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

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
William S. McCalmont 972/753-2314		Douglas Lindsay 972/753-2342
Executive Vice President & CFO		Vice President of Finance
wmccalmont@acecashexpress.com		dlindsay@acecashexpress.com

ACE CASH EXPRESS REPORTS FISCAL 2006 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

DALLAS (January 26, 2006)— ACE Cash Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:AACE) announced fiscal second quarter 2006 net income of $5.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.36, compared to fiscal second quarter 2005 net income of $5.8 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.42. During the fiscal second quarter of 2006, ACE’s total revenue increased 12 percent to $72.3 million from $64.7 million in the prior year period, due primarily to a 13 percent increase in check cashing fees, an 8 percent increase in loan fees and interest, and a 23 percent increase in bill payment and prepaid debit card services.

Comparable store revenues increased 4.2 percent compared to the prior year period. Loan fees and interest increased 2.9 percent, and in states not impacted by the revised FDIC Guidelines for PayDay Lending, increased by 8.0 percent. Check fees increased by 2.4 percent.

“We remain confident in our long-term disciplined growth strategy of de novo store development complemented by opportunistic acquisitions and the introduction of new products and services. We continue to believe that there are increased consumer and financial performance benefits related to offering our customers a full suite of financial products in an expanding network of stores,” said Jay B. Shipowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer.