Advance America Chooses VALID Systems for Its Innovative Check-To-Card Program

Business Wire, May 19, 2009

“Better Than Check Cashing” System Uses VALID’s Revolutionary Decisioning and Interface to Deliver Faster, Safer, More Convenient Access

FORT WORTH, Texas -- VALID Systems announced today that Advance America, Cash Advance Centers Inc. has used VALID’s TLR100 check verification solution to enhance Advance America’s new Check-To-Card program in 2,474 of its Centers in 28 states from coast to coast. This program, an alternative to check cashing, enables participants to load payroll or government-issued checks onto a full-featured NetSpend prepaid debit card.

“VALID gave us the edge that we need to make the program a success,” said Ron Ingram, Advance America’s Director of Product Management. “After one of the quickest, smoothest implementations Advance America has ever completed, VALID’s product has exceeded our expectations on execution. Responses are under 20 seconds, approval rates are much higher than with other solutions, and the intuitive interface minimizes operational overhead and requires no additional training for our staff.”

Advance America, the nation’s leading provider of cash advance services, designed the Check-To-Card program to deliver speed, convenience and safety for consumers wanting a better alternative than traditional check cashing services. The prepaid card – issued by MetaBank and serviced by NetSpend – is accepted anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Cardholder benefits include access to more than one million ATMs as well as a free cash-back feature at thousands of financial institutions. Additional benefits of the prepaid card include Zero Liability protection1, online bill payment and account access, no overdraft charges and access to the NetSpend National Savings Program that currently offers a promotional 5.00 percent APY. Accounts in the NetSpend National Savings program are held by Inter National Bank, member FDIC in McAllen, Texas.

“Check-To-Card is the first large-scale program of its kind in the country,” said Advance America’s Chief Executive Officer, Ken Compton. “We believe consumers will find this an attractive alternative to check cashing, offering the advantages of a debit card account with none of the hassles of a credit card."

John Templer, Jr., VALID’s CEO, commented, “We’re pleased to be partnering with Advance America on this dynamic new approach to cash access for underbanked consumers. At VALID, we pride ourselves on our ability to meet each company’s unique needs. We are constantly working on ways to keep our products on the cutting edge of identification and verification delivery, while continuing to deliver the speed, safety, reliability and flexibility our customers from coast to coast have come to expect.”

About VALID Systems:

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, VALID Systems offers America’s leading automated check cashing and verification solutions. Its products are deployed coast-to-coast; its customers include top banks, financial services companies and retailers. Local and regional businesses also appreciate VALID’s fast, flexible, low-cost approach to better attracting and serving new and underbanked consumers.

VALID’s Internet-based decisioning and identification system – the most advanced on the market today – is utilized across its product line. Platforms include its original PC-based application, all-in-one terminals, and VALID-enabled ATMs. With its ease of installation and use, low start-up and operational costs, and unparalleled customization capability, fraud prevention and customer satisfaction, VALID offers today’s best way to safely and profitably say yes to more customers every day. For more on VALID, visit http://www.validadvantage.com.

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 approximately 2,750 centers and 79 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. Visit http://www.advanceamerica.net for more information on Advance America’s locations and services.

About MetaBank™

MetaBank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Storm Lake, Iowa. Meta Financial Group, Inc® is the holding company for MetaBank, Meta Payment Systems®, and Meta Trust Company®. The Meta Payment Systems (MPS) division of MetaBank based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a recognized leader in the prepaid card industry and provides innovative payment solutions delivered nationally in collaboration with market-leading partners. MPS focuses on offering specific product solutions in the following areas: (i) prepaid cards, (ii) credit cards and lending solutions, and (iii) ATM sponsorship. Meta Financial Group is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market®: CASH. For more information visit http://www.metacash.com.