Harris Ranked as Most Reputable Bank in the U.S.

CHICAGO, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Harris announced today it's been ranked as the most reputable U.S. bank by Reputation Institute in a study conducted in collaboration with American Banker. This is the second year the study was conducted with Harris improving on its top 10 position from the previous year.

"We put our customers at the center of everything we do, and by defining what we deliver in customer terms, we are able to deliver a differentiated experience," said Ellen Costello, president and CEO, Harris Financial Corp. "We believe that building reputation also extends to how we serve our communities. Supporting our communities, in part through active engagement of our leaders, is an essential part of who we are as a company."

Our ranking in the Reputation Institute's study is a testament to the way we do business. Focusing on leadership and responsible management that benefits all our stakeholders continues to enhance the way Harris is viewed," added Costello.

The ranking of the Most Reputable U.S. Banks is a result of an annual study conducted by Reputation Institute and American Banker.

"We are pleased to see improvement in the reputation of U.S. banks over the last year, led by Harris.  Results from the study show that reputation is a point of differentiation with U.S. consumers," said Anthony Johndrow, managing partner in Reputation Institute's New York office.

Companies are selected each year from the largest U.S. banking holding companies published by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Ratings are collected through online questionnaires with respondents evaluating their level of trust, admiration, respect and good feeling as well as the core seven dimensions of reputation for each institution.

Learn more about Reputation Institute and the ranking process at www.reputationinstitute.com.

About Harris

Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing nearly 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.

About Reputation Institute

Reputation Institute (RI) is the leading international organization devoted to advancing knowledge about corporate reputations and to providing professional assistance to companies interested in measuring and managing their reputations proactively.  Founded in 1997, Reputation Institute has been and remains a pioneer and global leader in the development of measurement tools and in offering advice and counsel to leading companies around the world.

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), an 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, SOWA, and HIM, are affiliated companies and 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.

SOURCE Harris Bank