Contact Info:
Highlander Consulting Melissa Socci
Gordon Andrew Ryan Beck & Co., Inc.
(609) 987-0200 (973) 549-4063
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
 
RYAN BECK & CO. ANNOUNCES RECORD REVENUE FOR 2005
 

Return on Average Equity of 17.5 percent
 
FLORHAM PARK, NJ – January 30, 2006 -- Ryan Beck & Co., Inc., the largest full service broker- dealer headquartered in New Jersey, today announced earnings for the year ending December 31, 2005.   
 
The Firm’s operating revenues rose to $253.3 million in 2005, up from $243.2 million reported in 2004.  For the year, net income from continuing operations was $16.5 million, down from $17.5 million in 2004, as a result of planned investment in people, facilities and product development throughout the year.  Return on average equity was 17.5%, the third consecutive year that the Firm’s return on average equity has exceeded 16 percent.  The Firm ended the year with $100.5 million in equity capital.  
 
Ryan Beck's major business units reported the following results for the year ending December 31, 2005:  Revenue from Ryan Beck’s Private Client Group totaled $145.5 million, compared with $153.6 million in 2004. Investment banking was $50.0 million in 2005, compared to $43.4 million in 2004.  Capital Market revenue was $50.5 million in 2005 compared to $39.6 million in 2004.
 
Contributing factors to the firm’s success in 2005 include:

• Significant investment in its physical presence through upgrading, expansion and relocation of several existing branch offices in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida; as well as the opening of 3 new facilities in central Pennsylvania. 
• Development of its depth in capital markets through the addition of 89 seasoned professionals in institutional and fixed income trading and sales; equity research; municipal finance; mortgage backed securities and investment banking. 
• Recruitment by the Private Client Group of 63 experienced financial consultants with historical assets totaling more than $2.3 billion, and production of $18 million. Total assets in accounts held at the firm as of December 31, 2005 were $18.3 billion. 
• Announcement or completion by the Financial Institutions Investment Banking Group of 32 transactions, including the largest bank de-mutualization in history– the 7th largest equity offering in the United States, and the largest transaction ever handled by the firm. Ryan Beck was also ranked for the 4th consecutive year as the top advisor for bank conversions based on gross proceeds; and also ranked #2 in bank and thrift capital offerings in 2005, according to SNL. 
• Completion of 8 financings and transactions by the Middle Market Investment Banking Group, which covers all of our core industry areas, including aerospace/defense and homeland security, business services, consumer and REITs.
  

In commenting on Ryan Beck’s year-end results, Ben A. Plotkin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our 2005 performance reflects our consistent commitment to the firm’s business plan – to continue to diversify and expand our revenue base, invest in our people and create shareholder value through a profitable and stable organization. We look forward to continued growth in 2006.”
 
About Ryan Beck & Co., Inc.
Founded in 1946, Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. provides financial advice and innovative solutions to individuals, institutions and corporate clients through the activities of approximately 1,100 employees in 43 offices located in 15 states.  For individual investors, the firm’s Private Client Group provides a full range of financial services, including investment consulting, retirement plans, insurance and investment advisory  services. Institutional clients benefit from the market making, underwriting and distribution activities of the firm’s experienced Capital Markets Group, which encompasses equity and fixed income trading and institutional sales as well as research.  Through its Investment Banking Group, Ryan Beck raises capital and provides financial advisory services to financial institutions, middle market companies and municipalities. Ryan Beck & Co. is a wholly owned subsidiary of BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE: BBX), a diversified financial services holding company.