News Releases

Harris Bank launches fall series of Small Business Resource and Lending Expos Spanish-language presentations, materials, advice available

Chicago, September 17, 2004 –Harris continues its series of Small Business Resource and Lending Expos with the Fall launch in Washington Square neighborhood. People thinking about starting a small business and current small business owners should attend and get answers to all their questions in one location.

Started in 2003, the Small Business Resource and Lending Expos are an important step in Harris Bank's efforts in delivering relevant financial education to the communities that it serves. The goal of the expos are to bring together diverse members of the lending community as well as some of its technical assistance partners and provide a comprehensive array of information for small business owners. The expos are free and attendees will be able to meet one-on-one with experts from various organizations and have access to information about the various sources of capital available to small business owners, including governmental and alternative lending solutions.

On Wednesday, September 22, Harris will be hosting the Expo at LaFollette Park located at 1333 N. Laramie Avenue from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and attendees can come and go as they please through out the day.

Harris Bank launched this educational program in July 2003 at its Kenwood Branch, targeting small business clients, prospects and others with the objective to expand the program across the bank's branch network.

This educational approach supports Harris Bank's small business strategy - - making it more co nvenient to do business with and proactively finding solutions to unmet needs of the small business owner - - and the bank's overall efforts at reaching out and responding to Chicagoland's diverse communities.

Agenda:
Wednesday, September 22
LaFollette Park
1333 N. Laramie, Chicago

9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
Continental Breakfast and Opening Remarks
Michael Lewis, President, Harris Bank

9:40 a.m. (English)
Presentations: "Financing Options and Resources for Your Business"
Angela Smith, Harris Bank

9:40 a.m. (Spanish)
Presentations: "Opciones de Financiacion y Recursos para su Negocio"
Nancy Godinez, Harris Bank

10:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m
Resource Partner Exhibitor Tables

• ACCION Chicago
• Austin Chamber of Commerce
• Chicago Community Ventures
• Community Economic Development Law Project
• Latin American Chamber of Commerce
• Greater North Pulaski development Corporation
• Moneris (merchant services)
• Phoenix Accounting
• Presidential Financial Corporation
• Illinois Small Business Growth Corporation
• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• William Morales & Associates (accountants)

Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1.5 million personal, business, corporate and institutional clients with banking, lending, investing and financial management solutions. The community banking network of Harris is one of the largest in Illinois, with nearly 160 full-service locations throughout Chicagoland and more than 450 Harris ATMs. Under the Harris trademark is Harrisdirect, a leading provider of direct investing and investment advisory servi ces to informed investors with long-term financial goals as well as third-party brokerage services to institutional clients; Harris Private Bank, a trusted advisor offering customized banking and lending, financial planning, trust and estate administration, wealth transfer and family office services; and Harris Nesbitt, a premier mid-market corporate and investment bank delivering investment and corporate banking, treasury services, market risk management, institutional investing and research. Harris is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO). For more information, please visit www.harrisbank.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, FINRA and SIPC and Harrisdirect LLC, a registered broker dealer, member FINRA and SIPC. HBIS, HNC and Harrisdirect are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Products offered by HBIS, HNC and Harrisdirectare 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 Advi sory 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.