A header plate for a heat exchanger includes a first side flange, a second side flange spaced apart from and opposing the first flange, and a generally planar surface located between and connecting the first and second flanges. The generally planar surface and the first and second side flanges together at least partially define an internal volume of the heat exchanger. The header plate also includes a bead formed into the generally planar surface to locally deform the surface in a direction away from the internal volume, the bead extending to and blending into the first side flange. The header plate also includes a tube receiving opening extending through the generally planar surface into the internal volume, the tube receiving opening extending through the bead.