Small Bank Stocks Follow BankAtlantic Bancorp

BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. BBX has surged in the last three days to a high of $1.50 from $0.86. Other small cap banks have been on the move as well. They are surging on the back of increased optimism and short squeezes. Just today Independent Bank Corporation(MI) IBCP jumped from an opening price of $1.06 to a high of $1.43. The excitement around the small bank moves today is because Marshall & Ilsley Corporation MI was bought out. This means speculation may run rampant on other small financial institutions. To list a few that look ripe for a move, watch Hanmi Financial Corp HAFC and Dearborn Bancorp, Inc. DEAR. These are all extremely risky, but offer a possible mega reward if they launch. I personally have picked up small positions in HAFC. Gareth Soloway Chief Market Strategist www.InTheMoneyStocks.com