Tampa, FL – (October 31, 2007) – Amscot Financial, a leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services, is pleased to announce that recent corporate contributions to community service organizations in the Tampa Bay region represent the fulfillment of $100,000 pledges to organizations that serve the needs of children.

In St. Petersburg, Amscot has contributed $75,000 over the past three years to the Partnership to Advance School Success (PASS), benefitting Clearview Avenue Elementary School. The statewide PASS program, organized by the Weston-based Council for Educational Change, seeks to raise student achievement by matching schools in Florida with local companies that provide resources and mentoring opportunities to school leaders.

The Council for Educational Change is Florida’s “educational think tank,” turning research into programs that develop school-based leaders and contribute to student achievement. In 2005, the Council collaborated with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker to implement 7 new PASS models at schools within in the city of St. Petersburg. This initiative, called Municipal PASS, was the Council’s first PASS partnership in cooperation with a city. The mayor recruited CEO PASS sponsors, including Amscot Financial’s Ian MacKechnie.

“We’re very pleased to be partners with the Council for Educational Change and with Mayor Rick Baker in this vital effort to increase student achievement,” MacKechnie said. “Our corporate philosophy at Amscot is “Children First.” We particularly applaud these very focused and targeted efforts by the Council and by Mayor Baker.”

Over the past four years, Amscot also has contributed $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay to support the endowment for the Bill Carey Brandon Club on Knights Road in Brandon. The club annually serves hundreds of children with after-school recreation and mentoring programs.

Amscot Vice President Ian A. MacKechnie serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.

Amscot Financial is Florida’s leading provider of convenient, consumer-oriented financial services. The company 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.

Amscot Financial currently operates 163 retail service centers in Hillsborough,
Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, Sarasota, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia and Brevard 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.

About Amscot Financial
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 163 tax preparation offices and 163 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. Amscot Financial has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of Tampa Bay’s Best Places to Work for two consecutive years. For additional information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.amscotfinancial.com.