Alan Levan: "for many people, banking is a necessary evil, and we have put the pleasure and convenience back into the banking experience" - In Play

South Florida CEO, May, 2002

The Player: Alan Le of Fort Lauderdale-based BankAtlantic, one of the largest banks in Florida. Latest Plays: Introduced seven-day banking in South. Floria, with branches open Monday through Sunday. Engineered his bank acquisition of Community Savings Bank, with nearly $1 billion in assets, for $170 million.

Negotiating to buy a new BankAtlantic headquarters in Cypress Creek. "We've outgrown our current facility." Background: Graduated Tulane University in 1966, then launched a number of real estate investment ventures before making a career transition from development to banking. Joined BankAtlantic in 1984 as a director, am CEO in 1987. Ambition: To further expand BankAtlantic by acquiring other banks "with a strong customer focus and customer loyalty. We have 1,500 employees today and we expect that [number] to continue to grow."