May 8, 2025

Comerica’s Mission to Fuel Houston’s Community and Economic Growth

Houston is a city of growth, resilience and community spirit — values that Comerica Bank has championed since its founding in 1849.

In the greater Houston area, that means providing industry-leading services to local businesses that fuel economic growth and supporting nonprofits that lift up the community. These efforts reflect Comerica’s commitment to be a trusted partner and a force for positive change.

Comerica’s solutions meet business owners at every stage of their journey.

For local entrepreneurs, Comerica’s business banking services offer financial guidance and support, helping to turn visions into successful ventures. Larger organizations, meanwhile, benefit from Comerica’s expertise in commercial banking and cash management — tools essential for managing complex operations and ensuring a strong financial foundation. With a wide range of cash management and liquidity solutions, Comerica customizes its resources to fit the needs of the businesses it serves.

A local manufacturing client shared how Comerica stood out: "We needed a bank with the capabilities of a large institution but the personal touch to understand our business. Comerica built a plan to help us make it happen. They saw what we were trying to do."

To support the manufacturer, Comerica helped implement a streamlined merchant services program, set up lines of credit for working capital and equipment, and added positive pay for ACH and checking.

"The relationship keeps evolving. Comerica gives us the flexibility to say yes when the right opportunity comes along. If it makes financial sense, it’s a thumbs up."

Comerica’s scalable cash management solutions are designed to grow with businesses — no matter the size or stage.

Supporting industries that power the region.

Houston’s economy continues to exhibit resilience and growth for many industries. Manufacturing, energy, healthcare, construction, technology, transportation and logistics have all shown promising upward trends in the region.

Houston’s manufacturing sector is diverse, encompassing fabricated metal, machinery, chemical manufacturing, and emerging industries like medical devices and food and beverage production. One element enticing manufacturers to the region is Houston’s access to deepwater ports, international airports, and extensive rail and highway networks that make the location a booming logistics hub. Several large, well-known companies have announced recently of bringing additional manufacturing operations to Houston, including Apple1.

Professional and business services made up over $95 billion of Houston’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 – coming in second to only manufacturing2. Organizations in this space – anything from accounting firms to layers to veterinarian practices - come with a unique set of needs. In service, your greatest resource can be human capital. From digital transformation to non-profit considerations, it’s important to find an experienced financial partner. Its beneficial to find financial experts who are knowledgeable in complex transactions, such as partner buyouts, acquisitions, startups and expansions.

Houston remains a global hub for the energy sector. New electricity demands driven by the AI boom have provided new opportunities for new projects. At Comerica, we specialize in upstream and midstream operations. Common financing strategies that support these operations include reserve-based lending (RBL), project financing, term loans, asset-based lending (ABL), and Mezzanine financing. Comerica’s dedicated Energy Banking team has supported businesses for over 35 years and understands that upstream and midstream operations require specialized financing, along with risk management tools tailored to the industry’s volatility. Our specialized team works alongside in-house petroleum engineers to develop the right strategy for your business.

The technology sector in Houston is on the rise, with increasing demand for roles such as AI/ML engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and cloud architects. Companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise have relocated their headquarters to the area, underscoring Houston’s growing prominence in the industry. In the thriving tech startup scene, Comerica provides venture debt financing and cash management solutions designed for rapid growth and evolving financial needs. Our lifecycle lending model ensures you work with the same team from IPO to maturity.

Industries such as healthcare and construction are growing in proportion to Houston’s rising population. The Houston metropolitan area had a total population of over 7.5 million in July 2023 and is projected the region could reach 9.6 million in 2040 – averaging a growth rate of 1.5% annually. (Houston – Galveston Area Council)

Full-spectrum support for business owners

Comerica’s Wealth Management services give business owners peace of mind, offering financial planning, investment strategies and tailored succession plans that protect and grow assets while ensuring a lasting legacy.

Every business has a different journey to success. There are milestones, impactful transactions and important decisions your team will need to make. A single decision can change the trajectory of your legacy. For Houston businesses looking for support, the Comerica Securities Investment Banking team can help with mergers and acquisitions – advising on both the buy and sell side, private debt and equity stock placement, as well as other private capital needs.

At some point as a business owner, you might transition from your business. Many business owners do. The question to ask yourself is: What do I want to accomplish in transition? Bob Buchanan, Comerica’s SVP & National Practice Leader for Business Transition Planning explains, “Transitioning from your business does not necessarily mean selling your business. There are a number of transition alternatives available to many business owners, and each has its own benefits and limitations. By fully understanding your goals and objectives and how those objectives affect one another, you will be able to choose the transition path that best suits you.”

Whether preparing for a family transfer, sale or employee ownership, Houston’s entrepreneurs can depend on Comerica for help with a smooth transition, securing the futures they’ve built.

Investing in our local communities

Every year, Houston-based Comerica employees — led by Market President, Jason D. Baker — invest thousands of hours volunteering and supporting community initiatives. “We see our role extending far beyond transactions.” Baker describes Comerica’s approach to building relationships in the region, “True partnership means actively participating in the success of our community. Giving back is how we strengthen local foundations, build trust and ensure the long-term vitality of the region that supports us.” Comerica’s team members are dedicated to helping Houston thrive in every way they can.

One standout initiative is Comerica’s annual Shred Day, a day dedicated to community security and sustainability. Partnering with Iron Mountain, this event provides Houstonians with a safe, eco-friendly way to dispose of sensitive documents, protecting them from identity theft — a growing concern in today’s digital world.

Beyond privacy protection, Shred Day has become a powerful fundraising and awareness opportunity for the Houston Food Bank. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and Comerica’s contributions, since its inception, Shred Day has raised over $144,000 and collected over 57,700 pounds of food, providing essential meals to Houstonians facing food insecurity.

For Comerica, Shred Day is about more than document disposal; it’s about coming together to meet the needs of the community.

This same spirit of partnership extends to Houston’s local business owners, who are vital to the city’s economic heartbeat. Comerica is proud to be the Leading Bank for Business*, a title earned through decades of personalized service that empowers businesses of all sizes to grow, innovate and prosper.

From supporting nonprofits to empowering local businesses, Comerica Bank is committed to strengthening Houston from the ground up. As the trusted banking partner for entrepreneurs, large enterprises and community members alike, Comerica is dedicated to helping Houston reach new heights.

1Diamond, J. (2025, Feb)., Apple’s new manufacturing facility will bring thousands of jobs to Houston, Fuel AI boom. The Houston Chronicle. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/apple-houston-ai-server-manufacturing-20183749.php

2Souce: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data

*Comerica ranks first nationally among U.S. bank holding companies with greater than $70B in assets, based on commercial and industrial loans outstanding as a percentage of assets, as of December 31, 2024. Data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Securities and Investment Products:

 Not FDIC Insured   No Financial Institution Guarantee   May Lose Value 

Securities products and services are offered through Comerica Securities, Inc., which is a broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC and subsidiary of Comerica Bank. Securities products are not insured by the FDIC or any government agency; are not deposits or other obligations of or guaranteed by Comerica Bank or any of its affiliates; and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested.

Comerica Securities, Inc. and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your specific situation.