Clearwater, Florida, - April 13, 2004: Nicholas Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq, NICK) today announced the opening of two new branch office locations in Greensboro, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina. The new locations continue the Company's planned expansion of its branch office network, which now includes thirty one (31) branch offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and Michigan. Both new branch offices are full-service lending and collection facilities. Nicholas employees have been working to develop business in each area for several months prior to the opening of the facilities.

Commenting on Nicholas Financial’s, newly opened branch offices, Matthew Foget, Vice President of Marketing stated, “During the past two years we have done an extensive analysis in both the Greensboro and Greenville markets with regard to specialized vehicle financing. We believe that this region of the country provides the Company with the opportunity to continue with its expansion plans. In addition, the Company currently has employees in place to cultivate business in the Pensacola, Florida and Richmond, Virginia markets and intends to open additional branch offices in these locations in the future."

Founded in 1985, Nicholas Financial provides specialty consumer finance products through its 31 branch offices located throughout the eastern United States.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Actual events or results may differ materially.

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