Server: Netscape-Commerce/1.12 Date: Thursday, 18-Dec-97 08:27:01 GMT Last-modified: Saturday, 22-Nov-97 02:06:53 GMT Content-length: 7665 Content-type: text/html ACE Cash Express, Inc. General Information
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Ace Cash Express Inc. headquartered in Irving, Texas, trades on Nasdaq under the symbol AACE. Ace is one of the nation's largest operator of retail financial service stores. These stores offer convenient retail financial services, including check cashing, money order sales, MoneyGram wire transfer services, small consumer loans, electronic tax filing and refund anticipation loan services, and bill payment services. ACE has a total network of over 700 stores in 26 states and Washington D. C., including over 620 Company owned stores.

Performance Measurements IT'S ABOUT PERFORMANCE

As we reflect on 1997 and previous years, we believe there are key performance indicators in our business. These measurements demonstrate management's ability to increase revenue, profitability and cash flow while maintaining a solid financial position.


"ACE CASH EXPRESS MAY BE ON VERGE OF UNCHECKED GROWTH, SAY BULLS"
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - HEARD IN TEXAS ISSUE: AUGUST 13, 1997

REVENUES
ACE has experienced exceptional revenue growth over the past five years. The three and five year annual compounded revenue growth rates are 30% and 27%, respectively. The growth can be attributed to the opening of de novo units, acquired units, same stores sales increases, and new products.

EARNINGS
Earnings per share (EPS) increased 40% in fiscal 1997 over fiscal 1996. Driving the increase in EPS are increases in average revenue per store, new product offerings, and increased center level contribution. The three and five year EPS compounded annual growth rates are 27% and 17%, respectively.


"AMERICA'S FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES"

"WHERE BANKS FEAR TO TREAD"
THE INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 1997


EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) have grown dramatically over the past five years, at a 36% compounded annual growth rate, and over the past three years, at a 42% compounded annual growth rate. Management is focused on growing the network of stores while maximizing cash flow from operations.

LOAN FEES AND INTEREST
ACE's fastest growing product line is small consumer loans, generating fees and interest. Introduced in December 1994, the loan product is now available in 189 stores, up from 141 stores at June 30, 1996. Loan fees and interest revenue increased 132% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996.


"CHANGING THE IMAGE OF THE CHECK CASHING STORE"
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE: APRIL 7, 1997

NUMBER OF STORES
ACE's store growth continued in fiscal 1997 with 45 new (de novo) stores and 46 acquired stores. ACE continues to evaluate its entire store network, and in the normal course of business, closed 18 of its stores during fiscal 1997. ACE expects to open 60 new (de novo) stores in fiscal 1998.

STORE CONTRIBUTION
Store contribution as a percentage of revenue increased 8% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996. Fiscal 1997 was a record year, with store contribution at 32.1% of revenue.

REGION AND HEADQUARTERS
During fiscal 1997, ACE made an investment in both headquarters and region expenses. Driving the increase was spending on technology, office space and personnel. ACE devoted more full-time supervisors to store management, which we believe has helped increase average revenue per store.

CHECKS CASHED
Our core business of check cashing continues to perform well. Although the percentage of revenue from check cashing as a percentage of total revenue is decreasing; total revenue from check cashing increased 22% from fiscal 1996 to fiscal 1997. The total number of checks cashed for fiscal 1997 exceeded nine million up from 7.5 million in fiscal 1996.

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© Copyright 1997 ACE Cash Express, Inc.