Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Names BankAtlantic's Phil Fitzpatrick Hero of the Month

BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank, announced today that Mr. Phil Fitzpatrick, BankAtlantic's Vice President and Market Manager at its Las Olas branch location in downtown Fort Lauderdale, has been chosen by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (GFLCC) as the Hero of the Month.

Phillip Fitzpatrick, BankAtlantic Market Manager IV, Las Olas Branch (Photo: Business Wire)

Chamber Heroes are Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber members who team up with non-profit member organizations to help them in extraordinary ways with their work in the community. This assistance can be volunteer work, in-kind donations or cash contributions. The Chamber's nomination is in recognition and appreciation of Mr. Fitzpatrick's leadership and dedicated volunteerism for the Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center (?CDTC?) in Fort Lauderdale.

?Phil is one of those serious, quiet types that just gets the job done! It's amazing to see his passion and commitment to helping our children with special needs,? commented Ana E. Calderon, Ph.D., Assistant Administrator of CDTC. ?Phil is also a very active member of the CDTC Transformers, our newly formed professionals group. Through this group he has helped to rally the business community in our mission to help children with special health care needs right here in our own community,? she added.

The Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center is a not-for-profit, nationally recognized Center of Excellence that inspires and supports the optimal potential of our community's children with special health care needs through medical care, early intervention, research and collaboration. Established in 1983 when Broward County had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, CDTC began with a staff of three in a small room in Broward General Hospital and has since grown to be the largest child healthcare provider in Broward County, serving over 10,000 children with chronic illnesses and disabilities annually.

?For one hundred years, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce has been committed to serving our community. Today's recognition of Phil Fitzpatrick as the Hero of the Month is a testament to his commitment to the CDTC, and to how all individuals, organizations and businesses can partner to help make Fort Lauderdale and all of South Florida a healthy, vibrant community,? commented Mr. Dan Lindblade, President and CEO of the GFLCC.

About the Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center: The CDTC is not-for-profit nationally recognized Center of Excellence providing comprehensive prevention, intervention and treatment service to children and youth with special health care needs and their families, and services responsive to the needs of vulnerable children which are coordinated, family-centered and offered within a culturally competent, community-based environment. To learn more, get involved, or to make a contribution, please call [phone], write to the CDTC, 1401 South Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, or visit www.childrensdiagnostic.org

About the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (?GFLCC?) has been committed to serving the business community and helping to promote future economic growth and development since 1910. Community, trade, industry growth, and providing members with networking opportunities are the utmost importance and the core of GFLCC. To learn more about GFLCC, please call [phone], write to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, 512 NE 3^rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, or visit http://www.ftlchamber.com . The GFLCC- Where Meeting GOOD People Is GOOD For Business!

About BankAtlantic: BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida. BankAtlantic was rated as having the ?Highest in Customer Satisfaction in Florida for Retail Banking? based on the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study?. Via its broad network of community branches 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 and offers extended weekday hours, Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center, Change Exchange coin counters, as well as retail and business checking accounts. Member FDIC. For further information, please visit www.BankAtlantic.com

BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic. For further information, please visit www.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?), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. The Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive. Further, BankAtlantic received the highest numerical score among retail banks in Florida in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study^SM. Study based on 47,673 total responses measuring 9 providers in Florida and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January 2010. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

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BankAtlantic:
Sharon Lyn, 954-940-6383
V.P. Media Relations
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BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.:
Leo Hinkley, 954-940-5300
Investor and Media Relations Officer
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