News Releases

Harris Nesbitt, the U.S. investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), today announced the hiring of George Masterson, Managing Director, to its Equity Research Sales team.  Based in Houston, Texas, Masterson will be responsible for institutional client relationships in Texas, Kansas City, and throughout the U.S. Southeast.

“This is the first time that we will drive our equity sales efforts in this region from our Houston office and we have high expectations for further account growth,” said Jack Blackstock, Head of U.S. Equities, Harris Nesbitt.  “In the past year, we've broadened our research universe into key sectors and George's mandate will be to deliver our product through an expanded client outreach in Texas and the South.”

Masterson has 13 years of experience in institutional equity sales.  He joins Harris Nesbitt from Credit Suisse's institutional equity sales desk in Houston, where he worked since 2000.  Previously, Masterson worked in institutional equity sales for DLJ in both Houston and Atlanta.

Harris Nesbitt's Equity Research, Sales & Trading includes more than 100 professionals, serving institutional clients across the country, from offices in New York, Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco.  The Research team consists of 22 published analysts, covering more than 320 companies in sectors that include Business Services, Consumer & Leisure, Energy & Power, Financial Institutions, Food, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, and Technology & Telecommunications.  A complete list of the firm's equity analyst team and coverage universe can be viewed at: http://corporate.bmo.com/research/equities/default.asp?hnnav=1.

Harris Nesbitt is an investment and corporate bank, offering clients access to a full range of products and services including investment and corporate banking, treasury services, market risk management, institutional investing and research. Harris Nesbitt is a member of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO). For more information, please visit www.harrisnesbitt.com.

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.  Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS).  Securities are provided by Harris Nesbitt Corp. (HNC), a registered broker dealer, member NYSE, NASD and SIPC.  HBIS and HNC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp.  Products offered by HBIS and HNC are Not Insured by the FDIC or any Government Agency, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by any Bank- May Lose Value.  The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition on any bank loan or service. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros and Blaney, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO,Inc..  Investment Advisory services are also offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Service LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc.  Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

- 30 -