News Releases

Harris Provides Advertising Time to United Way for Hurricane Katrina Fund-Raising Efforts

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2005– Harris today announced it will provide United Way with nearly $200,000 in television advertising time for a series of public service announcements designed to raise awareness for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The PSAs will run on major cable networks including CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, the Weather Channel, the Golf Channel, the Discovery Channel and Fox News between Sept. 19 and Sept. 25.

"As the communities who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina look to rebuild and as the cities who have welcomed Katrina's victims respond to the increased demand for services, United Way is there to provide support and assistance," said Frank Techar, President and CEO of Harris Bank and Chairman of the 2005 United Way of Metropolitan Chicago annual giving campaign. "Harris is proud to support United Way and its effort to ensure we do not lose sight of the overwhelming need created by this storm."

The donated advertising time is in addition to the more than $370,000 Harris and its parent company, BMO Financial Group, have committed to Hurricane Katrina relief. Additionally, Harris and BMO continue to accept donations at all of their banking locations in Canada and the U.S. and to provide employee volunteers for relief efforts.

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.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 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 produc ts and services are offered in every state and/or location.