AUSTIN, Texas, August 6, 2020 - The Texas Bankers Foundation recognized Comerica Bank with a Leaders in Financial Education (LiFE) Award for its partnership with the EMPOWER Series, Inc., a nonprofit organization offering free monthly financial education and self-development coaching and counseling workshops for low- and moderate-income students and adults in South Dallas and Southeastern Houston. The LiFE Award acknowledges and honors Texas banks that are dedicated leaders in promoting financial education in their communities.
“Comerica Bank remains committed to providing the skills and knowledge needed to help under-resourced communities navigate the increasingly, complex financial world through our strategic partnerships,” said Vanessa T. Reed, Comerica Bank Regional External Affairs Manager. “The EMPOWER Series has allowed us to broaden our reach and transform lives through our collaborative initiative. We are humbled to be acknowledged by our peers in the Texas banking industry as we work to increase access to financial education resources in the communities we serve.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts addressed a financial education or an empowerment theme in-person each month at the Dallas Public Library’s Highland Hills Branch. The EMPOWER series workshop topics range from improving money management decisions, understating credit reports, preparing for home ownership to goal-setting, buying life insurance and creating an estate plan. The program aims to help people become better stewards of their resources – ideas, time, relationships and money.
“The personal relationships formed through our mutual promise to empower and raise the expectations of everyone who experiences the EMPOWER Series, represent our foundation and allows us to improve countless lives,” Clifton Johnson, EMPOWER Series, Inc. Founder and Executive Director said. “We are honored to be a community partner of a relationship-focused bank.”
In the spring of 2019, Comerica Bank and the EMPOWER Series launched a Greater Houston area edition in partnership with the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL).
“We are extremely grateful for the integral role HAUL has played in bringing the Empower Series to our Houston Market,” Reed said. “From hosting our workshops at the Palm Business and Technology Center to publicizing our events to the community and much more, HAUL is helping us provide much-needed financial education resources to underserved and under-resourced Houstonians.“
Last fall, the EMPOWER Series added a podcast to its portfolio.
More than 70 percent of attendees and viewers report having improved and/or changed their financial attitude, knowledge, skills, and self-confidence after attending the EMPOWER Series workshops.
Last week, the EMPOWER Series received a $60,000 grant from Comerica, which will assist in pivoting to a virtual series this fall.
For more information on the EMPOWER Series, visit www.empowerseries.com.
About Comerica Bank
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth 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 $84 billion at June 30, 2020 and celebrated its 170th anniversary in August 2019.
About EMPOWER Series, Inc.
EMPOWER Series, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that envisions a world where everyone is thriving – progressively realizing a worthy ideal. Its mission is to positively impact the world by inspiring people to thrive in every area of their lives. Each event held provides hope, inspiration, education, and connections to resources to help people achieve their financial and personal goals. EMPOWER Series’ services include financial coaching and counseling, along with financial literacy and self-development in-person and online training for low- to moderate-income students and adults. For more information about EMPOWER Series, visit www.empowerseries.com.
