Fairfax Announces Pricing of Private Offering of Senior Notes

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 4, 2011) - Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (TSX:FFH)(TSX:FFH.U) ("Fairfax") announced today that it has priced a private offering of US$500 million of its 5.80% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "Notes") at an issue price of 99.646. Fairfax intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, if necessary, to refinance an aggregate of US$500 million of existing notes issued by Fairfax and its subsidiaries. The offering is expected to close on or about May 9, 2011, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions.

The offering is being made solely by means of a private placement either to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or to certain persons in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale under the securities laws of any province or territory of Canada and may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in Canada or to or for the benefit of any resident of Canada except pursuant to applicable prospectus exemptions.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offers of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management.