BANK OF MONTREAL No takers in U.S.

Bank of Montreal says it spent the past year searching for U. S. acquisitions to halt a profit slump at its Chicago- based Harris Bank subsidiary, but none of the big lenders it courted wanted to be bought by Canada’s fifth- largest bank.

“ It’s one thing to want to be an acquirer, but you have to find a willing partner,” CEO Anthony Comper said yesterday. Comper, 60, has earmarked $2 billion for acquisitions. While Bank of Montreal could use the cash to buy back stock or boost its dividend, he said his priority is to increase lending to small- and mediumsized businesses. Bank of Montreal also plans to double the number of Harris Bank branches in the Chicago area to 400 in the next five years.