Type: Subsidiary
On the web: http://www.advanceamerica.net
Employees: 6,465
Employee growth: 10.7%

Advance America, Cash Advance Centers is one of the largest payday advance firms in the US. It operates approximately 2,650 locations under the Advance America and National Cash Advance banners in more than 30 states; California, Florida, and Texas are its largest markets. The company also has about 20 centers each in Canada and the UK. At its bricks-and-mortar branches or online, customers provide proof of identification, source of income, bank account, and references, and Advance America loans them from $50 to $1,000 (and charges fees and interest) to cover unexpected expenses. Mexico-based Grupo Elektra acquired Advance America in 2012 for some $780 million.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2011:
Sales: $625.9M
One year growth: 4.3%
Net income: $67.6M
Income growth: 89.1%

Officers:
Chairman: William M. (Billy) Webster IV
President, CEO, and Director: J. Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Director Public Affairs: Jamie Fulmer

Competitors:
Check Into Cash
Check 'n Go
QC Holdings