BankAtlantic Launches Its Newest Fleet of ATMs Aboard The World’s Largest Cruise Ship
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – August 1, 2006 – BankAtlantic, “Florida’s Most Convenient Bank,” today announced the expansion of its fleet of Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) on the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas.
“BankAtlantic launched its first nautical ATM placements over 10 years ago realizing the enormous potential of this unique market niche,” stated Jarett Levan, President of BankAtlantic. “Today, with our current ATM fleet, including our newest machines aboard the Freedom of the Seas, ‘Florida’s Most Convenient Bank’ extends its unique convenience and service to additional passengers cruising the world.”
Identical to BankAtlantic’s land based ATMs; the offshore fleet of ATMs offers the convenience of cash withdrawals, transfer of funds, and instant access to account balances. Check Cards and/or ATM Cards are accepted from STAR, VISA, PLUS, AFFN, MasterCard, Maestro, CIRRUS, American Express, DISCOVER/NOVUS, and QUEST Networks.
BankAtlantic pioneered the concept of linking satellite communications technology with ATMs in a shipboard environment in 1995. Today, the bank operates over 95 ATMs on vessels cruising virtually all the seven seas on the major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises (NYSE, OSE: RCL), as well as Carnival Cruise Lines (NYSE: CCL, LSE: CUK), Princess Cruise Lines and Cunard Cruise Lines. In addition to its maritime fleet, BankAtlantic operates its own proprietary network of land based ATMs throughout its footprint in Florida, including those located in Native American gaming casinos, totaling collectively over 250 machines.
Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas is a masterpiece of naval engineering featuring the first-ever onboard surf park at sea; cantilevered whirlpools that extend 12 feet beyond the sides of the ship; the H2O Zone® water park, complete with interactive sculpture fountains, ground geysers and a cascading waterfall; a cavernous rock-climbing wall, with eleven routes and a central spire you can swing around. Freedom of the Seas also features extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones as well as flat-screen TVs in every stateroom.
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 stores and its online banking division - BankAtlantic.com. BankAtlantic has 82 stores and operates over 250 conveniently located ATMs. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week and offers holiday hours, extended weekday hours, including several stores 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. For further information, please visit our website: www.BankAtlantic.com
BankAtlantic, “Florida’s Most Convenient Bank,” Contact Info:
Public Relations:
Hattie Hess, Vice President, Public Relations
Telephone: (954) 940-6383, Fax: (954) 940-6310
Email: hhess@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. For further information, please visit our website: www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com
BankAtlantic Bancorp Contact Info:
Donna Rouzeau,
Assistant Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
Phone: (954) 940-5300, Fax: (954) 940-5320
About Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.:
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 29 ships in service and six under construction. The company
