LaSalle purchased the full rights/ownership to the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon – vs. taking a sponsorship position - as part of an integrated strategy to differentiate its products and services through its linkage with the Marathon in a July thru October 2005 promotion. With entries capped at 40,000 runners – a total of $3.6 Million in entry fees were collected to underwrite and promote the event -- with $650,000 used for prize money to attract elite runners (the largest prize purse in world-wide marathoning) - and produce at truly top-tier world-class event.

Through its 2005 Marathon efforts, each of LaSalle’s results exceeded program goals: 1. LaSalle grew to become recognized as the Midwest’s leading bank with awareness levels of 92% (vs. a goal of 80%) and its share of market increased by 8% (vs. a goal of 5%).2.It grew its database and core banking business +20% vs. objective. 3. It secured eleven co-marketing partners (vs. a goal of ten), and 5. LaSalle secured incremental city and state business at a rate 21% above plan.