PHOENIX, May 13 /ASBA (the Arizona Small Business Association) CEO Joan Koerber-Walker announced today that ASBA and Comerica Bank have joined forces to shine a spotlight on Arizona-based, second-stage companies that are generating new jobs and sustaining business growth. The multi-year marketing agreement includes community outreach, educational opportunities and a recognition event in November to celebrate the entrepreneurial success of this growing and vibrant business sector.

The event, the "2008 Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch" will be held the evening of Nov. 11, 2008 at the Phoenix Convention Center.

ASBA is now accepting nominations for 2008 honorees. To qualify, companies must be privately-owned "second stage" companies. Second-stage companies employ between 10 - 100 employees with $1M to $100M in revenues, while creating jobs and growing sales through innovative products, services and practices.

Nominations for the 2008 Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch opened April 23 and will continue to be accepted through the end of May. From these nominations, 50 companies will be selected for recognition. Qualifying companies can be nominated by members of the business community or may self-nominate via the ASBA website at www.asba.com.

Comerica Bank will participate in the judging and selection process along with a blue-ribbon panel that includes executives from APS (Arizona Public Service) AAAME program, ASBA, Jobing.com, Compass Insurance, Lavidge, Republic Media, SCF Arizona, Telephere, the SBDC Network, and the Edward Lowe Foundation.

"ASBA, to be joined by Comerica Bank beginning this week, is out to local communities and media outlets across the state to help seek out these dynamic companies to participate in the nomination and application process," said Koerber-Walker.

Following the Nov. 11 celebration, the 50 companies selected as 2008 Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch join with 100 past winners from 2006 and 2007 in the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch Alliance, which will support companies on their growth path.

The partnership was announced today, May 13, 2008, at a special joint reception hosted at Comerica Bank's Arizona headquarters in the Phelps Dodge Building (Phoenix) and was attended by companies that won the award in 2006 and 2007, members of the blue ribbon judging panel, and members of the local economic development community.

"Comerica was the perfect choice for ASBA to partner with," said Koerber-Walker. "They bring a strong commitment to our community and over 150 years of experience in supporting growing companies in the small- and middle-market range. ASBA's mission is to support the growth of Arizona companies and through them the Arizona economy. The values of our two organizations were perfectly aligned. "In addition, Comerica's operations in growth markets around the country and in Canada and Mexico can be a great resource to the members of the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch Alliance as they continue to grow," she said.

"This new agreement represents a great opportunity for us to not only recognize but also provide resources for entrepreneurs and growing companies in Arizona, one of the fastest-growing economies in the U.S.," said Meredith Russell, president of Comerica Bank in Arizona. "Second-stage entrepreneurs are very important in this region, generating jobs and sustaining economic growth. Working with ASBA, we have a chance to recognize these companies' impact, and to help build a self-help network."

"This marketing agreement builds relationships while building our brand in an important new market for Comerica Bank," said David Szafranski, vice president of marketing for Comerica Bank in Arizona. "Equally important, the program with the ASBA directly benefits a key group of customers in Arizona -- small businesses."

About Comerica Bank in Arizona:
Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada, China and Mexico. In Arizona, Comerica has grown from one office in 2004 to nine locations, with plans to add another 10 by the end of 2009. Comerica Inc. reported total assets of $67 billion at March 31, 2008. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://www.comerica.com/newsalerts

About ASBA: Since 1973, ASBA (Arizona Small Business Association) has provided the connectivity, information and resources businesses need to grow. ASBA serves over 3,000 businesses, statewide and through them more than 200,000 employees. ASBA's mission is to grow Arizona businesses and thorough them, Arizona's economy. ASBA has ranked as the number one Professional Association by The Business Journal's Book of Lists from 2004-2008. At only $125 dollars per company, per year, get what you need to connect and grow, statewide. Arizona businesses join ASBA for valuable benefit programs, such as affordable healthcare, workers' compensation insurance, events, networking, educational workshops, online training, workforce solutions and seminars. Together through ASBA, small business has a strong voice in the media, at the Capitol and across Arizona communities.

About Edward Lowe Foundation: a private, not-for-profit operating foundation whose mission is to "champion the entrepreneurial spirit." The foundation believes growing second-stage companies deserve significant recognition. Headquartered in Cassopolis, Michigan, the foundation works with entrepreneur -- support organizations nationwide to encourage peer learning among second-stage business owners. For more information, visit www.edwardlowe.org.

CONTACT: Barry Holtzclaw, VP, Corporate Communications, Western Market, Comerica Bank, +1-408-556-5111, or Cell, +1-831-246-0648; or Joan Koerber-Walker, ASBA CEO, Arizona Small Business Association, +1-602-265-4563 or Cell, +1-480-332-9636/