Tampa, FL – (March 16, 2006) – Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, is pleased to announce it has been recognized as a winner in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s annual “Best Places to Work” competition.  The region’s winning companies will be recognized at an April 13 luncheon event in Tampa.

According to the Business Journal, winning companies were selected in four categories based on employee surveys that were administered by an outside research firm. Neither the staff of the Tampa Bay Business Journal nor a panel of judges subjectively decided which companies to honor.

After the Business Journal issued its call for entries, nominees were gathered through the newspaper's Web site, and once qualified, the information was sent to Kansas-based QMR Market Research, which employed a rigorous statistical process to determine the rankings. The rankings were based on anonymous employees' actual responses.

Founded in 1989, Amscot Financial employs more than 1,500 associates who work at the company’s 113 retail branches and at the company’s corporate headquarters in Tampa. First-year Financial Service Associates at Amscot typically earn up to $30,000, plus benefits. Amscot is also a fast-growing company, opening new retail branch locations in the Interstate 4 corridor on an average of one every 10 days.

“Everyone at Amscot Financial is gratified by the recognition in the Tampa Bay Business Journal,” said Ian MacKechnie, president and founder. “It’s a tribute to all of our associates who have pulled together to make this company a great place to work.”

 Amscot Financial’s 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. Select Amscot locations are open 24 hours a day. The company currently operates retail branches in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, Sarasota, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Amscot Financial offers an array of convenience-oriented 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 debit cards and income tax preparation. Amscot Financial also offers consumers the ability to purchase money orders – with no service fees.

About Amscot Financial
Headquartered in Tampa, FL, Amscot Financial is a leading provider of convenient financial services, including 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 113 tax preparation offices and 113 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com.