SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (June 13, 2013) – Comerica Bank today presented a free financial literacy workshop to dozens of local seniors and their family members on avoiding elder abuse scams, senior fraud and identity theft at the historic Ella Austin Community Center.

The educational seminar marked the first event in a series of free, monthly financial literacy workshops that Comerica Bank committed to teach as part of its relationship with Ella Austin and in connection to the recent grant Comerica provided to open a Comerica Bank Community Resource Center at the non-profit. Today’s workshop was led by Denise Owens, Vice President of Comerica’s Financial Intelligence Department, who is a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. 

“Financial exploitation of seniors is a growing problem, and as the largest U.S. bank headquartered in Texas, we want to do anything we can to help educate consumers and families about ways to avoid falling victim to scams, identity theft and fraud,” said Rhonda Calvert, Comerica Bank’s San Antonio Market President. “Beyond today’s seminar, we look forward to continuing to engage the local community through future financial literacy workshops at Ella Austin to give local San Antonio residents access to the tools, training and resources to be more successful with their personal finances.”

Anthony Hargrove, Executive Director of Ella Austin Community Center, added, “Times are tough, especially for our seniors, and it is great to see a company like Comerica Bank deliver on their promise to help our community. I know our area seniors, adults and children will truly benefit from these workshops and the financial literacy resources housed in our new Comerica Community Resource Center.”

Saturday, June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

About Comerica Bank
Comerica Bank is the commercial banking subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), the largest banking company headquartered in Texas, and 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. In addition to Houston, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Kerrville and San Antonio, 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 $64.9 billion at March 31, 2013.  To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow Comerica on Twitter at @ComericaCares and follow Comerica Chief Economist Robert Dye on Twitter at @Comerica_Econ.

About Ella Austin Community Center
Ella Austin Community Center is a neighborhood-based, multi-social service agency that addresses broad areas of human needs. The agency's services include early child development, parenting, youth development, individual and family assistance, senior nutrition, as well as volunteer income tax assistance (VITA). Mission: To facilitate leadership in communities and assist individuals and families throughout San Antonio improve their quality of life.

For more information, visit www.ellaaustin.org.

Media Contacts:

Comerica Bank
Kyle Tarrance
469.396.3555
krtarrance@comerica.com

Ella Austin Community Center:
Paula Monroe
210.363.3583
paula@pammediaconsultants.com