Four Local Students Win Encore Capital Group Scholarships to Attend San Diego Mesa College in San Diego

May 1, 2015 at 10:30 AM EDT

SAN DIEGO, May 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- San Diego Mesa College today announced four $1,000 winners of its Encore Capital Group community college scholarship program. Encore Capital Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECPG), an international specialty finance company with operations in San Diego, created the program to support students as they work to obtain advanced degrees.

The program, Encore's largest philanthropic initiative to date, provides 124 students from across the country with $1,000 grants for tuition at select community colleges. The students selected by San Diego Mesa College are Mario Romero (San Diego), Russell Kuoch (San Diego), Najah Ahmed (San Diego), and Cynthia Macias (Ramona, Calif.).

"We value our partnership with Encore and the impact the company's scholarship program will make on the lives of our students," said Dr. Pamela Luster, President of San Diego Mesa College.

Encore's global philanthropic program focuses on economic empowerment to help consumers take control of their financial futures through quality education, job training and basic support services.

"We are pleased to help students continue their education," said Sheryl Wright, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Government Affairs, Encore Capital Group. "For many, college is the path to economic empowerment, and given the escalating costs of higher education, our grant could mean the difference between a student getting his or her degree or having to give up on the dream."

"An investment in a student, and a local community college, is an investment in our country's future," said Sen. Marty Block (D-San Diego). "It's inspiring to see companies like Encore take a genuine interest in the communities where they operate, and I am pleased to see their successful partnership with San Diego Mesa College."

About Encore Capital Group, Inc.  

Encore Capital Group, an international specialty finance company with operations spanning seven countries, provides debt recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of assets. Through its subsidiaries, Encore Capital Group purchases portfolios of consumer receivables from major banks, credit unions, municipalities, and utility providers, and partners with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery.

Headquartered in San Diego, Encore is a publicly traded NASDAQ Global Select company (ticker symbol: ECPG) and a component stock of the Russell 2000, the S&P Small Cap 600, and the Wilshire 4500. More information about the company can be found at www.encorecapital.com. More information about the Company's Cabot Credit Management subsidiary can be found at www.cabotcm.com. These websites, and the information contained therein, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this press release.

CONTACT: Katie Lilley
         Hillenby
         703-722-3061
         katielilley@hillenby.com

Encore Capital Group logo

Encore Capital Group