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Press Releases
Community Affairs Announces Summer Sponsorships
June 19, 2008 - Community Affairs is proud to announce three summer partnerships with leading Chicago cultural institutions
The first of these is the 12th Annual Chicago SummerDance Festival, which runs from June 12th through August 24th, presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and sponsored by Harris.
Chicago SummerDance is a free, eleven-week festival featuring one-hour dance lessons by professional instructors, followed by two hours of live music and dancing. The festival takes place on a 4,600 square foot open-air dance floor in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park - 601 South Michigan Avenue. SummerDance events occur every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., weather-permitting.
The second sponsorship is a production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. Chicago Shakespeare Theater recently won the prestigious 2008 Regional Theatre Award at the annual Tony Awards. Willy Wonka runs July 8th through August 17th.
Finally, Harris is the presenting sponsor of the 2008 Morton Arboretum Summer Concert Series “In Tune with Trees”, which kicked off this past weekend. Upcoming dates include the Family Concerts featuring Ralph's World on Saturday, July 12 (11 a.m.) and Sunday, July 13 (3 p.m.), as well as the Twilight Concerts (6 p.m.) on July 12 (Paula Cole) and August 16 (Chris Isaak).
Harris has long been a passionate and supportive corporate citizen. We believe supporting culture and the arts enriches the lives of everyone in our community.
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Harris, BMO Capital Markets Double Employee Turnout for Company-Wide Volunteer Day
June 25, 2008 - Today, more than 750 employees of Harris and BMO Capital Markets took to the streets in an effort to make a difference at over 30 community organizations in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin communities. The total number of employees who volunteered for the company’s 2nd annual "Our Ambition is to Help" Volunteer Day more than doubled the turnout from last year's premiere event.
Harris CEO Ellen Costello joined the charitable crew, who were engaged in a wide range of community-focused activities, including cleaning, painting and landscaping. Some employees also entertained disadvantaged children by reading to them, played sports and even staffed a neighborhood carnival.
"The success of our initial Volunteer Day in 2007 allowed Harris employees to see the impact of their work in the community and develop a new dedication to service. In fact some have even continued volunteering with the organizations they served at last year." said Costello. "Giving back is a fulfilling experience, and I'm excited by the energy I feel from the Harris team. We are truly proud to be a part of the communities we serve, and to demonstrate that our ambition is to help."
Highlights From Harris Community Volunteer Day, 2008
- In Chicago, Ellen Costello joined Harris employees at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning to read to young children and assist teachers with daily lesson plans.
- In Kokomo, IN, Harris employees spruced up the outside of the Howard County Domestic Violence Shelter by cleaning, painting and landscaping.
- In Milwaukee, WI, Harris employees worked to improve the retaining wall surrounding the COA Youth and Family Centers' Riverwest Center.
- In Elmhurst, IL, Harris employees helped the Elmhurst YMCA host a carnival for the summer day campers.
- In Libertyville, IL, Harris employees worked at Lambs Farm washing vans, and windows, while pitching in on various maintenance projects around the farm.
Harris has been helping its customers and the communities it serves for generations and has more than 230 full-service locations and more than 600 ATMs in Illinois and Indiana.
About Harris:
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1 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. For more information, please visit www.bmocm.com or www.harrisbank.com.
SOURCE Harris Bank
http://www.harrisbank.com
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Harris Announces Flood Relief
June 26, 2008 - Harris today announced that it will make a corporate donation of $50,000 to the Red Cross in support of the agency's efforts to provide relief to victims of the recent Midwest flooding.
"The flooding in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin has been devastating, and many of our customers and employees in these communities have been impacted," said Ellen Costello, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Bankcorp, Inc. "We are proud to do our part in helping those affected get back on their feet."
The bank is also working closely with its impacted retail and business customers and has put together a program that supports Harris' 'We're Here to Help' philosophy. In addition to programs for existing consumer loan customers, the program also includes low-interest rate loans available to current and new customers, to help during the recovery process. These programs will be available to those living in communities that have been declared a disaster area by FEMA. For more information on the availability of these programs, customers should call or visit their local Harris branch or contact Harris' Customer Call Center at 888-340-2265.
Additionally, Harris' Corporate Real Estate group has had two of its Mobile Response Units, which normally provide routine repair and maintenance services to Harris branches, helping various individuals, businesses and relief groups with clean-up efforts in the affected communities in Indiana and Wisconsin.
Harris has been helping its customers and the communities it serves for over 125 years and has more than 230 full-service locations and more than 600 ATMs in Illinois and Indiana.
About Harris:
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1 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. For more information, please visit www.bmocm.com or www.harrisbank.com.
Source: Harris Financial Corp.
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Community Affairs Presents $30,000 Check to The Morton Arboretum
June 28, 2008 - The Morton Arboretum has gratefully accepted a $30,000 check from Harris Bank, a sponsor of the Arboretum’s 2008 Summer Concert Series. The sponsorship, underwritten by Community Affairs, is part of the Harris' focus on supporting arts and culture, economic development and financial education in the communities we serve.
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.
“Harris has a proud legacy of leadership in the communities it serves, and this partnership with The Morton Arboretum is one of the ways we're living our mission of ‘We're Here to Help’,” said Julie Curran, Harris Bank Senior Vice President, Western District Executive. She presented the check to Penn French, Arboretum Vice President of Marketing, on the concert stage prior to the Emmylou Harris performance, on June 14.
“We very much appreciate Harris’ support for Arboretum programs,” French said. “The concert series helps raise money for the Arboretum mission,” he noted, adding, “taking care of the earth has never been more important than now.”
This is the first year of Harris’ involvement with the Arboretum.
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Harris, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to Introduce Pilot Lending Program for Illinois-Based Small Businesses
August 6, 2008 – Harris and Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias today announced "HELP Employ Illinois" (Harris Entrepreneurial Loan Program), a new pilot lending program for Illinois-based small businesses. The new program aims to provide small business owners greater access to capital as they seek to start or grow businesses.
This new program is the first of its kind in Illinois. It combines the loan pricing benefits available through the Treasurer's Employ Illinois program, the credit enhancements available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the customer service capabilities at Harris.
“We are very excited that the Illinois State Treasurer's Office chose Harris as the pilot bank for this innovative program,” said Peter McNitt, Vice Chairman of Harris Bankcorp, Inc. and Head of the firm’s Business Banking unit. “Harris has a strong record of accomplishments with Employ Illinois, SBA lending programs and a long-standing commitment to serving the small business community. We look forward to providing even greater value through this program, helping small businesses grow via low interest rate loans.”
“Small businesses play an enormous role in the state’s economy and in the health and wealth of local communities,” Treasurer Giannoulias said. “We hope by combining forces with Harris and the SBA that we can help more entrepreneurs start and expand their companies and create new, living-wage jobs in Illinois.”
“There are many ongoing programs and initiatives in the Chicago area aimed at assisting small businesses,” stated Judith A. Roussel, the Illinois District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. “It is a definite enhancement for Illinois small businesses when they can couple a low interest rate, through the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, with an SBA guaranteed loan to start or grow their businesses.”
Most types of businesses are eligible for funding under the new program, which targets businesses with gross annual receipts of $3 million or less (up to $5 million or less for businesses operating in underserved markets).
Loans covered by the program can range up to $1 million, and borrowers can use loan proceeds to fund the initial establishment of a business, or assist in the operation, acquisition or expansion of an existing business through purchase of land and equipment, or for working capital purposes.
The below-market interest rate provided by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office under this program can provide significant benefits for small businesses wanting to defray the high cost of capital.
For more information about HELP Employ Illinois please contact your local Harris Business Banker.
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‘Dr. Strangelove’ To Open Aurora University Film Series Sept. 24
Aurora, Ill, September 24, 2008 - “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” a 1964 black comedy film, will open a 2008-2009 film series at Aurora University on Sept. 24.
The free public series opens at 7 p.m. in Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center for Community Enrichment at 1305 Kenilworth Place in Aurora.
Donovan Gwinner, assistant professor of English, will introduce “Dr. Strangelove” and moderate a discussion following the screening.
The films are part of AU’s “Celebrating Arts and Ideas series, 21 events including art, films, theatre, music and lectures during 2008-2009.
Call (630) 844-5615 for more information.
"Dr. Strangelove”(1964) is a black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, and featuring Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn and Slim Pickens.
Loosely based by screenwriter Terry Southern on Peter George’s Cold War thriller novel Red Alert (aka Two Hours to Doom), Dr. Strangelove satirizes the Cold War and the doctrine of mutual assured destruction.
The story concerns a mentally unstable U.S. Air Force general who orders a first strike nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. The plot follows the president of the United States, his advisors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Royal Air Force officer as they try to recall the bombers to prevent a nuclear apocalypse, as well as the crew of one B-52 as they attempt to deliver their payload.
In 1989, the Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry. Additionally, it was listed as third on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Laughs.
The film series continues at 7 p.m. in Crimi Auditorium in the Institute for Collaboration, 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora. The schedule is: “Iron Jawed Angels,” Nov. 3; "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," Jan. 28; and “Bigger, Faster, Stronger,” March 23.
Celebrating Arts and Ideas sponsors are Nicor, gold sponsor; City of Aurora, Harris Aurora, Human Resource Management Systems, LLC, Old Second National Bank, and Sodexo, silver sponsors; BFC, Sikich, and Comcast bronze sponsors; and The Beacon News, media support.
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Harris Bank Supports Northwest Indiana Flood Relief Efforts
October 7, 2008 - Harris presented a corporate contribution of $10,000 to the Lake Area United Way and the United Way of Porter County in support of the agency’s efforts to provide relief to victims of the recent flooding in Northwest Indiana. The donation was funded by both Harris Community Affairs and the Northwest Indiana Region.
“Harris is very pleased to make this donation to the Lake Area United Way and the United Way of Porter County who are working together with agencies throughout Northwest Indiana to help with flood relief efforts,” said Mike Baird, Harris Bank Regional President, Northwest Indiana.
“United Way does such an outstanding job of working with agencies throughout Northwest Indiana that we felt working with United Way would be the best way to reach as many families and organizations in need as possible,” added Baird.
In accepting the contribution, Lake Area United Way President Lou Martinez said, “ United Way is proud to partner with Harris in their efforts to assist victims of the recent floods in our community. These dollars will be used in the long-term flood clean-up and recovery in Northwest Indiana.”
United Way of Porter County President Sharon Kish added, “We thank Harris for its generosity and corporate citizenship. This special gift, which is over and above Harris’ support of United Way’s annual campaign, will go along way toward rebuilding lives and communities.”
In addition to financial support, many Harris employees have volunteered to assist with the massive clean-up in both Lake and Porter counties. Volunteers worked eight hour shifts and removed debris from area homes as well as performed inventory for FEMA assessments.
The branches in Northwest Indiana donated their “jeans day” proceeds and purchased much needed items such as diapers and undergarments for area residents. The branches also served as drop-off centers for non-perishable food items during a food drive held September 25 through October 3. Collected items were donated to the Northwest Indiana Food Pantry.
United Way of Lake and Porter counties are still in need of volunteers. If you would like more information regarding volunteer opportunities, please contact Karen Ketchen of Community Affairs at 815-806-2178.
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American Heart Association 2008 Heart Walk
October 30, 2008 - Harris was a proud supporter of the American Heart Association 2008 Heart Walk. The Bank participated through a corporate sponsorship, four enthusiastic regional walk teams and the Heart Sales campaign in many of our branches.
Through the dedication of hard-working branch employees and generous Harris customers, our Heart Sales totaled $9,500. Employees who joined a team and individually raised funds brought in over $6,000. These amounts on top of the Bank’s corporate sponsorship added up to a grand total of over $30,000. We can all be very proud of Harris' commitment to the American Heart Association and fighting heart disease. We are truly Here to Help!
As a result of our efforts Harris is being recognized with the 2008! Start! Heart Walk Top New Company Award.
Congratulations are also in order for the following branches who raised the most Heart Sales donations in their districts.
North District: Lincolnwood Branch on Lincoln Avenue
West District: Hoffman Estates, Gannon Road
Central District: Rogers Park
South District: Joliet, 78 North Chicago
Also, congratulations to Marian Merritt, the employee who raised the most donations. Hubert showed up at each walk location to cheer on the walkers and mingle with the crowds. He also participated in some highly competitive mascot races and got to meet Miss Illinois.
Congratulations again and a big thank you to everyone who volunteered and participated in the event!
October 30, 2008
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Harris Events for Businesswomen to Focus on Succession Planning
Chicago Area Events Feature Speakers Dick Shuma and Jim Raaf, Co-Authors of Here, Take the Wheel – Succession Stories and Insights from Business Owners
CHICAGO, October 30, 2008 - Over the past two days, Harris Bank hosted more than 130 women business owners in Chicago and Barrington, IL at special events focused on succession planning. The events, which will continue to run in various Chicago area locations through November 13, feature remarks from Dick Shuma and Jim Raaf, co-authors of the new book Here, Take the Wheel – Succession Stories and Insights from Business Owners.
“Women-owned businesses in the U.S. continue to grow twice as fast as male-owned businesses, but the economy doesn’t discriminate. These are challenging financial times for all,” said Emilia DiMenco, Executive Vice President, Business Banking at Harris. “With these events, it is our goal to give women business owners an outlet to network, discuss strategy and learn new things. And with Dick Shuma and Jim Raaf as our featured speakers, attendees are sure to gain an immense amount of knowledge about an important, yet commonly overlooked topic – succession planning.”
In addition to their experience as published authors, Shuma and Raaf have spent many years as financial service professionals. At each event, they relay unique anecdotes from their time as corporate and succession planning advisors, and cover the key components of a strong succession plan:
- Goal Setting: This step sets the foundation for all that follows. Succession strategies differ, for example, for those who wish to sell their business versus those who wish to keep it in the family.
- Strategic Planning: Once the goals are determined, the next phase requires taking a step back and relying on advisers to help determine how to meet the goals from both a business and family perspective.
- Implementation: A strong succession plan consists of the family’s mission for its business, the shareholders’ agreement, the family participation plan, the business continuity plan, the successor development plan and the estate plan, including any philanthropic goals.
- Exit: Ideally, the implementation of the aforementioned plans leads to a well-coordinated exit for the business owner. Communication with all key stakeholders, including employees and suppliers, is critical during the exit phase.
Harris has long recognized the tremendous growth opportunity that women owned businesses present. The Bank initially developed its Women in Business initiatives to focus on education, and now partners with numerous women’s organizations throughout Chicagoland to share knowledge and develop opportunities for women business leaders and owners. Harris also works to ensure capital is more accessible to women business owners.
Harris has been helping its customers and the communities it serves for generations and has more than 275 full-service locations and more than 630 ATMs in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Upcoming Harris Events for women business owners:
November 6, 2008: Holiday Inn Select Tinley Park Convention Center; Tinley Park, IL
November 12, 2008: Medinah Country Club; Medinah, IL
November 13, 2008: Sunset Ridge Country Club; Northfield, IL
All events will begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.
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Harris Sponsors Asian American Leadership Forum
October 30, 2008 - Harris was a sponsor of the Asian American Leadership Forum, held at the University of Illinois for the National Association for Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). The event featured various workshops concentrating on personal skills development, leadership development and community advocacy development. There were approximately 200 participants that benefited from event.
Several Harris employees, including members of the Asian American Coalition of Employees (AACE), attended the forum. Marjorie Paddock, Director of Diversity for Harris was the keynote speaker at the forum and discussed the importance of diversity within Corporate America.
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Montgomery Food Drive
November 14, 2008 - Harris Montgomery is proud to sponsor a food drive to benefit the South Aurora Church of God Food Pantry, which serves local families in need. Through the month of November, non-perishable food items can be brought to the bank – located at 1970 Caterpillar Drive in Montgomery.
Harris has been helping its customers and the communities it serves for generations and has more than 275 full-service locations and more than 630 ATMs in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
About Harris:
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1 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. For more information, please visit www.bmocm.com or www.harrisbank.com.
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‘The Business of Fancydancing: Poems, Stories, Punch Lines, and Highly Biased Anecdotes’ Native American Author Sherman Alexie To Speak At Aurora University Nov. 19
Aurora Il, November 19, 2008 - Native American poet and screenwriter Sherman Alexie will present “The Business of Fancydancing: Poems, Stories, Punch Lines and Highly Biased Anecdotes” at Aurora University Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Native American, will speak at 7 p.m. in Crimi Auditorium in the Institute for Collaboration at 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora.
The public is invited. Admission is free. Reservations are required. Call (630) 844-4924 or e-mail artsandideas@aurora.edu .
Alexie’s program is part of AU’s 2008-2009 Celebrating Arts and Ideas series. Sponsors are Nicor, gold sponsor; City of Aurora, Harris Aurora, Human Resource Management Systems, LLC, Old Second National Bank, and Sodexo, silver sponsors; BFC, Sikich, and Comcast bronze sponsors; and The Beacon News , media support.
Before his appearance, Alexie will talk to AU students in three classes.
Also, the public is invited to “Who is Sherman Alexie?” a community symposium led by an AU faculty panel. The symposium is at 1:30 p.m. in The Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures, 1400 Marseillaise Place , Aurora , IL 60506.
Alexie was raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation about 50 miles northwest of Spokane , Wash.
The author of 20 books, he adapted his book “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” into the movie “Smoke Signals.” It is believed to be the first movie made by American Indians about American Indians.
“Smoke Signals” won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and Filmmaker’s Trophy in 1998 and was distributed by Miramax films.
The film also received the Christopher Award presented to works that affirm “the highest values of the human spirit.”
His second movie, an adaptation of his book of poems, “The Business of Fancydancing,” was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002.
In 1999, The New Yorker called Alexie one of the top writers for the 21st century.
Call (630) 844-4924 or e-mail artsandideas@aurora.edu for more information.
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