(March 5, 2008 – Lansing, MI) – Lansing families tired of waiting in line at the bank can now turn to a convenient new option in town. On February 25th, Cash Plus opened its doors at 3934 West Saginaw Highway.

“Many local families do not keep bankers’ hours,” says Fred Koch, co-owner (with wife Renée) of Lansing’s new Cash Plus family financial services center. “Now they can come to Cash Plus when it’s convenient for them, and still get fast, professional financial services from friendly tellers...the famous Cash Plus “Kings & Queens” service.”

Cash Plus offers check cashing, payday advances, international wire transfers, money orders, prepaid debit cards and more. First-time customers are often surprised to discover that Cash Plus stores look and feel more like banks than check-cashing stores. Anyone who cashes checks at the store is eligible for free membership, which includes free money orders and discounts on check-cashing fees.

The company’s services are geared toward the needs of working class families who prefer alternatives to the old financial solutions, or who don’t have bank accounts. “In fact, 70% of our customers have bank accounts,” explains Craig Wells, President and CEO of Cash Plus, Inc., the parent franchise company. “But we have extended hours, convenient locations, shorter lines and we're often able to cash checks that banks won’t. Plus, our popular payday advance short-term loans can be real life-savers when families need emergency cash.”

Cash Plus stores are independently owned and operated by local people like Mr. and Mrs. Koch. “Our owners are from the community. We like to give back to the community,” says Wells, referring to the Cashaway™ Sweepstakes, which recently awarded $20,000 in cash to 258 Cash Plus customers and donated $1,750 to the top three winners’ selected charities. The first prize winner gets $5,000.