News Releases

Harris Launches Dealership Finance Team

CHICAGO, October 15, 2010 – Harris announced that it's launching a Dealership Finance team, which will be focused on serving the financial needs of auto dealers throughout the Midwest.  The team, which is being lead by Market Manager Ghram Debes and has over 65 years of collective experience in Dealership Finance, has established new offices in Chicago, Milwaukee, Joliet and Crown Point.

"While we've been offering indirect retail auto financing for decades, we have an opportunity to further support the automobile industry by expanding into commercial Dealership Finance," said Dave Casper, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking, Harris Bank. "Ghram and his experienced team have the strong industry knowledge and market reputation to grow our Dealership Finance business throughout the Midwest."

"Auto dealers are looking for alternate sources of funding, and with the combination of a strong brand, extensive network and optimal business model, we have a terrific opportunity to grow the business," said Ghram. "We are taking a consistent approach to the market, and we have sales, service and support teams that know the industry well and can build off of Harris' strong brand and comprehensive branch network."

While the team is initially focusing on its branch footprint in Illinois, Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana, it also has plans to expand rapidly into other markets.

While the Harris Dealership Finance team is new, Harris' parent company, BMO Financial Group, has been actively serving the financial needs of auto dealers for the last 35 years.  The BMO team has a wealth of experience providing financing options to dealership clients. 

About Harris
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1.3 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.

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 state and/or location.