[6] An ad published in 1852-53 issue of Detroit's directory expressed the institute's purpose at the time: “The design of the Institution is to afford to those who are desirous of saving money, but who have not acquired sufficient to purchase a share in the banks, railroads, or a sum in public stocks, the means of employing their money to advantage…”[6] Unlike most banks of that time, the Institute paid interest on deposits, had no shareholders or capital stock, and was managed by unpaid fiduciaries.

Courting customers from the working class, merchants and even children, the Institute enjoyed steady growth, reaching the $1 million mark in 1870.

[7] In 1871, the state of Michigan passed a new law meant to encourage the formation of banks that offered both savings and commercial services.

In the same year, Comerica entered California and Texas markets by offering auto financing services.

[7] On March 6, 2007, the company announced its decision to relocate its corporate headquarters to Dallas to move closer to its customer base in the Sun Belt.

The company executives began moving into the new location in November 2007 and the building was renamed Comerica Tower.

[21] In January 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury selected the company as the issuing bank for its Direct Express debit card program.

The federal government uses the Express Debit product to issue electronic payments, such as Social Security benefits, to people who do not have bank accounts.

[25][26] The acquisition virtually tripled Comerica's market share in Houston and provided entry into the San Antonio and Kerrville regions.

[7] In 2017, the bank announced plans to reduce its office space by 500,000 square feet, saving $7 million in 2018.

[30] With market headquarters in Raleigh, along with offices in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, the Southeast Market supports Wealth and Commercial Bank customers based in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.