CMA Comerica Inc

PROXY STATEMENT

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 2019 Financial and Operating Performance

 

 

 

1	Noninterest expenses as a percentage of net interest income & noninterest income excluding net gains (losses) from securities & a derivative contract tied to the conversion rate of Visa Class B shares

 

2	Return on average common shareholders’ equity

 

3	Average common shareholders’ equity per share

2019 Relative Performance Snapshot

 

 

1	Source for Peer Average: S&P Global Market Intelligence; 2019 peer group used also includes Truist Financial

 

2	Average common shareholders’ equity per share

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COMERICA INCORPORATED

See the “Questions and Answers” section of the proxy statement for a discussion of the difference between a shareholder of record and a street name holder.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and whether you own a few or many shares of stock, the Board of Directors urges you to vote promptly. Registered holders may vote through the Internet, by telephone or, if you request a copy of a printed proxy card, by completing, dating, signing and returning the proxy card so that your shares may be represented at the Annual Meeting. “Street name” holders must vote their shares in the manner prescribed by their brokerage firm, bank or other nominee. You will find instructions for voting in the “Questions and Answers” section of the proxy statement.

March 17, 2020

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Comerica Incorporated

Comerica Bank Tower

1717 Main Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

2020 PROXY STATEMENT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is a proxy?

A proxy is your authorization for someone else to vote for you in the way that you want to vote. When you complete and submit a proxy card or use the automated telephone voting system or the Internet voting system, you are submitting a proxy. The Board of Directors of Comerica Incorporated (“Comerica,” the “Company” or “we”) is soliciting this proxy. All references in this proxy statement to “you” will mean you, the shareholder, and to “yours” will mean the shareholder’s or shareholders’, as appropriate.

What is a proxy statement?

A proxy statement is a document the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requires to explain the matters on which you are asked to vote on by proxy and to disclose certain related information. This proxy statement was first made available to shareholders on or about March 17, 2020.

Why am I receiving a Notice of Internet Availability instead of receiving a full set of proxy materials through the mail?

Under rules adopted by the SEC, we are providing proxy materials to our shareholders primarily via the Internet, instead of mailing printed copies of the proxy statement and annual report. In addition to reducing the amount of paper used in producing these materials, this method lowers the costs associated with mailing the proxy materials to shareholders.

On or about March 17, 2020, we mailed to our shareholders of record (other than those who previously requested electronic delivery) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement and our annual report online. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instructs you on how to electronically access and review all of the important information contained in this proxy statement and the annual report, and it provides you with information on voting.

If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail and would like to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, follow the instructions contained in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials about how you may request to receive your materials in printed form on a one-time or ongoing basis.

How do I sign up for electronic delivery of proxy materials?

You can choose to receive future proxy statements and annual reports electronically by following the prompt that will appear if you vote through the Internet. Shareholders who choose to view future proxy statements and annual reports through the Internet will receive an email with instructions containing the Internet address of these materials, as well as voting instructions, on approximately the same date that materials are first mailed to shareholders.

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If you have not already done so, we ask you to consider signing up to receive these materials electronically in the future by following the instructions when you vote your shares over the Internet. Enrolling in future electronic delivery of these materials reduces Comerica’s printing and mailing expenses and environmental impact.

If you elect to view proxy materials electronically, you enrollment will remain in effect for all shareholder meetings until you cancel it. To cancel, registered shareholders should follow the instructions contained in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials about how you may request to receive your materials in printed form on a one-time or ongoing basis.

Who can vote?

Only record holders of Comerica common stock, par value $5.00 per share (“Comerica Common Stock”) at the close of business on February 28, 2020, the Record Date, can vote at the Annual Meeting. Each shareholder of record has one vote, for each share of Comerica Common Stock owned, on each matter presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.

What is the difference between a shareholder of record and a “street name” holder?

If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares.

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, then the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is considered to be the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. However, you still are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, and your shares are said to be held in “street name.” Street name holders generally cannot vote their shares directly and must instead instruct the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee how to vote their shares. See “How can I vote?” below.

How can I vote?

If you are a shareholder of record as of the Record Date (as opposed to a street name holder), you will be able to vote in four ways: in person, by proxy card, by telephone, or by the Internet. On or about March 17, 2020, we mailed to our shareholders of record (other than those who previously requested electronic delivery) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials and how to submit their proxy via the Internet. Generally, shareholders of record will need information on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or the proxy card to vote. If you previously enrolled in a program to receive electronic versions of Comerica’s annual report and proxy statement instead of receiving printed versions, you will receive an email notice that will provide you with the information you will need to access the proxy materials and vote.

To vote in person, you will need to attend the Annual Meeting to cast your vote. To vote by proxy card, you must request a proxy card from Computershare, Comerica’s transfer agent, using the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, and complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the return envelope provided with your proxy card. To vote by using the automated telephone voting system or the Internet voting system, the instructions for shareholders of record are as follows:

TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-652-VOTE (8683)

(OR)

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TO VOTE BY THE INTERNET: www.envisionreports.com/CMA, or scan the QR code on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card

If you submit a proxy to Comerica before the Annual Meeting, whether by proxy card, by telephone or by Internet, the persons named as proxies will vote your shares as you direct. If no instructions are specified, the proxy will be voted for the eleven directors nominated by the Board of Directors; for the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; and for the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve executive compensation. No other matters are currently scheduled to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

You may revoke a proxy at any time before the proxy is exercised by:

If you hold your shares in “street name,” you must vote your shares in the manner prescribed by your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee. Your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee should have enclosed or otherwise provided a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares. If you hold your shares in street name and you want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker and present it at the Annual Meeting.

What is a quorum?

There were 140,343,540 shares of Comerica Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares, 70,171,771 shares, present or represented by proxy at the meeting, constitutes a quorum. A quorum must exist to conduct business at the Annual Meeting.

What vote is required?

Directors:             If a quorum exists, the nominees for director receiving a majority of the votes cast (i.e., the number of shares voted “for” a director nominee exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that nominee) will be elected as directors. Votes cast will include only votes cast with respect to shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote and will exclude abstentions. Therefore, shares not present at the meeting, broker non-votes (described below) and shares voting “abstain” have no effect on the

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election of directors. If the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting. If a director does not receive the vote of the majority of the votes cast and no successor has been elected at such meeting, the director will promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board. After taking into account a recommendation by the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee and excluding the nominee in question, the Board of Directors will decide and publicly disclose its determination about whether to accept the resignation within 90 days of the certification of the voting results.

Other Proposals:             If a quorum exists, the proposals: (i) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm and (ii) to approve a non-binding, advisory proposal to approve executive compensation must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal in question. Therefore, abstentions will have the same effect as voting against the applicable proposal. For the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve executive compensation, broker non-votes will not be counted as eligible to vote on the applicable proposal and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the voting on that proposal.

If you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote under the rules of the stock exchange or other organization of which it is a member. In this situation, a “broker non-vote” occurs.

An independent third party, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., will act as the inspector of the Annual Meeting and the tabulator of votes.

Who pays for the costs of the Annual Meeting?

Comerica pays the cost of preparing and printing the proxy statement and soliciting proxies. Comerica will solicit proxies primarily by mail, but may also solicit proxies personally and by telephone, the Internet, facsimile or other means. Comerica will use the services of Innisfree M&A Incorporated, a proxy solicitation firm, at a cost of $15,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses and fees for any special services. Officers and regular employees of Comerica and its subsidiaries may also solicit proxies, but they will not receive additional compensation for soliciting proxies. Comerica also will reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of Comerica Common Stock.

When are shareholder proposals for the 2021 Annual Meeting due?

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement, shareholder proposals must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as well as Comerica’s bylaws, and must be submitted in writing to the Corporate Secretary, Comerica Incorporated, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, MC 6404, Dallas, Texas 75201, and received by November 17, 2020.

Comerica’s bylaws also establish an advance notice procedure with regard to shareholder proposals that are not submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement, but that a shareholder instead wishes to present directly at an Annual Meeting of Comerica’s shareholders. For the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, notice must be received by Comerica’s Corporate Secretary no later than the close of business on January 28, 2021 and no earlier than the close of business on December 29, 2020. If, however, Comerica moves the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the date which is the one-year anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting date (i.e., April 28, 2021), Comerica’s Corporate Secretary must receive your notice no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the new Annual Meeting date and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the new Annual Meeting date or the 10th day following the day on which Comerica first made a public announcement of the new Annual Meeting date.

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Comerica’s bylaws contain additional requirements for shareholder proposals. A copy of Comerica’s bylaws can be obtained by making a written request to the Corporate Secretary.

How can shareholders nominate persons for election as directors at the 2021 Annual Meeting?

All shareholder nominations of persons for election as directors at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must comply with applicable laws and regulations, as well as Comerica’s bylaws, and must be submitted in writing to the Corporate Secretary, Comerica Incorporated, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, MC 6404, Dallas, Texas 75201.

Under Comerica’s bylaws, shareholders of Comerica must provide advance notice to Comerica’s Corporate Secretary if they wish to nominate persons for election as directors at an Annual Meeting of Comerica’s Shareholders. For the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, written notice must be received by Comerica’s Corporate Secretary no later than the close of business on January 28, 2021 and no earlier than the close of business on December 29, 2020.

If, however, Comerica moves the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the date that is the one-year anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting date (i.e., April 28, 2021), or if a special meeting of shareholders is called for the purpose of electing directors, Comerica’s Corporate Secretary must receive your notice no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the meeting date and no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the meeting date or the 10th day following the day on which Comerica first made a public announcement of the meeting date (and, in the case of a special meeting, of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting).

If Comerica increases the number of directors to be elected to the Board at the Annual Meeting and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the immediately preceding year’s Annual Meeting, then Comerica will consider your notice timely (but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase) if Comerica’s Corporate Secretary receives your notice no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which Comerica first makes the public announcement of the increase in the number of directors.

In addition, Article III, Section 12 of the bylaws requires a nominee for election or re-election as a director of Comerica to complete and deliver to the Corporate Secretary (in accordance with the time periods described above, in the case of director nominations by shareholders) a written questionnaire prepared by Comerica with respect to the background and qualification of the person and, if applicable, the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made.

A nominee also must make certain representations and agree that he or she (A) will abide by the requirements of Article III, Section 13 of the bylaws (concerning, among other things, the required tendering of a resignation by a director who does not receive a majority of votes cast in an uncontested election), (B) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how, if elected as a director of Comerica, he or she will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to Comerica or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with his or her ability to comply, if elected as a director of Comerica, with his or her fiduciary duties under applicable law, (C) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than Comerica with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed, and (D) in his or her individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of Comerica, and would comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of Comerica.

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You may receive a copy of Comerica’s bylaws specifying the advance notice and additional requirements for shareholder nominations by making a written request to the Corporate Secretary.

Does Comerica have a Code of Ethics?

Yes, Comerica has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, which applies to employees and agents of Comerica and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors. Comerica also has a Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors and the Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics are available on Comerica’s website at www.comerica.com. Copies of such codes can also be obtained in print by making a written request to the Corporate Secretary.

A copy of Comerica’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may be obtained without charge upon written request to the Corporate Secretary, Comerica Incorporated, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, MC 6404, Dallas, Texas 75201.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting To Be Held on April 28, 2020.

The proxy statement and annual report to security holders are available at www.envisionreports.com/CMA.

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PROPOSAL I SUBMITTED FOR YOUR VOTE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR”

the candidates for director.

Election of Directors. Comerica’s Board of Directors currently has eleven members, and directors are elected annually for terms of one year. Based on the recommendation of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee, the Board has nominated all of Comerica’s current directors to serve another term or until their successors are elected and qualified.

The Board has chosen to nominate Comerica’s current directors based on their unique expertise, experiences, perspectives and leadership skills.

Our nominees include individuals who:

The current directors are the only nominees, and each of them has been previously elected by the shareholders. Each of the nominees has consented to his or her nomination and has agreed to serve as a director of Comerica, if elected. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of people than the number of nominees named.

If any director is unable to stand for re-election, Comerica may vote the shares to elect any substitute nominees recommended by the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee, and it is intended that such shares represented by proxy, if given and unless otherwise specified therein, will be voted FOR the remaining nominees and substitute nominee or nominees so designated. If any such substitute nominees are so designated, Comerica would expect to provide supplemental proxy materials that, as applicable, identify the substitute nominees, disclose that such nominees have consented to being named in Comerica’s proxy materials and to serve if elected, and include biographical and other information about such nominees to the extent required by the rules of the SEC. If the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee does not recommend any substitute nominees, the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting may be reduced by the number of nominees who are unable to serve.

Further information regarding the Board and the nominees begins directly below.

COMERICA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE DIRECTOR CANDIDATES LISTED BELOW.

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INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES

The following section provides information as of March 17, 2020 about each nominee for election as a director.

The information provided includes the age of each nominee or incumbent director; the nominee’s or incumbent director’s principal occupation, employment and business experience during the past five years, including employment with Comerica and Comerica Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comerica, as well as other professional experience; other public company or registered investment company directorships during the past five years; and the year in which the nominee or incumbent director became a director of Comerica.

		Michael E. Collins				Director since 2016
		Mr. Collins, 68, has served as the Chair and Senior Counselor of Blake Collins Group, a public relations and communications firm, since July 2013. He was an advisor to The Bancorp, Inc., a financial services institution, from July 2013 to November 2016. He also served as a consultant to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, a bank regulator, from November 2014 to March 2015 and as Executive Vice President and Lending Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, a bank regulator, from June 2009 to June 2011, where he worked in various capacities beginning in 1974. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of TD Bank USA, a financial services institution, from March 2013 to July 2013 and Executive Vice President of TD Bank Group, a group of affiliated financial services entities, where he managed audit, legal, compliance, anti-money laundering, regulatory, loan review and government affairs functions from November 2011 to July 2013. He also was Executive Vice President of TD Bank Group and Strategic Advisor to TD Bank USA from September 2011 to October 2011. He was a director of Higher One Holdings, Inc. from April 2015 to August 2016.   As a former banking and finance executive with nearly 40 years of regulatory experience, including service with the Federal Reserve Banks of Cleveland and Philadelphia, Mr. Collins brings to the Board a number of key skills, including a strong background in risk management and relevant business management experience, as well as a deep understanding of the financial services industry, including bank regulation. As the Chair of our Enterprise Risk Committee, his experience in identifying, assessing, and managing risk exposures of large, complex financial firms allows Mr. Collins to provide invaluable insight to Comerica.

		Roger A. Cregg				Director since 2006
		Mr. Cregg, 63, was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of AV Homes, Inc., a developer and homebuilder in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina, from December 2012 to October 2018. From August 2011 through November 2012, he served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of The ServiceMaster Company, a residential and commercial service company. He served as Executive Vice President of PulteGroup, Inc. (formerly known as Pulte Homes, Inc.), a national homebuilding company, from May 2003 to May 2011 and Chief Financial Officer of PulteGroup, Inc. from January 1998 to May 2011. He served as Senior Vice President of PulteGroup, Inc. from January 1998 to May 2003. He was a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Detroit Branch, from January 2004 to December 2009 and served as Chair from January to December 2006. He has been a director of Sterling Construction Company, Inc. since May 8, 2019.   As the former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of public companies, Mr. Cregg has demonstrated leadership capability and extensive knowledge of complex financial and operational issues.

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		T. Kevin DeNicola				Director since 2006
		Mr. DeNicola, 65, served as Chief Financial Officer of KIOR, Inc., a biofuels company, from November 2009 to January 2011. He was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KBR, Inc., a global engineering, construction and services company, from June 2008 until October 2009. From June 2002 to January 2008, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lyondell Chemical Company, a global manufacturer of basic chemicals. Mr. DeNicola also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Equistar Chemicals, LP and Millennium Chemicals Inc., both subsidiaries of Lyondell Chemical Company, from June 2002 to January 2008. In January 2009, Lyondell Chemical Company and certain of its subsidiaries, including Equistar Chemicals, LP and Millennium Chemicals Inc., filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Lyondell emerged from bankruptcy in April 2010. He was also a director of Axiall Corporation (formerly Georgia Gulf Corporation) from September 2009 to August 2016. He is a licensed CPA.   Mr. DeNicola is an experienced financial leader with the skills necessary to lead our Audit Committee. His service as Chief Financial Officer of public companies makes him a valuable asset, both on our Board of Directors and as the Chair of our Audit Committee. Mr. DeNicola’s positions have provided him with a wealth of knowledge in dealing with financial and accounting matters. The depth and breadth of his exposure to complex financial issues make him a skilled advisor.

 

		Curtis C. Farmer				Director since 2018
		Mr. Farmer, 57, has been Chairman (since January 2020); Chief Executive Officer (since April 2019); President (since April 2015); Vice Chairman (April 2011 to April 2015) and Executive Vice President (October 2008 to April 2011) of Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank. Prior to joining Comerica, Mr. Farmer served as Executive Vice President and Wealth Management Director of Wachovia Corporation from October 2005 to October 2008. During his 23 years of service to Wachovia, he held a variety of positions of increasing scope and responsibility.   Mr. Farmer is an experienced financial services executive who has been nominated to serve on the Board because of his extensive skills and institutional knowledge in the areas of business and consumer banking. As Chairman, President and CEO of Comerica, he has a deep understanding of all aspects of Comerica’s core businesses and markets, and has also supervised Comerica’s credit, marketing, enterprise technology and operations functions. Mr. Farmer successfully executed GEAR Up initiatives to drive market share, increase non-interest income and improve operational efficiencies, for instance, the End-to-End Credit Redesign, which involved enhancing consistency across divisions, expanding revenue through key contracts and alliances, and improved risk management oversight. He also has broad experience in wealth management and leadership through his long tenure at Wachovia Corporation.

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		Jacqueline P. Kane				Director since 2008
		Ms. Kane, 67, is retired. She served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, from February 2015 to January 2016, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, from December 2004 to February 2015, Senior Vice President, Human Resources from June 2004 to December 2004, and Vice President, Human Resources from March 2004 to May 2004 for The Clorox Company, a manufacturer and marketer of consumer products. From March 2003 to January 2004, she was Vice President, Human Resources and Executive Leadership for The Hewlett-Packard Company, a technology company. Prior to her role at The Hewlett-Packard Company, Ms. Kane spent 22 years in human resources in the financial services industry.   As a former senior executive with experience in human resources, including compensation matters, as well as experience in several of our key geographic markets, Ms. Kane has a unique and insightful perspective to offer the Board. As Chair of our Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee, she is able to use her experience and perspectives to offer best practices advice.

 

		Richard G. Lindner				Director since 2008
		Mr. Lindner, 65, is retired. He served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AT&T, Inc. (formerly SBC Communications, Inc.), a telecommunications company, from May 2004 to June 2011. From October 2000 to May 2004, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Cingular Wireless LLC (now AT&T Mobility LLC), a wireless telecommunications company. From October 2002 to March 2007, he served as a director of Sabre Holdings.   As the former Chief Financial Officer of AT&T, Inc., Mr. Lindner has demonstrated leadership capability and extensive knowledge of complex financial and operational issues facing large organizations. In addition, Mr. Lindner is able to draw upon, among other things, his knowledge of several of our key geographic markets that he has gained through experience in the telecommunications industry.

 

		Barbara R. Smith				Director since 2017
		Ms. Smith, 60, has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Commercial Metals Company, a manufacturer, recycler and marketer of steel and metal products, since September 2017, and Chairman since January 2018. She joined Commercial Metals Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2011 and served in that capacity until she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2016 and President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2017. Previously, she served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Gerdau Ameristeel from 2007-2011 and as Treasurer from 2006-2007. She also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FARO Technologies, Inc. from February 2005 to July 2006. During the more than 20 prior years, Ms. Smith held positions of increasing financial leadership with Alcoa Inc. She was a director of Minerals Technologies Inc. from 2011 to July 2017, where she served as Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.   Ms. Smith brings to the Board a number of key skills, including relevant business leadership and management experience, expertise in geographic markets in which Comerica has a presence, including our headquarters market, and significant financial expertise garnered through the chief financial officer and treasury roles she has held during her professional career. Additionally, her strong leadership experience is instrumental in her service as Facilitating Director.

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		Robert S. Taubman				Director since 2000(1)
		Mr. Taubman, 66, has been Chairman of Taubman Centers, Inc., a real estate investment trust that owns, develops and operates regional shopping centers nationally, since December 2001 and has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Taubman Centers, Inc., since August 1992. He has been Chairman of The Taubman Company, a shopping center management company engaged in leasing, management and construction supervision, since December 2001 and has been President and Chief Executive Officer of The Taubman Company since September 1990. He was a director of Sotheby’s Holdings, Inc. from 2000 until his retirement in May 2016, and has served as a director of Taubman Centers, Inc. since 1992.   As an executive involved in real estate development and operations, Mr. Taubman has demonstrated leadership capability and brings key experience in the real estate sector. He also brings insight through experience in many of Comerica’s geographic markets.

		Reginald M. Turner, Jr.				Director since 2005
		Mr. Turner, 60, has been an attorney with Clark Hill, a law firm, since April 2000 and has served on the firm’s Executive Committee since January 2016. He has been a director of Masco Corporation since March 1, 2015. Mr. Turner is active in public service and with civic and charitable organizations, serving in leadership positions with the American Bar Association, the Detroit Public Safety Foundation, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Hudson-Webber Foundation.   As a lawyer, Mr. Turner has a unique legal and risk management perspective to offer the Board. He also has extensive involvement and experience in community affairs.

 

		Nina G. Vaca(2)				Director since 2008
		Ms. Vaca, 48, has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Technical Resources, Inc., a global workforce solutions provider offering staffing, managed services, payrolling and independent contractor compliance and a proprietary talent platform, since she founded the company in October 1996. She also has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vaca Industries Inc., a privately-held management company, since April 1999. She has been a director of Cinemark Holdings, Inc. since November 2014 and also served as a director of Kohl’s Corporation from March 2010 to May 2019. In 2014, the Obama Administration appointed Ms. Vaca as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. Ms. Vaca is also a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.   As a chief executive officer with experience in talent solutions, managed services and information technology, as well as successful entrepreneurial endeavors in the U.S. and abroad, Ms. Vaca offers a unique and insightful perspective to the Board.

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		Michael G. Van de Ven				Director since 2016
		Mr. Van de Ven, 58, has been Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines Co., a passenger airline, since May 2008. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President from May 2008 to January 2017, Chief of Operations from September 2006 to May 2008, Executive Vice President Aircraft Operations from November 2005 through August 2006, and Senior Vice President Planning from August 2004 to November 2005. He joined Southwest in 1993 and held various positions and responsibilities for the airline including financial planning and analysis, fleet planning, aircraft operations and schedule planning. He also served as senior audit manager for Ernst & Young LLP for 9 years ending in 1993 and is a licensed CPA.   Mr. Van de Ven brings to the Board a number of key skills, including relevant business management experience, a strong background in risk management, expertise in geographic markets in which Comerica has a presence, particularly our headquarters market, and a deep understanding of financial planning and accounting, among others.

Footnotes:

BOARD AND COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE

Annual Elections.    Comerica’s directors are elected each year by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Majority Voting Standard.    In an election of directors where the number of nominees does not exceed the number of directors to be elected, each director must receive the vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that director. If a director does not receive the vote of the majority of the votes cast and no successor has been elected at such meeting, the director will promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board.

Annual Self-Evaluation.    The Board conducts an annual self-evaluation to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee reviews the self-evaluation process. A report is made to the Board on the assessment of the performance of the Board and its committees.

Overboarding Limit.    To ensure that our directors have sufficient time to devote to Comerica and its shareholders, our directors may not serve on more than three public company boards in addition to the Comerica Board, and members of Comerica’s Audit Committee may not serve on more than two other public company audit committees.

Nominee Selection Process.    In identifying candidates for nomination as directors, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee considers the individual’s specific qualities and skills. Criteria for assessing nominees include a potential nominee’s ability to represent the interests of Comerica’s four core constituencies: its shareholders, its customers, the communities it serves and its employees. Minimum qualifications for a director nominee are experience in those areas that the Board determines are necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of Comerica, including leadership positions in public companies, small or middle market businesses, or not-for-profit, professional/regulatory or educational organizations.

For those proposed director nominees who meet the minimum qualifications, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee then assesses the proposed nominee’s specific qualifications, evaluates his or her independence, and considers other factors, including skills, geographic location, considerations of diversity, standards of integrity, memberships on other boards (with a special focus on director interlocks), and ability

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and willingness to commit to serving on the Board for an extended period of time and to dedicate adequate time and attention to the affairs of Comerica as necessary to properly discharge his or her duties. Considerations of diversity can include seeking nominees with a broad diversity of experience, professions, skills, geographic representation and/or backgrounds. The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria, and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all prospective nominees. Nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis proscribed by law.

In addition, Article III, Section 12 of the bylaws requires a nominee for election or re-election as a director of Comerica to complete and deliver to the Corporate Secretary a written questionnaire prepared by Comerica with respect to the background and qualification of the person and, if applicable, the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made. All of the director nominees completed the required questionnaire.

A nominee also must make certain representations and agree that he or she (A) will abide by the requirements of Article III, Section 13 of the bylaws (concerning, among other things, the required tendering of a resignation by a director who does not receive a majority of votes cast in an uncontested election), (B) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how, if elected as a director of Comerica, he or she will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to Comerica or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with his or her ability to comply, if elected as a director of Comerica, with his or her fiduciary duties under applicable law, (C) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than Comerica with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed, and (D) in his or her individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of Comerica, and would comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of Comerica. All of the director nominees made the foregoing representations and agreements.

The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee does not have a separate policy for consideration of any director candidates recommended by shareholders. Instead, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee considers any candidate meeting the requirements for nomination by a shareholder set forth in Comerica’s bylaws (as well as applicable laws and regulations) in the same manner as any other director candidate. The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee believes that requiring shareholder recommendations for director candidates to comply with the requirements for nominations in accordance with Comerica’s bylaws ensures that the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee receives at least the minimum information necessary for it to begin an appropriate evaluation of any such director nominee.

Board Refreshment. The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee maintains an ongoing board refreshment process by identifying additional skills and expertise needed on the Board, and periodically uses a third-party search firm for the purpose and function of identifying potential director nominees.

Shareholder Engagement. Comerica is committed to acting in the best interests of its shareholders, and as part of this commitment, members of management actively engage with the Company’s shareholders in order to fully understand their viewpoints concerning the Company, to garner feedback on areas for improvement, and to help our shareholders better understand our performance and long-term strategic plan. For example, Comerica’s management has committed to a shareholder that it will recommend to the Board of Directors of Comerica that it adopt bylaw amendments implementing proxy access, with such amendments to be effective no later than the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders of Comerica.

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COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

The Board has several committees, as described below. The names of the directors currently serving on the committees and the committee chairs, where applicable, are also set forth in the chart. The current terms of the various standing committee members expire in April 2020.

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Board and Committee Meetings.    There were six regular meetings of the Board and 25 meetings of the various committees and subcommittees of the Board during 2019. All director nominees and all incumbent

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directors attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board and all the committees of the Board on which the respective directors served.

Comerica expects all of its directors to attend the Annual Meeting except in cases of illness, emergency or other reasonable grounds for non-attendance. All of the twelve Board members serving at the time of the 2019 Annual Meeting attended the 2019 Annual Meeting.

NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

The non-management directors meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. Every year, the non-management directors elect a Facilitating Director, for a one-year term, to lead such sessions. Currently, Barbara R. Smith is the Facilitating Director at such sessions. Interested parties may communicate directly with Ms. Smith or with the non-management directors as a group by sending written correspondence, delivered via United States mail or courier service, to: Secretary of the Board, Comerica Incorporated, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, MC 6404, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attn: Non-Management Directors. Alternatively, shareholders may send communications to the full Board by sending written correspondence, delivered via United States mail or courier service, to: Secretary of the Board, Comerica Incorporated, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, MC 6404, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attn: Full Board of Directors. The Board of Directors’ current practice is that the Secretary will relay all communications received to the Facilitating Director, in the case of communications to non-management directors, and to the Chairman of the Board, in the case of communications to the full Board.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Our Chief Executive Officer also serves as the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Farmer has provided strong leadership to the Board and management, instilling a clear focus on the Company’s strategy and business plans. The Board has chosen this structure because it believes the Chief Executive Officer serves as a bridge between management and the Board, ensuring that both groups act with a common purpose. Although the Board believes that it is more effective to have one person serve as the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive, it also believes that it is simultaneously important to have a robust governance structure to ensure a strong and independent Board. All directors, with the exception of the Chairman, are independent as defined under NYSE rules, and the Audit Committee, the Enterprise Risk Committee, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee and the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee are comprised entirely of independent directors. The Board also has an independent Facilitating Director (Ms. Smith) who leads the non-management directors in regularly scheduled executive sessions. As Facilitating Director, Ms. Smith’s duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Facilitating Director position is elected annually by the non-management directors. The Board believes that the Facilitating Director further strengthens the Board’s independence and autonomous oversight of our business as well as Board communication and effectiveness. The executive sessions over which she presides allow non-management directors to discuss issues facing the Company, including matters concerning management, without any members of management present. The role of the Facilitating Director provides the necessary leadership for such discussions and serves as a bridge between the independent directors and the Company’s management team.

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ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

Comerica has historically had and continues to pursue a strong risk management culture. We recognize that nearly every action taken as a financial institution requires some degree of risk. Our objective is not to eliminate risk but to give consideration to ensure we take the appropriate risks. Risk management is one of the interlinking pillars of Comerica’s corporate strategy which reinforces its critical role within our organization. In choosing when and how to take risks, we evaluate our capacity for risk and seek to protect our brand and reputation, our financial flexibility, the value of our assets and the strategic potential of our Company. Each year, our Board approves a statement of our Company’s risk appetite, which is used internally to help our Board and management understand our Company’s tolerance for risk in each of the major risk categories and allow for the adaption of those tolerances to align with a changing economic environment.

Governance and oversight of risk management activities are shared by management and our Board as follows:

Each of the Enterprise Risk Committee, the Audit Committee and the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee reports regularly to the full Board. The Board believes that Comerica has the appropriate leadership to help ensure effective risk oversight. This risk leadership includes our Chief Risk

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Officer, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our independent Facilitating Director, the Board, various committees of the Board, and various management committees.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

Review of Transactions with Related Persons

Comerica has adopted a Regulation O Policy and Procedure document to implement the requirements of Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board, which restricts the extension of credit to directors and executive officers and their family members, as well as 10% or greater shareholders, and the related interests of any of the foregoing. Under the policy and procedure, extensions of credit that exceed regulatory thresholds must be approved by the board of the appropriate subsidiary bank.

In addition to loan transactions that are covered by Regulation O, the Board has also adopted a policy setting forth procedures for the review, approval, and monitoring of other transactions greater than $120,000 involving Comerica and related persons (directors, director nominees, executive officers, 5% shareholders and immediate family members or primary business affiliations of such persons). Under the policy, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving or ratifying all transactions involving related persons. Directors may not vote on a related party transaction in which he or she or any member of his or her immediate family is a related person, but the director may participate in some or all of the Committee’s discussions. The policy also permits the Chair of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee to review and, if deemed appropriate, approve proposed related-person transactions that arise between Committee meetings, in which case they will be reported to the full Committee at its next meeting.

The policy also contains a list of categories of transactions involving related persons that need not be brought to the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee for approval. These include transactions involving brokerage, banking, insurance, investment advisory or asset management services, and other financial services we provide to any related person, if the services are provided in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable services provided to non-affiliates and comply with applicable law, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Federal Reserve Board Regulation O.

The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee will review the following information when assessing a related party transaction:

The Regulation O Policy and Procedure and the Related Party Transactions Policy are both in writing.

BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) reported that it beneficially owns greater than 5% of Comerica’s common stock. In 2019, Comerica paid $327,106 to BlackRock for cash management software in the ordinary course of business. This transaction did not require approval pursuant to the Related Party Transactions Policy.

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Banking and Credit Transactions with Executive Officers and Directors

Certain of the executive officers and directors of Comerica, their related entities, and members of their immediate families were customers of and had transactions in the ordinary course of business (including loans and loan commitments, as well as other financial products and services) with banking affiliates of Comerica during 2019 that did not require approval under the Related Party Transactions Policy. Comerica made all loans and commitments in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not related to or affiliated with Comerica or its subsidiaries, and the transactions did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Further, such loans and commitments were all made in accordance with Comerica’s Regulation O Policy and Procedure. Comerica also offers employee discounts to its employees, including executive officers, on certain financial services not involving an extension of credit.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Board of Directors has determined that all non-management directors, currently constituting 91% of the full Board of Directors of Comerica, are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE. In making such determination, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that the following current directors meet the categorical standards of independence described below and have no material relationship with Comerica (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Comerica) other than as a director: Michael E. Collins, Roger A. Cregg, T. Kevin DeNicola, Jacqueline P. Kane, Richard G. Lindner, Barbara R. Smith, Robert S. Taubman, Reginald M. Turner, Jr., Nina G. Vaca and Michael G. Van de Ven. Additionally, all of the Audit Committee members satisfy the independence standards under Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 and NYSE rules, and all of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee members satisfy the independence standards under NYSE rules. The Board of Directors further determined that Curtis C. Farmer is not independent because he is an employee of Comerica.

Categorical Standards

Pursuant to Comerica’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, in no event will a director be considered “independent” if, currently or within the preceding three (3) years:

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Subject to the foregoing, the Corporate Governance Guidelines also state that the following relationships are considered immaterial:

A current copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines is available to security holders on Comerica’s website at www.comerica.com or may be obtained in print by making a written request to the Corporate Secretary.

Director Transactions, Relationships or Arrangements by Category or Type

In connection with making its director independence determinations, the Board specifically considered the following relationships and transactions, all of which were deemed immaterial:

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The table below illustrates the compensation structure for non-employee directors in 2019. Employee directors receive no compensation for their Board service. In addition to the compensation described below, each director is reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred for travel and attendance related to meetings of the Board of Directors or its committees.

Beginning in October 2019, Comerica’s director compensation model shifted from providing an annual retainer plus payments on a per-meeting basis to a retainer-only model, as shown below. Recognizing that fewer of our peers continue to pay individual meeting fees and to enable committee meetings as may be needed, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee eliminated the practice of paying a fee of $1,500 for each committee meeting, training seminar or briefing session attended. In lieu of these meeting fees, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee increased the annual cash retainer by $40,000 to $100,000 and added an additional retainer for Audit Committee members. The increase in the retainer approximates the amount of meeting fees that would have been payable under the prior structure.

Footnotes:

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The following table provides information on the compensation of Comerica’s directors who served at any point during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Footnotes:

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PROPOSAL II SUBMITTED FOR YOUR VOTE

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR”

the proposal set forth below.

The Audit Committee of Comerica has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”), our independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, and recommends that the shareholders vote for ratification of such appointment.

Ernst & Young has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 1992. The Audit Committee has carefully considered the selection of Ernst & Young as Comerica’s independent registered public accounting firm, and has also considered whether there should be regular rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm. The selection is based on an evaluation of Ernst & Young’s qualifications, experience, quality control processes and results, independence, and past performance. The selection also considers a review of the estimated fees, scope of services, and staffing approach, including coordination of the external auditor’s efforts with our internal audit staff. In conjunction with the mandated rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm’s lead engagement partner, the Audit Committee and its Chairman are involved in the process for selecting Ernst & Young’s lead engagement partner. This rotation process recently occurred, with a new individual assuming the role of lead engagement partner in 2017. The members of the Audit Committee believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young to serve as Comerica’s independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

As a matter of good corporate governance, the selection of Ernst & Young is being submitted to the shareholders for ratification. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. Even if Ernst & Young is ratified as Comerica’s independent registered public accounting firm by the shareholders, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of Comerica and its shareholders. Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. The representatives also are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

COMERICA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

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Audit Fees

Audit fees consist of fees billed to Comerica and its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young for the audit of Comerica’s annual consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, the review of financial statements included in Comerica’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided by Ernst & Young in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related fees consist of fees billed to Comerica and its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young for the assurance and related services provided by Ernst & Young that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Comerica’s financial statements. Audit-related fees consisted mainly of the audits of Comerica’s benefit plans and the internal control (SSAE 18 Report) for Comerica’s trust department. The Audit Committee considered whether, and determined that, the provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young.

Tax Fees

Tax fees consist of fees billed to Comerica and its subsidiaries by Ernst & Young for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Tax fees consisted mainly of consultation on tax planning for Comerica and its subsidiaries, IRS examinations and Form 1120. The Audit Committee considered whether, and determined that, the provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young.

All Other Fees

Ernst & Young billed Comerica for fees for products and services other than those described in the previous three paragraphs. Those products and services consisted of subscription fees for on-line accounting and tax research tools for both 2019 and 2018 and for an IBOR (interbank offer rate) project in 2019, which provided management with an evaluation of Comerica’s transition process.

Services for Investment Vehicles

In connection with the advisory, management, trustee and similar services that Comerica’s affiliates provide to mutual funds, collective funds and common trust funds, Comerica from time to time selects, and in limited circumstances employs, outside accountants to perform audit and other services for the investment vehicles. In such cases, Comerica typically uses a request-for-proposal process that has resulted in the selection of Ernst & Young, among other independent registered public accounting firms. In addition, Ernst & Young has agreements with financial services companies pursuant to which it may receive compensation for certain transactions, including transactions in which Comerica may participate from time to time, and Ernst & Young also receives

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fees from time to time from Comerica’s customers when acting on their behalf in connection with lending or other relationships between Comerica’s affiliates and their customers. The fees discussed in this paragraph are not included in the totals provided in the above paragraphs because the fees are generally charged to the investment vehicle, customer or other applicable party, except as noted on the “Fees to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” schedule above.

Pre-Approval Policy

The Audit Committee has a policy to review, and, if such services are appropriate in the discretion of the Audit Committee, pre-approve (i) all auditing services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (which may entail providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings or statutory audits required for insurance companies for purposes of state law) and (ii) all permitted⁽¹⁾ non-audit services (including tax services) to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, provided that pre-approval is not required with respect to non-audit services if (a) the aggregate amount of non-audit services provided to Comerica constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by Comerica to its auditor during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided; (b) such services were not recognized by Comerica at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (c) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee who are members of the Board of Directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has authorized its chair to pre-approve such services between Audit Committee meetings. All of the services provided by Ernst & Young for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee under its pre-approval policy.

Footnote:

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The information contained in the Audit Committee Report is not deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating the document by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that Comerica specifically incorporates such information by reference, and shall not be otherwise deemed filed under such acts.

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Footnotes:

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PROPOSAL III SUBMITTED FOR YOUR VOTE