AUSTIN, Texas, July 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EZCORP, Inc. announced today that its Chief Executive Officer, Joseph L. Rotunda, and its lead independent director, Thomas C. Roberts, have been appointed as non-executive directors of Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC, the United Kingdom's largest pawnbroking business, to replace two retiring directors. Mr. Rotunda and Mr. Roberts will join Sterling B. Brinkley, Chairman of the Board of EZCORP, on the Albemarle & Bond board. The shares of Albemarle & Bond are traded on AIM, the market operated by the London Stock Exchange, under the symbol "ABM.L". EZCORP acquired a 29.9% stake in Albemarle & Bond in 1998, and has made additional investments to finance Albemarle & Bond's growth while maintaining its ownership interest. The latest investment occurred in 2007 to facilitate Albemarle & Bond's acquisition of Herbert Brown & Son Limited, the third largest operator of pawn shops in the U.K. Since EZCORP made its initial investment, Albemarle & Bond has grown significantly, from 26 to 115 locations, and is now the largest operator of pawn shops in the U.K. During the eleven-year period of EZCORP's involvement, Albemarle & Bond's earnings have grown from 1.4 million pounds Sterling to 8.1 million pounds for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. Mr. Rotunda is the President and Chief Executive Officer of EZCORP. During his tenure at EZCORP, Mr. Rotunda has overseen growth from 332 to 898 locations in the United States and Mexico, as well as the successful introduction of a variety of innovative financial products for the cash and credit constrained consumer. In the twelve months ended March 31, 2009, net income for EZCORP grew to over $60 million. Mr. Roberts, a private investor, currently serves as EZCORP's Lead Director, having joined the EZCORP Board in 2005. Mr. Roberts serves as Chairman of the Board of Pensco, Inc., a financial services company, having previously been a senior executive (including Chief Financial Officer) of Schlumberger, Ltd and President of Control Data Computer Systems and Services. Commenting on these changes, Mr. Brinkley, EZCORP's Chairman, stated: "The success of Albemarle & Bond over a long period of time reflects the synergies of combining an excellent local management team, who offer great expertise in the U.K. business opportunities, with EZCORP's capital and other resources. The addition of Joe and Tom at this important time, with their experience in strategy, customer research and international operations, as well as their knowledge of the micro-lending industry, will further enhance EZCORP's ability to contribute to this successful structure. Both will play key roles on the Albemarle & Bond board going forward, and their appointment demonstrates EZCORP's long-term commitment to, and active involvement in, this continuing growth opportunity." Mr. Rotunda commented, "The United Kingdom represents an increasingly important area of focus for EZCORP. Tom and I look forward to working closely with our fellow directors and the management of Albemarle & Bond, to help further Albemarle & Bond's record of superior investment returns." EZCORP is primarily a lender or provider of credit services to individuals who do not have cash resources or access to credit to meet their short-term cash needs. In its pawnshops, the Company offers non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible personal property, commonly known as pawn loans. At these locations, the Company also sells merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from its pawn lending operations, to consumers looking for good value. In its signature loan stores and some pawnshops, the Company offers short-term non-collateralized loans, often referred to as payday loans, or fee based credit services to customers seeking loans. As of June 30, 2009, EZCORP operated a total of 897 locations in the U.S. and Mexico consisting of 370 U.S. pawnshops, 47 pawnshops in Mexico and 480 U.S. signature loan stores. EZCORP, as a near-30% stockholder, is also actively involved in the management of Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC, the U.K.'s largest pawnbroking business with 115 stores." For additional information, contact Dan Tonissen at (512) 314-2289. DATASOURCE: EZCORP, Inc. CONTACT: Dan Tonissen of EZCORP, Inc., +1-512-314-2289 Web Site: http://www.ezcorp.com/

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