News Releases

BMO Harris Bank Offering Support and Working with Community to Promote Diversity and Inclusion
Accepting Public Donations, Contributing to Diversity & Inclusion
Educational Efforts and Supporting those Impacted

Oak Creek, WI (August 8, 2012) - BMO Harris Bank today announced it plans to contribute $10,000 to promote diversity and inclusion. The donation will go to the Act Now! program of the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin which is built upon understanding, respect, compassion and acceptance.

The bank also announced it is opening an account for th e Oak Creek Police Association to benefit Oak Creek Lieutenant Brian Murphy and his family. Officer Murphy was critically injured during the shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek on August 5, 2012. The account is located at the M&I Branch at 8900 S. Howell Avenue in Oak Creek, but all M&I and Harris branches will accept donations. The bank is contributing an additional $10,000 to the account to help support Officer Murphy and his family.

"We commend Lt. Murphy and the brave men and women of the Oak Creek Police Department and our hearts go out to the Sikh community – not only our friends here in Wisconsin – but to Sikhs everywhere," said Brad Chapin, Executive Vice President, Personal Banking, BMO Harris Bank. "We gain strength and perspective from the diversity of our community."

"Lieutenant Murphy is a dedicated Commander, who, along with other Officers brought to an end a tragic incident in our community," said John Edwards, Oak Creek Chief of Police. "His actions undoubtedly saved the lives of many others who were attending worship at the Sikh Temple. Because of the outpouring of concern and support for Lt. Brian Murphy of the Oak Creek Police Department, we are establishing an account for donations to be made on behalf of Lt. Murphy and his family."

BMO Harris Bank is also announcing a contribution of $10,000 to the Sikh Temple to further help those impacted from the devastation that took place on August 5.

The Sikh Temple is an important part of the Oak Creek community and we wanted to assist their efforts in supporting their members and their families," said Frank Carini, Market Manager for M&I.

Additional contributions can be made to the Temple through the website www.wearesikhs.com.

With the goal of improving school climate and creating a safe learning environment for all children, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's Act Now! program addresses physical, verbal, emotional and cyber bullying. Students in 4th – 8th grade engage in online interactive role-playing, video segments, peer interaction and fun educational games in addition to classroom activities and discussions. Complimentary teacher and staff training is also offered providing a comprehensive, coordinated approach to improving school climate along with changing attitudes and behaviors of students, teachers, staff and families. All levels of the program help empower students to create a school climate of understanding, respect, compassion and acceptance.

"We are deeply touched by BMO Harris Bank's gift and especially for whom it is to honor," said Bridget Clementi, Director of Community Health at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. "The philosophy and principles which in Act Now! is built upon include understanding, respect, compassion and acceptance. We are seeing a difference with the schools in which we work closely to reduce bullying and increase bystander awareness and actions so that we may create safe learning environments for students. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is committed to keeping kids healthy and safe."

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank N.A. provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 650 branches and approximately 1,350 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with 1,600 branches, and a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion.