Nicholas Financial Inc (NICK) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Saturday, March 31, 2012

Exhibit 99.1

										FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NICHOLAS				Contact:		Ralph Finkenbrink Sr. Vice President, CFO Ph # - 727-726-0763				NASDAQ: NICK Web site: www.nicholasfinancial.com
Nicholas Financial, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
2454 McMullen-Booth Rd.
Building C, Suite 501
Clearwater, FL 33759

Nicholas Financial Reports Record

4th Quarter Results & Quarterly Dividend

May 2, 2012 – Clearwater, Florida – Nicholas Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: NICK) announced that for the three months ended March 31, 2012, net earnings increased 27% to $6,045,000 as compared to $4,772,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Per share diluted net earnings increased 25% to $0.50 as compared to $0.40 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Revenue increased 7% to $17,182,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $16,095,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

For the year ended March 31, 2012, net earnings increased 32% to $22,230,000 as compared to $16,805,000 for the year ended March 31, 2011. Per share diluted net earnings increased 31% to $1.85 as compared to $1.41 for the year ended March 31, 2011. Revenue increased 9% to $68,167,000 for the year ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $62,774,000 for the year ended March 31, 2011.

Our strong growth in earnings per share for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2012 were largely impacted by a reduction in the provision for credit losses. Net charge offs during the current periods were less than the expected charge-offs previously contemplated in the allowance for loan losses. Accordingly, the amount of additional provision necessary to maintain an adequate allowance to absorb losses in the existing portfolio was less than the provision for prior periods” stated Peter L. Vosotas, Chairman and CEO. Subject to market conditions, we plan on continuing our branch expansion and currently anticipate opening three additional locations during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

As a result of our continued earnings growth and stable capital position, on May 2, 2012 the Board of Directors declared another quarterly dividend equal to $0.10 per common share, to be paid on June 6^th to shareholders of record as of May 30^th.

Nicholas Financial, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded specialty consumer finance companies based in the Southeastern states. The Company presently operates 60 branch locations in both the Southeastern and the Midwestern states. The Company has approximately 12,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding. For an index of Nicholas Financial, Inc.’s news releases or to obtain a specific release, visit our web site at www.nicholasfinancial.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including general economic conditions, access to bank financing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011. Such statements are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Actual events or results may differ materially. All forward looking statements and cautionary statements included in this document are made as of the date hereby based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward looking statement or cautionary statement.

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