HomeIn 1882 he founded what has become Harris Bank based on the principles of honesty and fair dealings-principles that continue to govern Harris Bankıs service to individuals, businesses and the communities its calls ³home.² For more than 100 years, Harris has served the needs of customers, safely managing their funds and guiding them toward financial success. Over that time, Harris Bank has grown steadily throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond.
In 2004, Harris expanded into Northwest Indiana with the purchase of Mercantile National Bank of Indiana. This move into Indiana opened new markets and new opportunities for the bank and its customers, says Michael Baird, Harrisı regional president of Northwest Indiana.
³Northwest Indiana is well-positioned geographically. It has a good transportation system, expressway network and access to Lake Michigan, and a strong workforce,² said Baird who grew up in Valparaiso and started with Mercantile in 1988. Harris recently opened its 20th Northwest Indiana branch in Chesterton. ³This expansion in Porter County is important,² Baird says.
³We wanted to give our customers a location in the Duneland area. We have a strong customer base in this area and this new branch was an opportunity to build on that.² Located at the corner of Rt. 49 and CR 1100 North next to Wiseway, the new Chesterton full-service branch offers personal banking products such as checking, savings and online banking as well as residential mortgages, investments, financial planning, retirement planning and wealth management.
³We also offer a full array of commercial lending and cash management products through our business banking team,² says Kathleen Pilarski, Chesterton branch manager.
Harris Chestertonıs lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday;
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Drive-up banking is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from
9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
The new nearly 4,000-square foot Harris branch is also the bankıs first LEED or ³green and environmentally-friendly² branch in Indiana. ³Harris and BMO Financial Group (the bankıs parent company) are committed to responding to the environmental challenges our communities face,² Baird says.
The Chesterton branch construction includes recycled wood as well as low-consumption plumbing. Other innovations are the ³no-mowing² landscaping which features Duneland grasses and an eco-friendly drainage system that allows water runoff to be filtered through a swale or low-lying plant filled area.
³In our parking lot we have spaces marked with signs for fuel-efficient cars and for carpooling,² Pilarski says.
³We know that Chesterton citizens are very much focused on the environment and protecting areas such as the Dunes,² Baird says. ³We believe it is very appropriate for us to do our part by building environmentally-friendly branches.² Harris Bank has continued its expansion in the Midwest with the purchase of First National Bank & Trust in central Indiana in 2007 and two banks in Wisconsin in 2008, Baird says. This brings the number of Harris branches to
281 in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Harris also has affiliated locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
At a time when many banks are closing locations, Harris continues to grow.
Harris is strong, stable and well-capitalized the regional president says.
And the bankıs credit ratings are all excellent. Baird also emphasizes that ³Harris is still active in its lending. In fact, loans are available for qualified borrowers at very competitive rates, with residential mortgage rates close to historical lows.² In addition, Harris Bank offers commercial loans for businesses of all sizes from sole proprietorships to large corporations. Harris is well-positioned to handle the local, national and international economic situations, Baird says. ³Our reputation in banking is well-earned. Whether the economy is growing or slowing, weıre here to help.² Baird also credits Harris employees for creating an atmosphere of caring that has always been part of the bankıs character.
³Our employees and their local involvement is a big part of who Harris Bank is,² Baird says. ³We are involved in our local communities. Weıre very proud of that commitment to our communities and encourage our employees to become involved in local organizations such as the chambers of commerce, Kiwanis and Rotary.² Baird was recently elected chairman of the Northwest Indiana Forum, a regional economic development group.
The bank also provides financial support and in-kind contributions. Recent humanitarian efforts by Harris Bank include a corporate donation of $50,000 to the Red Cross to help the organizationıs flood and tornado relief efforts in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. And while the bankıs support takes many forms, Harris strives to enhance and strengthen the communities it serves and to demonstrate its commitment to being a trusted corporate partner in its markets.
This is accomplished through a focus on education, financial literacy and economic development. This includes affordable housing and support for community development organizations. Recognizing that arts and culture greatly enhance the quality of life for all people in our community, Harris also supports organizations with this mission.
Through corporate giving, volunteer efforts, board memberships, community outreach and active participation in United Way, Harris executes its commitment to the communities it serves each and every day.
For More Info:
Harris Bank
Headquarters:
111 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Northwest Indiana:
9801 Connecticut Drive
Suite #200
Crown Point, IN 46307
www.harrisbank.com
502 E. 1100 N
Chesterton, IN
219-926-8534
10705 Broadway
Crown Point, IN
219-663-7963
2012 N. Main Street
Crown Point, IN
219-663-0750
801 Joliet Street
(U.S. 30)
Dyer, IN
219-864-8317
2409 E. 141st Street
East Chicago, IN
219-398-4400
6001 E. Melton Road
Gary, IN
219-939-0164
2746 W. 5th Street
Gary, IN
219-886-1352
200 W. Ridge Road
Griffith, IN
219-972-7400
27 E. Sibley Blvd.
Hammond, IN
219-852-3338
3514 - 169th Street
Hammond, IN
219-933-3741
7250 Indianapolis Blvd.
Hammond, IN
219-933-3940
7227 Calumet Ave.
Hammond, IN
219-933-3910
7701 Broadway
Merrillville, IN
219-769-7700
915 Ridge Road
Munster, IN
219-836-3560
10020 Calumet Ave.
Munster, IN
219-922-3550
6015 U.S. 6
Portage, IN
219-764-2442
790 E. Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30)
Schererville, IN
219-322-8203
9770 Wicker Ave.
St. John, IN
219-365-3565
3500 Calumet Ave.
Valparaiso, IN
219-462-0105
750 S. Washington
Valparaiso, IN
219-531-6497