PHOENIX, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comerica Bank, one of the top 20 banking companies in the U.S. for small business loans, announced it has opened a full-service Small Business Banking office in downtown Phoenix to serve Arizona small businesses.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010807/CMALOGO )

The announcement today by Arizona regional president Meredith Russell comes less than two months after Comerica Bank announced a multi-year expansion in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The bank has promoted veteran Arizona banker Rick Danford to regional small business banking manager, and he has hired two bankers specializing in small business banking to staff the new small business lending office, located at 1 North Central, 10th floor.

"Small businesses are a leading source for jobs and economic growth here in Arizona and across the U.S.," said Russell, Arizona regional president for the Detroit-based bank.

"We are now ready to bring Comerica Bank's reputation and years of experience as a leading provider of a full range of banking services for small businesses -- in business loans, SBA loans, retail banking, private banking, treasury management and financial services -- to Arizona's small business owners," said Russell.

Comerica Bank's SBA Lending has for several years offered Small Business Administration loan services to Arizona customers through its SBA Lending Group. This week, the bank announced it had won designation as a national Small Business Administration Preferred Lender.

The bank also has opened a Wealth & Institutional Management office in Phoenix, specifically aimed at providing private banking and wealth management services for business owners.

These banking services complete a full array of banking services for small business owners in Phoenix.

New Comerica banking centers were opened in Mesa, north Phoenix and Scottsdale in late 2005 and early 2006, with more new offices planned in 2006 and beyond. The Arizona operations are part of Comerica's Western Market, which has a total of 62 banking centers -- four in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa area -- and reported $15.7 billion in assets at Dec. 31. 2005.

Among the offers at the new Comerica Bank retail banking centers are free business checking accounts for businesses.

Comerica Bank is a recognized leader in small business banking.

* This week, the Export-Import Bank of the United States announced that Comerica Bank will receive the 2006 Small Business Bank of the Year Award on April 6.

* Comerica Bank ranks among the top 20 banking companies in small business loans, by total loan volume.

  *  The bank is the eighth largest SBA 7 (a) lender in the U.S.
  *  Comerica Bank is one of 12 national Preferred SBA Lenders.

* In 2005, Comerica bank received five awards for excellence in serving small businesses from Greenwich Associates in the Business Banking Research Program, demonstrating skills and commitment to helping small business owners be successful.

Danford, the manager of the new small business banking office in Phoenix, is an Arizona State University graduate with 28 years' experience in the financial services industry in Arizona. The two new bankers in his office are vice presidents David Rosol and Mary Holman.

About Comerica Bank

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Detroit, strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica's approximately 10,800 employees focus on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. Comerica Bank locations can be found in Michigan, California, Texas, Arizona and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $53.0 billion at December 31, 2005. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://www.comerica.com/newsalerts . For more information, go to http://www.comerica.com/ .

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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Comerica Bank

CONTACT: Barry Holtzclaw of Comerica Bank, +1-408-554-5111,
+1-408-315-6554, bholtzclaw@comerica.com

Web site: http://www.comerica.com/