Changes

The New York Stock Exchange states that Advance America's total revenue in 2011 was $623.86 million.<ref>[http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1299704/000104746912002758/a2208026z10-k.htm 2011 SEC 10-K form], page 41; accessed February 14, 2013</ref>

Advance America officially gave $110,750 to federal candidates in the 2012 election cycle.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cycle=2012&cmte=C00429001 Advance America Cash Advance Centers Contributions to Federal Candidates], The Center for Responsive Politics, accessed February 14, 2013</ref> 80% of those donations went to Republicans.

In February 2012, Mexican billionaire Salinas Pliego purchased Advance America for $780 million.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2012/04/23/mexican-billionaire-buys-advance-america-largest-payday-lender-in-u-s Mexican Billionaire Buys Advance America, Largest Payday Lender In U.S."], Erin Carlyle, ''Forbes'', April 23, 2012</ref> A decade before that, Salinas's Banco Azteca branches began offering loans to Mexico's poor, often at 50 to 60 percent interest rates. ''Forbes'' reported "Advance America and Banco Azteca share a lot in common. Both work with people who don’t traditionally have a lot of cash, and both charge really high interest rates.

*[[Tony S. Colletti]]

135 N Church Street<br>

Spartanburg, SC 29306<br>