Advance America Earnings Per Share Increase 19.0% During First Quarter

SPARTANBURG, S.C., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advance America, Cash
Advance Centers, Inc. (NYSE: AEA) today reported the results of its operations
for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, total revenues decreased 5.5% to $156.4
million, compared to $165.5 million for same period in 2008. These comparisons
include the results of operations in Arkansas and New Mexico, states which the
Company exited in 2008, as well as operations in New Hampshire, a state which
the Company ceased making advances in January 2009. Excluding the revenues in
these closed states from both quarters, revenues decreased by 3.5% for the
quarter ended March 31, 2009. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, total
revenues for the centers opened prior to January 1, 2008 and still open as of
March 31, 2009 decreased 3.5% compared to the same period in 2008.

The provision for doubtful accounts as a percent of total revenues for the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, was 13.5% compared to 12.6% for the same period
in 2008, primarily due to a higher loss reserve for a new open ended line of
credit product that we started offering to consumers in Virginia in late 2008.
The Company did not sell any previously written-off receivables during the
quarters ended March 31, 2009 or March 31, 2008.

Center gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 decreased 3.1% to
$44.4 million from $45.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. During
the first quarter of 2009, the Company closed 60 centers in 15 different
states and 1 center in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Company expects to
close approximately 130 additional centers due to under-performance or where
consolidation opportunities exist. As a result, the Company had approximately
$3.4 million of center closing costs during the quarter ended March 31, 2009
compared to $0.9 million during the same period in 2008.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were
$14.1 million compared to $16.4 million for the same period in 2008, a
decrease of 14.1%.

Income before income taxes was $25.7 million for the quarters ended March 31,
2009 and March 31, 2008.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company's income tax expense was
41.1% of income before taxes, compared to 42.3% during the same period in
2008.

Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 increased 2.3% to $15.1
million, compared to $14.8 million for the same period in 2008.

Diluted earnings per share increased 19.0% to $0.25 for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.21 for the same
period in 2008.

Commenting on the results of the first quarter of 2009, Advance America's
President and Chief Executive Officer, Ken Compton, said, "While virtually all
public companies are experiencing challenging times, Advance America continues
to provide consistent operating results in an uncertain economic environment.
Looking ahead, our Company will continue to control costs, and effectively
manage our business. These efforts, in addition to our ongoing commitment to
providing excellent customer service, are central to our goal of enhancing our
position as a trusted source for short-term credit and other financial
services that our customers value and appreciate."

On April 21, 2009, the company announced the introduction of a new program,
the Worry-Free Advance, to help customers who involuntarily lose their source
of income during the time they have an outstanding loan with the company.
During the Worry-Free Advance program period, customers may forego repayment
of the initial loan fee when they provide proof of the loss of income during
the loan period. This assistance is offered in addition to the Extended
Payment Plan, which allows customers more time to repay a loan at no
additional cost.

Commenting on the Worry-Free Advance, Compton said, "We understand that these
are exceptionally difficult days for consumers everywhere. In keeping with
Advance America's long history of helping millions of hardworking Americans
manage their short-term financial challenges, we are proud to offer this
unique and valuable option that helps our customers who lose their jobs during
these troubled economic times."

On April 22, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular
quarterly dividend of $0.0625 per share. The dividend will be payable on June
5, 2009, to stockholders of record as of May 26, 2009.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had returned approximately $360 million in
cash to its stockholders through the repurchase of shares and the payment of
quarterly dividends since becoming a public company in December of 2004.

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had an operating network of 2,740 centers
and 82 limited licensees in 33 states, the United Kingdom, and Canada,
including 2 centers in New Hampshire that will close during the second
quarter.

The Company will discuss these results during a conference call Thursday,
April 30 at 8:00 a.m. (ET). To listen to this call, please dial the conference
telephone number (877) 604-9671. This call will also be webcast live and can
be accessed at Advance America's website www.advanceamericacash.com. An audio
replay of the call will be available online or by telephone (888) 203-1112
(replay passcode: 9429444) until May 7, 2009.

About Advance America

Founded in 1997, Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. (NYSE: AEA) is
the country's leading provider of cash advance services, with 2,740 centers
and 82 limited licensees in 33 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.

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, 2008, a copy of which is available from the Securities and Exchange
Commission, upon request from us, or by going to our website:
www.advanceamericacash.com.

Interim Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2009
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------
2008 2009
---- ----

Total Revenues $165,456 $156,393

Center Expenses:
Salaries and related payroll costs 51,401 47,513
Provision for doubtful accounts 20,780 21,098
Occupancy costs 25,424 24,773
Center depreciation expense 4,295 3,723
Advertising expense 3,146 2,181
Other center expenses 14,595 12,706
------ ------
Total center expenses 119,641 111,994
------- -------
Center gross profit 45,815 44,399

Corporate and Other Expenses (Income):
General and administrative expenses 16,375 14,071
Corporate depreciation expense 768 688
Interest expense 2,688 1,699
Interest income (41) (17)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 126 33
Loss on impairment of assets 236 2,209
--- -----
Income before income taxes 25,663 25,716
Income tax expense 10,859 10,573
------ ------
Net income $14,804 $15,143
======= =======

Net income per common share - basic $0.21 $0.25
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding - basic 70,665 60,858

Net income per common share - diluted $0.21 $0.25
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding - diluted 70,665 61,234

Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009
(in thousands, except per share data)

Dec. 31, March 31,
2008 2009
---- ----
(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $16,017 $13,763
Advances and fees receivable, net 220,115 172,809
Deferred income taxes 13,008 13,008
Other current assets 15,721 17,729
------ ------
Total current assets 264,861 217,309
Restricted cash 4,633 7,917
Property and equipment, net 46,091 40,482
Goodwill 126,661 126,593
Other assets 4,764 4,588
----- -----
Total assets $447,010 $396,889
======== ========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $13,977 $13,231
Accrued liabilities 33,917 25,698
Income taxes payable 1,625 2,312
Accrual for third-party lender losses 3,960 3,160
Current portion of long-term debt 545 520
--- ---
Total current liabilities 54,024 44,921
Revolving credit facility 189,817 137,774
Long-term debt 4,590 4,474
Deferred income taxes 22,311 22,311
Deferred revenue 4,791 4,270
Other liabilities 218 243
--- ---
Total liabilities 275,751 213,993
------- -------

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
25,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued and outstanding - -
Common stock, par value $.01 per share,
250,000 shares authorized;
96,821 shares issued and 61,087 shares
outstanding at December 31, 2008;
96,821 shares issued and 61,649 shares
outstanding at March 31, 2009 968 968
Paid in capital 288,635 288,989
Retained earnings 143,961 155,255
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,585) (2,754)
Common stock in treasury (35,734 shares at
cost at December 31, 2008;
35,172 shares at cost at March 31, 2009) (259,720) (259,562)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 171,259 182,896
------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $447,010 $396,889
======== ========

SOURCE Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc.

Jamie Fulmer, +1-864-342-5633, jfulmer@advanceamerica.net, for Advance
America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc.