News Releases

Harris Opens Chicago's First Environmentally-Friendly Bank Branch in Washington Heights

CHICAGO, November 15, 2008 -Today, in Washington Heights on the South Side, Harris opened its first “green” bank branch.

The new branch, at 1620 West 95th Street, is staffed with tellers and personal bankers, business bankers and mortgage originators. There are three drive-up lanes, including a drive-up ATM, and convenient parking. The branch also has one walk-up ATM.

Harris received support from the City of Chicago to install the latest geothermal technology in the branch.

“Green buildings are an important part of our efforts to make Chicago the greenest city in the nation and I commend Harris for opening the City’s first green bank branch,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley.

“Working together, we’re making businesses more competitive and environmentally friendly, and the support and leadership of our business community helps us achieve our goal of a greener Chicago.”

“We are here to help. This new branch enables us to continue our tradition of helping the customers and communities we serve,” said Ellen Costello, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Bankcorp, Inc.

“Harris is very proud that this branch responds both to its surrounding communities and the environmental challenges Mayor Daley has identified,” added Costello.

“We are delighted that Harris has opened its first “green” branch in our community,” said Ginger Rug ai, 19th Ward Alderman. “We welcome Harris and wish it the best.”

The branch was designed by STL Architects. Its geothermal heating and cooling system, depending on the season, uses a ground source heat pump to either release heat into the ground (summer) or pump heat into the bank (winter).

This reduces energy consumption by as much as 30 percent annually, compared to a conventional system.

The branch uses other green elements that provide greater energy efficiency, healthier indoor air and which preserve natural resources. It saves energy through use of motion-detecting light switches, daylight use in 75 percent of space and other low-energy electronics.

It has high albedo content surfaces – which are reflective and do not trap heat -- for paving and roofing, and uses both recycled wood and wood from sustainable forests.

The branch has bike racks and showers to encourage employee use of bikes for commuting, is close to major CTA bus lines and has parking set aside for fuel efficient vehicles.

The branch has drought-resistant plantings, which consume less water, and low consumption fixtures and faucets.

Harris has applied for a Silver Certification for the branch from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Harris is celebrating the opening of this new branch with several special promotional offers. For more information about Harris Washington Heights, contact Bank Manager Monica Hayes at 773-238-4200.

Harris has helped its customers and their communities through 275 full-service locations and 630 ATMs in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The Washington Heights branch replaces the Morgan Park branch, at 1701 West Monterey, which has closed.

About Harris
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1.2 million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing and wealth management solutions. The organization is a me mber 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.