AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Announces the Acquisition of First Nonprofit Companies, Inc. and the Intent to Acquire Mutual Insurers Holding Company

NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFSI) ("the Company") announced today that the Company has acquired First Nonprofit Companies, Inc. ("FNC"). In addition, the Company has entered into a definitive agreement, pending regulatory and policyholder approval, to acquire Mutual Insurers Holding Company ("MIHC") following the completion of the conversion of MIHC to a stock company from a mutual holding company. MIHC is the parent of First Nonprofit Insurance Company ("FNIC"). During the 12 months following the completion of the transactions, the Company expects the acquisitions to contribute $0.12 to $0.14 per diluted share.

FNC serves approximately 1,500 nonprofit and government entities. FNC offers unique services as well as insurance programs underwritten by FNIC which are designed to allow nonprofit and government entities to economically manage their unemployment tax obligations. 

FNIC is the third largest provider of property & casualty insurance products to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. In 2012, FNIC wrote $70 million of premiums in 27 states. FNIC's profitability is the result of a niche market focus and an appetite for low hazard business. 

"We believe the acquisitions will be accretive to earnings and advance our strategy of focusing on niche, low hazard business. FNC adds to our growing fee income while the proposed acquisition of MIHC and MIHC's subsidiary FNIC provides the Company with insurance capabilities targeted to the nonprofit market. We are confident that incorporating the combined entities into our Company creates an excellent insurance and related product offering to the nonprofit market," said AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. President and CEO, Barry Zyskind. "FNC's fee business provides the Company with talent and management expertise to successfully market unique insurance products and services while the proposed acquisition of FNIC establishes for the Company a profitable insurance platform for the nonprofit market."

About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a multinational insurance holding company, which, through its insurance carriers, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile and general liability; extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustgroup.com, or call AmTrust toll-free at 866.203.3037.

The AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3280

Forward Looking Statements                                                                

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, non-receipt of expected payments from insureds or reinsurers, changes in interest rates, a downgrade in the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, the effect of the performance of financial markets on our investment portfolio, our estimates of the fair value of our life settlement contracts, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in projecting loss reserves, the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage, the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues, changes in the demand for our products, our degree of success in integrating acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry practices, risks associated with conducting business outside the United States, developments relating to existing agreements, disruptions to our business relationships with Maiden Holdings, Ltd., American Capital Acquisition Corporation, or third party agencies and warranty administrators, difficulties with technology or breaches in data security, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes in asset valuations. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

AFSI-F

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
59 Maiden Lane 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
855.327.2223
212.220.7130 fax
www.amtrustgroup.com

CONTACT: AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.           Investor Relations          Elizabeth Malone CFA          [email protected]          646.458.7924           Hilly Gross[email protected]          646.458.7925

Source: AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.