Harris Named a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Harris today announced it has been recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality," achieving a perfect 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2011 Corporate Equality Index. This index is the primary method for businesses to assess and evaluate their policies, practices and diversity efforts involving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. 

Harris is among 337 businesses awarded for their outstanding diversity efforts in the workplace after being evaluated on non-discrimination policies, benefits, diversity training, internal resources provided to LGBT workers, and outside support of the LGBT community.

"Promoting fairness and equality in the workplace not only helps foster an environment where our employees can flourish, but also helps us better understand and serve our diverse customer base -- and ultimately helps us achieve our vision to be the bank that defines great customer experience," said Deirdre Drake, senior vice president, Human Resources, Harris N.A.

Recognizing diversity as a key asset, Harris has long valued the benefits of recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. The bank offers several employee affinity groups, including Lion's Pride, which provides a supportive forum for LGBT employees while offering cultural and educational opportunities and events.

Harris will be honored alongside the other awarded businesses on March 23, 2011 at the Seventh Annual LGBT Workplace Awards Seminar and Reception in New York.

To read the complete 2011 Corporate Equality Index report, visit www.HRC.org/CEI.

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.

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), a 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 and HIM, affiliated companies and are 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