News Releases

Emilia DiMenco of Harris Bank Joins the Dean's Business Advisory Council at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, April 21, 2004 - Harris Bank is pleased to announce Emilia DiMenco, Executive Vice-President of Segment Management, Harris Bank, has joined the College of Business Administrations' Dean's Business Advisory Council at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Business Advisory Council (BAC) serves as an advisory group to the Dean, Wim Wiewel, and staff of the College of Business Administration.

As a member of BAC, her responsibilities include helping: During her career, DiMenco has been helping both small and large companies grow; meet their business goals; and has also seen many of the "future" entrepreneurs come from UIC.

• Lead policymaking and strategic planning in all areas of the College of Business Administration
• Identify networking for the College of Business Administration in the areas of placement and recruitment of graduates and students
• Cultivate, identify and solicit private and public funding sources, which will benefit the College of Business Administration
• Assist with the development and marketing of the College of Business Administration
• Review the performance of the College of Business Administration in meeting its goals
• Serve as an ambassador for the College of Business Administration by talking about and promoting it in every way possible
• Ensure communication and collaboration with the Board of Trustees, the alumni, the University administration and community

During her career, DiMenco has been helping both small and large companies grow; meet their business goals; and has also seen many of the "future" entrepreneurs come from UIC.

DiMenco commented, "As an organization, Harris is a strong sponsor of education. We are involved and support a variety of local universities and their programs. I am particularly proud to be part of the Dean's Business Advisory Council because of the diversity in the University's student body and their focus specifically on the entrepreneur and small business."

Harris Bank also has hosted the "Dean on the Road Program" and has provided a corporate gift toward the Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies (IES).

DiMenco joined Harris in 1980 and has held leadership positions in Corporate Banking, Capital Markets and Corporate Cash Management and most recently, Business Banking. Currently, she oversees Harris' retail and business client bases as well as Harris' three diverse markets initiatives - which include Hispanic, African American and Asian markets. Her responsibilities include marketing, new product development, sales approach, and Human Resources strategies. She also leads the bank's Marketing Information and Decision Support Unit (MIDS). MIDS acquires internal and external data on Harris' customers, segments, products and markets to develop insights and information to drive and support the bank's goals and objectives.

DiMenco completed both her undergraduate (B.S. Finance) and graduate studies (MBA Finance) at DePaul University. She studied International Finance at Loyola University's Rome Center. She is a member of the Chicago Finance Exchange, Union League Club of Chicago, Consumer Bankers Association Small Business Committee and is an Illinois Family Business Awards Advisor.

Harris Bank, with $30 billion in assets, is one of the largest community bank networks in Illinois, serving both individuals and businesses throughout the diverse Chicagoland area. Harris clients have access to over 150 full-service locations, and more than 450 Harris ATMs free of charge. Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group (NYSE: BMO), a highly diversified financial services organization. For more information, please visit www.harrisbank.com and www.bmo.com.