News Releases

BMO Harris Bank & Rockford IceHogs Announce Goals for Grades with United Way
Season-long program is part of ongoing support in the greater Rockford area

Rockford, Ill., Oct 13, 2011 – BMO Harris Bank along with the Rockford IceHogs are teaming up to promote literacy in our schools by introducing “Goals for Grades,” a program to support the Success by 6® Page Turner Reading Program and “I READ," an early grade reading initiative through the United Way of Rock River Valley.

During each regular game in the 2011/2012 season, BMO Harris Bank will make a donation of $20 for every goal scored up to $6,000 during the season at the newly named BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. All proceeds will be donated to the United Way to support Success by 6® and “I READ.”

“Helping children succeed in school will have lasting rewards that will empower our community and improve our educational system,” said Andrea Ward, BMO Harris Market President. “This program further strengthens our commitment to the Rockford community and our new partnership with the IceHogs and the BMO Harris Bank Center.”

“We are grateful to BMO Harris and the IceHogs for this new United Way partnership in support of our children,” said Paul Logli, President & CEO of the United Way of Rock River Valley.  “‘Goals for Grades’ is exciting, fun and life-changing for the youth of our community.”

Success by 6®is a United Way early childhood education initiative that works to ensure that all children from birth to age 6 develop pre-literacy skills essential to school readiness and success in kindergarten. Through the Page Turner Readin g Program, children ages 3-5 will receive new, age-appropriate books to build their own home library, receive critical early learning information, and participate in child-parent literacy activities.

“I READ” is a partnership between United Way and the Rockford and Harlem School Districts that pairs reading mentors with kindergarten students and prepares students to read proficiently by fourth grade. Reading mentors will meet with students weekly during the school day until they complete third grade. About 160 reading mentors have been recruited and they are currently being paired with students.

“BMO Harris Bank has again demonstrated its commitment to the Rockford community,” said Mike Dunn, RAVE Board Chairman. “From the naming rights of the downtown arena to the sponsorship of the Winter Wonderland and much more, BMO Harris Bank has made significant contributions to improve the quality of life for Rockford citizens. The 'Goals for Grades' program and new BMO Harris Bank Center gives IceHogs fans even more reasons to come out and support their team.”

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank has approximately 700 branches and approximately 1,350 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. Member FDIC. 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.

BMO Harris 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 bank ing 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.