News Releases

BMO Harris Bank Sponsors Safe Haven Back to School Rally for Chicago Public Schools
Bank encourages Chicago students to start the school year off right,
partners with CPS to promot "FIRST DAY: Better Attendance,
Better Students, Better Life”

CHICAGO, August 5, 2011 – BMO Harris Bank announced today that it will sponsor the Safe Haven Back to School Rally in partnership with Chicago Public Schools to encourage first-day attendance among Chicago students.

The rally will take place Friday, Aug. 5 in Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Approximately 3,500 students will take part in the event, along with community leaders, sponsors, and entertainers, all joined together to promote this year's theme, "FIRST DAY: Better Attendance, Better Students, Better Life.” 

"As a company committed to educating and enriching the lives of those who live and work in our communities, BMO Harris Bank continually emphasizes the importance of education to today's young people and the impact it has on their future," said Mark Furlong, president and CEO of BMO Harris Bank N.A. "Encouraging educational development through events like today's rally further strengthens and empowers our communities -- and we truly believe their success is our success."

Created out of a partnership between Chicago Public Schools and more than 100 churches, Safe Haven is a faith-based initiative that takes place during the summer and other breaks throughout the school year. Serving more than 5,000 Chicago Public School students, the program provides students with healthy meals, academic enrichment, recreational activities, and a safe place to spend their summer days.

“Instruction begins on the first day of school and we need every student in class from day one so that they do not fall behind,” said CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. “I know from personal experience as a teacher and a principal that the time spent in the classroom on the first day sets the tone and culture for the rest of the school year and increases a student’s chance for success. That is why we are grateful to our partners for their support in CPS’s efforts to get kids in the classroom on the first day and every day.”

To celebrate the beginning of another school year, the Safe Haven Back to School Rally will include horse rides, moonwalks, giveaways, musical entertainment and other activities for students of all ages.

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, the bank has approximately 700 branches and approximately 1,350 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial institution with 1,600 branches, a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion, and combined U.S. businesses that rank as the 12th largest commercial bank, by assets, in the United States.

BMO H arris Bank is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Banking deposit and loan products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC-registered investment advisor. Insurance products 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. (Harris SBSB), 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 (Harris myCFO), an SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors (Stoker Ostler) is an SEC-registered investment advisor. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM) or its wholly-owned subsidiary HIM Monegy (Monegy), SEC-registered investment advisors. Products offered by HIS, HBIS, BMOCM, Harris SBSB, Harris myCFO, Stoker Ostler, HIM, and Monegy, which are affiliated companies and wholly owned subsidiaries of BMO 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.

Jim Kappel (312) 461- 2478