Orlando, FL – (April 21, 2005) – Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, has launched a major expansion drive in Central Florida. Amscot, which currently operates 90 retail locations primarily in west Central Florida, plans to have 35 locations in the metropolitan Orlando market open the next 12 months.

Amscot currently operates seven locations in metro Orlando and has immediate plans to an additional 28 branches in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Over the next three years, Amscot further plans to open 30-to-35 new locations a year with additional expansions targeted in Volusia and Brevard counties. Founded in 1989, Amscot is headquartered in Tampa.

Amscot projects that its growth over the next 12 months will generate an additional 200 jobs in Central Florida. The average annual salary of Amscot associates is about $30,000. Over the next three years, Amscot estimates that it will create about 600 jobs in east Central Florida. The overall value of Amscot’s expansion schedule represents a planned capital investment of about $40 million.

"Across the country, the financial service sector has proven to be a strong economic engine," said Ray Gilley, president and CEO of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. "As part of this growing industry, Amscot's plan to grow in Metro Orlando is good news for our region. The success of this Florida-grown company also proves the importance of fostering our entrepreneurial environment along with attracting and retaining established companies."

Ian MacKechnie, founder and CEO of Amscot Financial, said the 16-year- old company has enjoyed considerable success in west Central Florida because it offers competitively priced financial services with a high degree of convenience.

“We’re seeing a growing demand and we believe it is particularly because of our convenient locations,” MacKechnie said. “Convenience is a major part of Amscot’ strategy because of the busy lives our customers lead.”

Amscot’s financial service centers are open seven days a week and are typically open Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday hours are typically from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Selected Amscot locations in the Tampa Bay area are open 24 hours a day. The company currently operates retail locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Amscot offers consumers a variety of financial services, including: the cashing of personal checks, out-of-state checks and government checks; payday advances; Western Union wire transfers, notary services, pre-paid credit cards and income tax preparation. Amscot also offers consumers the ability to obtain money orders – with no service fees.

“Our motto with money orders is: ‘No limit, no charge, no problem,’” MacKechnie said. “We like to think that our policy with money orders is emblematic of our entire approach to the financial services industry and that is providing consumers with quick service at a fair price in settings that are very convenient to their lives and their jobs.”

Amscot began its aggressive expansion into Central Florida in October 2004 with the opening of a financial service center at 939 N. Semoran Boulevard. Since then, the company has opened six additional locations in Orlando, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Kissimmee and Lake Mary. A full list of coming Amscot locations can be found at the company’s Web site at http://www.amscotfinancial.com.

Amscot also intends to establish a major corporate presence in downtown Orlando. The company is currently scouting locations for a corporate office and training center where it anticipates training about 30 associates a month.

“We are already aggressively working in the jobs market to find the right people who want to work for Amscot.” MacKechnie said. “There are a lot of exciting opportunities here.”

Headquartered in Tampa, FL., Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, check cashing services, cash advance services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company. Amscot Financial currently operates 89 tax preparation offices and 89 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.amscotfinancial.com.