Harris Appoints David Casper Executive Vice-President and Head of Commercial Banking

CHICAGO, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Harris announced today that David R. Casper has been appointed Executive Vice-President and Head of Commercial Banking, effective immediately. He will report to Ellen Costello, President and CEO of Harris Financial Corp. Casper was previously Executive Managing Director and Co-Head, Investment and Corporate Banking, U.S. with BMO Capital Markets.

"We have built strong momentum in our Commercial Banking business and see considerable growth opportunities ahead as the Midwest economy begins to recover," said Costello. "Dave's extensive leadership experience in our company and the relationships he builds with customers ideally position him to lead the next phase of our Commercial Banking growth. I'm delighted he's joining my leadership team."

"The opportunity we have in front of us is substantial, and our path to success is clear. We will compete on our ability to best understand our customers' and prospective customers' business and to provide the advice and capital needed to achieve their objectives," said Casper. "Ellen and her colleagues have built a strong team, a stellar reputation and one of the best brands in the marketplace. Combining these strengths, with the significant industry sector knowledge housed within both Harris and BMO Capital Markets, will provide the foundation from which we will build this business."

Casper has spent his entire career in Chicago and all of it within BMO Financial Group. Joining Harris in 1978, Dave has worked and managed both mid-market and large corporate client groups within the Harris organization. In 1997, Dave joined BMO's investment banking group where he primarily focused on building the M&A, Private Equity and debt raising capabilities for BMO Capital Markets. In 2006 he was named Co-Head of US Investment & Corporate Banking where he, and his Co-Head, Dom Petito, have been responsible for all investment banking and corporate banking products in the US for its industry sectors: Business Services, Food & Consumer, Financial Institutions, Industrials, Real Estate, Construction & Engineering, Energy, Healthcare and Financial Sponsors.

Recently, the Harris mid-market team was recognized by Greenwich Associates for overall satisfaction in middle market banking, both on a national and regional basis.  Over 750 banks were evaluated, and only 33 were recognized as having distinctive quality in mid-market.  In addition, the Harris small business team was recognized by Greenwich for financial stability and for relationship manager performance on a national basis.  The Harris treasury management team was also recognized for overall satisfaction on a regional basis.

Personal:

• Wisconsin native
• Masters of Management Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University
• Graduate of Dartmouth College – All Ivy Football Honors
• Married with three daughters

About Harris

Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1.2 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 adviser.  Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Investment banking services are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCM), a registered broker dealer and member NYSE, FINRA and SIPC.  HIS, HBIS and BMOCM are affiliated companies and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp.  Products offered by HIS, HBIS and BMOCM 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.  Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser.  Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc.  Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM), a SEC-registered investment adviser.   Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

SOURCE Harris Bank