News Releases

Harris Recognized as a Top Chicago Bank by TNS
TNS Choice Award for Metro Chicago Recognizes Today's Top Banks in Establishing Strong Client Relationships and Offering Best Customer Focused Solutions

CHICAGO, September 22, 2010 –Harris announced today that it received a 2010 TNS Choice Award for Metro Chicago. The TNS Choice Award recognizes banks that have achieved superiority in the competitive marketplace. Winners of the award were chosen by Chicago residents for their strong performance in attracting new customers, satisfying and retaining customers, and/or for winning a larger share of their customers' total banking business.

"The recognition from TNS underscores our efforts to further enhance our customers' banking experience while also empowering them to take control of their finances," said Ellen Costello, President and CEO, Harris Bank. "By keeping the customer at the center of all we do, we have grown our business through deepening relationships with existing customers and attracting new customers."

One of the initiatives Harris launched this year to further enhance the customer experience was Harris Helpful Steps -- five simple steps to help consumers make sense of their money. Harris Helpful Steps is a financial toolkit that shows consumers how to get on top of their spending, reduce their debt, save a little more each month and get to a better place financially – step by helpful step. With simple, easy to use products and solutions that can start improving a customer's financial picture today, the five steps are:

• Save money automatically
• Get out of debt sooner
• Prepare for the unexpected
• Keep tabs on your money
• Plan, track, and manage your money

Winne rs were chosen as part of TNS' Banking Chicago program, a regional application of the national Market Effectiveness in Consumer Banking research program. The Market Effectiveness program, which surveys individuals who are responsible for making financial decisions, evaluates the competitive momentum of individual banks. TNS uses ten different metrics to assess how effective individual banks are in increasing the number of customers they serve and building larger, stronger customer relationships. Using all ten measures, TNS calculates an overall "competitive momentum score." The institutions with the highest score are declared the winners.

About TNS
TNS, who recently merged with Research International, is the world's largest custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business decisions.  TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand & communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 75 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tnsglobal.com for more information.

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 s olutions. 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 advisor.  Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Investment banking services are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCMC) and BMO Capital Markets GKST, Inc. (GKST), a Municipal Bond Dealer and member FINRA and SIPC.  Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc. (HSBSB), an SEC registered investment advisor.  Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc.  Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC (HmyCFO), a SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc.  Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors (SOWA) is an SEC-registered investment advisor. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM), an SEC-registered investment advisor.  Products offered by HIS, HBIS, BMOCM, HSBSB, HmyCFO and HIM, affiliated companies and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp.,: 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.  Not all products and services are offered in every s tate and/or location.