Long-Term Debt
Senior Notes
At December 31, 2025, Kestrel had outstanding publicly-traded senior notes which were issued in 2016 ("2016 Senior Notes") by its now wholly owned subsidiary Maiden and outstanding publicly-traded senior notes which were issued in 2013 ("2013 Senior Notes") by its now wholly owned subsidiary, Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. ("Maiden NA"). These are collectively referred to as the Company's outstanding senior notes ("Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company.
On May 27, 2025 in connection with the Combination, (i) Maiden, as issuer, the Company, as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, entered into a second supplemental indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”) to that certain indenture dated as of June 14, 2016, providing that the Company will fully and unconditionally guarantee Maiden’s 6.625% Senior Notes due 2046 and (ii) Maiden NA, as issuer, the Company, as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, entered into a fourth supplemental indenture (together with the Second Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”) to that certain indenture dated as of June 24, 2011, providing that the Company will fully and unconditionally guarantee MHNA’s 7.75% Senior Notes due 2043.
The following table details the Senior Notes issuances outstanding at December 31, 2025; no Senior Notes are outstanding in 2024 as these were acquired under the Combination on May 27, 2025:
December 31, 20252016 Senior Notes2013 Senior NotesTotal
Principal amount
$110,000 $152,361 $262,361 
Less: unamortized fair value adjustment43,627 44,332 87,959 
Carrying value$66,373 $108,029 $174,402 
Other details:
Original fair value adjustment at acquisition date$43,928 $44,764 
Maturity dateJune 14, 2046December 1, 2043
Earliest redeemable date (for cash)June 14, 2021December 1, 2018
Coupon rate6.625 %7.75 %
Effective interest rate11.8 %11.6 %
Total interest and amortization expense incurred on the Senior Notes for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $12,071, of which $1,342 was accrued as interest payable at both December 31, 2025. Under the Combination, the Senior Notes were acquired at their respective fair market values on May 27, 2025, therefore the difference between the principal amount of the acquired debt and the fair market value of the acquired debt is being amortized over the remaining life of the Senior Notes up to par value. The amortization for the fair value adjustment was $733 for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Under the terms of the 2013 Senior Notes, the 2013 Senior Notes can be redeemed, in whole or in part, at Maiden NA's option at any time and from time to time, until maturity at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but not including, the redemption date. Maiden NA is required to give at least thirty days and not more than sixty days' notice prior to the redemption date. Please refer to Note 11. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees for ongoing litigation regarding the 2013 Senior Notes.
Under the terms of the 2016 Senior Notes, the 2016 Senior Notes can be redeemed, in whole or in part, at Maiden Holdings' option at any time and from time to time, until maturity at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but not including, the redemption date. Maiden Holdings is required to give at least thirty days and not more than sixty days notice prior to the redemption date.

About Debt Disclosures

Debt disclosures detail a company's borrowing structure — the types of instruments, interest rates, maturity schedule, and covenant restrictions that define its financial obligations and flexibility. This section is essential for assessing refinancing risk, interest rate exposure, and the margin of safety against financial distress.

Key signals: the maturity schedule reveals concentration risk — large maturities within 1-2 years during tight credit markets can force dilutive refinancing or asset sales. Compare the fair value of debt against carrying amount to gauge whether the market views the company's credit risk differently than the balance sheet suggests. Watch covenant compliance disclosures for tightening cushions, especially leverage and interest coverage ratios. Variable-rate debt exposure quantifies sensitivity to interest rate changes. Secured versus unsecured mix affects recovery rates and future borrowing capacity. Compare net debt-to-EBITDA against industry peers and covenant limits to assess financial health.