BankAtlantic's "Banker Bikers" to Ride in the South Florida "Ride for Kids(R)" Charity Motorcycle Ride

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank, announced today that BankAtlantic's "Banker Bikers" will ride in the South Florida "Ride for Kids^®" Charity Motorcycle Ride benefitting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (the "PBTF").

"The Ride for Kids^® program supports the efforts of the PBTF^® to find the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors, a debilitating condition which directly impacts the children in our community and throughout the country. "Why should you ride in this event?" asked Rhonda Friedenberg of Star Cycles.

1. "Every day, ten more children are diagnosed with a brain tumor."
    
2. "Brain tumors are the deadliest form of childhood cancer."
    
3. "76% of children diagnosed with a brain tumor are younger than 15."
    
4. "And sadly, four out of ten children with a brain tumor will die within five years of diagnosis."

"So, every biker who rides and those who donate or volunteer to the "Ride for Kids^®" brings us one step closer to a cure and helping the kids in our community and throughout America," Ms. Friedenberg continued. "Whether you ride a Harley, Triumph, Star, Yamaha, Kawasaki, chopper, trike, custom or more, this is truly a day for the children and for bikers with every brand and make of motorcycle."

The South Florida "Ride for Kids^®,"one of the more scenic motorcycle rides, will take you through areas that have made South Florida famous including roads along the ocean. The Broward Sheriff's Office will be escorting the ride to control traffic, along with local law enforcement officers from the various cities you will be passing through. The ride is generally 40-45 miles in length and lasts approximately an hour and a half. The "Ride for Kids^®" will start and end at Quiet Waters Park, 401 South Powerline Rd., in Deerfield Beach, FL. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:45 a.m. The escorted ride starts at 10:00 a.m. sharp, rain or shine! Registration costs $35.00 per motorcycle. Event T-Shirts are available for a minimum $50.00 donation. Registration includes a light breakfast (donuts, bagels, coffee, and juice) and a light lunch followed by the Celebration of Life program. The Celebration of Life program will feature interviews with young, local brain tumor survivors - the "Ride for Kids^®" stars of the day - and award presentations to top fundraisers. Also, there will be a drawing for a Honda motorcycle and other great prizes including an AGV helmet, Cardo Scala Rider, Dunlop tires, and Tourmaster luggage. (You must be present to win.). To register online, please visit http://www.sfrideforkids.org/email_subscribe_index_042008.php.

For more information about the event, to donate or volunteer, please visit www.sfrideforkids.org or call Rhonda Friedenberg at 954-224-3398.

"There's a tremendous amount of good things in this country and most recently I found that one of those things is motorcyclists. As big, brawny, and sometimes ominous they appear, when it comes to children in need, their hearts melt and they show up by the thousands for a fundraising event like this," commented Leo Hinkley, BankAtlantic's Media Relations Officer. "That's why we are calling all bikers, from bankers to bakers and everyone in-between, to come out on April 3^rd and Ride for the Kids! We hope to see you there."

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is honored to be the official charity of the Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA), which has been the presenting sponsor of "Ride for Kids^®" since 1991. The PBTF's exclusive national insurance sponsor is GEICO. Cycle World and the International Motorcycle Shows are also major supporters of the "Ride for Kids^®."

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation®:

When the PBTF was created in 1991, the diagnosis of a brain tumor was virtually a death sentence for a child because there was very little research being done. The PBTF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization that seeks to find the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors by supporting medical research, increasing public awareness about the severity and prevalence of childhood brain tumors, aiding in the early detection and treatment of childhood brain tumors, supporting a national database on all primary brain tumors, and providing educational and emotional support for children and families affected by this life-threatening disease. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of children with brain tumors, and with your continued help, we will cure the kids! To learn more about PBTF, to learn ways to help or to donate, please call 800-253-6530 (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET), write PBTF, 302 Ridgefield Ct., Asheville, NC 28806, or visit http://www.pbtfus.org/.

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.

The BankAtlantic logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8906.

BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE:BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic. For further information, please visit http://www.bankatlanticbancorp.com/">www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com.