DETROIT/July 27, 2011 – As part of its commitment to Michigan, Comerica Bank today announced a statewide Back to School campaign aimed at providing students with the tools they need to succeed this school year.

In partnership with Operation: Kid Equip, a Michigan nonprofit organization, Comerica will host a “Tools for Schools” supply drive from Aug. 1 to 19. The bank will collect donations of new school supplies for students in need at its 197 traditional banking centers in Michigan.

“Getting school supplies in the hands of kids who need them most is an important yet often overlooked need,” said Thomas D. Ogden, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. “Every community has families who cannot meet their children’s basic school-day needs. Together with Operation: Kid Equip, we can make a difference by giving those students the tools they need to succeed as they head back to school this fall.”

All new school supplies including pens, pencils, markers, crayons, notebooks, erasers, and backpacks can be donated. The supplies will be delivered to deserving schools in the communities Comerica serves.

“Kids can’t write without a pencil or color without a crayon,” said Menachem Kniespeck, founder & CEO of Operation: Kid Equip. “We’re happy Comerica has joined in our effort to address this important need in our communities."

For more information including a list of suggested donation items and Comerica banking center locations visit www.comerica.com/toolsforschools. Contributions to Operation: Kid Equip can also be made online at www.operationkidequip.org.

Backpackpalooza Detroit Aug. 27
In addition to the Tools for Schools supply drive, Comerica is sponsoring a Backpackpalooza Detroit event on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its new Michigan headquarters, Comerica Bank Center, 411 W. Lafayette in Detroit.

Together with Operation: Kid Equip, Comerica Cares volunteers will distribute free backpacks to the first 1,000 students who attend. The backpacks will include school supplies including pencils, crayons, paper, glue, scissors, new books, hygiene items and a Comerica piggy bank.

Parents are required to provide proof of need such as a food assistance program card, Medicaid card or free/reduced lunch letter. The backpacks are limited to one per student and will be distributed only to children who are present at the event.

Comerica Bank, with 217 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Comerica is making a $17 million investment in Detroit with the renovation of its building at 411 W. Lafayette, which will be renamed Comerica Bank Center and become the bank’s Michigan Market headquarters in 2012. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://www.comerica.com/newsalerts

Media Contacts:
Kathy Pitton
Comerica Bank
(313) 584-4523
kapitton@comerica.com

Angela Hernandez
Franco Public Relations Group
(313) 567-5008
hernandez@franco.com