BMO Harris Bank Receives Community First Partnership Award from Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BMO Harris Bank announced today it has received one of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's (FHLBC) 2012 Community First Partnership Awards, recognized for its commitment to affordable housing efforts through its partnership with DuPage Habitat for Humanity.

In its third year, the awards recognize outstanding achievement in affordable housing and community economic development between the FHLBC's member institutions and non-profit organizations.

BMO Harris supports Habitat partner families in a number of ways, including no-cost mortgage servicing and down payment assistance. The bank has also provided low-cost financing for Habitat development projects, and its employees continuously volunteer at build sites and serve on several Habitat boards. DuPage Habitat for Humanity received $5,000 as part of the award.

"To be a trusted corporate partner in our communities is important to us and it's something we strive towards through our focus on economic development, financial literacy and community growth," said Judy Rice, SVP Community Affairs and Economic Development, BMO Harris Bank. "Investing in areas to support affordable housing is only one way we demonstrate this commitment to enriching the lives of all families in our communities."

At its regional meeting in Oak Brook, Illinois, the FHLBC also honored Facing Forward to End Homelessness (FFEH) which received $10,000 in recognition of its partnership with First Eagle Bank to improve the lives of homeless women and families in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago.

"Both of these partnerships showcase what can be accomplished when committed organizations team up for the benefit an entire community," said Sam Nicita, the Community Investment Officer for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. "We are proud to support their important work."  

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago is a $66.4 billion wholesale bank serving the needs of member housing finance institutions located in Illinois and Wisconsin. Our mission is to partner with our member shareholders to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment, and support for community investment activities.

The U.S. Congress created the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which includes 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, in 1932 to promote housing finance, but the Banks are wholly owned by their member institutions.            

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank N.A. provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 600 branches and approximately 1,300 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^SM 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.

SOURCE BMO Harris Bank