News Releases

Harrisdirect Reduces Commissions $7.95 trades and simplified price structure

JERSEY CITY, NJ – March 14, 2005 – Harris announced today that its direct investing provider Harrisdirect will significantly reduce and simplify its trade pricing effective April 18, 2005.

All Harrisdirect clients with $50,000 or more in total assets or those placing 30 or more trades per quarter will receive a $7.95 base commission rate per online equity trade up to 1,000 shares. For clients with less than $50,000 in total assets, the new trade price is $14.95 for the first 1,000 shares.

"Harrisdirect remains fully committed to providing clients with an empowering online investing experience that combines unparalleled service, tools, and research with one of the most compelling pricing schedules in the industry," says Charlie Piermarini, President and CEO of Harrisdirect. "The $7.95 pricing is just one of many enhancements we look forward to introducing as we continue to differentiate the value Harrisdirect provides."

*For the first 1,000 shares (plus $.015 per share for each additional share over 1,000). Clients with more than $500,000 in assets and Active Traders (30+ trades per quarter) are exempt from this fee.

The option base commission for clients with $50,000 or more in assets will also be reduced from $19.95 plus $1.75 per contract to $7.95 plus $1.25 per contract, effective April 18, 2005.

The new pricing will also extend to Harrisdirect Institutional Brokerage Services ("IBS") clients. The IBS group is a leading provider of third-party brokerage solutions for institutions seeking to develop or expand their online financial services capabilities.

Harrisdirect is a leading provider of direct investing and investment advisory services to informed investors with long-term financial goals as well as third-party brokerage services to institutional clients and is part of Harris, 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.h arrisbank.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.