The orderly transition provided by the Company’s Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rick Powell, has been remarkably smooth.  We are extremely pleased to report another record performance for First Cash.  In addition to the strength of our 2004 revenue and earnings results, the year included the Company’s first stock split.  The Company’s success in 2004 gives us tremendous momentum and confidence as we look to the future.”

          The core revenue streams for the Company remained strong in 2004 as evidenced by significant increases in same-store customer receivable balances and revenues.  Importantly, the Company generated its double-digit same-store growth results domestically, and in its Mexico markets, across both of its major product lines:  pawns and payday advances.  Key operating metrics such as operating margins, bad debt expense, and inventory turnover improved to record levels during 2004.

          The Company continued to successfully execute its well-developed expansion strategy during 2004.  With the opening of 52 stores in 2004, First Cash has now opened 137 stores over the past three years and boosted its total store count from 158 to 284, an 80% increase, over the same time period.  According to Mr. Barron, “The Company intends to continue its expansion program in 2005, with a number of new stores in the pipeline scheduled to be opened in the first quarter.  For the year, we expect to open 60 new stores, which will include a combination of both pawn stores and payday advance stores.  Within both of these growth channels, the Company will continue to enter new geographic markets while adding to its base of stores in existing expansion markets.”

          First Cash utilized its strong operating cash flows and financial position to fund all of the store openings and invest in operational infrastructure, such as information technology systems, necessary to support continued future expansion.  Mr. Barron noted, “Our debt-free balance sheet and the ability to generate significant amounts of free cash flow provide First Cash tremendous opportunity and flexibility to profitably sustain our growth.”

          In summary, Mr. Barron stated, “First Cash remains committed to increasing long-term shareholder value.  We believe that our expansion model, which is based on opening new stores in high-potential markets, as opposed to acquisitions, is extremely efficient and delivers the greatest value to our shareholders.  In addition, First Cash will continue to grow through its innovation and by consistent execution of the operating fundamentals that drive both short and long-term profitability.”

          About First Cash
          First Cash Financial Services, Inc. is engaged in the operation of pawn and payday advance stores which lend money on the collateral of pledged personal property, retail previously-owned merchandise acquired through loan forfeitures, and provide short-term advances, also known as payday loans.  The Company currently owns and operates over 287 pawn and payday advance stores in eleven states and Mexico.  First Cash Financial Services is also an equal partner in Cash & Go, Ltd., a joint venture, which owns and operates 40 check- cashing and payday advance kiosks located inside convenience stores.  First Cash’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “FCFS” and it is a component company in the Russell 2000 Index.

          First Cash has been recognized for three consecutive years by Forbes magazine as one of its “200 Best Small Companies.”  The 2004 ranking, which is based on a combination of profitability and growth performance measures over the most current one and five-year periods, placed First Cash 130th out of 3,500 companies evaluated by Forbes.  In addition, during 2004 First Cash was ranked 25th by Fortune Small Business magazine on the “FSB 100: America’s Fastest-Growing Small Public Companies.”