AACE Ace Cash Express

DALLAS, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a joint effort to help students recognize the importance of financial literacy, ACE Cash Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:AACE), Junior Achievement and the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner are distributing one million book covers to various schools across Texas. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060828/DAM029 ) "Our goal through this project is to make a difference in Texas schools by providing financial literacy lessons to help students learn how to successfully manage their money," said Jay Shipowitz, President and CEO of ACE Cash Express. "Focusing on financial literacy early in the educational process is a key step toward helping students to better manage their money." The educational book covers include two financial literacy lessons -- both designed to engage students on basic money handling and savings skills. By targeting elementary schools, the book covers help instill a sense of financial responsibility at an early age. "Building sound financial skills should start early," said Leslie Pettijohn, Commissioner of Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. "Teaching kids to save is an invaluable lesson that can provide the foundation for lifelong positive money management." The book covers are being donated to over 1,200 schools throughout Texas, and include both English and Spanish lessons for bilingual students. They were created as part of a recent collaboration of ACE Cash Express, Junior Achievement and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner to help bring more financial literacy programs into classrooms. "Junior Achievement's core purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy," said Linda Schoelkopf, President, Junior Achievement of Dallas, Inc. "Working with ACE Cash Express and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner to provide financial lessons to younger students is a great addition to our regular volunteer-driven curriculum. We are proud to be a part of the effort to reach children throughout the state of Texas." About ACE Cash Express ACE Cash Express, Inc. is a leading retailer of financial services, including check cashing, short-term consumer loans, bill payment and prepaid debit card services, and the largest owner, operator and franchisor of check cashing stores in the United States. As of March 31, 2006, ACE had a network of 1,557 stores in 36 states and the District of Columbia, consisting of 1,328 company-owned stores and 229 franchised stores. ACE focuses on serving consumers, many of whom seek alternatives to traditional banking relationships in order to gain convenient and immediate access to financial services. ACE's website is found at http://www.acecashexpress.com/ . About The ACE Community Fund ACE Cash Express, Inc. implemented a corporate giving program in 2003, the ACE Community Fund, as a way to give back to communities where ACE has stores. The ACE Community Fund supports charities that help children, support education and promote financial literacy. Each year, ACE sets aside one percent of the previous year's net income to support these worthwhile causes through the ACE Community Fund. About JA Worldwide(TM) (Junior Achievement) JA Worldwide is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and entrepreneurship. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA Worldwide provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA Worldwide offers educational programs that focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today, 142 offices reach approximately four million students in the United States, with more than three million students served by operations in 96 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ja.org/ . About Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner regulates non-depository lenders in Texas, such as motor vehicle sales financing companies, consumer loan companies, home equity and junior lien mortgage lenders, payday lenders, and signature loan companies. The agency aims for high quality standards to not only regulate the credit industry, but educate consumers and creditors, thereby producing a fair, lawful, and healthy credit environment for social and economic prosperity in Texas. To reach the OCCC, call 800.538.1579 or send an e-mail to . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060828/DAM029 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: ACE Cash Express, Inc. CONTACT: Eric C. Norrington, VP of Communications & Government Relations of ACE Cash Express, Inc., +1-972-550-5032, or ; or Kristyn B. Senters, Sr. Special Events Manager of Junior Achievement of Dallas, Inc., +1-972-690-8484, ext. 230, or ; or Steven O'Shields, Director of Administration of The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, +1-512-936-7620, or Steven.O' Web site: http://www.acecashexpress.com/ http://www.ja.org/

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