BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank, Wins Big at Inaugural Beacon Awards Ceremony; ``Yeah, We're Open'' Advertising Campaign Earns Top Accolades.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- And the winner is... BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank! Thomson Media, a leading provider of information, data and software tools for professionals in the financial services and related technologies markets, presented its first annual Beacon Awards to recognize excellence in financial services advertising and marketing. Among its other awards, BankAtlantic won a Platinum Beacon, noted for garnering the highest scores in a given category, for its "Yeah, We're Open" Newspaper Advertising campaign.

"We've been enthusiastic about the campaign since its debut the first of the year. The campaign was created to be unique, catchy and edgy," said Jarett Levan, Chief Marketing Officer for BankAtlantic. "The reaction from the general public has been very positive, and it is a further validation to be recognized for excellence by industry colleagues. We are thrilled to be part of this first-time award."

In addition to its Platinum Award, the campaign won three Gold Beacons in the categories of Newspaper Advertising - Campaign, Out-of-Home - Campaign, and Out-of-Home - Single Advertisement. The judges also presented BankAtlantic with two bronze awards in the categories of Magazine Advertising - Campaign and Broadcast TV - Single Spot.

BankAtlantic's "Yeah, We're Open" campaign was created by Zimmerman Partners Advertising, and was designed to emphasize the banks' seven day banking hours and numerous convenience initiatives including holiday hours, midnight branch lobby hours, (currently one Miami-Dade branch is open until midnight and as of January 3, 2005 the bank will extend hours until midnight at seven additional branches), and family-friendly activities.

Thomson Media is a division of the Thomson Corporation. Its primary products and businesses include: American Banker, Financial Planning, National Mortgage News, The Bond Buyer, Securities Industry News, Accounting Today, Credit Card Management and TFP's The Global Banking Resource and Payments & Risk Solutions Products.

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 and offers holiday hours, extended weekday hours including a Miami-Dade branch open until midnight, free online banking, Totally Free Change Exchange coin counters, 24/7 call center service 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
Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
or
Public Relations for BankAtlantic:
Boardroom Communications, Caren Berg
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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: [phone], Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Mailing Address: BankAtlantic Bancorp, Investor Relations, 1750
East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
or
Investor & Corporate Communications:
Adrienne Zvi, Investor and Corp. Communications Specialist
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

For further information, please visit our websites:

http://www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com

http://www.BankAtlantic.com

http://www.RyanBeck.com

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

Matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 BankAtlantic, and are subject to a number of uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the control of the respective company. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and BankAtlantic's operations, markets, products and services; including BankAtlantic's seven-day banking and extended midnight branch banking hours initiatives, BankAtlantic's branding, advertising and marketing initiatives, and other BankAtlantic growth initiatives 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.