Miami-Dade County Students to Attend the Wizard of Oz Exhibit as Part of the BankAtlantic SmARTS Program

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank and the BankAtlantic Foundation today announced that it will sponsor 623 Miami-Dade County students for a field trip down the “Yellow Brick Road” to see the Warner Brothers’ traveling educational exhibition, The Wizard of Oz at the Miami Children’s Museum. The field trip is in connection with BankAtlantic’s SmARTS Program.

“There is no greater reward than to be able to positively influence the future of these young minds.”

The Wizard of Oz exhibit based on the movie classic, will engage children in the areas of Literacy, visual, musical and performing arts, light and science, and decision-making all wrapped in a day of fun and entertainment.

The BankAtlantic SmARTS program is the bank’s long term commitment to help expose elementary school students to the arts and to educate and enhance their artistic experience. This effort is made possible with the backing of a generous grant recently awarded to the BankAtlantic Foundation from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge, a five-year, $40 million initiative to bring South Florida together through the arts.

Thus far, BankAtlantic’s SmARTS program has coordinated a series of field trips with local schools to attend various high-profile artistic events. The bank kicked off the field trip aspect of the program last month by successfully sponsoring 687 Broward County elementary students on a field trip to the Norman Rockwell exhibit event at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale.

“In light of the budgetary cutbacks in our public schools and the strain it puts on the educational system, we are delighted to be able to help fill this void in the learning program for our students,” said Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. “We continue to seek out events which will enrich the lives or our children at this critical age. Exposure to art exhibits is an ideal opportunity to make an indelible mark on their future and artistic possibilities.”

Sponsorship to the exhibit includes the cost of transportation and admission into the Exhibit. The following schools are scheduled to attend The Wizard of Oz Children’s Educational Exhibit on the following dates:

• Frederick Douglas Elementary – February 9, 2010
• Dr. Manuel C. Barreiro Elementary – February 10, 2010
• Leewood Elementary – February 11, 2010
• Howard Drive Elementary – February 12, 2010
• Milam Elementary – February 16, 2010
• Seminole Elementary – February 17, 2010
• Students will be accompanied by teachers and chaperones.

“The look on the faces of the children as they explore the art exhibits says it all,” said Marcia Barry-Smith, Executive Director of the BankAtlantic Foundation. “There is no greater reward than to be able to positively influence the future of these young minds.”

About BankAtlantic Foundation:

Through the BankAtlantic Foundation, founded in 1994, BankAtlantic has helped support children in need, helped families obtain affordable housing, provided arts and cultural exposure to the broader community and is deeply committed to education. BankAtlantic is particularly proud of its employees who each year contribute thousands of volunteer hours to a wide scope of charitable causes in support of our community.

To learn more about BankAtlantic and the BankAtlantic Foundation, visit us at https://www.bankatlantic.com/BAFoundation

About Miami Children’s Museum:

Founded in 1983, Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to reach their highest potential. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. The 56,500-square-foot facility includes 14 galleries, classrooms, parent/teacher resource center and a 200-seat auditorium. The museum offers hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits; programs and classes, including special needs classes; Subway restaurant; KidSmart educational gift shop and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.

Miami Children’s Museum receives both private and public funding. MCM is sponsored in part by the City of Miami; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council. To learn more about Miami Children’s Museum visit: http://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote informed, engaged communities and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

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:

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BankAtlantic Bancorp Investor Relations:

Leo Hinkley, Investor Relations Officer, SVP

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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”). 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.