Ace Cash Express Inctx (849116) SEC Filing 10-Q Quarterly report for the period ending Friday, March 31, 2006

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 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Comparable Store Sales Increase 6.8%

DALLAS (April 27, 2006)-— ACE Cash Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:AACE) announced fiscal third quarter 2006 net income of $9.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.68, compared to fiscal third quarter 2005 net income of $9.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.71. The current quarter includes the previously disclosed $0.04 after-tax charge related to the termination of the Company’s relationship with H&R Block. During the fiscal third quarter of 2006, ACE’s total revenue increased 16 percent to $91.2 million from $78.5 million in the prior year period, due primarily to a 19 percent increase in check cashing fees, an 18 percent increase in loan fees and interest, and a 33 percent increase in bill payment services.

Comparable store revenues increased 6.8 percent compared to the prior year period. Major contributors to this comparable store revenue increase include:

	•		Comparable store loan fees and interest increased 11.0 percent, and in states not impacted by the revised FDIC Guidelines for PayDay Lending, increased by 12.4 percent.
	•		Comparable store check fees (non-tax check fees) increased by 4.4 percent.
	•		Comparable store tax check fees declined by 2.0 percent. Comparable store tax check fees cashed in company-owned stores declined by 0.3 percent.