TAMPA, Fla., November 12, 2003/PRNewswire/ - Amscot Financial, one of the Tampa Bay Area's fastest-growing retail financial service companies, recently announced plans to expand into the Metropolitan Orlando Area, according to Vice President of Real Estate Joe Monaco.

Currently, there are plans to open 15 new branches throughout the Orlando Area in the next 12 months, with the first office expected to open in the spring of 2004.

Amscot Financial would eventually like to extend its reach throughout Central Florida by opening more than 70 additional locations in portions of Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.

"A concerted effort is currently underway to expand our presence throughout the State of Florida," Monaco explains.

"We are very excited about the new opportunities that Orlando and its surrounding communities present, and look forward to bringing our unique approach to retail financial services to many other Florida communities," Monaco adds.

Amscot Financial's continued expansion keeps with the company's strategic plan for aggressive growth within the Florida market.

During the past 12 months, Amscot Financial has opened 17 new branches, including locations in Avon Park, Brandon, Brooksville, Clearwater, Plant City, Tampa, Sarasota, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg and Zephyrhills, Fla.

In addition, the company has made a substantial investment in renovations to existing branch offices in Bradenton, Brandon and Tampa, Fla.

"Our growth," explains President and CEO Ian MacKechnie, "only underscores the commitment that our company has to helping our customers meet their demand for cash and retail financial services.

"With the establishment of our first branch in Orlando, the residents and tourists
of Central Florida will now have access to the very same value-added services our customers in West Central Florida have enjoyed for years," MacKechnie adds.

Among the services the new branches will offer are check cashing, free money orders, payday advances and tax preparation services, as well as Western Union money transfers and currency exchange.

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 subsidiary Amscot International Money Order Company. Amscot Financial currently operates more than 50 tax preparation offices and 50 retail financial service centers throughout Florida, employing more than 1,500 people and transacting in excess of $1.5 billion annually. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com.