BMO Financial Group announced today that Frank Techar has been appointed president and CEO, personal and commercial banking Canada, effective July 1.

Techar has been leading BMO’s personal and commercial banking in the United States since September 2002 as president and CEO of Harris Bankcorp Inc. Previously, Techar was based in Toronto where he held the position of executive vp and head of small business banking, personal and commercial banking canada.

Commenting on Techar’s appointment, Tony Comper, president and CEO, BMO Financial Group, said, “I am confident that Frank will do an outstanding job in this new role. In his four years at Harris, his strong leadership capabilities have ensured our continued success in this highly competitive marketplace. Through acquisitions and organic growth, Frank has taken our Harris network in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana to 200 branches. He has also focused on differentiating our customer experience and has undertaken numerous strategies that have positioned this business very well for future growth and success.”

Comper noted that, under Techar’s leadership, annualized revenue and net income for Chicagoland Banking (in US$) have grown by approximately 12% and 20% over the last three fiscal years.

In his new role, Techar will be responsible for a business that serves more than 7.5 million customers through almost 1,000 BMO Bank of Montreal branches, telephone and online banking, and a network of almost 2,000 automated banking machines.

Techar will continue to report to Bill Downe, chief operating officer, BMO Financial Group. He will also continue to serve on BMO’s management board executive committee.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in Canada to achieve a differentiated position in the marketplace which I know we are capable of,” Techar said.

A native of Minnesota, Techar began his 21-year career with BMO in the corporate banking division, and spent 12 years in various positions in Denver and Houston. He went on to gain international leadership experience as senior vp and general manager of BMO Financial Group’s offices in London, England.

He earned a Bachelor of Science and Engineering degree from Princeton University in 1978 and an MBA from the University of Denver in 1983 and is an active member of Chicago’s business and civic community serving on numerous boards and committees.