BankAtlantic to Participate in the National Education Initiative for Hispanics

BankAtlantic (NYSE: BBX), Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, today announced that Ms. Patricia Fernandez Lefebvre, BankAtlantic’s President for Dade County, will be visiting the White House to attend the second meeting of and swearing-in ceremony for President Obama's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

"Ms. Lefebvre is a recognized public advocate on education issues and exemplifies BankAtlantic’s long-standing corporate commitment to education in all of the communities in which we operate. In addition to her many activities, Ms. Lefebvre serves as Co-Chair of The Education Fund for Miami-Dade, as well as President of the South Florida Youth Symphony. Both organizations are dedicated to assisting young people achieve secondary and post-secondary educational goals through programs that foster college-readiness, leadership, academic excellence, mentoring and in-classroom support,” commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic.

Ms. Lefebvre will travel to the White House where key members of the Department of Education and other national leaders develop strategies and programs to bring about much needed educational progress within the nation’s largest and fastest-growing minority population. The meeting is open to the public.

"The investment of time or monies in the education and uplifting of the children of south Florida is an investment in our greatest asset, and one that can yield very positive returns for a lifetime,” commented Ms. Patricia Fernandez Lefebvre, BankAtlantic’s President for Dade County. "I am pleased and honored to participate in the meeting of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics; however, I am very proud of the energetic initiative, drive and commitment of the students of Miami-Dade. They are an inspiration.”

About The Education Fund: The Education Fund designs and implements initiatives to improve schools and bring excellence to public education in Miami-Dade. The Education Fund's first program awarded small grants to support teachers' innovative classroom projects. Two decades and more than 1,000 projects later, our programs make a difference in the lives of 350,000 students and 22,000 teachers throughout Miami-Dade Public Schools each year. In addition to awards of more than $2 million in grants to teachers, The Education Fund's initiatives have contributed $5.6 million in free classroom supplies, 10,000 computers to parents and students, 1.2 million trilingual Parent Resource Guides, thousands of hours in educator training and filled numerous other critical needs. The objective of each of The Education Fund's programs is to support and promote quality public education for every child in Miami-Dade public schools by providing teachers and students with resources they need to succeed in the classroom. To learn more about The Education Fund, get involved or to donate, please visit http://www.educationfund.org/ .

About the South Florida Youth Symphony: The South Florida Youth Symphony mission is to establish and promote a quality symphony orchestra in south Florida comprised of youth up to 21 years of age and to foster the musical development of students ages 5 through 21 from every socio-economic and ethnic background to help develop the total life of a student through musical training. In addition, the South Florida Youth Symphony strives to stimulate public participation in the program and render to the community a quality cultural and educational service. The South Florida Youth Symphony proudly offers classes from beginner to advanced students in violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano and string bass. Private lessons are also available upon request for the myriad of other instruments of the orchestra family. The South Florida Youth Symphony proudly boasts three symphony ensembles which are platforms for students to grow and develop in their genre. To learn more about the South Florida Youth Symphony, get involved or to donate, please visit http://www.sfys.net/index.html .

About BankAtlantic:

BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida. Via its broad network of community branches and conveniently located ATMs, BankAtlantic provides a full line of personal, small business and commercial banking products and services. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week and offers extended weekday hours, Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center, Change Exchange coin counters, as well as retail and business checking accounts. Member FDIC.

Banking just got a whole lot easier! For further information, please visit us at www.BankAtlantic.com or a BankAtlantic branch nearest you.

BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic. For further information, please visit: www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release 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”). Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein and the Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive.