NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Bermuda-based Maiden Holdings has filed to raise up to $536 million in an initial public offering.

The firm plans to trade on the Nasdaq and was formed in June to provide customised reinsurance products and services to subsidiaries of AmTrust Financial Services and small insurance companies and managing general agents in US and Europe.

AmTrust is a multi-national property and casualty insurer specialising in small businesses coverage, offering workers' compensation insurance, extended warranty coverage, specialty middle-market property and casualty insurance and a host of related products and services.