
A BMO Harris ATM is shown.
BMO Harris has launched a new program to help black and Hispanic-owned small businesses in Illinois and Lake and Porter counties in Northwest Indiana.
"The program is designed to increase small businesses' access to capital through customized lending criteria and offers, educational resources, coaching and networking," BMO Harris Corporate Communications Manager Kathleen Szot said. "It’s part of a $5 billion commitment over five years to support inclusive economic opportunities that we announced in November."
The program offers education, webinars, podcasts, coaching and practical tools on how to grow one's business, such as tips on how to increase sales and recession-proof a company.
BMO Harris also is offering better access to capital, including improved access to funding, a revolving line of credit, and a 0.25% rate discount with automatic payments on a BMO Harris business checking account.
BMO Harris also is partnering with community nonprofits to help provide black and Hispanic-owned small businesses alternative sources and access to networks.
"The barriers that disproportionately affect minorities — and in particular, black and Latinx communities — have only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic," said David Casper, U.S. CEO of BMO Financial Group. "The bold commitments outlined in this pledge are designed to help tackle barriers to inclusion in the financial services industry and create more opportunity for our clients, communities and colleagues to succeed in business and in life."
For more information, visit bmoharris.com/blackandlatinx.
How much do Northwest Indiana CEOs make?
NiSource CEO Joseph Hamrock

NiSource CEO Joseph Hamrock
Total compensation for 2019: $6,628,690
Salary: $1,000,000
Value of stock awards: $4,828,893
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $720,000
All other compensation: $79,797
Times higher than median pay of NiSource employees: 60
ArcelorMittal CEO Lakshmi Mittal

ArcelorMittal CEO Lakshmi Mittal
Total compensation for 2019: $6.15 million
Base salary in 2019: $1,569,000
Short-term incentives: $3,198,000
Long-term incentives: $1,339,000
Other benefits: $47,000
Lear Corp. CEO Ray Scott

Lear Corp. CEO Ray Scott
Total: compensation for 2019: $13,718,257
Salary: $1,200,000
Value of stock awards: $10,596,388
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $1,098,000
Change in pension value and deferred compensation earnings: $381,416
All other compensation: $442,453
Times more than the median Lear employee: 1,349
U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt

Total compensation for 2019: $13,318,357
Salary: $1,150,000
Value of stock awards: $8,000,006
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $3,618,720
All other compensation: $549,631
Times more than the median employee at U.S. Steel: 185
Horizon Bank CEO Craig Dwight

Horizon Bank CEO Craig Dwight
Total compensation: $1,238,256
Salary: $558,900
Value of stock awards: $200,000
Value of option awards: $50,000
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $363,285
All other compensation: $66,071
Times higher than the median Horizon Bank employee: 31
1st Source CEO Christopher Murphy

1st Source CEO Christopher Murphy
Total compensation for 2019: $1,769,152
Salary: $770,942
Value of stock awards: $235,258
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $636,109
All other compensation: $126,843
Times higher than the median 1st Source employee: 34
First Merchants CEO Michael Rechin

First Merchants CEO Michael Rechin
Total compensation for 2019: $1,702,540
Salary: $565,120
Value of stock awards: $566,250
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $322,119
All other compensation: $249,051
Times higher than median employee at First Merchants: 39
Peoples Bank CEO Ben Bochnowski

Peoples Bank CEO Ben Bochnowski: $482,632
Salary: $275,671
Stock awards: $44,827
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $89,654
All other compensation: $72,480
Ford CEO James Hackett

Ford CEO James Hackett
Total compensation for 2019: $17,355,506
Salary: $1,800,000
Value of stock awards: $13,188,269
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $1,749,600
All other compensation: $617,637
Times more than the median employee at Ford: 157
BP CEO Bernard Looney

BP CEO Bernard Looney
Base salary: $1.7 million in 2020
Total compensation: N/A, started as CEO in February
Sources: AFL-CIO Executive Paywatch, ArcelorMittal and BP remuneration reports, SEC filings
Compiled by Times Staff Writer Joseph S. Pete