News Releases

Harris and its parent, BMO Financial Group, Announce $370,000 Donation to Support Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

CHICAGO, September 1, 2005 – Harris N.A. and its parent, BMO Financial Group, today announced that it will donate up to $370,000 to support relief efforts in the Gulf Coast following the destructive impact of Hurricane Katrina.

Harris will make a corporate contribution of $100,000 to the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Hurricane Katrina Response Fund and match employee and customer contributions to the United Way’s Fund, up to $100,000, for a total Harris donation of $200,000.

Harris will begin accepting customer contributions on Tuesday, Sept. 6, on behalf of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Hurricane Katrina Response Fund.  To find the nearest Harris branch, go to www.theharris.com and click on “locations.”

In Canada, BMO Financial Group will make a corporate contribution to the Canadian Red Cross of Cdn$100,000 (approximately US$85,000) and match its employee and customer contributions to the Canadian Red Cross, up to Cdn$100,000 (approximately US$85,000), for a total donation of  Cdn$200,000 (approximately US$170,000).

Harris™ is an integrated financial service organization that provides more than 1.5 million personal, business, corporate and institutional clients with banking, lending, investing, financial planning, trust administration, portfolio management, family office and wealth transfer services. Harris is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO).  For more information, please visit www.theharris.com.

Harris is a trademark used by various financial service providers in the BMO Financial Group, a marketing name used by Bank of Montreal. Banking products and services are provided by Harris N.A. and The Harris Bank N.A. Members FDIC. Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc (HBIS). Securities are provided by Harris Nesbitt Corp (HNC), a registered broker dealer, member NYSE, NASD and SIPC and Harrisdirect LLC, a registered broker dealer, member NASD and SIPC.  HBIS, HNC and Harrisdirect are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Products offered by HBIS, HNC and Harrisdirect are Not Insured by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by Any Bank or Bank Affiliate, May Lose Value. The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition on any bank loan or service. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc., an SEC registered investment advisor.  Family office services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc.  Investment advisory services are also offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

Contact:
Chris Nardella, Chicago, chris.nardella@harrisbank.com, (312) 461-6625
Ralph Marranca, Toronto, ralph.marranca@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996

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