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PEMBROKE, Bermuda--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (aAXIS Capitala) (NYSE: AXS) today announced that the Companyas Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per common share. The common dividend will be payable on October 15, 2012 to the shareholders of record at the close of business on October 2, 2012.

In addition, the Board declared a dividend of $0.453125 per Series A 7.25% Preferred Share, a dividend of $1.875 per Series B 7.50% Preferred Share and a dividend of $0.429688 per Series C 6.875% Preferred Share. The Series A Preferred Share dividend is payable on October 15, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 2, 2012. The Series B Preferred Share dividend is payable on December 3, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2012. The Series C Preferred Share dividend is payable on October 15, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 2, 2012.

AXIS Capital is a Bermuda-based global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance with shareholdersa equity at June 30, 2012 of $5.7 billion and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore, Canada, Australia and Latin America. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of aA+a (aStronga) by Standard & Pooras and aAa (aExcellenta) by A.M. Best. AXIS Capital and AXIS Specialty Finance LLC have been assigned senior unsecured debt ratings of A- (stable) by Standard & Pooras and Baa1 (stable) by Moodyas Investors Service. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit our website at [ www.axiscapital.com ].