BankAtlantic Bancorp Investor Relations Team Ranked Number One in Inst

    Business Editors/Banking Writers/Financial Editors

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2005--The BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:BBX) investor relations team has been ranked by sell-side analysts as the nation's number one investor relations group in the mid-cap bank category, according to Institutional Investor Research Group's 2004 U.S. Investor Relations Survey, published on January 13, 2005.
    The annual survey ranks the best investor relations efforts based on voting results from two distinct groups: 1) buy-side analysts and portfolio managers and 2) sell-side analysts. The results include a listing of the top three companies across 44 sectors for the buy-side survey and 38 sectors for the sell-side survey. Along with BankAtlantic Bancorp, the list of 2004 sell-side survey winners include highly revered veteran organizations, such as Dell, Eli Lilly & Co., Kellogg Company, General Electric, Cisco Systems Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Goldman Sachs.
    BankAtlantic Bancorp Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Alan B. Levan commented, "It is truly an honor to be recognized by this reputable research organization. In today's environment, enormous emphasis is placed on corporate governance and transparency, and the investor relations program is a critical piece of a corporate organization. This honor is a testament to our dedicated investor relations team, who endeavors to achieve excellence in providing timely and accurate information to the investment community."
    The attributes used by the survey to compile the rankings of corporate investor relations include transparency, responsiveness, credibility, industry knowledge, quality of conference calls, and a measure of the IR team's relationship with top management.
    The full list of the Investor Research Group Survey winners can be accessed at www.iiresearchgroup.com/images/144/downloads/USIR_04_Sectors_Web.pdf. This information is also available at the Investor Research Group website, www.iiresearchgroup.com.

    About BankAtlantic Bancorp:

    BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE:BBX) is a diversified financial services holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic and Ryan Beck & Co. Through these subsidiaries, BankAtlantic Bancorp provides a full line of products and services encompassing consumer and commercial banking, brokerage and investment banking.

    About BankAtlantic:

    BankAtlantic, "Florida's Most Convenient Bank," is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida and provides a comprehensive offering of banking services and products via its broad network of community branches throughout Florida and its online banking division - BankAtlantic.com. BankAtlantic has 74 branch locations and operates more than 200 conveniently located ATMs. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week and offers holiday hours, extended weekday hours including a Miami-Dade branch open until midnight, free online banking, Totally Free Change Exchange coin counters, 24/7 call center service and free retail and business checking with a free gift.

    About Ryan Beck & Co.:

    Ryan Beck & Co. is a full-service broker-dealer engaging in underwriting, market making, distribution, and trading of equity and debt securities. The firm also provides money management services, general securities brokerage, including financial planning for the individual investor, and consulting and financial advisory services to financial institutions and middle market companies. Ryan Beck & Co. also provides independent research in the financial institutions, healthcare, technology, and consumer product industries. Ryan Beck & Co. has approximately 500 financial consultants located in 33 offices nationwide.

For further information, please visit our websites: www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com www.BankAtlantic.com www.RyanBeck.com

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BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info: Investor Relations & Corporate Communications: Donna Rouzeau, Assistant Vice President Phone: 954-760-5317, Fax: 954-760-5415 Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com or Investor Relations Leo Hinkley, Senior Vice President Phone: 954-760-5317, Fax: 954-760-5415 Email: InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com Mailing Address: BankAtlantic Bancorp, Investor Relations, 1750 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

    Matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. ("the Company") and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company's control. Past performance is not indicative of future results and no representation regarding the Company or the future performance or ranking of its Investor Relations Department has been otherwise expressed or implied. In addition to the risks and factors identified above, reference is also made to other risks and factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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CONTACT: BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc., Fort Lauderdale Investor Relations & Corporate Communications: Donna Rouzeau, 954-760-5317 CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com or Investor Relations: Leo Hinkley, 954-760-5317 InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com

KEYWORD: FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION TRAVEL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE BANKING SOURCE: BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.

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