First Cash announces acquisition of Buy-Here/Pay-Here automotive retailer

August 28, 2006 - Arlington, Texas

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. FCFS today announced the acquisition of Auto Master, an automotive retailer and related finance company focused exclusively on the "Buy-Here/Pay-Here" segment of the used vehicle market. The definitive stock purchase agreement for the privately-held Auto Master group was signed and closed on August 25, 2006. The purchase price, in the amount of $33.7 million, was funded through a combination of cash, First Cash's credit facility and notes payable to the sellers. The Company also announced that it has increased its earnings estimate for 2006 and initiated guidance for 2007 earnings.

Auto Master, based in Northwest Arkansas, owns and operates eight Buy- Here/Pay-Here automobile dealerships located in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, which specialize in the sale of clean, moderately-priced used vehicles. The customers of Auto Master, many of whom are "under-banked" or otherwise credit-challenged, typically utilize the dealerships' in-house financing programs, which feature affordable down payments and weekly or bi- weekly payment plans. Total revenues of Auto Master were $44 million in its 2005 fiscal year and unaudited revenues are projected to be in a range of $53 million to $55 million for its 2006 fiscal year.

"This acquisition represents an exciting and important strategic initiative for First Cash," stated Rick Wessel, Vice Chairman of the Board. "We believe that Auto Master has a demonstrated track record of growth and profitability, and an excellent business model on which we can build and expand. We intend to accelerate this business through our financial, strategic and technology resources. The Auto Master management team shares our corporate values and vision; we fully expect that this will be an excellent fit within the First Cash organization and a significant new growth opportunity for the future. In addition, the acquisition of Auto Master expands and diversifies the First Cash product suite within the growing specialty consumer finance industry. We continue to broaden the range of products and financial services available to our customers."

The Auto Master dealerships are modern, high-volume facilities located on major streets in well-populated markets. In addition to their strategic locations, the dealerships rely on a coordinated advertising program, repeat customers and referrals to generate sales volume. Auto Master utilizes full- time, in-house buyers to source used vehicle inventories from a ten-state area. All vehicle inventory acquisitions are processed through a central reconditioning facility located in Northwest Arkansas, near Bentonville, for necessary repairs and detailing before being delivered to the retail locations. The consolidated purchasing and reconditioning functions, along with centralized inventory and sales management, allow Auto Master to maintain consistently strong retail margins on its vehicle sales. Most of the Company's underwriting, collection and other administrative functions are based at the same central facility.

Historically, Buy-Here/Pay-Here automobile retailing has been a highly fragmented and under-capitalized industry. Recent trends indicate that larger, professionally-managed operators, such as Auto Master, have been able to capture market share through advertising, better inventory selection, quality control and greater resources for customer financing. According to Mr. Wessel, "We are impressed with Auto Master's growth opportunities and the positive short- and long-term potential for the Buy-Here/Pay-Here industry as a whole. Auto Master is well positioned to expand within the six-state region surrounding its Northwest Arkansas hub. In addition, we believe that projected population growth trends in the south and southwest, especially among 'un-banked' or 'under-banked' consumers, should continue to create long- term demand for affordable used vehicles and financing, as well as opportunities for expansion into other markets where First Cash operates."

In anticipation of this transaction, the Company has amended its existing long-term bank credit facility to increase the amount available under the line of credit from $25 million to $50 million and to extend the term of the facility until April 2009. The line of credit will continue to bear interest at the prevailing LIBOR rate plus a fixed margin of 1.375%. The Company is utilizing funds drawn on the line of credit to fund a portion of the acquisition purchase, but expects to have significant additional borrowing capacity under the facility to support working capital needs as they arise. Internally generated cash flow should result in a near term pay-off of the debt portion of the Auto Master transaction.

Stephens Inc. represented Auto Master and its shareholders in the transaction.

Earnings Forecast

The Company expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006. The previous guidance for 2006 forecast diluted earnings per share was a range of $0.94 to $0.95. Based both on this acquisition and positive current-year trends in the Company's core businesses, management now believes that 2006 diluted earnings per share will be in a range of $0.96 to $0.97 per share.

Looking ahead to 2007, the Company expects continued earnings growth from its core pawn and short-term advance businesses, primarily driven through its well-established store expansion strategy. Including the projected accretive earnings from Auto Master, the Company is initiating earnings per share guidance for 2007 in a range of $1.25 to $1.30 per share. This represents an increase of 29% to 34% over the upper end of the revised 2006 guidance.

First Cash intends to continue with its significant store opening program, with a total of 70 to 75 new pawn and short-term advance stores anticipated for 2007. In addition, with the acquisition of Auto Master, the Company plans to open at least 3 to 5 new Buy-Here/Pay-Here dealerships during the remainder of 2006 and 2007.

In discussing the updated guidance, Doug Orr, CFO, noted, "The Company's existing growth models, which include the opening of new short-term advance stores in the U.S. and new pawn stores in Mexico, will remain unaffected by the acquisition. We expect Auto Master to be accretive to our earnings, to become an integral part of our future expansion strategy, and to add a third significant platform for future growth."

Summary

In summary, Alan Barron, CEO, commented, "This combination is an ideal strategic fit for both First Cash and Auto Master in terms of similarity of operating styles, corporate cultures, customer synergy and geographic overlap. Additionally, Buy-Here/Pay-Here automotive retailing and related financing activities will provide additional revenue diversification for First Cash. The funding of this acquisition and investments in Auto Master's future growth represent an excellent utilization of a portion of anticipated excess cash flows currently generated by First Cash. Most importantly, Auto Master's strong profit margins and growth potential will complement and further improve First Cash's successful operating model. We are confident that this strategic acquisition will add significant accretive long-term value for our shareholders."

About First Cash

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. is a leading provider of specialty consumer financial services and related retail products. Its pawn stores lend money based on the collateral of pledged personal property, retail previously- owned merchandise acquired through loan forfeitures and in certain locations provide payday advances and credit services products. The Company's short- term advance locations provide various combinations of short-term advance products, check-cashing, credit services and other financial services products. With this acquisition, First Cash also operates automobile dealerships and related financing operations focused exclusively on the "Buy- Here/Pay-Here" segment of the used vehicle market. The Company now owns and operates a total of 383 stores and Buy-Here/Pay-Here dealerships in thirteen U.S. states and eight states in Mexico. First Cash is also an equal partner in Cash & Go, Ltd., a joint venture, which owns and operates 40 check-cashing and financial services kiosks located inside convenience stores.

First Cash has been recognized for four consecutive years by Forbes magazine as one of its "200 Best Small Companies." This annual ranking is based on a combination of profitability and growth performance measures over the most current one and five-year periods. First Cash was also recently ranked for the second consecutive year by Fortune Small Business magazine on the "FSB 100: America's Fastest-Growing Small Public Companies." First Cash's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, under the ticker symbol "FCFS", which has the highest initial listing standards of any exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements. First Cash is also a component company in the Russell 2000 Index.

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MSN Money, Press Release

First Cash Financial Services Inc. (NASDAQ: FCFS)

First Cash announces acquisition of Buy-Here/Pay-Here automotive retailer [August 28, 2006]

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First Cash announces acquisition of Buy-Here/Pay-Here automotive retailer

August 28, 2006 - Arlington, Texas

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