SARASOTA, FL -- (Marketwire) -- 02/12/13 -- If you could save thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage AND pay the loan off 10 years sooner, would you be willing to spend just a few hundred dollars more each month on your mortgage payment?*

BMO Harris Bank knows that it is important for a homeowner to choose the right mortgage. With a number of options available, you should tailor your mortgage to your lifestyle, your current financial situation, and your risk tolerance. For those looking to be mortgage free sooner, choosing a mortgage with a 20-year term instead of a 30-year term can save thousands in interest costs over the life of a mortgage without a significant increase in your monthly payment.

Here is an example of how choosing a 20-year fixed rate mortgage instead of a 30-year could save you more than $52,000:

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                                              20-Year Term    30-Year Term
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Mortgage Value                                     $200,000         $200,000
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Mortgage Rate*                                    4 percent        4 percent
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Monthly Principal and Interest Payment Amount        $1,212             $955
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Total Interest Cost                                 $90,871         $143,739
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* The chart above assumes an average interest rate of 4 percent over the life of the mortgage. The rate shown is used for illustrative purposes. Typically, rates are lower for a 20-year term which may save you additional interest costs.

"In addition to the interest savings from the shorter term, a 20-year mortgage rate is currently lower than a longer term; which means you could save additional money," said Dave Maraman, Florida President, BMO Harris Bank. "A 20-year term ensures that homeowners can build equity quicker and pay off their debt faster."

With interest still at historic lows, it's not too late to revisit your financial goals and find a mortgage solution that makes sense for you.

About BMO Harris Bank
Based in Chicago, BMO Harris Bank N.A. provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through over 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, 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. Deposit and loan products and services provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with 1,600 branches, and a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion. Banking deposit and loan products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. and are subject to bank and credit approval. BMO Harris Bank is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 401025