News Releases

Harris Expands Business Banking Team
Five new, experienced business bankers hired to Harris’ Commercial Middle Market Group

CHICAGO, January 16, 2008 – Harris today announced that it has st rengthened its ability to serve middle market business customers across the Midwest by adding five new, experienced bankers to its Commercial Middle Market Team.

"The current economic climate presents both challenges and opportunities for business owners and executives," said Peter McNitt, Vice Chair and Head of Harris Business Banking. "We are pleased to be adding these seasoned professionals who, like Harris, are well-versed in helping customers navigate through any terrain as they seek results for their companies."

David Knapp has been appointed Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Commercial Middle Market, where he will have responsibility for leading a team charged with providing superior commercial banking services and advice to middle market companies throughout Illinois and the Midwest. Knapp has 23 years of business banking experience and was most recently Senior Vice President and Division Head within the Illinois Commercial Banking group at LaSalle Bank N.A. Knapp received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from University of Illinois and will report to Ray Whitacre, Senior Vice President and Market Executive, Harris Commercial Middle Market Banking.

Steven Marks has been appointed Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager, Commercial Middle Market. Marks has 21 years of business banking experience and joins Harris from LaSalle Bank N.A., where he was most recently a Senior Vice President and Deputy Division Manager within the Illinois Commercial Banking group. Marks received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with major in Finance from Indiana University and he received his MBA from the University of Chicago. Marks will report to Knapp.

Ricardo Lopez, Jr. has been appointed Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager, Commercial Middle Market. Lopez has more than seven years of financial services and business banking experience. He joins Harris f rom LaSalle Bank N.A., where he was most recently a Commercial Banking Officer within the Illinois Commercial Banking group. Lopez received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Lopez will report to Knapp.

Henry Munez has been appointed Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Commercial Middle Market, where he will have responsibility for leading a team charged with providing superior commercial banking services and advice to middle market companies throughout Illinois and the Midwest. Munez has nearly 15 years of business banking experience and joins Harris from LaSalle Bank N.A., where he was most recently a Senior Vice President and Division Head for their National Institutional Real Estate group. Munez received a bachelor’s in finance and economics from the University of Illinois. He will report to Whitacre.

Mary Ahrens has been appointed Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager, Commercial Middle Market. Ahrens has more than 15 years of financial services and business banking experience and joins Harris from Bank of America, where she was most recently a Senior Vice President and Senior Client Manager in their Commercial Banking group. She is a C.P.A. and received her bachelor's degree in Accounting from DePaul University and her MBA with a concentration in Finance from DePaul University's Keller Graduate School of Business. Ahrens will report to Jennifer Schlott, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Commercial Middle Market.

"More and more, our customers and prospective customers are telling us they want stability in their banking relationship," Whitacre said. "They want a company like Harris that's been around for 125 years and knows not only how to weather the storm, but to position its customers for success regardless of the climate."

About Harris:
Harris is an integrated financial service or ganization providing more than 1 million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing and wealth 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. For more information, please visit www.bmocm.com or www.harrisbank.com.

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, NASD 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.