Select BankAtlantic Branches Open Until Midnight; ``Florida's Most Co

    Business Editors/Financial Editors

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2005--BankAtlantic, "Florida's Most Convenient Bank" will begin its new schedule of extended hours until midnight in select branches throughout Florida today. Open from 7:30 a.m. until midnight, 7 days a week, these branches are ready to provide customers with full-service banking at hours convenient to their busy schedules. BankAtlantic opened its first "midnight hours" branch in Miami in June of 2004.
    "BankAtlantic's expansion of midnight hours has been highly anticipated, and we expect customers to be delighted with this convenience," said Jarett Levan, Chief Marketing Officer for BankAtlantic.

The following locations will be hosting the midnight hours:

Miami-Dade County ----------------- Flagler branch - 7900 West Flagler Street Hialeah branch - 1455 West 49th Street Kendale Lakes branch - 8701 S.W. 137th Avenue (open until midnight since June 2004)

Broward County -------------- 17th Street Causeway branch - 1300 S.E. 17th Street Causeway

Hillsborough County ------------------- N. Dale Mabry branch - 8001 North Dale Mabry, Bldg. 201

    "The traditional 9-to-5 worker is no longer the standard in corporate America, and with flex-time, late-night shifts and jobs with unusual hours, BankAtlantic recognizes a significant portion of the population cannot always adhere to what was once called 'banker's hours,'" added Levan. "You can make photocopies, buy coffee and doughnuts and see a movie late into the evening. Now you can bank with BankAtlantic until midnight."
    This is just one more unique service of BankAtlantic's "Florida's Most Convenient Bank" initiative. First, the bank opened 7 days a week, then extended weekday and weekend hours, next offered 24/7 Customer Service Center, followed by free checking for customers and small businesses, then opened on "traditional" banking Holidays, Totally Free Change Exchange coin counters, and instituting free events for the community like Pumpkin Painting and Photos with Santa.

    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(a) and offers holiday hours, extended weekday hours including several branches open until midnight, Totally Free Online Banking & Bill Pay, 24/7 Customer Service Center, Totally Free Change Exchange coin counters and free retail and business checking with a free gift. Visit the BankAtlantic Web site for further information at http://www.BankAtlantic.com

BankAtlantic, "Florida's Most Convenient Bank," Contact Info: Public Relations: Hattie Harvey, Vice President, Public Relations Manager Telephone: (954) 760-5383, Fax: (954) 760-5388 Email: hharvey@BankAtlantic.com. Public Relations for BankAtlantic: Boardroom Communications Caren Berg Phone: (954) 370-8999, Fax: (954) 370-8892 Email: caren@boardroompr.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.

BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info: Investor Relations: Leo Hinkley, Senior Vice President Phone: (954) 760-5317, Fax: (954) 760-5415 Donna Rouzeau, Assistant 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

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

    (a) To receive future BankAtlantic Bancorp news releases or announcements directly via Email, please click on the Email Broadcast Sign Up button on http://www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com

    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. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, products and services; including, but not limited to BankAtlantic's seven-day banking initiative, extended midnight branch banking hours, and other growth initiatives not being successful or producing results which do not justify their costs. 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. The Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive.

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CONTACT: BankAtlantic Bancorp, Fort Lauderdale Investor Relations: Leo Hinkley, 954-760-5317 or Donna Rouzeau, 954-760-5317

KEYWORD: FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD REAL ESTATE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION HUMAN RESOURCES BANKING SOURCE: BankAtlantic Bancorp

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