News Releases

Harris Supports the Making Home Affordable Plan
Plan expected to help families restructure or refinance
mortgages to avoid foreclosure

CHICAGO, March 6, 2009 – Harris today announced its support for the Mak ing Home Affordable plan. The Making Home Affordable plan is part of President Obama’s broad comprehensive strategy to get the economy and the housing market back on track by restructuring or refinancing mortgages to avoid foreclosures.

Harris is working to incorporate key elements of the Home Affordable Modification program for its own loans and loans it services for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as all other investors unless their servicing contract prohibits it. Additionally, Harris will offer the Home Affordable Refinancing program to customers with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.Harris will also be suspending foreclosures on owner occupied residential first mortgages through April 30, 2009.

“We support the goals of the Making Home Affordable plan and believe this plan will help people across the country while also improving the overall stability of our economy,” said Chris McComish, executive vice president, Head of Retail Banking for Harris. “This program builds on the efforts we have already undertaken to help keep our customers in their homes, prevent foreclosures, and help make housing more affordable for those who have been impacted by the economic downturn.”

Customers seeking more information on eligibility or the documents they need to qualify for refinancing or loan modifications are encouraged to visit www.financialstability.gov. Harris customers can also call the bank for more information at 800-207-3058.

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 member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking se rvices 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.

Chris Nardella, Chicago, chris.nardella@harrisbank.com, (312) 461-6625