2nd ANNUAL SOCK DRIVE KICKS OFF FRIDAY

Donation is part of Bank’s 2nd annual sock donation drive

Chicago, Ill.- BMO Harris Bank today announced, in partnership with the Rockford IceHogs and the United Way of Rock River Valley, that on March 28 they will host "Sock Drive on Sock Monkey Night" at Rockford's BMO Harris Bank Center. New pairs of socks will be collected and donated to homeless children of Rockford through Project Undershare. Starting Friday, March 21, donations will be accepted at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office, IceHogs games and at local BMO Harris Bank branches.

Sock donations will be accepted through Friday, March 28, when the IceHogs take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. (purchase tickets at www.icehogs.com or call 815-968-5222). Individuals who donate a pair of new children's socks at the BMO Harris Bank Center will receive a buy-one-get-one-free voucher for free admission to select IceHogs games throughout the remaining season. Individuals who make donations will also receive a voucher for one free item from Beefaroo’s B-Fit menu. Hubert the Lion will be present at the March 28 game to greet and thank the community as the donations are accepted.

BMO has committed to matching the all sock donations for the Rockford community – the city known as the "Home of the Sock Monkey" having produced the first-ever Sock Monkey in the early 1900s. BMO Harris Bank will also give out free sock monkeys to the first 2,500 fans at the March 28 game. The sock monkeys are dressed in an IceHogs jersey and ice skates.

“Our partnership with the IceHogs, and now Beefaroo, is part of a collective effort to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Rockford’s youth by providing essential items that will improve their quality of life,” said Andrea Ward, Market President, BMO Harris Bank. “We hope the donation and support from our bank and the Rockford community will bring happiness to many young people in need, heighten a continuing effort to raise awareness of this issue, and serve as a significant part of our city’s rich history.”

“After a successful sock drive a year ago, we are excited to once again partner with BMO Harris Bank, and now Beefaroo, with this initiative,” said Gordon Kaye, Executive Director of RAVE. “Our fans have always been generous in supporting our community outreach programs, and it’s great to make a significant impact with an organization like Project Undershare.”

About BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through more than 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, 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. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Banking products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. and are subject to bank or credit approval. BMO Harris ® and BMO Harris Bank® are trade names used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,600 branches, and CDN $593 billion in assets (as of January 31, 2014).

About The Rockford IceHogs
The Rockford IceHogs are proud members of the American Hockey League and affiliate of the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. The IceHogs are currently playing in their 15th season in Rockford, including seventh as the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks. The IceHogs play their home games at the BMO Harris Bank Center in downtown Rockford.

Media Contacts:
Tiffany Smith, Chicago, Tiffany1.Smith@bmo.com, (312) 461-7815