News Releases

Harris Bank Announces Next Day Funding to Small Business Owners

March 9, 2004 Chicago, IL - Harris Bank is now offering their small business clients next business day funding for processed credit card transactions. This premium service, typically reserved for larger, corporate businesses, will be available to Harris' small business clients, through Harris Bank's Merchant Services and business partner, Moneris Solutions.

Harris' Business Banking Group is always looking for ways to make it more convenient and easier to do business with. With next day funding Harris is enabling small business owners to improve their cash flow with faster funding of dollars earned through credit card sales with one monthly deduction for processing fees.

"We realize how important it is for our clients to have quick access to their funds and are very excited to be able to offer this package," said Jonathan Rohde, senior vice-president, Business Banking, Harris Bank. "You will find in the marketplace, normal funding on these types of transactions takes 2-3 days after transaction processing and much of the time fees are taken by the processor daily. Our clients can now benefit from quick funding, faster than it takes to get a check processed!"

Next day funding is part of an overall package that includes a free point-of-sale terminal and online, internet reporting of credit card activity. Details of Harris' Merchant Services package are:

• $12.95 per month and competitive processing rates
• Next business day funding when your funds are deposited electronically, directly into a Harris Business Checking Account
• Free point-of-sale (POS) terminal and printer with lifetime support and replacement
• Merchant reporting online at www.mymerchantview.net or on a monthly paper statement
• 24 hour a day, 7-day a week help desk support

About Moneris Solutio ns
Moneris Solutions (www.monerisusa.com) has a 30-year history as one of North America's largest electronic transaction processors, delivering advanced payment card processing capabilities through point-of-sale hardware, payment processing software, e-commerce solutions and a gift and loyalty program. Moneris provides transaction-processing services nationwide through numerous agent banks and serves the small to medium-sized business market through direct sales and strategic partnerships. A joint investment of the Royal Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal, which have assets in excess of $700 billion, Moneris Solutions serves more than 350,000 North American merchant locations and has a staff of over 1,100 employees. U.S. headquarters are located outside of Chicago, IL.

About Harris Bank
Harris, with $30 billion in assets, is one of the largest community bank networks in Illinois, a nationally recognized provider of private client and personal trust services and a premier Midwest mid-market corporate bank. Harris serves individuals and businesses throughout nine Chicagoland regions, each with local Harris leadership. Customers of Harris have access to more than 450 ATMs free of charge, and nearly 160 full-service locations throughout Chicagoland. Please visit www.harrisbank.com for more information.