DALLAS, TX, August 19, 2010 -- Comerica Bank Chairman and CEO Ralph W. Babb, Jr. announced today at a press conference held at Dallas City Hall and attended by Mayor Tom Leppert that Comerica Bank would donate $50,000 to “adopt” two Southern Sector library branches - the Polk-Wisdom and North Oak Cliff Library Branches.
The $50,000 charitable contribution, made payable to the non-profit group Friends of the Dallas Public Library, is designated to purchase new materials including books, magazines, children’s materials, educational films and educational computer software for the two library branches considered to be the most in-need by the organization.
Above and beyond the $50,000 contribution, Comerica also announced it will implement financial literacy programming at its two newly-adopted library branches to help give children and adults the tools they need to become financially successful.
“Comerica Bank is committed to Dallas’ Southern Sector and to the success of our community,” said Ralph W. Babb, chairman and CEO of Comerica Bank. “We are pleased that this donation will help give children and adults access to materials they need to improve their education and have a better chance at achieving success.”
“Comerica Bank is a great example of what can happen when a corporation sees an opportunity to help the community, and seizes it. We need partnerships like this to work together to preserve institutions like the libraries, which mean so much to the people who use the services,” said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. “Now is the time that we need private companies and groups and citizens to step up and help. These are difficult times, but if we pull together as a city, we can keep Dallas vibrant, growing and positioned for success in the future.”
Comerica Bank recently opened the doors to its newest full-service banking center in South Dallas at Fort Worth & Bahama and another banking center at I-20 & Wheatland is scheduled to open this December.
About Comerica Bank
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) 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 and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $55.9 billion at June 30, 2010.
About Friends of the Dallas Public Library
Friends of the Dallas Public Library is a member-supported non-profit organization that provides critical support for the Dallas Public Library system and is actively engaged in advocating the Library’s positions and needs. The sole mission of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library is to support the efforts of the Dallas Public Library to continue providing excellent levels of service to the citizens of Dallas and maintain its pride as perhaps the most beloved civic institution in the City. Because of its independent, tax exempt status, the Friends is able to raise funds – both on a project basis and to increase its dedicated endowment – in a manner beyond the ability of City allocations.
Media Contact:
Wayne Mielke
(214) 462-4463
wjmielke@comerica.com
