437
 (1,704) 930
 1,978
Net loss from continuing operations (229,132) (45,146) (230,873) (27,828)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax (71,100) (9,908) (44,336) (17,060)
(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (62) 3
 (180) 34
Dividends on preference shares (8,545) (9,023) (20,611) (27,723) (8,545) (8,545) (25,636) (20,611)
Net (loss) income attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(63,596) $31,829
 $(65,465) $89,955
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders $(308,839) $(63,596) $(301,025) $(65,465)
                
Ratios                
Net loss and LAE ratio(3)
 81.6% 66.6% 74.2% 66.2% 115.0% 80.6% 85.5% 71.7%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio(4)
 29.5% 29.5% 30.0% 30.0% 32.1% 31.6% 32.1% 32.1%
General and administrative expense ratio(5)
 3.0% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 3.6% 3.4% 3.1% 2.5%
Expense ratio(6)
 32.5% 31.9% 32.5% 32.5% 35.7% 35.0% 35.2% 34.6%
Combined ratio(7)
 114.1% 98.5% 106.7% 98.7% 150.7% 115.6% 120.7% 106.3%
(1)
Underwriting related general and administrative expenses is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to "General and Administrative Expenses" belowfor additional information related to these corporate expenses and the reconciliation to those presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)Underwriting (loss) incomeloss is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated as net premiums earned plus other insurance revenue less net loss and LAE, commission and other acquisition expenses and general and administrative expenses directly related to underwriting activities.
(3)Calculated by dividing net loss and LAE by the sum of net premiums earned and other insurance revenue.
(4)Calculated by dividing commission and other acquisition expenses by the sum of net premiums earned and other insurance revenue.
(5)Calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses by the sum of net premiums earned and other insurance revenue.
(6)Calculated by adding together commission and other acquisition expense ratio and general and administrative expense ratio.
(7)Calculated by adding together net loss and LAE ratio and the expense ratio.

Net IncomeLoss
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 was $63.6$308.8 million compared to net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders of $31.8$63.6 million for the same period in 2016.2017. The factors that contributed to the net decreaseincrease in net loss for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016 were as follows:2017 was primarily the result of the following:
current periodincreased underwriting loss of $82.4$251.2 million compared to an underwriting loss of $61.4 million in the third quarter compared tosame period in 2017. The higher underwriting income of $17.4 million during the third quarter of 2016. The deterioration in the underwriting resultloss was primarilyprincipally due to:
Adverse development ofhigher adverse prior year losses of $77.7loss development for the AmTrust Reinsurance segment which was $210.4 million forduring the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to $12.4$61.1 million for the same period in 2016. This development, which is discussed in greater detail in the individual segment discussion and analysis, was primarily in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment, but adverse development was also experienced in our Diversified Reinsurance Segment and Other category;
Our Other category also incurred adverse development of $8.7 million during the quarter compared to a negligible amount in the comparative quarter due to increased loss reserves in our remaining run–off litigated U.S. E&S property claims as well as increased loss reserves in the run–off of the National General Holdings Corporation Quota Share ("NGHC Quota Share");
In the third quarter of 2017, we incurred $20.0 million of estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, with an estimated $15.0 million in related losses in our Diversified Reinsurance segment and $5.0 million in losses from our AmTrust Reinsurance segment;2017; and
Current year underwriting results have also been impacted as we havepartially offset by the impact of higher premiums earned which increased our initial loss picks in both our Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsuranceoperating segments factoringcompared to the same period in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience.2017.
foreign exchangerealized losses on investment of $3.6$0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to foreign exchangerealized gains of $0.7$5.9 million for the same period in 2016 due to the strengthening of euro2017; and British pound against the U.S. dollar.
The decreases above were offsettotal general and administrative expenses increased by the following:
increase in net investment income of $5.2$3.5 million or 14.5%, for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016. This increase reflects2017 due to increases in compensation benefits paid under certain executive separation agreements, greater corporate insurance costs incurred and higher technology-related expenses.
The unfavorable movements above were offset by the growth in average invested assets of 6.6% from the same period in 2016 and increase in average yields to 3.1% during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 2.9% during the same period in 2016. Additionally, part of the increase is attributable to the call of certain securities which generated additional amortization income of $0.8 million during the quarter. There were no calls in the comparative period.following:
net investment income increased by $3.5 million or 11.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to an increase in average yields to 3.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.1% during the same period in 2017. Also, average investable assets increased by 5.5% from the same period in 2017. Please refer to the Net Investment Income section below for further discussion of the movement in average yields.
Net loss attributable to Maiden common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 was $65.5$301.0 million compared to a net income attributable to Maiden common shareholdersloss of $90.0$65.5 million for the same period in 2016.
2017. The factors that contributed to the net decrease in results for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016 were as follows:2017 was primarily due to the following:
an underwriting loss of $116.5$287.9 million compared to an underwriting incomeloss of $46.7$72.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The deterioration in the underwriting result was principally due to:
Adverse development ofhigher adverse prior year losses of $150.5loss development for the AmTrust Reinsurance segment which was $247.3 million in 2017during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $41.9$100.9 million for the same period in 2016. This development, which is discussed in greater detail in the individual segment discussion and analysis, was primarily in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment, but adverse development was also experienced in our Diversified Reinsurance Segment and Other category;
Our Other category, also incurred adverse development of $10.2 million during the period compared to $2.9 million in the comparative period in 2016 due to increased loss reserves in our remaining run–off litigated U.S. E&S property claims as well as increased loss reserves in the run–off of the NGHC Quota Share;
In the third quarter of 2017, we incurred $20.0 million of estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, with an estimated $15.0 million in related losses in our Diversified Reinsurance segment and $5.0 million in losses from our AmTrust Reinsurance segment;2017; and
Current year underwriting results have also been impacted as we havepartially offset by the impact of higher premiums earned which increased our initial loss picks in both our Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsuranceoperating segments factoringcompared to the same period in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience.2017.
realized losses on investment of $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to realized gains of $8.3 million for the same period in 2017;
total general and administrative expenses increased by $10.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to increases in compensation benefits paid under certain executive separation agreements, higher audit, legal and other professional fees incurred and higher technology-related expenses; and
higher dividends paid to preference shareholders of $25.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $20.6 million for the same period in 2017 due to the issuance of Preference Shares - Series D on June 15, 2017.
The unfavorable movements above were offset by the following:
net investment income increased by $10.0 million or 10.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 largely due to higher average investable assets which grew by 7.9% from the same period in 2017. Please refer to the Net Investment Income section below for further discussion of the movement in average yields which remained at 3.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017;
lower interest and amortization expenses which decreased by $3.9 million or 21.4% compared to the same period in 2017 due to the redemption of the 2012 Senior Notes on June 27, 2017. The prior period also included a charge of $2.8 million resulting from the acceleration of the amortization of the 2012 Senior Notes issuance cost; and
foreign exchange gains of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to foreign exchange losses of $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to foreign exchange gains of $6.5 million for the same period in 20162017 due to the strengtheningrecent weakening of the euro and British pound against the U.S. dollar.
The decreases above were offset by the following:
increase in net investment income of $16.2 million or 15.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. This increase reflects the growth in average invested assets of 8.6% from the same period in 2016 and increase in average yields to 3.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 3.0% during the same period in 2016. Additionally, part of the increase is attributable to the call of certain securities which generated additional amortization income of $4.8 million during the period. There were no calls in the comparative period.

Net Premiums Written
Net premiums written decreasedincreased by $73.3$50.1 million or 10.6%11.6% and increased by $68.0$23.1 million or 3.2%,1.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
The tables below compare net premiums written by our reportable segments, reconciled to the total consolidated net premiums written for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:2017:

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
($ in thousands) Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Diversified Reinsurance $207,137
 33.6% $179,092
 25.9% $28,045
 15.7 % $31,291
 6.5% $22,484
 5.2% $8,807
 39.2 %
AmTrust Reinsurance 410,193
 66.4% 511,561
 74.1% (101,368) (19.8)% 451,515
 93.5% 410,193
 94.8% 41,322
 10.1 %
Total $617,330
 100.0% $690,653
 100.0% $(73,323) (10.6)% $482,806
 100.0% $432,677
 100.0% $50,129
 11.6 %
                        
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
($ in thousands) Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Diversified Reinsurance $671,880
 30.5% $626,522
 29.3% $45,358
 7.2 % $109,279
 6.7% $73,434
 4.6% $35,845
 48.8 %
AmTrust Reinsurance 1,529,980
 69.5% 1,507,389
 70.7% 22,591
 1.5 % 1,517,206
 93.3% 1,529,980
 95.4% (12,774) (0.8)%
Total - reportable segments 2,201,860
 100.0% 2,133,911
 100.0% 67,949
 3.2 %
Other 90
 % 
 % 90
 NM
Total $2,201,950
 100.0% $2,133,911
 100.0% $68,039
 3.2 % $1,626,485
 100.0% $1,603,414
 100.0% $23,071
 1.4 %
NM - Not meaningful
The decrease in netNet premiums written for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 increased by 11.6% compared to the same period in 2016 was the result of2017 due to the following:
A decline in net premiums written in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment of $101.4increased by $41.3 million or 19.8% which was mainly10.1% generated by growth in specialty lines of business partially offset by reduced premiums in workers compensation due to a resultcombination of changes, in 2017, to the mix of programs in the Specialty Riskmarket conditions and Extended Warranty business and, in 2016, the impact of cumulative cession of premium for the first time from a series of acquisitions madeunderwriting measures applied by AmTrust in its Small Commercial and Specialty Program businesses as well as slower organic growth overall; and
during the period. The decrease was offset by an increase in net premiums written was also due to the reduction in our Diversified Reinsurance segment of $28.0 million or 15.7% as well as the lower utilization of retrocessional capacity in 2017.2018 compared to the same period in 2017; and
The increaseDiversified Reinsurance segment increased by $8.8 million or 39.2% generated by new account growth and expansion of client relationships in netour European capital solutions business.
Net premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 increased by 1.4% compared to the same period in 2016 came from both2017 due to the following:
Diversified Reinsurance segment increased by $35.8 million or 48.8% due to new account growth and expansion of the Australia Warranty program, German Auto program and other client relationships in our European capital solutions business during 2018 as well as new business development; and
AmTrust Reinsurance segments. The primary reason wassegment decreased by $12.8 million or 0.8% mainly due to a combination of market conditions and underwriting measures applied by AmTrust during the reduction in the utilization of retrocessional capacity for both segments in 2017 which increased net premiums written by $61.5 millionperiod on a consolidated basis.Small Commercial Business, particularly workers compensation.
Please refer to the analysis below of our Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance segments for further details.

Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned decreasedincreased by $44.4$62.8 million or 6.4%13.7% and increased by $122.6$28.8 million or 6.3%1.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.

The tables below compare net premiums earned by our reportable segments, reconciled to the total consolidated net premiums earned:earned, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
($ in thousands) Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Diversified Reinsurance $217,513
 33.3% $175,141
 25.1% $42,372
 24.2 % $28,784
 5.5% $20,925
 4.6% $7,859
 37.6%
AmTrust Quota Share Reinsurance 436,353
 66.7% 523,137
 74.9% (86,784) (16.6)% 491,293
 94.5% 436,353
 95.4% 54,940
 12.6%
Total $653,866
 100.0% $698,278
 100.0% $(44,412) (6.4)% $520,077
 100.0% $457,278
 100.0% $62,799
 13.7%
                        
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
($ in thousands) Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Diversified Reinsurance $623,574
 30.1% $538,152
 27.6% $85,422
 15.9 % $82,838
 5.4% $61,626
 4.1% $21,212
 34.4%
AmTrust Quota Share Reinsurance 1,450,811
 69.9% 1,413,699
 72.4% 37,112
 2.6 % 1,458,440
 94.6% 1,450,811
 95.9% 7,629
 0.5%
Total - reportable segments 2,074,385
 100.0% 1,951,851
 100.0% 122,534
 6.3 %
Other 90
 % 
 % 90
 NM
Total $2,074,475
 100.0% $1,951,851
 100.0% $122,624
 6.3 % $1,541,278
 100.0% $1,512,437
 100.0% $28,841
 1.9%
NM - Notnot meaningful
Net premiums earned in the AmTrust Reinsurance segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased by 16.6% to $436.4 million compared to the same period in 2016 and modestly increased by 2.6% to $1.45 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 increased by $54.9 million or 12.6% and $7.6 million or 0.5% compared to the comparative periodsame periods in 2016 similar2017, respectively, mainly due to the reasons outlinedgrowth in the net premiums written section above.in the specialty lines of the AmTrust quota share. Please refer to the analysis of our AmTrust Reinsurance segment on page 5350 for further discussion.
Net premiums earned in our Diversified Reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 increased by $7.9 million or 37.6% and $21.2 million or 34.4% compared to the same periods in 2016 as a result of overall2017, respectively, driven by new client

development and favorable growth in our Diversified Reinsurance segment's U.S. property and casualty premiums as well as a reduction in the corporate retrocessional program for 2017. These increases were offset by the commutation of a large account during the second quarter of 2017.German auto programs. Please refer to the analysis of our Diversified Reinsurance segment on page 5048 for further discussion.
Other Insurance Revenue 
All of our Other Insurance Revenue is produced by our Diversified Reinsurance segment. Please refer to page 5249 for further discussion.
Net Investment Income and Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investment
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, net investment income increased by $5.2$3.5 million or 14.5%11.2% and $16.2$10.0 million or 15.1%10.9% compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively, partly due to the growth in average investedinvestable assets of 6.6%5.5% and 8.6%,7.9% respectively. Additionally, part ofThis was also driven by the increase in net investment income is attributableaverage book yield from 3.1% to 3.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the callsame period in 2017, with no change in the average book yield of certain securities during3.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, which generated additional amortization2018 compared to the respective prior period. Also, the increase was driven by higher interest income of $0.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively. There were no calls in eitheron the loan to related party as the terms of the comparative periods in 2016.agreement changed effective December 18, 2017.
Net realized gainslosses on investment were $5.9$0.2 million and $8.3$0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, compared to $1.9net realized gains of $5.9 million and $4.5$8.3 million for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
The following table details the Company's average investedinvestable assets and average book yield for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016:2017:
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Average invested assets(1)
 $5,294,274
 $4,968,685
 $5,232,717
 $4,819,365
Average investable assets(1)
 $4,226,404
 $4,004,898
 $4,172,955
 $3,868,964
Average book yield(2)
 3.1% 2.9% 3.1% 3.0% 3.3% 3.1% 3.2% 3.2%
(1)The average of the Company's investments, cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and loan to related party at each quarter-end during the year.period.
(2)Ratio of net investment income over average investedinvestable assets at fair value.

Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Net loss and LAE increased by $69.2$229.4 million or 14.8% and $247.8$232.9 million or 19.1% forduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively.
The net loss and LAE increase during the three months ended September 30, 2017, wasrespectively, due to the following:
Adversesignificant adverse prior year loss development of $77.7 million during the third quarter of 2017, compared to $12.4 million recorded in the comparative period in 2016.prior periods. This development, which is discussed in greater detail in the individual segment discussion and analysis, was primarily in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment but adverse development was also experienced in our Diversified Reinsurance Segment and Other category;
$20.0 million of losses incurred for Hurricanes Harvey and Irmawhere significant reserve strengthening occurred during the third quarter of 2017. These preliminary estimates are based on a review of contracts potentially exposed, preliminary discussions with clientsquarter. The net loss and catastrophe modeling techniquesLAE ratios were 115.0% and any changes85.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 80.6% and 71.7% for the same periods in these estimates will be recorded in the period in which it occurs. Maiden expects no impact from the Mexico earthquakes or Hurricane Maria; and2017, respectively.
Excluding the impact of adverseprior year loss development, and the losses from the current year catastrophe events, our net loss and LAE ratio would have been 66.8%74.3% and 69.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 64.8%66.7% and 64.4% for the same periodperiods in 2016.2017, respectively. The deterioration for theincrease in loss ratios reflects higher initial loss ratios on current year reflects increases we have made in our initial loss pickspremiums earned in both our Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance segments factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience.
The net loss and LAE increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was due to the following:
Adverse prior year loss development of $150.5 million during the current period 2017 compared to $41.9 million recorded in the comparative period in 2016. This development, which is discussed in greater detail in the individual segment discussion and analysis, was primarily in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment, but adverse development was also experienced in our Diversified Reinsurance Segment and Other category;
$20.0 million of losses incurred for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma during the third quarter of 2017. These preliminary estimates are based on a review of contracts potentially exposed, preliminary discussions with clients and catastrophe modeling techniques and any changes in these estimates will be recorded in the period in which it occurs. Maiden expects no impact from the Mexico earthquakes or Hurricane Maria; and.
Excluding the impact of adverse development and the losses from the current year catastrophe events, our net loss and LAE ratio would have been 66.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 64.0% for the same period in 2016. The deterioration in for the current year reflects increases we have made in our initial loss picks in both our Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance segments factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience.
The impact on the net loss and LAE ratios in each period should be considered in conjunction with the commission and other acquisition expense ratio as changes to either ratio can be affected by changes in the mix of business and the impact of the change in the commission and other acquisition expense rates on quota share contracts with loss sensitive features. As a result of these factors, as well as the adverse prior year loss development experienced in 2017 in both the Diversified Reinsurance and AmTrust Reinsurance segments and our run-off business,segment, the combined ratio increased by 15.635.1 and 8.014.4 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
Commission and Other Acquisition Expenses
Commission and other acquisition expenses decreasedincreased by $13.2$22.3 million or 6.4%15.3% and increased by $38.0$9.3 million or 6.5%1.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The commission and other acquisition expense ratios remained the same at 29.5% and 30.0%increased slightly to 32.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 31.6% for the prior period in 2017 and remained flat at 32.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and2018 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively.nine months ended September 30, 2017. The commission and other acquisition expense ratio is largely dependent on the mix of business within the AmTrust Reinsurance segment and the mix of pro-rata and excess of loss business as well as the impact of loss sensitive features in some contracts within the Diversified Reinsurance segment. Please refer to the reasons for the changes in the combined ratio discussed in the Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses section above.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include expenses which are segregated for analytical purposes as a component of underwriting income. General and administrative expenses consist of:
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
General and administrative expenses – segments $9,366
 $9,797
 $28,059
 $29,025
 $5,208
 $4,929
 $16,284
 $14,071
General and administrative expenses – corporate 10,126
 7,155
 24,193
 20,713
 13,728
 10,510
 32,059
 24,090
Total general and administrative expenses $19,492
 $16,952
 $52,252
 $49,738
 $18,936
 $15,439
 $48,343
 $38,161

Total general and administrative expenses increased by $2.5$3.5 million, or 15.0%22.7% and increased by $10.2 million, or 26.7%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periodperiods in 2016.2017, respectively. The increase in total generalincreased expenses for the three and administrative expensesnine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the respective prior periods was primarily due to increases inhigher compensation benefits paid under certain executive separation agreements as well as higher audit, legal, employee related expenses,and other professional fees and technology-related expenses. The general and administrative expense ratio increased to 3.0%3.6% and 3.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 from 2.4%3.4% and 2.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
Total general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as a result of significantly higher compensation benefits despite higher earned premiums compared to the same period in 2016 similarly increased due to increases in legal, other professional fees and technology-related expenses offset by a decrease in employee related expenses. The general and administrative expense ratio remained flat at 2.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.prior periods.
Interest and Amortization Expenses
The interest and amortization expenses related to our Senior Notes were $4.8 million and $18.4$14.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to $6.9$4.8 million and $21.3$18.4 million for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The decrease in interest expensesexpense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior period was due to the redemption of the 8.00%8.0% 2012 Senior Notes inon June 2017 and27, 2017.  
As a result of this redemption, the refinancingCompany accelerated the amortization of the 8.25% 2011remaining 2012 Senior Notes withNote issuance cost of $2.8 million in the 6.625% 2016 Senior Notes in June 2016. Refernine months ended September 30, 2017. Please refer to "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 6.7. Long Term Debt" for details on the Company’s Senior Notes. The weighted average effective interest rate for the Company's debt was 7.6% and 7.8%7.64% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 7.8%7.64% and 8.1%7.77% for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
On June 27,Foreign Exchange (Losses) Gains
Net foreign exchange losses amounted to $0.6 million and net foreign exchange gains were $1.9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to net foreign exchange losses of $3.6 million and $12.2 million for the same periods in 2017, Maiden NA fully redeemed all of its 2012 Senior Notes using the proceeds from the Preference Shares - Series D issuance. The 2012 Senior Notes were redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of $100.0 million plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed up to, but not including, the redemption date. As a result, the Company accelerated the amortization of the remaining 2012 Senior Note issuance cost of $2.8 million.respectively.
Income Tax Expense
The Company recorded income tax expensebenefit of $0.3$7.4 million and $1.0$0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to income tax expense of $1.7 million and $0.2income tax benefit of $2.0 million and $1.2 million for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. These amounts relate to income tax on the earnings of our international subsidiaries non-cash U.S. deferred tax expense relating to timing differences and state taxes incurred by our U.S. subsidiaries.
Dividends on Preference Shares
For The effective rate of income tax was 3.1% and 0.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to (3.9)% and 6.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
Dividends on Preference Shares
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, dividends paid to preference shareholders decreasedremain flat at $8.5 million and increased by $0.5$5.0 million or 5.3% and $7.1 million or 25.7% compared to24.4% for the same periods in 2016, respectively. The decrease is attributable to the conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preference Shares - Series B on September 15, 2016. The decrease for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, however, was offset by2018 compared to the $2.5 million ofsame period in 2017. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is attributable to the dividends paid to 6.70%on the Preference Shares - Series D (the "Preference Shares - Series D") (see discussion below) during the third quarter of 2017.
Onthat were issued on June 15, 2017 since the Company issued a totalsame period in 2017 incurred only $2.5 million of 6,000,000, Preference Shares – Series D, par value $0.01 per share, at a price of $25 perdividends paid on such preference share. Refershares. Please refer to "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 11.13. Shareholders' Equity" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for details on the Company’s preference shares.

Underwriting Results by Reportable Segment
Diversified Reinsurance Segment
The underwriting results and associated underwriting ratios for theour Diversified Reinsurance segment were as follows:
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016
Gross premiums written $210,953
 $186,750
 $683,839
 $667,388
Net premiums written 207,137
 179,092
 671,880
 626,522
Net premiums earned 217,513
 175,141
 623,574
 538,152
Other insurance revenue 2,488
 2,345
 7,816
 8,696
Net loss and LAE (172,273) (132,396) (487,759) (395,718)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (54,810) (39,868) (159,744) (139,895)
General and administrative expenses (8,595) (9,038) (25,819) (26,717)
Underwriting loss $(15,677) $(3,816) $(41,932) $(15,482)
Ratios        
Net loss and LAE ratio 78.3% 74.6% 77.2% 72.4%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio 24.9% 22.5% 25.3% 25.6%
General and administrative expense ratio 3.9% 5.1% 4.1% 4.8%
Expense ratio 28.8% 27.6% 29.4% 30.4%
Combined ratio 107.1% 102.2% 106.6% 102.8%
The combined ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 increased to 107.1% and 106.6% compared to 102.2% and 102.8% in the same periods in 2016, respectively. were as follows:
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017
Gross premiums written $31,699
 $22,982
 $111,139
 $75,085
Net premiums written 31,291
 22,484
 109,279
 73,434
Net premiums earned 28,784
 20,925
 82,838
 61,626
Other insurance revenue 1,870
 2,488
 7,629
 7,816
Net loss and LAE (19,764) (13,979) (51,828) (41,548)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (8,961) (6,702) (28,261) (21,982)
General and administrative expenses (4,256) (4,158) (13,330) (11,831)
Underwriting loss $(2,327) $(1,426) $(2,952) $(5,919)
Ratios        
Net loss and LAE ratio 64.5% 59.7% 57.3% 59.8%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio 29.2% 28.6% 31.3% 31.7%
General and administrative expense ratio 13.9% 17.8% 14.7% 17.0%
Expense ratio 43.1% 46.4% 46.0% 48.7%
Combined ratio 107.6% 106.1% 103.3% 108.5%
The combined ratio increase duringfor the three months ended September 30, 2018 increased to 107.6% compared to 106.1% for the same period in 2017 wasprimarily due to the following:
$15.0combined ratio increased by 1.5 points for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 which reflects higher initial loss ratios on current year premiums earned during the period partially offset by lower adverse prior year loss development of $0.7 million of losses incurred for Hurricanes Harvey and Irmacompared to $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2017;
Adverse prior year loss development of $7.9 million during the third quarter of 2017, compared to $10.4 million recorded in the same period in 2016. The third quarter 2017 activity was largely from commercial auto excess from the 2014 underwriting year as well as other liability excess of loss. The adverse development during the third quarter 2016 was primarily from the commercial auto line of business; and
Excluding the impact of catastrophe events andexcluding prior year loss development, the combined ratio for the third quarter 2017three months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 96.7%105.4% compared to 96.3%101.5% for 2016, reflecting higher initial expectedthe same period in 2017.
The combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased to 103.3% compared to 108.5% for the same period in 2017. The combined ratio decreased by 5.2 points primarily due to the following:
lower net adverse prior year loss ratios for premiums earneddevelopment which was $1.8 million during the period.nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $8.5 million for the same period in 2017. The 2018 development was due to adverse facultative reinsurance run-off partially offset by favorable development in International Auto. Prior year adverse loss development during 2017 was primarily from facultative reinsurance run-off lines as well as claims activity in International auto programs; and
The increase inexcluding prior year loss development, the combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was due to the following:
Adverse prior year loss development of $39.5 million during 2017,2018 would have been 101.3% compared to $37.4 million recorded in96.3% for the same period in 2016. The 2017, development was largely due to a higher than expected loss emergence emanating largely from facultative commercial auto as well as certain specific contracts across several lines of business, with over half of the development coming from three accounts. The 2016 adverse development was primarily from the commercial auto line of business;
$15.0 million of losses incurred for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma; and
Excluding the catastrophe events and prior year loss development, the combined ratio for the current period 2017 would have been 98.0% compared to 96.0% for 2016, reflecting higher initial expected loss ratios foron current year premiums earned during the period.
Premiums - Gross premiums written increased by $24.2$8.7 million or 13.0%37.9% and $16.5increased by $36.1 million or 2.5%48.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively. The increases were2017, respectively, primarily due togenerated by new account growth resulting from existingand expansion of client accountsrelationships in our European capital solutions business and premium from new customersgrowth in German auto programs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, which was offset by2018. Contributing to the commutation and return of the unearned premium of a large accountincrease in gross premiums written during the second quarter of 2017.three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were new business development and account growth within the Life and General international lines.
Net premiums written increased by $28.0$8.8 million or 15.7%39.2% during the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016 mainly due to growth from all sub-segments as well as the lower utilization of retrocessional capacity.

2017. Net premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 increased by $45.4$35.8 million or 7.2% as a result48.8%. Both period increases are mainly due to new account growth and expansion of the reductionclient relationships in the corporate retrocessional program for 2017our European capital solutions business and higher net written premiums in our German auto programs, new business written offset by the commutation referred to in the preceding paragraph.development and lower utilization of retrocessional capacity.


The tabletables below showsshow net premiums written by line of business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
 Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Written ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Property $37,962
 18.3% $30,606
 17.1% $7,356
 24.0%
International 31,291
 100.0% 22,503
 100.1 % 8,788
 39.1 %
Casualty 129,726
 62.6% 115,360
 64.4% 14,366
 12.5% 
 % (19) (0.1)% 19
 (100.0)%
Accident and Health 16,946
 8.2% 14,845
 8.3% 2,101
 14.2%
International 22,503
 10.9% 18,281
 10.2% 4,222
 23.1%
Total Diversified Reinsurance $207,137
 100.0% $179,092
 100.0% $28,045
 15.7% $31,291
 100.0% $22,484
 100.0 % $8,807
 39.2 %
                        
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
2016 Change in 2018
2017 Change in
 Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Written ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Property $132,398
 19.7% $123,991
 19.8% $8,407
 6.8%
International 109,238
 100.0% 73,475
 100.1 % 35,763
 48.7 %
Casualty 391,503
 58.3% 365,332
 58.3% 26,171
 7.2% 41
 % (41) (0.1)% 82
 (200.0)%
Accident and Health 74,504
 11.1% 68,140
 10.9% 6,364
 9.3%
International 73,475
 10.9% 69,059
 11.0% 4,416
 6.4%
Total Diversified Reinsurance $671,880
 100.0% $626,522
 100.0% $45,358
 7.2% $109,279
 100.0% $73,434
 100.0 % $35,845
 48.8 %
Net premiums earned increased by $42.4$7.9 million or 24.2%37.6% and $85.4$21.2 million or 15.9%34.4% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The tabletables below showsshow net premiums earned by line of business:business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
 Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Earned ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Property $43,362
 19.9% $29,921
 17.1% $13,441
 44.9 %
International 28,784
 100.0% 20,943
 100.1 % 7,841
 37.4 %
Casualty 130,428
 60.0% 105,893
 60.5% 24,535
 23.2 % 
 % (18) (0.1)% 18
 (100.0)%
Accident and Health 22,780
 10.5% 18,436
 10.5% 4,344
 23.6 %
International 20,943
 9.6% 20,891
 11.9% 52
 0.2 %
Total Diversified Reinsurance $217,513
 100.0% $175,141
 100.0% $42,372
 24.2 % $28,784
 100.0% $20,925
 100.0 % $7,859
 37.6 %
                        
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
 Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Earned ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Property $122,888
 19.7% $103,023
 19.1% $19,865
 19.3 %
International 82,797
 100.0% 61,667
 100.1 % 21,130
 34.3 %
Casualty 375,141
 60.2% 313,736
 58.3% 61,405
 19.6 % 41
 % (41) (0.1)% 82
 (200.0)%
Accident and Health 63,878
 10.2% 55,788
 10.4% 8,090
 14.5 %
International 61,667
 9.9% 65,605
 12.2% (3,938) (6.0)%
Total Diversified Reinsurance $623,574
 100.0% $538,152
 100.0% $85,422
 15.9 % $82,838
 100.0% $61,626
 100.0 % $21,212
 34.4 %
Within our Diversified Reinsurance segment, the business written by Maiden USInternational experienced an increase inincreased net premiums earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 20162017 largely due to  new account growth and expansion of client relationships in our European capital solutions business and overall growth in all sub-segments as well as a reductionGerman Auto programs and other underwriting actions taken in the corporate retrocessional program for 2017. These increases were offset by the

commutation of a large account2017 and during the second quarter of 2017three and further reduced by the decline in earned premiums from the International business of $4.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared2018 to generate new business development within the same period in 2016.Life and General international lines.
Other Insurance Revenue - Other insurance revenue, which represents fee income from our IIS business that is not directly associated with premium revenue assumed by the Company increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and decreased by $0.9$0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively.
Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Net loss and LAE increased by $39.9$0.2 million or 30.1% and $92.0 million or 23.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses -Net loss and LAE ratios were 78.3%increased by $5.8 million or 41.4% and 77.2%$10.3 million or 24.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017, respectively. Net loss and LAE ratios increased to 64.5% and decreased to 57.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 74.6%59.7% and 72.4%59.8% during the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
TheDuring the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net loss and LAE ratio increaseincreased by 4.8 points compared to the same period in 2017 due to the following factors:
higher initial loss ratios on current year premiums earned during the period partially offset by lower adverse prior year loss development which was $0.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was due to the following:
$15.0 million of losses incurred for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma during the third quarter of 2017;
Adverse prior year loss development of $7.9 million during the third quarter of 2017,2018, compared to $10.4$1.1 million recorded infor the same period in 2016. The third quarter 2017 activity was largely from commercial auto excess from the 2014 underwriting year as well as other liability excess of loss. The adverse development during the third quarter 2016 was primarily from the commercial auto line of business;2017; and
Excluding the impact of catastrophe events andexcluding prior year loss development, the net loss and LAE ratio for the third quarter 2017three months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 67.9%62.3% compared to 68.7%55.1% for 2016, reflecting higher initial expected loss ratios for premiums earned during the period.same period in 2017.
The net loss and LAE ratio increase for
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the net loss and LAE ratio decreased by 2.5 points compared to the same period in 2017 was due to the following:following factors:
Adverselower adverse prior year loss development of $39.5which was $1.8 million during 2017, compared to $37.4 million recorded in the same period in 2016. The 2017 development was largely due to a higher than expected loss emergence emanating largely from facultative commercial auto as well as certain specific contracts across several lines of business, with over half of the development coming from three accounts. The 2016 adverse development was primarily from the commercial auto line of business. The ratio also reflects higher initial expected loss ratios for premiums earning in the nine months ended September 30, 2017;
$15.02018, compared to $8.5 million of losses incurred for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma;the same period in 2017. The 2018 development was from facultative reinsurance run-off lines partially offset by favorable development in International auto programs. The development in 2017 was primarily due to adverse development in facultative reinsurance run-off lines as well as claims activity in International auto programs; and
Excluding the catastrophe events andexcluding prior year loss development, the net loss and LAE ratio for 2017the nine months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 68.6%55.3% compared to 65.5%47.6% for 2016, reflectingthe same period in 2017 which reflects higher initial expected loss ratios foron current year premiums earned during the period.period factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience.
The impact on the net loss and LAE ratios should be considered in conjunction with the commission and other acquisition expense ratio as changes to either ratio can be effected by the changes in the mix of business and the impact of the increase in the commission and other acquisition expense rates on pro-rata contracts with loss sensitive features. As a result of these factors, as well as the impacts on the loss ratio described above, the combined ratio increased by 4.91.5 and 3.8decreased by 5.2 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
Commission and Other Acquisition Expenses - Commission and other acquisition expenses increased by $14.9$2.3 million or 37.5%33.7% and $19.8$6.3 million or 14.2%28.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The increasecommission and other acquisition expense ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2018 increased to 29.2% compared to 28.6% for the same period in 2017, reflecting the higher proportion of pro-rata premium earned during the quarter compared to last year. The commission and other acquisition expense ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased slightly to 31.3% compared to 31.7% for the same period in 2017.
The variation in ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was2018 were primarily due to the change in the mix of pro rata versus excess of loss premiums written.written as well as loss sensitive features in our Diversified Reinsurance segment driven by adverse prior year loss development. Please refer to the reasons for the changes in the combined ratio discussed in the preceding paragraph.paragraphs.
General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses decreasedincreased by $0.4$0.1 million or 4.9%2.4% and $0.9$1.5 million or 3.4%12.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The general and administrative expense ratio was 3.9%decreased to 13.9% and 4.1%14.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 5.1%17.8% and 4.8%17.0% for the same periods in 2016, respectively.2017, respectively, as a result of higher earned premium compared to the prior periods. The overall expense ratio (including commission and other acquisition expenses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 was 28.8%43.1% and 29.4%46.0% compared to 27.6%46.4% and 30.4%48.7% for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.

AmTrust Reinsurance Segment
The AmTrust Reinsurance segment reported an underwriting loss of $58.1$247.5 million and $64.4$283.6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,2018 compared to underwriting income of $21.2$58.1 million and $65.1$64.4 million in the comparative periods in 2016,2017, respectively. This was primarily due to higher adverse prior year loss development compared to the same periods in 2017 and higher initial current year loss ratios for premiums earned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The underwriting results and associated ratios for the AmTrust Reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 were as follows:
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Gross premiums written $420,019
 $520,104
 $1,575,677
 $1,591,902
 $452,795
 $420,019
 $1,518,208
 $1,575,677
Net premiums written 410,193
 511,561
 1,529,980
 1,507,389
 451,515
 410,193
 1,517,206
 1,529,980
Net premiums earned 436,353
 523,137
 1,450,811
 1,413,699
 491,293
 436,353
 1,458,440
 1,450,811
Net loss and LAE (355,030) (334,310) (1,047,222) (898,703) (579,163) (355,030) (1,270,306) (1,047,222)
Commission and other acquisition expenses (138,650) (166,836) (465,789) (447,604) (158,657) (138,650) (468,765) (465,789)
General and administrative expenses (771) (759) (2,240) (2,308) (952) (771) (2,954) (2,240)
Underwriting (loss) income $(58,098) $21,232
 $(64,440) $65,084
Underwriting loss $(247,479) $(58,098) $(283,585) $(64,440)
Ratios                
Net loss and LAE ratio 81.4% 63.9% 72.2% 63.5% 117.9% 81.4% 87.1% 72.2%
Commission and other acquisition expense ratio 31.7% 31.9% 32.1% 31.7% 32.3% 31.7% 32.1% 32.1%
General and administrative expense ratio 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%
Expense ratio 31.9% 32.0% 32.2% 31.9% 32.5% 31.9% 32.3% 32.2%
Combined ratio 113.3% 95.9% 104.4% 95.4% 150.4% 113.3% 119.4% 104.4%

The AmTrust Reinsurance segment experienced an increase in the combined ratio increased to 113.3%150.4% for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 95.9%113.3% for the same period in 2016,2017 due to the following:
Adversehigher adverse prior year loss development of $61.1which was $210.4 million during the third quarter 2017,of 2018 compared to $2.0$61.1 million recorded infor the same period in 2016.2017. The third quarter 2017 activityadverse prior year loss development in 2018 was largely from Workers Compensation which represented nearly half of the generaladverse development and was primarily driven by accident years 2014 to 2017, and to a lesser extent, development in European hospital liability, line of businessCommercial Auto and General liability. Prior year adverse loss development in 2017 was primarily related to Worker's Compensation, General liability as well as autoCommercial Auto liability and workers compensation lines of business for both Specialty Programs and Small Commercial Business where elevated loss activity hashad been observed. $16.2 million of the third quarter of 2017 adverse loss development came from one program which was terminated by AmTrust on September 1, 2017.observed; and
During the third quarter of 2017, the AmTrust Reinsurance segment recognized total estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma of $5.0 million.
Excluding the catastrophe events andexcluding prior year loss development, the combined ratio for the current period in 2017 would have been 98.2%107.6% compared to 95.6%99.3% for 2016,2017, reflecting higher initial expected loss ratios for current year premiums earned during the period.period factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience as well as elevated actual current year activity in the Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty lines.
The AmTrust Reinsurance segment experienced an increase in the combined ratio increased to 104.4%119.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 95.4% during104.4% for the same period in 20162017 due to the following:
Adversehigher adverse prior year loss development ofwhich was $247.3 million in 2018, compared to $100.9 million compared to $1.5 million recordedfor the same period in 2016. Similar to the third quarter activity, the2017. Prior year to date 2017 activityadverse loss development in 2018 was largely from the generalWorkers Compensation and European hospital liability, line of businesswith a smaller contribution from General and Commercial Auto Liability. Prior year adverse loss development in 2017 was from General liability as well as autoAuto liability and workers compensationWorkers Compensation lines of business for both Specialty Programs and Small Commercial Business where elevated loss activity hashad been observed.observed; and
During the current period, the AmTrust Reinsurance segment recognized total estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma of $5.0 million.
Excluding the catastrophe events andexcluding prior year loss development, the combined ratio for the current period in 2017 was 97.1%would have been 102.4% compared to 95.3%97.4% for 2016,2017 reflecting higher initial expected loss ratios for current year premiums earned during the period.period factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience as well as elevated actual current year activity in the Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty lines.

Premiums - Gross premiums written increased by $32.8 million or 7.8% and decreased by $100.1$57.5 million or 19.2% and $16.2 million or 1.0%3.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
The decreasechange in gross premiums written for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was the result of changes, in 2017, to the mix of programs in the Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty business and, in 2016, the cumulative cession of premium for the first time from a series of acquisitions made by AmTrust in its Small Commercial and Specialty Program businesses as well as slower organic growth.
The decrease in gross premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 reflects slower organic growth overall as well as reductions AmTrust's Specialty Program segment and Small Commercial non-workers’ compensation business reflecting underwriting initiatives focused on improving the profitability of these classes of business.
The table below shows net premiums written by line of business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 reflects reductions in the Small Commercial Business lines combined with growth in Specialty Program, Specialty Risk and 2016:Extended Warranty.
The tables below show net premiums written by category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
 Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Written ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Small Commercial Business $295,499
 72.0% $314,677
 61.5% $(19,178) (6.1)% $232,163
 51.4% $295,499
 72.0% $(63,336) (21.4)%
Specialty Program 63,816
 15.6% 98,895
 19.3% (35,079) (35.5)% 94,077
 20.8% 63,816
 15.6% 30,261
 47.4 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 50,878
 12.4% 97,989
 19.2% (47,111) (48.1)% 125,275
 27.8% 50,878
 12.4% 74,397
 146.2 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance $410,193
 100.0% $511,561
 100.0% $(101,368) (19.8)% $451,515
 100.0% $410,193
 100.0% $41,322
 10.1 %
                        
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in 2018 2017 Change in
 Total % of Total Total % of Total $ % Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Written ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Small Commercial Business $1,028,905
 67.3% $983,601
 65.3% $45,304
 4.6 % $879,403
 57.9% $1,028,905
 67.3% $(149,502) (14.5)%
Specialty Program 255,767
 16.7% 268,193
 17.8% (12,426) (4.6)% 286,404
 18.9% 255,767
 16.7% 30,637
 12.0 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 245,308
 16.0% 255,595
 16.9% (10,287) (4.0)% 351,399
 23.2% 245,308
 16.0% 106,091
 43.2 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance $1,529,980
 100.0% $1,507,389
 100.0% $22,591
 1.5 % $1,517,206
 100.0% $1,529,980
 100.0% $(12,774) (0.8)%
Net premiums written in our AmTrust Reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 increased by $41.3 million or 10.1% and decreased by $101.4$12.8 million or 19.8% and increased0.8% compared to the same periods in 2017, respectively. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior period was due to growth in the Specialty lines of business partially offset by $22.6 million or 1.5% duringreductions in Small Commercial Business. The decline in the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periodsprior period was due to reductions in 2016, respectively. SeeSmall Commercial Business assumed from AmTrust partially offset by growth in the Specialty lines of business and the lower utilization of retrocessional capacity compared to comparative period in 2017. The decrease in Small Commercial Business was due to a combination of market conditions and underwriting measures applied by AmTrust during the period. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written section above for details. The retroceded premiums increased by $1.3 millionto 99.7% and decreased by $38.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively.
Net premiums earned decreased by $86.8 million or 16.6% and increased by $37.1 million or 2.6%99.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 97.7% and 97.1% for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. See net premiums written section above for details in the movement in earned premium. The retroceded

Net premiums earned increased by $6.0$54.9 million or 12.6% and decreased by $10.6$7.6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively.

The table below details net premiums earned by line of businessor 0.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017, and 2016:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in
  Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Earned ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Small Commercial Business $314,773
 72.1% $320,596
 61.3% $(5,823) (1.8)%
Specialty Program 59,143
 13.6% 89,856
 17.2% (30,713) (34.2)%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 62,437
 14.3% 112,685
 21.5% (50,248) (44.6)%
Total AmTrust Reinsurance $436,353
 100.0% $523,137
 100.0% $(86,784) (16.6)%
             
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Change in
  Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Earned ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Small Commercial Business $946,782
 65.3% $864,699
 61.2% $82,083
 9.5 %
Specialty Program 251,153
 17.3% 251,543
 17.8% (390) (0.2)%
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 252,876
 17.4% 297,457
 21.0% (44,581) (15.0)%
Total AmTrust Reinsurance $1,450,811
 100.0% $1,413,699
 100.0% $37,112
 2.6 %
Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Net loss and LAE increasedrespectively, mainly due to growth in net premiums written on the Specialty lines within the AmTrust quota share. The tables below detail net premiums earned by $20.7 million or 6.2% and $148.5 million or 16.5%category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016, respectively.2018 and 2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Change in
  Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Earned ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Small Commercial Business $273,456
 55.7% $314,773
 72.1% $(41,317) (13.1)%
Specialty Program 98,359
 20.0% 59,143
 13.6% 39,216
 66.3 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 119,478
 24.3% 62,437
 14.3% 57,041
 91.4 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance $491,293
 100.0% $436,353
 100.0% $54,940
 12.6 %
             
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Change in
  Total % of Total Total % of Total $ %
Net Premiums Earned ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Small Commercial Business $882,679
 60.5% $946,782
 65.3% $(64,103) (6.8)%
Specialty Program 283,592
 19.5% 251,153
 17.3% 32,439
 12.9 %
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 292,169
 20.0% 252,876
 17.4% 39,293
 15.5 %
Total AmTrust Reinsurance $1,458,440
 100.0% $1,450,811
 100.0% $7,629
 0.5 %
Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Net loss and LAE ratios were 81.4%increased by $224.1 million or 63.1% and 72.2%$223.1 million or 21.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 63.9%the same periods in 2017, respectively. Net loss and 63.5%LAE ratios increased to 117.9% and 87.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 81.4% and 72.2% for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.
TheDuring the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net loss and LAE ratio increased by 36.5 points compared to the same period in 2017 due to the following factors:
higher adverse prior year loss development which was $210.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 increased primarily as a result of the following:
Adverse prior year loss development of2018, compared to $61.1 million during the third quarter 2017, compared to $2.0 million recorded infor the same period in 2016.2017. The third quarter 2017 activity2018 development was largely from Workers Compensation which represented nearly half of the generaladverse development and was primarily driven by accident years 2014 to 2017, and to a lesser extent, development in European hospital liability lineand Commercial Auto and General Liability lines of businessbusiness. The development in 2017 was primarily due to Worker's Compensation, General liability as well as autoCommercial Auto liability and workers compensation lines of business for both Specialty Programs and Small Commercial Business where elevated loss activity hashad been observed. $16.2observed; and
excluding prior year loss development, the net loss and LAE ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 75.1% compared to 67.4% for the same period in 2017, reflecting higher initial loss ratios on current year premiums earned during the period factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and experience as well as elevated actual current year activity in Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty lines.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the net loss and LAE ratio increased by 14.9 points compared to the same period in 2017 due to the following factors:
higher adverse prior year loss development which was $247.3 million ofduring the third quarternine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $100.9 million recorded in the same period in 2017. The adverse prior year loss development in 2018 was largely from Workers Compensation and European hospital liability, with a smaller contribution from Commercial Auto and General liability. The 2017 adverse development came from one program which was terminated by AmTrust on September 1, 2017;
During the third quarterprimarily related to General liability line of 2017, the AmTrust Reinsurance segment recognized total estimated losses from Hurricanes Harveybusiness as well as Auto liability and Irma of $5.0 million;Workers Compensation lines for both Specialty Programs and Small Commercial Business where elevated loss activity had been observed; and
Excluding the catastrophe events andexcluding prior year loss development, the net loss and LAE ratio for the current period in 20172018 would have been 66.2%70.1% compared to 63.5%65.2% for 2016,2017, reflecting higher initial expected loss ratios foron current year premiums earned during the period.
The netperiod factoring in both market conditions and recent loss trends and LAE ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased primarily due to the following:
Adverse prior year loss development of $100.9 million during 2017, compared to $1.5 million recorded in 2016. Similar to the third quarter , the year to date 2017 adverse development was largely from the general liability line of businessexperience as well as auto liabilityelevated actual current year activity in Specialty Risk and workers compensation lines of business for both Specialty Programs and Small Commercial where elevated loss activity has been observed;Extended Warranty lines.
During the third quarter of 2017, the AmTrust Reinsurance segment recognized total estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma of $5.0 million; and
Excluding the catastrophe events and prior year loss development, the net loss and LAE ratio for the current period in 2017 was 64.9% compared to 63.5% for 2016, reflecting higher initial expected loss ratios for premiums earned during the period.


Commission and Other Acquisition Expenses - Commission and other acquisition expenses decreasedincreased by $28.2$20.0 million or 16.9%14.4% and increased by $18.2$3.0 million or 4.1%0.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The commission and other acquisition expense ratio decreasedincreased to 31.7%32.3% and increased toremained flat at 32.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,2018 compared to 31.9%31.7% and 31.7% during32.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,same periods in 2017, respectively. The fluctuations in the ratios during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the comparative periods in 20162017 reflect the

change in the mix of business. The commission ratio is also affected by the commission associated with the retrocession premium ceded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus2018 compared to the same periods in 2016.2017.
General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses slightly increased by 1.6%$0.2 million or 23.5% and decreased by 2.9%,$0.7 million or 31.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively. The general and administrative expense ratio remained flat at 0.2% and increased slightly to 0.2% and decreased slightly to 0.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 from2018 compared to 0.2% and 0.1% and 0.2% duringfor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,same periods in 2017, respectively. The overall expense ratio (including commission and other acquisition expenses) was 31.9%increased slightly to 32.5% and 32.2%32.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to 32.0%31.9% and 31.9%32.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,same periods in 2017, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Maiden Holdings is a holding company and transacts no business of its own. We therefore rely on cash flows in the form of dividends, advances, loans and other permitted distributions from our subsidiary companies to make dividend payments on our common and preference shares. The jurisdictions in which our operating subsidiaries are licensed to write business impose regulations requiring companies to maintain or meet statutory solvency and liquidity requirements. Some jurisdictions also place restrictions on the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions.
On November 9, 2018, the Company signed the Enstar Master Agreement with Enstar, pursuant to which, an Enstar subsidiary would enter into a retrocession agreement to effect a loss portfolio transfer in which the Enstar subsidiary would assume all of the liabilities for loss reserves as of June 30, 2018 associated with quota share reinsurance agreements that Maiden Bermuda has with AmTrust or its subsidiaries. Enstar will assume $2.675 billion of net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves upon closing, subject to adjustment for paid losses since June 30, 2018. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
Both of the Company’s current quota share reinsurance contracts with AmTrust remain in-force. As previously disclosed, the Company and AmTrust have mutually agreed to extend the notice period of non-renewal for the current Master Agreement until January 31, 2019.
The regulatory and liquidity requirements of the Company's operating segments are discussed in "Management's"Management's Discussionand Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017.1, 2018.
Pursuant to Bermuda law, Maiden must ensure that the value of the group's assets exceeds the amount of the group's liabilities by the aggregate minimum margin of solvency of each qualifying member of the group ("Group MSM"). Since December 31, 2013, we have been required to maintain available group capital and surplus at a level equal to or in excess of the Group Enhanced Capital Requirement ("Group ECR") which is established by reference to either the Group BSCR model or an approved group internal capital model. As discussed in "Note 1. Basis of Presentation" and "Note 14. Subsequent Events", the transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement and the Enstar Master Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. At such time, the Group will exceed both the Group ECR and the Group MSM. However, pending completion of these transactions, as of September 30, 2018, the Group does not meet the Group MSM and ECR standards established by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”). The Company has communicated such condition to the BMA and is following the guidelines of a reportable “event” as stipulated by Bermuda insurance law. Finally, the amount of dividends that can be distributed from Maiden Bermuda is, under certain circumstances, limited under Bermuda law and Bermuda regulatory requirements, which requires our Bermuda operating subsidiary to maintain certain measures of solvency and liquidity in accordance with the BSCR and presently we are not paying any dividends out of Maiden Bermuda without express consent of the BMA.
Our sources of funds primarily consist of premium receipts net of commissions and brokerage, investment income, net proceeds from capital raising activities, which may include the issuance of debt and common and preference shares, and proceeds from sales and redemption of investments. Cash is used primarily to pay loss and LAE, ceded reinsurance premium, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and dividends, with the remainder in excess of our operating requirements, made available to our investment managers for investment in accordance with our investment policy.
The table below summarizes our operating, investing and financing cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016:2017:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2018 2017
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Operating activities $374,779
 $326,157
 $162,623
 $374,814
Investing activities (212,053) (291,389) 27,151
 (185,013)
Financing activities (28,440) (59,665) (63,893) (28,440)
Effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash 2,644
 2,715
 (1,131) 3,379
Total increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $136,930
 $(22,182)
Total increase in cash and cash equivalents (including restricted) 124,750
 164,740
Less: increase in cash and cash equivalents (including restricted) of discontinued operations 9,551
 49,473
Total increase in cash and cash equivalents (including restricted) of continuing operations $115,199
 $115,267
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows from operationsprovided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $162.6 million compared to $374.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a 56.6% decrease. Cash flows used in discontinued operations were $374.8 million compared to $326.2$54.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, a 14.9% increase. In 2016, operating2018 compared to cash flows provided by discontinued operations of $46.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Cash flows provided by continuing operating activities were reduced by the settlement of a $107.0$217.2 million commutation with AmTrust. Adjusted for the commutation, cash flows from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $58.4 million or 13.5% lower2018 compared to $328.5 million for the same periodnine months ended September 30, 2017.The decrease in 2016. The decreaseoperating cash flows from continuing operations was primarily the result of a higher combined ratiopayment of losses and largely unchangeddecreased gross premiums written in 2017 compared to 2016.
Reserves for loss and LAE during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 also increased by $168.7 million following2018 compared to the adverse development recognized on both our operating segments as well as our run–off business and the current year estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.same period in 2017.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of proceeds from the sales and maturities of investments and payments for investments acquired. Net cash used in investing activities was $212.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $291.4 million for the same period in 2016. The Company continues to deploy available cash for longer-term investments as investment conditions permit and to maintain, where possible, cash and cash equivalents balances at low levels. Our totalNet cash balance as at September 30, 2017 includes the pending settlement of investments purchased of $21.7provided by investing activities was $27.2 million which settled in October. Forfor the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $185.0 million for the same period in 2017.
Cash flows provided by discontinued operations was $120.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to cash flows used in discontinued operations of $16.7 million for the same period in 2017. Cash flows used in continuing operations was $92.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $168.3 million for the same period in 2017 as the purchases of fixed maturity securities were lower and the proceeds from the sales of fixed maturities were higher in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, purchases exceeded the proceeds from the sales, maturities and calls of fixed maturities by $192.8 million. Adding$74.5 million compared to $176.4 million for the outflow was the increasesame period in restricted cash and cash equivalents of $27.0 million offset by the net proceeds from other investing activities of $7.8 million.2017.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities were $28.4$63.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to $59.7$28.4 million for the same period in 2016.2017. The decreasecash outflow during the current period primarily relates to higher dividends paid to holders of preference shares of $5.0 million, due to the issuance of Preference Shares Series D on June 15, 2017. There were also slightly lower dividends paid to holders of common shares by $1.5 million, reflecting a reduction in dividend per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 and a lower number of common shares outstanding throughout the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The reduced number of outstanding common shares was due to the repurchase of 3,667,134 common shares in the second half of 2017, which was made under the Company's authorized share repurchase program.
The lower net cash outflow for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the samecurrent period in 2016 was due to the issuance of new preference shares with net proceeds of $144.9 million on June 15, 2017, which was partially used to redeem the 2012 senior notesnote issuance of $100.0 million. The net proceeds from the preference share issue were offset bymillion as well as the repurchase of common shares, net of $14.9issuance of $13.8 million during the current period in 2017 bulk of which was made under the Company's authorized share repurchase program. In addition, there was a decrease in dividends paid on preference shares of $7.1 million due to the mandatory conversion of Preference Shares Series B to Maiden's common shares during the third quarter of 2016, offset by2017. The Company did not have any major capital transactions during the increase in dividends paid to common shareholders of $7.9 million due to an increased number of common shares outstanding as well as higher dividend rate in 2017.

nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Restrictions, Collateral and Specific Requirements
The Company's restrictions, collateral and specific requirements are discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017.1, 2018.
At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, restricted cash and cash equivalents and fixed maturity investments used as collateral were $4.86 billion and $4.40remained flat at $3.7 billion, respectively. This collateral represents 90.8%91.3% and 90.0%93.6% of the fair value of our total fixed maturity investments and cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash and cash equivalents) at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. The $462.0 million increase was primarily attributable to the increase in assets provided as collateral for the AmTrust Reinsurance segment reflecting continued growth in both premiums and reserves.
Investments
The investment of our funds is designed to ensure safety of principal while generating current income. Accordingly, our funds are invested in liquid, investment-grade fixed income securities which are designated as either available-for-sale ("AFS") or held-to-maturity ("HTM"). In 2017 and 2016, the Company designated certain corporate and municipal bonds previously classified as AFS to HTM to reflect our intention of holding these bonds until maturity. SeePlease see "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 4. Investments" included under Part I Item 1 "Financial Information" of this Form 10-Q.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond decreasedincreased by 1265 basis points to 2.33%3.05%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury is the key risk-free determinant in the fair value of many of the securities in our AFS portfolio. The decreaseupward shift in interest ratesthe U.S. Treasury yield curve during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 reflects some uncertainty ina strengthening U.S. economy with an expansionary fiscal policy despite generally improving economic conditionscontributing to strong labor markets. These factors have resulted in bothcentral banks to steadily move away from the U.S and internationally. Relaxationmonetary easing policy of stringent monetary policy as has been experienced in recentthe last number of years continues to emerge but at a gradualsteady pace.
The movement in the market values of our AFS fixed maturity portfolio was a net gainreduction of $73.6$93.9 million, primarily due to foreign exchange gains of $52.5 million arising on our euro-denominated investment portfolio following the strengthening of the euro versus therising interest rates and widening credit spreads that have resulted in negative returns for U.S. dollarcorporate and agency bonds during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. See2018. Please see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Capital Resources" on page 6359 for further information.
At September 30, 2017,2018, we consider the levels of cash and cash equivalents we are holding to be within our targeted ranges. At September 30, 2017 there was approximately $21.7 million in liability for investments purchased on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet compared to $6.4 million as at December 31, 2016, which was subsequently settled in cash after the quarter end. However, duringDuring periods when interest rates experience greater volatility, we have periodically maintained more cash and cash equivalents in order to better assess current market conditions and opportunities within our defined risk appetite, and may do so in future periods.
In order to limit our exposure to unexpected interest rate increases which would reduce the value of our fixed income securities and reduce our shareholders' equity, we attempt to maintain the duration of our fixed maturity investment portfolio combined with our cash and cash equivalents, both restricted and unrestricted, within a reasonable range of the duration of our loss reserves.
At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, these respective durations in years were as follows:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Fixed maturities and cash and cash equivalents 4.4 4.9 4.4 4.4
Reserve for loss and LAE 3.6 3.8 3.8 3.6
AtDuring the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and December 31, 20162018, the weighted average duration of our fixed maturity investment portfolio decreased by 0.5 towas unchanged at 4.4 years and the duration for reserve for loss and LAE decreasedincreased by 0.2 years to 3.63.8 years. The differential in duration between these assets and liabilities may fluctuate over time and in the case of fixed maturities, is affected by factors such as market conditions, changes in asset mix and prepayment speeds in the case of both our agency mortgage-backed securities ("Agency MBS") and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS").

The average yield and average duration of our fixed maturities, by asset class, and our cash and cash equivalents (restricted and unrestricted) are as follows:
September 30, 2017 Original or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value 
Average yield(1)
 
Average duration(2)
September 30, 2018 Original or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value 
Average yield(1)
 
Average duration(2)
AFS fixed maturities ($ in thousands)     ($ in thousands)    
U.S. treasury bonds $5,194
 $150
 $(8) $5,336
 3.0% 1.7
 $125
 $
 $(1) $124
 1.3% 0.6
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 2,004,645
 14,208
 (12,451) 2,006,402
 2.8% 4.6
 1,484,434
 830
 (58,068) 1,427,196
 3.0% 5.5
U.S. agency bonds – other 24,870
 
 (1,180) 23,690
 3.3% 5.4
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 33,392
 216
 (2,012) 31,596
 2.7% 3.3
 22,550
 122
 (1,827) 20,845
 3.3% 4.5
Asset-backed securities 257,969
 4,456
 (164) 262,261
 4.4% 2.3
 226,652
 552
 (2,000) 225,204
 4.2% 2.4
Corporate bonds 1,541,296
 52,717
 (17,624) 1,576,389
 3.2% 5.0
 1,108,620
 8,834
 (32,960) 1,084,494
 2.9% 4.3
Municipal bonds 2,500
 103
 
 2,603
 4.2% 8.1
Total AFS fixed maturities 3,844,996
 71,850
 (32,259) 3,884,587
 3.1% 4.6
 2,867,251
 10,338
 (96,036) 2,781,553
 3.1% 4.8
HTM fixed maturities                        
Corporate bonds 1,057,943
 34,027
 (748) 1,091,222
 3.5% 5.2
 974,947
 6,103
 (18,190) 962,860
 3.7% 4.6
Municipal Bonds 60,425
 459
 
 60,884
 3.2% 5.0
 57,938
 
 (1,057) 56,881
 3.2% 4.2
Total HTM fixed maturities 1,118,368
 34,486
 (748) 1,152,106
 3.5% 5.1
 1,032,885
 6,103
 (19,247) 1,019,741
 3.6% 4.6
Cash and cash equivalents 314,275
 
 
 314,275
 0.2% 0.0
 264,574
 
 
 264,574
 2.2% 0.0
Total $5,277,639
 $106,336
 $(33,007) $5,350,968
 3.0% 4.4
 $4,164,710
 $16,441
 $(115,283) $4,065,868
 3.1% 4.4

December 31, 2016 Original or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value 
Average yield(1)
 
Average duration(2)
December 31, 2017 Original or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value 
Average yield(1)
 
Average duration(2)
AFS fixed maturities ($ in thousands)     ($ in thousands)    
U.S. treasury bonds $5,186
 $238
 $(11) $5,413
 3.0% 2.4
 $35,093
 $4
 $
 $35,097
 1.2% 0.1
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 1,720,436
 12,867
 (17,265) 1,716,038
 2.8% 4.9
 1,475,682
 6,181
 (13,723) 1,468,140
 2.9% 4.8
U.S. agency bonds – other 18,082
 20
 
 18,102
 3.2% 8.9
 19,868
 
 (149) 19,719
 3.1% 8.7
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 35,158
 73
 (5,297) 29,934
 2.4% 3.4
 32,380
 231
 (1,713) 30,898
 2.7% 3.3
Asset-backed securities 217,232
 3,713
 (69) 220,876
 4.6% 2.5
 225,015
 3,457
 (79) 228,393
 4.4% 2.4
Corporate bonds 1,947,347
 30,951
 (62,093) 1,916,205
 3.5% 5.4
 911,259
 28,423
 (14,413) 925,269
 2.7% 4.6
Municipal bonds 62,201
 2,897
 
 65,098
 4.2% 6.5
Total AFS fixed maturities 4,005,642
 50,759
 (84,735) 3,971,666
 3.2% 5.1
 2,699,297
 38,296
 (30,077) 2,707,516
 2.9% 4.5
HTM fixed maturities                        
Corporate bonds 752,212
 16,370
 (2,447) 766,135
 3.6% 5.2
 1,037,464
 28,694
 (913) 1,065,245
 3.6% 5.0
Municipal bonds 60,337
 128
 (84) 60,381
 3.2% 4.8
Total HTM fixed maturities 752,212
 16,370
 (2,447) 766,135
     1,097,801
 28,822
 (997) 1,125,626
 3.6% 5.0
Cash and cash equivalents 149,535
 
 
 149,535
 0.1% 0.0
 149,375
 
 
 149,375
 0.2% 0.0
Total $4,907,389
 $67,129
 $(87,182) $4,887,336
 3.2% 4.9
 $3,946,473
 $67,118
 $(31,074) $3,982,517
 2.9% 4.4
(1)Average yield is calculated by dividing annualized investment income for each sub-component of AFS and HTM securities and cash and cash equivalents (including amortization of premium or discount) by amortized cost.
(2)Average duration in years.

The following table summarizes the Company's fixed maturity investment portfolio holdings by contractual maturity at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
($ in thousands) AFS fixed maturities HTM fixed maturities AFS fixed maturities HTM fixed maturities AFS fixed maturities HTM fixed maturities AFS fixed maturities HTM fixed maturities
 Fair Value Amortized cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized cost Fair Value Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less $38,784
 $49,293
 $61,219
 $
 $3,522
 $9,297
 $64,996
 $40,533
Due after one year through five years 583,569
 335,922
 560,141
 260,557
 583,069
 371,750
 440,560
 333,003
Due after five years through ten years 990,968
 723,297
 1,371,356
 486,568
 542,562
 651,838
 487,592
 724,265
Due after ten years 2,603
 9,856
 42,036
 5,087
 
 
 17,835
 
 1,615,924
 1,118,368
 2,034,752
 752,212
 1,129,153
 1,032,885
 1,010,983
 1,097,801
U.S. agency bonds – mortgage-backed 2,006,402
 
 1,716,038
 
 1,427,196
 
 1,468,140
 
Asset-backed securities 262,261
 
 220,876
 
 225,204
 
 228,393
 
Total fixed maturities $3,884,587
 $1,118,368
 $3,971,666
 $752,212
 $2,781,553
 $1,032,885
 $2,707,516
 $1,097,801
Substantially allAt September 30, 2018, 98.4% of the Company’s U.S. agency bond holdings are mortgage-backed. Additional details on the Agency MBS at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 were as follows:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total
U.S. agency bonds - mortgage-backed ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
Residential mortgage-backed (RMBS)        
Residential mortgage-backed ("RMBS")        
GNMA – fixed rate $357,165
 17.8% $368,142
 21.2% $155,684
 10.7% $191,118
 12.8%
GNMA – variable rate 10,873
 0.8% 
 %
FNMA – fixed rate 893,334
 44.5% 800,947
 46.2% 720,157
 49.6% 743,461
 50.0%
FNMA – variable rate 14,441
 0.7% 17,761
 1.0%
FHLMC – fixed rate 736,956
 36.8% 523,983
 30.2% 540,482
 37.3% 533,561
 35.9%
FHLMC – variable rate 4,506
 0.2% 5,205
 0.3%
Total U.S. agency bonds - mortgage-backed 2,006,402
 100.0% 1,716,038
 98.9% 1,427,196
 98.4% 1,468,140
 98.7%
Non-MBS fixed rate agency bonds 
 % 18,102
 1.1%
U.S. agency bonds - fixed rate 23,690
 1.6% 19,719
 1.3%
Total U.S. agency bonds $2,006,402
 100.0% $1,734,140
 100.0% $1,450,886
 100.0% $1,487,859
 100.0%
The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value associated with our U.S. agency bonds - mortgage-backed portfolio:
  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
Agency MBS: ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance $1,795,612
 $1,451,795
 $1,716,038
 $1,476,991
Purchases 271,651
 267,040
 490,237
 366,399
Sales, calls and paydowns (63,438) (104,146) (202,556) (261,238)
Net realized gains on sales – included in net income 22
 
 (74) 230
Change in net unrealized losses – included in other comprehensive income 3,751
 (7,149) 6,155
 28,156
Amortization of bond premium and discount (1,196) (1,762) (3,398) (4,760)
Ending balance $2,006,402
 $1,605,778
 $2,006,402
 $1,605,778

Our Agency MBS portfolio is 40.1%37.4% of our fixed maturity investments at September 30, 2017.2018. Given the relative size of this portfolio to our total investments, if faster prepayment patterns were to occur over an extended period of time, this could potentially limit the growth in our investment income in certain circumstances, or even potentially reducingreduce the total amount of investment income we earn.
At September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016, 98.8%2017, 98.3% and 96.5%98.7%, respectively, of our fixed maturity investments consisted of investment grade securities. We define a security as being below investment grade if it has an S&P credit rating of BB+, or equivalent, or less. SeePlease see "Part I, Item 1 - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 4. Investments" for additional information on the credit rating of our fixed income portfolio.

The security holdings by sector and financial strength rating of our corporate bond holdings at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 were as follows:
 
Ratings(1)
     
Ratings(1)
    
September 30, 2017 AAA AA+, AA, AA- A+, A, A- BBB+, BBB, BBB- BB+ or lower Fair Value % of Corporate bonds portfolio
           ($ in thousands)  
September 30, 2018 AAA AA+, AA, AA- A+, A, A- BBB+, BBB, BBB- BB+ or lower Fair Value % of Corporate bonds portfolio
Corporate bonds                         ($ in thousands)  
Basic Materials % % 1.8% 4.4% 0.9% $186,804
 7.1% % 2.6% 0.8% % 0.6% $83,048
 4.0%
Communications % 0.5% 1.3% 6.0% % 209,098
 7.8% % 5.0% 2.5% 0.5% % 162,599
 8.0%
Consumer % 0.5% 13.9% 11.6% % 695,590
 26.0% % 15.2% 13.4% 0.5% 1.0% 616,520
 30.1%
Energy % 1.0% 3.8% 3.0% 0.8% 229,598
 8.6% % 3.9% 4.7% 0.8% 0.8% 209,139
 10.2%
Financial Institutions 1.4% 3.3% 22.8% 12.3% % 1,059,788
 39.8% 1.6% 10.1% 23.7% 3.1% % 786,440
 38.5%
Industrials % 0.8% 2.0% 2.8% 0.1% 151,750
 5.7% % 2.7% 2.7% % % 112,210
 5.4%
Technology % 1.1% 2.6% 0.8% 0.5% 134,983
 5.0% % 0.9% 1.6% 0.6% 0.7% 77,398
 3.8%
Total Corporate bonds 1.4% 7.2% 48.2% 40.9% 2.3% $2,667,611
 100.0%
Total 1.6% 40.4% 49.4% 5.5% 3.1% $2,047,354
 100.0%

 
Ratings(1)
     
Ratings(1)
    
December 31, 2016 AAA AA+, AA, AA- A+, A, A- BBB+, BBB, BBB- BB+ or lower Fair Value % of Corporate bonds portfolio
           ($ in thousands)  
December 31, 2017 AAA AA+, AA, AA- A+, A, A- BBB+, BBB, BBB- BB+ or lower Fair Value % of Corporate bonds portfolio
Corporate bonds                         ($ in thousands)  
Basic Materials % % 1.5% 4.1% 2.4% $213,904
 8.0% % % 1.8% 4.0% 0.8% $131,339
 6.6%
Communications % 0.5% 1.3% 6.6% % 223,984
 8.4% % 0.2% 1.3% 6.4% % 155,574
 7.9%
Consumer % 0.4% 14.9% 8.9% 0.3% 657,717
 24.5% % 0.7% 12.7% 13.2% % 530,455
 26.6%
Energy % 1.0% 3.8% 2.7% 2.1% 256,449
 9.6% % 0.5% 4.3% 2.2% 1.0% 160,216
 8.0%
Financial Institutions 1.4% 2.3% 22.1% 12.6% 0.2% 1,035,759
 38.6% 1.9% 2.9% 24.0% 10.9% % 789,418
 39.7%
Industrials % 0.8% 2.0% 2.9% 0.6% 170,030
 6.3% % % 2.9% 4.0% 0.1% 138,260
 7.0%
Technology % 2.2% 1.1% 0.6% 0.7% 124,497
 4.6% % 0.6% 2.1% 0.8% 0.7% 85,252
 4.2%
Total Corporate bonds 1.4% 7.2% 46.7% 38.4% 6.3% $2,682,340
 100.0%
Total 1.9% 4.9% 49.1% 41.5% 2.6% $1,990,514
 100.0%
(1)Ratings as assigned by S&P, or equivalent
TheAt September 30, 2018, the Company’s ten largest corporate holdings, all80.7% of which are U.S. dollar denominated and 60.6%69.5% of which are in the Financial Institutions sector, at September 30, 2017 as carried at fair value and as a percentage of all fixed income securities were as follows:
September 30, 2017 Fair Value % of Holdings
Based on Fair
Value of All
Fixed Income
Securities
 
Rating(1)
  ($ in thousands)    
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, 3.70% Due 11/16/2025 $26,505
 0.5% AA-
Morgan Stanley, 4.00% Due 7/23/2025 26,383
 0.5% BBB+
Schlumberger Holdings Corporation, 4.00% Due 12/21/2025 26,269
 0.5% AA-
JP Morgan Chase & Co, 3.90% Due 7/15/2025 21,078
 0.5% A-
Vale Overseas Ltd, 4.375% Due 1/11/2022 20,890
 0.4% BBB-
Gilead Sciences Inc, 3.65% Due 3/1/2026 20,889
 0.4% A
BNP Paribas, 5.00% Due 1/15/2021 20,732
 0.4% A
Brookfield Asset Management Inc, 4.00%, Due 1/15/2025 20,590
 0.4% A-
Rabobank Nederland Utrec, 3.875% Due 2/8/2022 20,261
 0.4% A+
AT&T Inc, 2.625% Due 12/1/2022 19,997
 0.4% BBB+
Total $223,594
 4.4%  
September 30, 2018 Fair Value % of Holdings
Based on Fair
Value of All
Fixed Income
Securities
 
Rating(1)
  ($ in thousands)    
BNP Paribas, 5.00% Due 1/15/2021 $19,760
 0.5% A
Brookfield Asset Management Inc, 4.00%, Due 1/15/2025 19,660
 0.5% A-
Gilead Sciences Inc, 3.65% Due 3/1/2026 19,640
 0.5% A
AT&T Inc, 2.625%, Due 12/1/2022 19,285
 0.5% BBB
Rabobank Nederland Utrec, 3.875% Due 2/8/2022 19,244
 0.5% A+
Bank of Montreal, 2.35% Due 9/11/2022 19,182
 0.5% A+
Electricite de France, 4.625%, Due 9/11/2024 18,223
 0.5% A-
Wells Fargo & Co. 1.125%, Due 10/29/2021 17,856
 0.5% A-
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, 3.70%, Due 11/16/2025 17,812
 0.5% AA-
UBS Group Funding (Jersey) Ltd, 2.65%, Due 2/1/2022 16,433
 0.4% A-
Total $187,095
 4.9%  
(1)Ratings as assigned by S&P, or equivalent

We ownAt September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, we hold the following securities notnon-U.S. dollar denominated in U.S. dollars:securities:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
($ in thousands) Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total
Non-U.S. dollar denominated corporate bonds $427,985
 93.3% $345,646
 92.3% $420,397
 95.3% $434,963
 93.4%
Non-U.S. government and supranational bonds 30,624
 6.7% 28,980
 7.7% 20,846
 4.7% 30,899
 6.6%
Total non-U.S. dollar denominated AFS securities $458,609
 100.0% $374,626
 100.0% $441,243
 100.0% $465,862
 100.0%
TheseAt September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, these non-U.S. securities are invested in the following currencies:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
($ in thousands) Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total
Euro $391,865
 85.4% $315,768
 84.3% $372,562
 84.5% $398,680
 85.6%
British Pound 42,654
 9.3% 39,154
 10.5% 41,867
 9.5% 43,252
 9.3%
Australian Dollar 14,169
 3.1% 10,089
 2.7% 19,524
 4.4% 14,182
 3.0%
Canadian Dollar 5,272
 1.2% 3,360
 0.9% 5,031
 1.1% 5,254
 1.1%
All other 4,649
 1.0% 6,255
 1.6% 2,259
 0.5% 4,494
 1.0%
Total non-U.S. dollar denominated AFS securities $458,609
 100.0% $374,626
 100.0% $441,243
 100.0% $465,862
 100.0%

The net increasedecrease in non-U.S. denominated fixed maturities is primarily due to purchases. We do not have any non-U.S. government and government related obligationssales of Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain ateuro-denominated corporate bonds during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2016. At September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, 100.0%all of the Company's non-U.S. government and supranational issuers were rated A+have a rating of A or higher by S&P. For our non-U.S. dollar denominated corporate bonds, the following table summarizes the composition of the fair value of our fixed maturity investments at the dates indicated by ratings:
Ratings(1)
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
($ in thousands) Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total Fair Value % of Total
AAA $37,396
 8.7% $31,704
 9.2% $31,843
 7.6% $37,719
 8.7%
AA+, AA, AA- 58,473
 13.7% 30,535
 8.8% 42,171
 10.0% 35,686
 8.2%
A+, A, A- 198,164
 46.3% 161,845
 46.8% 182,355
 43.4% 176,657
 40.6%
BBB+, BBB, BBB- 133,952
 31.3% 114,456
 33.1% 158,567
 37.7% 184,901
 42.5%
BB+ or lower 
 % 7,106
 2.1% 5,461
 1.3% 
 %
Total non-U.S. dollar denominated corporate bonds $427,985
 100.0% $345,646
 100.0% $420,397
 100.0% $434,963
 100.0%
(1)Ratings as assigned by S&P, or equivalent
The Company does not employ any credit default protection against any of the fixed maturities held in non-U.S. denominated currencies.currencies at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Other Balance Sheet Changes
The following table summarizes the Company's other material balance sheet changes of the Company at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
($ in thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change Change % September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Change Change %
Reinsurance balances receivable, net $479,472
 $410,166
 $69,306
 16.9% $161,436
 $72,494
 $88,942
 122.7%
Deferred commission and other acquisition expenses, net 419,265
 380,204
 39,061
 10.3%
Reserve for loss and LAE 3,365,011
 2,896,496
 468,515
 16.2% 2,851,685
 2,386,722
 464,963
 19.5%
Unearned premiums 1,601,069
 1,475,506
 125,563
 8.5% 1,298,933
 1,230,882
 68,051
 5.5%
The reinsurance balances receivable, net, reserve for loss and LAE and unearned premiums increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus December 31, 2016. The higher amount of reinsurance balances receivable, net, deferred commission and other acquisition expenses, net and unearned premiums as at September 30, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017 was due to higher premiums writtenthe growth in business underwritten by the Company, primarily in the Diversified Reinsurance segment, during 2017 andwhich generally incept at the balance relates to timingbeginning of premium settlement. The gross premiums written during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was largely unchanged compared to the same period in 2016.year. The reserve for loss and LAE increased due to adverse development recognized during 2017 fromhigher loss ratio picks factoring in both our operating segmentsmarket conditions and recent loss trends and experience as well as fromsignificant adverse prior year loss development recognized in our run-off business andAmTrust Reinsurance segment for the current year estimated losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma of $20.0 million. The higher unearned premium as atnine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to prior year end was due to the earning pattern of premiums written.

2018.
Capital Resources
Capital resources consist of funds deployed or available to be deployed in support of our operations. OurIn the nine months ended September 30, 2018,our total capital resources decreased by $39.8$459.6 million, or 2.3%, at September 30, 201730.8% compared atto December 31, 2016.2017 due to the unfavorable movement in unrealized losses on our AFS investment portfolio and significant adverse loss development within our AmTrust Reinsurance segment. The Company’s management believes its current sources of liquidity are adequate to meet its cash requirements for the next 12 months.
The following table shows the movement in total capital resources at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
($ in thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change Change % September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Change Change %
Preference shares $465,000
 $315,000
 $150,000
 47.6 % $465,000
 $465,000
 $
  %
Common shareholders' equity 956,027
 1,045,797
 (89,770) (8.6)% 307,554
 767,174
 (459,620) (59.9)%
Total Maiden shareholders' equity 1,421,027
 1,360,797
 60,230
 4.4 % 772,554
 1,232,174
 (459,620) (37.3)%
Senior Notes - principal amount 262,500
 362,500
 (100,000) (27.6)% 262,500
 262,500
 
  %
Total capital resources $1,683,527
 $1,723,297
 $(39,770) (2.3)% $1,035,054
 $1,494,674
 $(459,620) (30.8)%
The major factors contributing to the net decrease in capital resources were as follows:
Maiden shareholders' equity
Total Maiden shareholders'Shareholders' equity at September 30, 2017 increased2018 decreased by $60.2$459.6 million, or 4.4%37.3%, compared to December 31, 20162017 primarily due to:
issuance of new preference shares witha net proceeds of $144.9 million after issuance cost of $5.1 million;
net increasedecrease in AOCI of $31.1 million. This increase$129.7 million which arose due to: 1) an increase in AOCInet unrealized losses on investment of $69.9$141.9 million which aroseresulting from the net increasedecrease in our U.S. dollar denominated investment portfolio of $17.4 million relating to market price movements and an increase in our non-U.S. dollar denominated investment portfolio of $52.5 million, primarily due to rising interest rates and widening credit spreads during the strengthening of the euronine months ended September 30, 2018; and British pound relative to the U.S. dollar during 2017; andpartially offset by 2) decreasean increase in cumulative translation adjustments of $38.8$12.1 million due to the effect of the appreciationrecent depreciation of

the euro and British pound relative to the original currencies on our non-U.S. dollar net liabilities (excluding non-U.S. dollar denominated AFS fixed maturities); and
net increase resulting from share based transactions of $3.3 million.
These increases were offset by:
net loss attributable to Maiden of $44.9 million. See "Results of Operations - Net Income" on page 45 for a discussion of the Company’s net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017;
dividends declared of $59.3$54.7 million related to the Company’s common and preferred shares;     and
net loss attributable to Maiden of $275.4 million. Please see "Results of Operations" on page 43 for a discussion of the Company’s net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018; partially offset by
shares repurchasednet increase in share based transactions of $14.9$0.2 million.
On February 21, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of the Company's common shares from time to time at market prices. During the third quarter of 2017,nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased a total of 2,015,700205,000 common shares at an average price of $7.11$3.31 per share under its share repurchase authorization. At September 30, 2017,2018, the Company has a remaining authorization of $85.7$74.2 million for share repurchases.
Please refer to "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 11.13. Shareholders' Equity" included under Part I Item 1 "Financial Information" of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the equity instruments issued by the Company at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
Senior Notes
On June 27, 2017, we fully redeemed all of the 2012 Senior Notes using a portion of the proceeds from the Preference Shares - Series D issuance. The 2012 Senior NotesThere were redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of $100.0 million plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed up to, but not including, the redemption date. As a result, the Company accelerated the amortization of the remaining 2012 Senior Note issuance cost of $2.8 million (see related discussion in "Note 6. Long-Term Debt" and "Note 11. Shareholders' Equity" of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) included under Part I Item 1 "Financial Information" of this Form 10-Q).
Except as discussed above, there were no further changes in the Company’s Senior Notes at September 30, 20172018 compared to December 31, 20162017 and the Company did not enter into any short-term borrowing arrangements during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Refer2018. Please refer to "Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 7. Long Term Debt" included in the Company’s Annual Report onunder Part I Item 1 "Financial Information" of this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 201610-Q for a discussion of the Company’s Senior Notes.
As discussed in "Note 1. Basis of Presentation of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements", the transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The Company’s current analysis indicates that the conditions to redeem the 2013 Senior Notes as stipulated by the securities may exist. Should final analysis support such a conclusion, the Company expects to redeem all of the $152.5 million 2013 Senior Notes at that time pursuant to the terms of the underlying securities.
We have, and expect to continue, to fund a portion of our capital requirements through issuances of senior securities, including secured unsecured and convertibleunsecured debt securities, or issuances of common or preference shares. For flexibility, we have a current universal shelf registration statement that allows for the public offering and sale of our debt securities, common shares, preference shares and warrants to purchase such securities. The issuance of debt or equity securities will depend on future market conditions, funding needs and other factors and there can be no assurance that any such issuance will occur or be successful.

Financial Strength Ratings
Our principal operating subsidiaries' ratings were affirmed as "BBB+" (Good) on June 6, 2017 and the outlook was changed from stable to negative by Standard & Poor's ("S&P"). The rating is the eighth highest of twenty-two rating levels. The Company's principal operating subsidiaries are rated AA- (Excellent) with a stablenegative outlook by A.M. Best Company ("A.M. Best") and has remained unchanged throughout the reporting period.. The rating of AA- (Excellent) is the thirdfourth highest of sixteen rating levels provided by A.M. Best. There are no other changes in the Company's ratings as previously disclosed in the "Financial Strength Ratings" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Aggregate Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of its business, the Company is a party to a variety of contractual obligations as summarized in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. These contractual obligations are considered by the Company when assessing its liquidity requirements and the Company is confident in its ability to meet all of its obligations. Except as previously noted inAs a result of the Senior Notes section above, at September 30, 2017, there are no further material changes inpending sale of Maiden US, the Company’s contractual obligations asparticularly related to senior notes and reserve for loss and LAE could materially change from when they were disclosed in the Company’s table of contractual obligations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. As discussed previously, the Company’s current analysis indicates that the conditions to redeem the 2013 Senior Notes as stipulated by the securities may exist. Should final analysis support such a conclusion, the Company expects to redeem all of the $152.5 million 2013 Senior Notes at that time pursuant to the terms of the underlying securities.
Currency and Foreign Exchange
We conduct business in a variety of foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, the principal exposures being the euro, the British pound, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar and the Swedish krona. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are exposed to changes in currency exchange rates. Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, and exchange rate fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar may materially impact our results and financial position. Our principal exposure to foreign currency risk is our obligation to settle claims in foreign currencies. In addition, in order to minimize this risk, we maintain and expect to continue to maintain a portion of our investment portfolio in investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We may employ various strategies (including hedging) to manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. To the extent that these exposures are not fully hedged or the hedges are ineffective, our results of operations or equity may be adversely effected. At September 30, 2017,2018, no such hedges or hedging strategies were in force or had been entered into. We measure monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at period end exchange rates, with the resulting foreign exchange gains and losses recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Revenues and expenses in foreign currencies are converted at average exchange rates during the period. The effect of the translation adjustments for foreign operations is included in AOCI.
Net foreign exchange losses amounted to $3.6$0.6 million and $12.2net foreign exchange gains were $1.9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, respectively, compared to net foreign exchange gainslosses of $0.7$3.6 million and $6.5$12.2 million for the same periods in 2016,2017, respectively.


Effects of Inflation
The anticipated effects of inflation are considered explicitly in the pricing of the insured exposures, which are used as the initial estimates of reserves for loss and LAE. In addition, inflation is also implicitly accounted for in subsequent estimates of loss and LAE reserves, as the expected rate of emergence is in part predicated upon the historical levels of inflation that impact ultimate claim costs. To the extent inflation causes these costs, particularly medical treatments and litigation costs, to vary from the assumptions made in the pricing or reserving estimates, the Company will be required to change the reserve for loss and LAE with a corresponding change in its earnings in the period in which the variance is identified. The actual effects of inflation on the results of operations of the Company cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At September 30, 2017,2018, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a) (4) of Regulation S-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See "Part I, Item 1 - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies" for a discussion on recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that we will incur losses in our investments due to adverse changes in market rates and prices. Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the market in which the related underlying assets are invested. We believe that we are principally exposed to three types of market risk: changes in interest rates, changes in credit quality of issuers of investment securities and reinsurers and changes in foreign exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that we may incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. The primary market risk to the investment portfolio is interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturity securities. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities. At September 30, 2017,2018, we had AFS fixed maturity securities with a fair value of $3.9$2.8 billion that are subject to interest rate risk.
The table below summarizes the interest rate risk associated with our fixed maturity securities by illustrating the sensitivity of the fair value and carrying value of our fixed maturity securities at September 30, 20172018 to selected hypothetical changes in interest rates, and the associated impact on our shareholders’ equity. Temporary changes in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities that are held as AFS do impact the carrying value of these securities and are reported in our shareholders’ equity as a component of AOCI. The selected scenarios in the table below are not predictions of future events, but rather are intended to illustrate the effect such events may have on the fair value of our AFS fixed maturity securities and on our shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2017:2018:
Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates Fair Value Estimated Change in Fair Value Hypothetical % (Decrease) Increase in Shareholders’ Equity Fair Value Estimated Change in Fair Value Hypothetical % (Decrease) Increase in Shareholders’ Equity
 ($ in thousands)   ($ in thousands)  
200 basis point increase $3,555,940
 $(328,647) (23.1)% $2,502,106
 $(279,447) (36.2)%
100 basis point increase 3,714,624
 (169,963) (12.0)% 2,641,798
 (139,755) (18.1)%
No change 3,884,587
 
  % 2,781,553
 
  %
100 basis point decrease 4,068,897
 184,310
 13.0 % 2,917,453
 135,900
 17.6 %
200 basis point decrease 4,267,740
 383,153
 27.0 % 3,043,134
 261,581
 33.9 %
The interest rate sensitivity on the $168.0 million loan to related party means that a change in interest rates would impact our earnings and cash flows but would not affect the carrying value of the loan, which is carried at cost. Effective December 18, 2017, the loan carries an interest rate of one month LIBORequivalent to the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 90200 basis points withper annum. Therefore, an increase of 100 and 200 basis points in LIBORthe Federal Funds Effective Rate would increase our earnings and cash flows by $1.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, on an annual basis, but would not affect the carrying value of the loan.basis.
Counterparty Credit Risk
The concentrations of the Company’s counterparty credit risk exposures have not changed materially compared to December 31, 2016.
2017. The Company has exposure to credit risk primarily as a holder of fixed income securities. The Company controls this exposure by emphasizing investment grade credit quality in the fixed income securities it purchases. The table below summarizes the credit ratings by major rating category of the Company's fixed maturity investments at September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016:2017:

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Ratings(1)
   September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
AA+ or better 44.5% 41.3% 43.0% 43.4%
AA, AA-, A+, A, A- 32.2% 33.2% 33.2% 33.2%
BBB+, BBB, BBB- 22.2% 22.0% 22.1% 22.1%
BB+ or lower 1.1% 3.5% 1.7% 1.3%
 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
(1)Ratings as assigned by S&P, or equivalent
The Company believes this high quality concentration reduces its exposure to credit risk on fixed income investments to an acceptable level. At September 30, 2017,2018, the Company is not exposed to any significant credit concentration risk on its investments, excluding securities issued by the U.S. government and agencies which are rated AA+ (see(please see "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Investments" on page 58)54), with the largest corporate issuer and the top 10 corporate issuers accounting for only 0.5% and 4.4%4.9% of the Company’s total fixed income securities, respectively.

The Company is subject to the credit risk of its cedants in the event of their insolvency or their failure to honor the value of the funds held balances due to the Company for any other reason. However, the Company’s credit risk in some jurisdictions is mitigated by a mandatory right of offset of amounts payable by the Company to a cedant against amounts due to the Company. In certain other jurisdictions, the Company is able to mitigate this risk, depending on the nature of the funds held arrangements, to the extent that the Company has the contractual ability to offset any shortfall in the payment of the funds held balances with amounts owed by the Company to cedants for losses payable and other amounts contractually due. Funds held balances for which the Company receives an investment return based upon either the results of a pool of assets held by the cedant or the investment return earned by the cedant on its investment portfolio are exposed to an additional layer of credit risk.
The Company has exposure to credit risk, as it relates to its business written through brokers if any, if the Company’s brokers are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations with respect to payments to the Company. In addition, in some jurisdictions, if the broker fails to make payments to the insured under the Company’s policy, the Company might remain liable to the insured for the deficiency. The Company’s exposure to such credit risk is somewhat mitigated in certain jurisdictions by contractual terms. See "Business and Risk Factors" in Item 1 and 1A of Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017 for detailed information on three brokers that accounted for approximately 34.6% of the Company’s gross premiums written in our Diversified Reinsurance segment for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The Company has exposure to credit risk as it relates to its reinsurance balances receivable. Reinsurance balances receivable from the Company’s clients at September 30, 2018 were $161.4 million, including balances both currently due and reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses.accrued, 77.5% of which is from AmTrust. We are subject to the credit risk that AII and/or AmTrust will fail to perform their obligations to pay interest on and repay the principal of amounts loaned to AII pursuant to its loan agreement with Maiden Bermuda, and to reimburse Maiden Bermuda for any assets or other collateral of Maiden that AmTrust’s U.S. insurance company subsidiaries apply or retain, and income on those assets. Reinsurance balances receivable from the Company’s clients at September 30, 2017 were $479.5 million, including balances both currently due and accrued.
The Company believes that credit risk related to these balances is mitigated by several factors, including but not limited to, credit checks performed as part of the underwriting process and monitoring of aged receivable balances. In addition, as the vast majority of its reinsurance agreements permit the Company the right to offset reinsurance balances receivable from clients against losses payable to them, the Company believes that the credit risk in this area is substantially reduced. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible. There was no allowance for uncollectible reinsurance balances receivable at September 30, 2017.
The Company requires its reinsurers to have adequate financial strength. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors its concentration of credit risk on an ongoing basis. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible. The balance of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses was $140.6 million at September 30, 2017 compared to $99.9 million at December 31, 2016. At September 30, 2017, $62.8 million or 44.7% of the total reinsurance recoverable is receivable from one reinsurer which has a credit rating of A+ (December 31, 2016 - $54.8 million or 54.8% and with credit rating of A+). Furthermore, at September 30, 2017, $46.1 million or 32.8% (December 31, 2016 - $23.8 million or 23.8%) of these reinsurance recoverables relate to reinsurance claims from Superstorm Sandy. The table below summarizes the A.M. Best credit ratings of the Company's reinsurance counterparties at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
A or better 98.7% 97.2%
B++ or worse 1.3% 2.8%
  100.0% 100.0%
2018.
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company is generally able to match foreign currency denominated assets against its net reinsurance liabilities both by currency and duration to protect the Company against foreign exchange and interest rate risks. However, a natural offset does not exist for all currencies. For the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and as at September 30, 2017, 7.4%2018, 9.3% of our net premiums written and 9.8%12.7% of our reserve for loss and LAE were transacted in euro, respectively.
We may employ various strategies to manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. To the extent that these exposures are not fully hedged or the hedges are ineffective, our results of operations or equity may be reduced by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. At September 30, 2017,2018, no hedging instruments have been entered into. Our principal foreign currency exposure is to the euro and British pound, however, assuming all other variables remain constant and disregarding any tax effects, a strengthening (weakening) of the U.S. dollar exchange rate of 10% or 20% relative to the non-U.S. currencies held by the Company would result in a decrease (increase) in the Company's net assets of $1.2$3.8 million and $2.4$7.7 million, respectively.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 Our management, with the participation and under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide an absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected.
During the most recent fiscal quarter, there were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See "Part I, Item 1 - Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) Note 9.11. Commitments and Contingencies" for an update on legal matters. Except as disclosed above, there are no material changes from the legal proceedings previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Item 1A. of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period. The risks described in our 20162017 Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity.
There are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017 except for the following:
The occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Master Transaction Agreement with Enstar could adversely affect our future business.
There are significant risks and uncertainties associated with the pending sale of substantially all of our U.S. treaty reinsurance operations to Enstar pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement. The occurrence of certain events, changes or any other circumstances could give rise to the termination of the Master Transaction Agreement and cause the sale not to be completed. For instance, there is no assurance that the parties will receive the necessary state insurance regulatory approvals required to close the transaction. If the parties fail to obtain such approvals or to meet other conditions necessary to complete the sale as set forth in the Master Transaction Agreement, we will not be able to close the transaction and we will not realize the anticipated benefits to our business.
Our proposed transaction with Enstar may present certain risks to our business and operations.
Our operations will be restricted by the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement and the Enstar Master Agreement, which may prevent or delay the pursuit of other strategic corporate or business opportunities and result in our inability to respond effectively and/or timely to competitive pressures and industry developments.
The proposed transaction may disrupt our current business plans and operations.
Our management’s attention may be directed towards the completion of the transaction and diverted away from our day-to-day business operations and the execution of our current business plans.
Current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us, which might adversely effect our ability to attract and retain employees who generate and service our business.
Uncertainties regarding our business could cause brokers, customers and other counterparties to change existing business relationships which could negatively affect our revenues, earnings and cash flows.
Third-party rating agencies may downgrade or revoke our financial strength or debt ratings in connection with the Master Transaction Agreement and the Enstar Master Agreement.
We may incur significantly higher transaction costs than we currently anticipate, such as legal, financing and accounting fees, and other costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the transaction, whether or not the Master Transaction Agreement and the Enstar Master Agreement are completed.
We could be subject to litigation related to the proposed transaction, which could result in significant costs and expenses.
The Master Transaction Agreement and the Enstar Master Agreement may not be completed, which may have an adverse effect on our stock price to the extent that the current market price reflects assumption that the transaction will be completed, result in negative reactions from our shareholder and other investors, rating agencies, employees, brokers or customers, and adversely affect our future business and financial results.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity and Use of Proceeds
Items 2. (a) and (b) are not applicable.
2. (c) Share Repurchases
On February 21, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of the Company's common shares from time to time at market prices. The table below details the repurchases that were made during the three months ended September 30, 2017,2018, under the share repurchase authorization:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Total number of shares repurchased Average price paid per share Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (a) Dollar amount still available under trading plan
        ($ in thousands)
July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017 
 $
 
 $100,000
August 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017 1,380,000
 $7.31
 1,380,000
 $89,914
September 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017 635,700
 $6.69
 635,700
 $85,662
Total 2,015,700
 $7.11
 2,015,700
 $85,662
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Total number of shares repurchased Average price paid per share Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (a) Dollar amount still available under trading plan
        ($ in thousands)
July 1, 2018 - July 31, 2018 
 
 
 $74,924
August 1, 2018 - August 31, 2018 
 
 
 $74,924
September 1, 2018 - September 30, 2018 205,000
 $3.31
 205,000
 $74,245
Total 205,000
 $3.31
 205,000
 $74,245
Subsequent to the three months ended September 30, 20172018 and through the period ended November 9, 2017,2018, the Company did not repurchase any additional common shares.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
Executive Ownership and Sales
From time to time, some of the Company’s executives may determine that it is advisable to diversify their investments for personal financial planning reasons, or may seek liquidity for other reasons, and may sell common shares of the Company in the open market, in private transactions or to the Company. To effect such sales, some of the Company’s executives have entered into, and may in the future enter into, trading plans designed to comply with the Company’s Insider Trading and Outside Investments Policy and the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The trading plans will not reduce any of the executives’ ownership of the Company’s shares below the applicable executive stock ownership guidelines. The Company does not undertake any obligation to report Rule 10b5-1 plans that may be adopted by any employee or director of the Company in the future, or to report any modifications or termination of any publicly announced plan.

Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
The Company extended the term of the employment agreements for each of Lawrence F. Metz and Patrick J. Haveron, which now expire on November 1, 2021.





Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
 Description
10.1
10.2
10.3
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 
32.2 
101.1 The following materials from Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in XBRL (eXtensive Business Reporting Language): (i) the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, (v) the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.




 MAIDEN HOLDINGS, LTD.
 By: 
November 9, 20172018 /s/ Arturo M. RaschbaumLawrence F. Metz
  
Arturo M. RaschbaumLawrence F. Metz
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  /s/ Karen L. SchmittPatrick J. Haveron
  
Karen L. SchmittPatrick J. Haveron
Chief Financial Officer
   
  /s/ Michael J. Tait
  
Michael J. Tait
Chief Accounting Officer




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