BankAtlantic Teams Up with the Children’s Services Council of Broward To Support the South Florida Hunger Coalition and Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Fort Lauderdale

BankAtlantic, Florida’s Most Convenient Bank, announced today that it is pleased to team up with the Children’s Services Council of Broward County (the "CSC”) in support of the South Florida Hunger Coalition (formerly Million Meals Committee) and the Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^® Fort Lauderdale on June 2, 2011.

The South Florida Hunger Coalition (the "SFHC”) is a Broward County collaboration of public and private agencies working on a united front to eradicate hunger in Broward County and increase hunger awareness through advocacy, support, understanding, information, networking, and year-round action.

"It is heartbreaking to realize here in the sun and fun capital of America that one in six children in Broward County goes to bed hungry every night, and one in four is food insecure,” commented Mary Macomber, Chair of the South Florida Hunger Coalition. "The SFHC is a group of about 80 local pantries, food banks, relief organizations and supporting agencies that strive to reduce hunger among needy individuals and families in Broward. But they can’t do it alone. They need your help. Get involved, donate, and join us at the Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^® Fort Lauderdale, where 100% of proceeds from ticket sales goes to fight hunger locally.”

-Join South Florida’s Hottest Chefs in Their Fight Against Childhood Hunger

In Broward and South Palm Beach County-

Broward and South Palm Beach County’s hottest chefs, restaurants, and mixologists will gather for Fort Lauderdale’s premier culinary benefit to offer their specialties and to cook up support for the nationwide fight against childhood hunger. This delectable event is planned for Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center. A VIP reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. which includes early admission with access to Chefs, a vintner’s reception, a catered dining area, gift bags, and exclusive wines.

There will be over 45 of the area’s top chefs and restaurants participating, as well as a variety of excellent wines and spirits poured to complement the cuisine. In addition to fabulous food and drinks, Taste of the Nation will feature exciting live and silent auctions with once in a lifetime items, such as rare and boutique wine lots, wine dinners, and exotic vacations. Hell’s Kitchen star and Taste of the Nation Platinum Chef, Ralph Pagano, will be the Auctioneer. Masters of Ceremony are Paul Castronovo & Young Ron Brewer of the BIG 105.9 FM.

Among the most stalwart supporters who will be honored are Oliver Saucy - Café Maxx; Christopher Nealon - Aruba Beach Café; Bryce Statham - Blue Moon Fish Co.; Allen Susser - Chef Allen’s Burger Bar and Chef Allen’s To Go at the Fort Lauderdale Airport; Angelo Elia - Casa D’Angelo; Dean James Max - 3030 Ocean; Andre Bienvenu - Joe’s Stone Crab; Johnny Vinczencz - Johnny V’s; Ralph Pagano – STK at the Gansevoort, Holger Struett – Chops Lobster Bar; Susie Stallings – Susies’ Scrumptious and the Broward County Convention Center with support from Chef Jamie MacDonald.

General Admission tickets are $90.00. The VIP Reception, offering a pre-event party with an opportunity to meet the chefs and savor hors d’oeuvres, champagne and upscale wines, reserved seating, and a gift bag, is available at $200.00 per person, which includes general admission. For tickets and information, please visit www.strengthflorida.org.

For further information, please call Carla Marsh at 561-368-4421 or email cmarshpr@earthlink.net.

"The economic downturn has placed considerable strains on Broward County’s hunger relief services. And while heroic in their efforts, every day this prolonged recession continues, more families are faced with having to choose which basic needs to address first, with one in six children going hungry,” commented Jarett Levan, CEO of BankAtlantic. "This is a wake-up call that the children of Broward need our help. Get involved. Help support the SFHC, and if you can, join in and be a champion of children at the Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^® Fort Lauderdale.”

About the South Florida Hunger Coalition: The Million Meals Committee was founded by The Coordinating Council of Broward County in 2001. This ambitious countywide effort was driven by a strategic plan designed to fill and maintain the food pantries throughout the county. By 2004, the Children's Services Council of Broward County began to fund committee staff and activities. Today, the newly named SFHC has acquired its own non-profit status as it coordinates the efforts of more than 80 agencies in Broward County and is supported by dozens of community partners. The SFHC’s mission is to create an efficient food collection process and an effective food distribution system to ensure that no Broward County resident goes hungry. For further information, to get involved, to donate funds, food and/or your time, please visit: http://www.millionmeals.org, email gruber.sandi@gmail.com, or write the Children's Services Council of Broward County, Attn: Million Meals Committee, 6600 W. Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319.

*For immediate and confidential assistance (if you are an individual or know an individual in need of food), please call the Broward County Hotline by simply dialing 2-1-1. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you will be directed to the nearest emergency food or social service agency in your area.

About Share Our Strength^®: Share Our Strength^® is a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America. Share Our Strength connects children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry^® Campaign, Share Our Strength is ending childhood hunger in America by 2015.

For further information about Share Our Strength^® - Florida, the No Kid Hungry^® Campaign, or to get involved, please visit: www.strengthflorida.org.

About the Children's Services Council of Broward County: The Children’s Services Council of Broward County (the "CSC”) focus is Broward’s children. Created by the voters in September, 2000 we provide leadership, advocacy, and funding for services for and on behalf of children. Over 100 CSC programs are delivered by "provider” agencies that have clearly defined goals and outcomes and are regularly monitored for quality and performance. The CSC funds programs that have been proven to work. On average, the CSC gets less than 2 cents of every dollar paid in property taxes, which fund a wide variety of programs designed to help children lead a healthy, safe and productive life. And that, of course, makes a difference for all residents of Broward County. For additional information, please visit www.cscbroward.org.

CSC Broward Media contact:

Andrew Leone, 954-377-1119

Email: aleone@cscbroward.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 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.

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.