News Releases

Harris Launches Employer-Assisted Housing Program

Harris to help employees purchase homes with $2,500 in financial assistance and free homeownership counseling

CHICAGO, April 12, 2007 – Harris is pleased to announce it will be offering employees yet another benefit of working for the financial institution, assistance with a down payment or closing costs for the purchase of their first home. This week Harris launched an employer-assisted housing (EAH) program to help its employees become homeowners.

“Every day at Harris we help make homeownership a reality for our customers,” said Ellen Costello, chief executive officer, Harris Bankcorp Inc. “Today, we are proud to launch a new program designed to help our colleagues achieve that same dream of homeownership.”

Through the EAH program, Harris will provide $2,500 to assist qualifying employees to become homeowners. The financial assistance can be used toward a down payment or closing costs for the purchase of a first home. Additionally, as part of the program, Harris will partner with regional nonprofit housing counseling agencies to provide free homeownership counseling as well as access to partners who can provide information on potential additional financial assistance from state and local agencies.

The program will be offered to its full-time and part-time (over 20 hours per week) employees in Illinois and Indiana. Employees must be first-time home buyers, with at least one year of satisfactory employment with the financial institution and fall within income guidelines.

“There is great value in helping our employees become homeowners,” added Costello. “Not only does homeownership help put our employees on a path toward economic security, it helps revitalize communities, alleviate congestion and it helps us attract and retain valuable employees.”

Harris partnered with the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) to design and launch its customized EAH program.

About Harris
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1 million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing and w ealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.

Harris^® is a trade name used by various financial service subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Banking products and services are provided by Harris N.A., The Harris Bank, N.A. and their bank affiliates. Members FDIC.

Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC registered investment adviser. Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Securities are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCM), a registered broker dealer and member NYSE, FINRA and SIPC. HIS, HBIS and BMOCM are affiliated companies and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Products offered by HIS, HBIS and BMOCM 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 to any bank loan or service. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser. Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.