BankAtlantic Asks Public to Support MADD and Designate a Sober Driver this Holiday Season

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – November 24, 2009 – BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank today released a pre-holiday message to the public reminding everyone to designate a sober driver before holiday celebrations begin. On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes.


“Thanksgiving traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday season, and in particular, the beginning of the magic and happiness the holidays bring to the children in our community,” commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. “Motorist should remember, please approach driving with the highest level of responsibility and carefulness this holiday season.” “Since 1980, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has helped save over 383,000 lives,” said Mr. Randy Rogers, MADD’s Senior Development Officer for Palm Beach and Broward counties. “We will eliminate drunk driving, but need everyone’s help to do so. We appreciate the valuable support of BankAtlantic to help us reach the community with lifesaving messages and support for law enforcement as they crackdown on drunk driving.”


“MADD’s work is vital to our South Florida communities and we need everyone to support its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving to help ensure the roads in our neighborhoods are safe,” Jarett Levan concluded.

To learn more about MADD, to become involved, or to make a donation, please call Randy Rogers at (954) 229-0884, visit www.madd.org, or write to MADD of Broward County, 2425 East Commercial Blvd., #404, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308.


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, online banking division -BankAtlantic.com, 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 with extended weekday hours, Free Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center and Change Exchange coin counters.
BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic.

BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, Contact Info:

Media Relations: Sharon Lyn
Telephone: 954-940-6383
Fax: 954-940-5320
Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com

BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info:
Leo Hinkley, Media and Investor Relations Officer
Telephone: (954) 940-5300
Email: InvestorRelations@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”). When used in this release, the word “expect” and similar expressions identify certain of such forward-looking statements. 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.

MEMBER FDIC
VeriSign

This BankAtlantic web site may contain links to other web sites operated by third parties. The linked sites are not under the control of BankAtlantic or its affiliates or subsidiaries and BankAtlantic is not responsible for their content. Such links do not imply BankAtlantic's endorsement or guarantee of the products, information, or recommendations provided by any third party site. The third party site may have a privacy policy different from that of BankAtlantic and may provide less security than the BankAtlantic web site. BankAtlantic disclaims all liability with regard to your access to such linked web sites. BankAtlantic provides links to other sites as a service to users, and access to any other sites linked to BankAtlantic is at your own risk.