Tampa, FL – (September 6, 2005) – Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, said today it will cash checks from official aid agencies involved in hurricane relief at no fee, with no holds. The service is offered to people who have evacuated to Florida as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

This free service covers checks payable to hurricane evacuees from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any other governmental or non-profit agencies engaged in supporting hurricane evacuees.

“We have already cashed a number of Red Cross checks,” said Ian MacKechnie, founder and CEO of Amscot Financial. “We know that hurricane evacuees are arriving every day throughout the Tampa Bay area and throughout metropolitan Orlando. We also know that for many of these people, their banks may have been severely damaged or even destroyed, limiting their access to financial services. We want to do what we can to first help them cope, and second, help them get back on their feet again.”

Amscot Financial currently operates 98 retail service centers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, Sarasota, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Amscot Financial’s locations 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.

In addition to free cashing of hurricane aid checks, Amscot Financial offers an array of convenience-oriented financial services, including the cashing of personal checks, out-of-state checks and government checks; cash advances; Western Union wire transfers, notary services and pre-paid debit cards. Amscot Financial also offers consumers the ability to purchase money orders – with no service fees.

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 98 tax preparation offices and 98 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.