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READY, SET, GO! BANKATLANTIC PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Florida’s Most Convenient Bank prepares for any disaster

Fort Lauderdale, FL - June 7, 2006 - Lessons learned from the busy hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 were reinforced by BankAtlantic at a hurricane preparedness day for over 100 executives and associates at its Corporate Center headquarters. An open panel consisting of Phil Ferro, Chief Meteorologist for WSVN Channel 7; Ralph Calleja, National Accounts Manager for FPL; Rigoberto Molina, Community Outreach Specialist for Red Cross; and Carolyn Rodriguez, Associate Planner for the Broward Emergency Operations Center provided insight and information to help all levels of BankAtlantic prepare for disaster. BankAtlantic encourages preparedness, especially for hurricanes, and wants to ensure its associates are getting the most up-to-date information and advice on how to handle any contingency in order to maintain the best possible customer service.

“We understand how critical it is that BankAtlantic stores are up and running immediately after a storm,” said Jarett Levan, president of BankAtlantic. “Although BankAtlantic is historically one of the first banks to reopen, this hurricane season we will continue to improve our recovery efforts to maintain service.”

BankAtlantic has designated 16 hub stores which will be stocked with hurricane and emergency supplies. The hubs are centrally located within all counties served by BankAtlantic, so they are accessible to a large number of customers. In the event of power outages, BankAtlantic secured additional generators for all stores to provide continued service to its customers.

Levan added that the new Orlando Sales and Customer Service Center, opening this month, will provide additional communications access, and can be an off-site location where employees can be transported if the BankAtlantic headquarters is adversely affected.

“We are looking at all the possible contingencies to keep our stores open, including providing child care, shuttles and carpooling system so our employees can help one another,” added Levan. “We improved our employee hotline system, added additional web access for information on our recovery operations and increased the supply of satellite phones in case they are needed.

For the second year, every Friday starting September 1st through October 27th, BankAtlantic is providing free Red Friday hurricane preparation items which are given to those entering the bank wearing red. Every Friday at BankAtlantic is Red Friday, and during hurricane season customers can add to their hurricane kits with these BankAtlantic giveaways. These items include flashlights, ponchos, AM/FM radios and other items useful in an emergency situation.

About BankAtlantic:
BankAtlantic, "Florida's Most Convenient Bank", with $6 billion in assets and 80 stores 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 throughout Florida and its online banking division - BankAtlantic.com. BankAtlantic operates more than 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 visit www.BankAtlantic.com

* A few locations have limited 7 Day Branch Banking due to building restrictions.

Contacts:
Carina Ganias, cganias@bankatlantic.com, 954-940-6383
Caren Berg, Boardroom Communications, 954-370-8999, cberg@boardroompr.com

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