Tampa, FL – (September 8, 2006) - Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, said today that Amscot customers raised $49,252 during its inaugural “Just a Dollar” campaign in the month of August. Combined with a $10,000 matching grant from Amscot, nearly $60,000 will be donated to local education foundations in the 12 Central Florida counties where Amscot has branches.

In the first-ever “Just a Dollar” campaign, customers completing financial transactions were asked by Amscot associates if they would like to contribute a dollar to local education foundations as part of their transaction. More than 49,000 people said yes.

“We are both thrilled and humbled by the response of our customers. It exceeded all of our expectations,” said Ian MacKechnie, founder and CEO of Amscot Financial.

“It all goes to show that there is a deep desire among people everywhere to improve education and to make sure our schools have the resources they need,” MacKechnie added. “We are pleased to provide a vehicle for making that happen.”

Funds raised will be used by local education foundations to support reading and scholarship programs, said Stacy Carlson, executive director of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Education foundations in Florida are non-profit organizations that serve as a conduit for private sector investment in education and typically focus fund-raising efforts on programs not supported by tax dollars.

“The response by Amscot customers is truly outstanding,” Carlson said. “On behalf of all of the education foundations in Amscot’s service area, I can say that we are grateful for the support of each and every $1 contributor. As we have seen, all of those small contributions add up and they truly will make a difference.”

Founded in 1989, Amscot Financial employs more than 1,500 associates who work at the company’s 134 retail branches and at the company’s corporate headquarters in Tampa.

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 locations 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; cash 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.

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 133 tax preparation offices and 133 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. In March 2006, Amscot Financial was recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay’s Best Places to Work. In June 2006, founder Ian MacKechnie was recognized by Gulf Coast Business Review as its 2006 Entrepreneur Winner. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com.