Ace Cash Express Inctx (849116) SEC Filing 10-Q Quarterly report for the period ending Thursday, March 31, 2005

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACE CASH EXPRESS REPORTS RECORD
FISCAL THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME
Net Income Increased 28 Percent Excluding Lease Accounting Charge

DALLAS (April 28, 2005)—ACE Cash Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:AACE) announced record fiscal third quarter 2005 net income of $9.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to fiscal third quarter 2004 net income of $8.2 million, or $0.72 per diluted share. As previously disclosed, fiscal third quarter 2005 results include a one-time after-tax charge of approximately $600,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to a cumulative change to the company’s lease accounting practices. Excluding this one-time charge, ACE’s fiscal third quarter 2005 net income increased 28 percent over the fiscal third quarter 2004 earnings to $10.4 million and earnings per diluted share increased to $0.75. Including the lease accounting charge, net income increased 21 percent over the fiscal third quarter 2004. During the fiscal third quarter of 2005, ACE’s total revenue increased 7 percent to $78.5 million, versus $73.7 million in the prior year period, due primarily to a 16 percent increase in loan fees and a 19 percent increase in bill payment and debit card revenue.

     “We are pleased to report another strong quarter, which was led by increases in comparable store loan fees as well as double-digit bill payment services growth,” said Jay B. Shipowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, “We continue to remain focused on operational improvements, increased product offerings and our commitment to delivering convenient and quality services to our customers.”

     Among the Company’s accomplishments during the fiscal third quarter of 2005 were: