Tampa, FL., August 23, 2004/PR Newswire/ - With Central Floridian residents trying to rebuild their lives due to the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Charley, Amscot Financial, a Florida-based tax and retail financial services company, is waiving all check cashing fees and extending repayment dates for all outstanding payday advances through October 15, 2004. This action is in response to Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Tom Gallagher's recent appeal to the state's financial institutions.

At a meeting on August 20, 2004 with Florida's banking industry, Gallagher asked industry officials to offer a compassionate response to Floridians dealing with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Charley.

"I'm asking financial institutions to reach out and help the thousands of storm victims by increasing credit limits, eliminating fees for services and granting loan payment extensions," Gallagher said. "When disaster strikes, we must all stand together to help those in need, and I'm proud to partner with Florida's banking industry in getting our citizens on the road to recovery."

Although Amscot Financial is not a bank, the company is a financial services provider. Amscot Financial offers customers financial services such as payday advances, check cashing, wire transfers, and free money orders and considers the call from Tom Gallagher to apply to them equally.

"Our local branches are prepared to help the victims of Hurricane Charley," said Ian MacKechnie, President and CEO of Amscot Financial. "As part of the financial services industry in Florida, we support CFO Gallagher and his appeal for assistance in helping Floridians get back on their feet."

The following affected counties, where Amscot Financial has branches, will be waiving all check cashing fees and extending the repayment dates for all outstanding payday advances through October 15, 2004: Sarasota, Highlands, Polk and Orange.

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 more than 70 tax preparation offices and 70 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.