Fort Lauderdale-Based Bank Honored
for Its Innovative Strategies and Customer Convenience Initiatives
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BankAtlantic,
"Florida's Most Convenient Bank," announced it won the coveted Cutting Edge
Award from the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious award,
presented annually, is bestowed upon companies that "exemplify the finest
innovative techniques in niche marketing, growth and management practices."
With 73 branches across the state, BankAtlantic has redefined the banking
experience and reshaped the banking industry. BankAtlantic's convenience
initiatives have been implemented over the past two years and have taken the
concept of customer service to new levels. From extending morning and evening
hours and remaining open on weekends and holidays, to opening a Miami branch
until midnight starting June 1, BankAtlantic has eliminated "banker's hours"
from its vernacular and replaced an ordinary task with an upbeat attitude and
positive experience.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alan B. Levan commented, "This is not
a passing fad. We are dedicated to making banking easy, unique, convenient,
reliable, and yes, fun, for our customers. Every day, we look for ways to
improve ourselves and to reach out to our customers. It is an honor to win
this award -- and a testament to our strategy that an award panel such as the
Cutting Edge would recognize us for these initiatives."
Levan noted that these convenience initiatives reach well beyond simple
hours, and include free family activities such as photos with Santa during the
holidays and pumpkin painting during Halloween. "We also have redesigned our
banks to make them more user-friendly, installed Totally Free Change Exchange
coin counter machines in all branches, and instituted Red Fridays where all
customers wearing red receive free gifts," he added. "BankAtlantic is one of
Florida's largest financial institutions, and its strategies have clearly paid
off. BankAtlantic has opened more than 145,000 new checking and savings
accounts in 2003, up from 99,000 in 2002, 44,000 in 2001 and 17,000 in 2000.
"We are honored and delighted by the recognition from the Cutting Edge
judging panel," said Levan. "But we are gratified on a daily basis by the
positive reaction and on-going support of our valued customers."
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 73 branch locations and operates more
than 200 conveniently located ATMs. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week* and
offers holiday hours, extended weekday hours, free online banking, Totally
Free Change Exchange coin counters, 24/7 call center service, and free retail
and business checking with a free gift.
* BankAtlantic's Kendale Lakes branch in Miami-Dade will be open until
midnight commencing June 1, 2004.
For further information, please visit http://www.BankAtlantic.com .
BankAtlantic, "Florida's Most Convenient Bank," Contact Info:
Public Relations: Hattie Harvey, Public Relations Manager
Phone: (954) 760-5383, Fax: (954) 760-5388
Email: HHarvey@BankAtlantic.com.
Public Relations for BankAtlantic:
Boardroom Communications, Caren Berg
Phone: (954) 370-8999, Fax: (954) 370-8892
Email: Caren@Boardroompr.com
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, Vice President
Phone: (954) 760-5317, Fax: (954) 760-5415
Email: InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com.
Mailing Address: BankAtlantic Bancorp
Investor Relations
1750 East Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Corporate Communications:
Sharon Lyn, Assistant Vice President
Phone: (954) 760-5402, Fax: (954) 760-5415
Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com
To receive future BankAtlantic Bancorp news releases or announcements
directly via Email, please click on the Email Broadcast Sign Up at our
website: http://www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com .
For further information, please visit our websites:
http://www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com
http://www.BankAtlantic.com
http://www.RyanBeck.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. When used
in this press release and in any documents incorporated by reference herein,
the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and
similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements.
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 ("the Company") and BankAtlantic Bancorp, and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are subject to change
based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company's control.
These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated
with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the
Company and its operations, markets, products and services; and BankAtlantic's
seven-day banking initiative and other convenience or growth initiatives not
being successful or 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.
SOURCE BankAtlantic
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Related links:
http://www.bankatlantic.com
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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Leo Hinkley, Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1-954-760-5317, or
InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com, or Sharon Lyn,
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications,
+1-954-760-5402, or CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com, both of
BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc., fax, +1-954-760-5415; or Hattie
Harvey, Public Relations Manager, BankAtlantic, +1-954-760-5383,
or fax, +1-954-760-5388, or email, HHarvey@BankAtlantic.com; or
Caren Berg, Boardroom Communications, +1-954-370-8999, or fax,
+1-954-370-8892, or email, Caren@Boardroompr.com, for
BankAtlantic
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