Advance America Declares That 'America Deserves a Raise'

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Apr 19, 2010, 02:01 ET

Company Rolls Out National Essay Contest Honoring American Workers with Chance for the Raise of a Lifetime

SPARTANBURG, S.C., April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Advance America Cash Advance, Inc. (NYSE: AEA), the country's leading provider of payday cash advance services, today announced the launch of "America Deserves a Raise" – a nationwide essay contest and sweepstakes to reward hardworking Americans with a well-deserved raise.

"This campaign brings our mission to life – honoring workers who are focused on improving their communities in ways both large and small," said Ken Compton, Advance America Chairman and CEO. "This is about recognizing someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to their job and community – whether they work in or out of the home, alone or as part of a team. Our goal is to recognize someone who is truly advancing America."

As part of Advance America's overall efforts to honor American workers, the "America Deserves a Raise" contest kicks-off today and nominations will be accepted through July 27, 2010. Entrants are asked to nominate someone they know, or themselves, by submitting an essay explaining why an individual "deserves a raise" for a special accomplishment, a job well done or simply consistent hard work.

And, we are leaving it up to America to choose. Friends, family members and supporters are invited to vote for the most deserving nominee on the contest Web site, and the top one hundred essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges to determine first and second place winners. The "America Deserves a Raise" Facebook page and Twitter feed will also provide important updates.

A core component of the contest includes an investment in the communities Advance America serves. For every vote cast online in favor of a candidate who most "deserves a raise," Advance America will donate $1 (up to $50,000) to organizations that support education and jobs training. Additionally, if the winner is self-nominated, the prize money that would have been awarded to the nominating party will be donated to a charity that supports these goals.

"Advance America has built its foundation on serving people where they live, work and raise families. Local youth and family programs that provide proper tools for the development of strong financial management skills are central to financial literacy over the long term," Compton said.

The campaign will involve charitable contributions and prizes of more than $100,000, including daily opportunities to win $100 Visa gift cards. Contest rules and submission information are available at www.AmericaDeservesaRaise.com.

About Advance America Cash Advance

Founded in 1997, Advance America Cash Advance, Inc. (NYSE: AEA) is the country's leading provider of cash advance services, with approximately 2,500 centers and 71 limited licensees in 32 states, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Company offers convenient, less-costly credit options to consumers whose needs are not met by traditional financial institutions. The Company is a founding member of the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), whose mission is to promote laws that provide substantive consumer protections and to encourage responsible industry practices. Please visit www.advanceamerica.net for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information:

Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements in this release other than those relating to our historical information or current condition are forward-looking statements. For example, any statements regarding our future financial performance, our business strategy, and expected developments in our industry are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the current views and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, those views and expectations and the related statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are not under our control and may not even be predictable. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from our expectations as of today and any future results, performance, or achievements expressed directly or impliedly by the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of some of the factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our current expectations, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 a copy of which is available from the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request from us, or by going to our website: www.advanceamerica.net

SOURCE Advance America