Tampa, Fla., January 26, 2006/ - Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, is proud to announce that Deveron Gibbons, Vice President of Public Affairs, has been nominated for the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Minority Businessperson of the Year Award.

	Deveron Gibbons, Vice President of Public Affairs for Amscot Financial, receives award from Arthur Porter, publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal at the recent 2006 Minority Business Person of the Year Award banquet

Deveron Gibbons was nominated for his outstanding business knowledge and influence in the Tampa Bay area.  Known for his high-energy level and extensive commitment to community involvement, Gibbons also devotes his time and expertise on political issues at both the local and state level.  Gibbons was one of the local community leaders who worked tirelessly on the re-election campaign for Mayor Rick Baker in Saint Petersburg, FL.  ”We are very proud to have Deveron on board as our Vice President of Public Affairs and his nomination for the Minority Businessperson of the Year Award is extremely well-deserved,” stated Ian A. MacKechnie, Executive Vice President of Amscot Financial.

The Tampa Bay Business Journal and event sponsors Florida Central Credit Union, Verizon, and AVSS Inc. proudly present the 2006 Minority Businessperson of the Year Awards Ceremony to be held this evening at the Quorum Hotel, located in Tampa, FL.  The awards ceremony recognizes the achievements of local minority businesspeople and their impressive contributions and positive influences in the Tampa Bay area business community.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., 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 111 tax preparation offices and 111 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.