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PROXY STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement.

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)).

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement.

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials.

o

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12.

 

Comerica Incorporated

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
    (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        
 
    (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        
 
    (5)   Total fee paid:
        
 

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
    (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        
 
    (3)   Filing Party:
        
 
    (4)   Date Filed:
        
 

Table of Contents

GRAPHIC

Comerica Incorporated

Proxy Statement and Notice of
2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC

Comerica Incorporated
Comerica Bank Tower
1717 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

March 16, 2012

Dear Shareholder,

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Comerica Incorporated at 9:30 a.m., Central Time, on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, 4th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., Central Time. A map showing the location of the Annual Meeting is on the back cover of the accompanying proxy statement.

The annual report, which we are simultaneously mailing or otherwise providing to you (or which we previously mailed or otherwise provided to you), summarizes Comerica's major developments during 2011 and includes the 2011 consolidated financial statements.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please submit your proxy promptly so that your shares will be voted as you desire.

    Sincerely,

 

 


GRAPHIC

 

 

Ralph W. Babb, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Table of Contents


PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  1

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

  7

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

  9

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

  16

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

  17

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  18

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

  22

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

  22

GOVERNANCE, COMPENSATION AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

  46

2011 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

  47

2011 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

  51

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2011

  53

2011 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

  54

PENSION BENEFITS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2011

  55

2011 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

  58

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2011

  60

TRANSACTIONS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WITH COMERICA

  70

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

  70

PROPOSAL I SUBMITTED FOR YOUR VOTE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

  72

INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES AND INCUMBENT DIRECTORS

  74

NOMINEES FOR CLASS I DIRECTORS — TERMS EXPIRING IN 2013

  74

NOMINEES FOR CLASS III DIRECTORS — TERMS EXPIRING IN 2013

  75

INCUMBENT CLASS II DIRECTORS — TERMS EXPIRING IN 2013

  77

COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

  78

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

  78

NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

  79

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

  80

ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

  80

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE AND TRANSACTIONS OF DIRECTORS WITH COMERICA

  81

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

  83

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

  83

PROPOSAL II SUBMITTED FOR YOUR VOTE — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

  87

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

  88

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

  90

PROPOSAL III SUBMITTED FOR YOUR VOTE — NON-BINDING, ADVISORY PROPOSAL APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

  91

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

  92

OTHER MATTERS

  92

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

Time and Date

  9:30 a.m., April 24, 2012

Place

 

Comerica Bank Tower
1717 Main Street, 4th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201

Record Date

 

February 24, 2012

Proxy Mailing Date

 

On or around March 16, 2012

Voting

 

Shareholders as of the record date are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the proposals to be voted on.

Meeting Agenda

 

  Election of seven directors

 

Ratification of Ernst & Young as independent auditors for 2012

 

Advisory approval of the Company's executive compensation

 

Transact other business that may properly come before the meeting

 

Voting Matters

 
  Board Vote
Recommendation

  Page
Reference

Election of directors   FOR EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE   72-77

Ratification of Ernst & Young as auditors for 2012

 

FOR

 

87

Advisory approval of the Company's executive compensation

 

FOR

 

91

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Board Nominees

The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. Each director nominee will be elected for a one-year term. Directors are elected by a majority of votes cast.

 
   
   
   
   
  Committee
Memberships
   
 
   
  Director
since
   
   
  Other Public
Company Boards
Name   Age   Occupation   Independent   AC   GCNC   ERC   QLCC
Roger A. Cregg     55     2006   SVP Finance/ CFO, The ServiceMaster Company   X   F   X       X    

T. Kevin DeNicola

 

 

57

 

 

2006

 

Former CFO, KIOR, Inc.

 

X

 

C, F

 

 

 

X

 

C

 

Georgia Gulf Corporation

Alfred A. Piergallini

 

 

65

 

 

1991

 

Consultant, Desert Trail Consulting

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Central Garden & Pet Company

Nina G. Vaca

 

 

40

 

 

2008

 

Chairman & CEO, Pinnacle Technical Resources, Inc.

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

Kohl's Corporation

Richard G. Lindner

 

 

57

 

 

2008

 

Retired; Former SEVP & CFO, AT&T, Inc.

 

IFD

 

 

 

C

 

X

 

 

 

 

Robert S. Taubman

 

 

58

 

 

1987

 

Chairman, President & CEO, Taubman Centers, Inc.

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Sotheby's Holdings, Inc., Taubman Centers, Inc.

Reginald M. Turner, Jr.

 

 

52

 

 

2005

 

Attorney, Clark Hill PLC

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

C

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AC — Audit Committee; C — Chair; ERC — Enterprise Risk Committee; F — Financial expert; GCNC — Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee; IFD — Independent Facilitating Director; QLCC — Qualified Legal Compliance Committee


Attendance

All director nominees and all incumbent 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.


Corporate Governance Highlights

Comerica is very committed to sound corporate governance practices. We believe that strong corporate governance is important, and that integrity and trustworthiness are the cornerstones upon which successful companies are built. In light of this belief, over the past several years, we have implemented multiple enhancements in the corporate governance of Comerica. Specifically, we have:

 

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Auditors

As a matter of good corporate governance, we are asking our shareholders to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young as our independent auditors for 2012. Set forth below is summary information with respect to Ernst & Young's fees for services provided in 2011 and 2010.

 
  2011   2010  

Audit Fees

  $ 2,092,177   $ 1,900,885  

Audit-Related Fees

    364,415     269,800  

Tax Fees

    228,508     171,489  

All Other Fees

    1,995     2,790  
           

  $ 2,687,095   $ 2,344,964  
           

 

Three-Year Total Shareholder Return

Comerica experienced positive long-term total shareholder return ("TSR") of 34% for the three-year period ended 12/31/11.

Three-Year Total Shareholder Return
For the Three Years Ended 12/31/11

GRAPHIC

(1)
S&P 500 Financial Sector Index Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Level 1.

 

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Compensation Practices Comerica Does NOT Utilize

 

Compensation Practices
Comerica Does NOT Utilize
  Description

Employment Agreements*

  Employment agreements are not provided to Comerica's executive team.

Perquisites

 

As of June 30, 2010, Comerica eliminated all executive officer perquisite programs.

Personal Use of Corporate Aircraft

 

Comerica does not allow executives to use corporate aircraft for personal travel (except in the event of an emergency such as a medical or life-threatening event, in which case the executive is required to reimburse Comerica for the full incremental cost of such use).

Change of Control Agreements

   

Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments

 

Since 2008, Comerica has not entered into any new Change of Control Agreements that include any provision for excise tax gross-up payments on behalf of terminated executives, and it will not include the provision in any future agreements.

Severance Payment Rights

 

Since 2008, Comerica has not entered into any new Change of Control Agreements that include any provision that effectively allows for severance payments to be made solely on account of the occurrence of a change of control event (typically referred to as "single trigger" or "modified single trigger" provisions). Additionally, Comerica will not include such provisions in any future agreements. More details can be found on pages 43-44.

*
Mr. Babb has an outstanding Supplemental Pension and Retiree Medical Agreement dated May 29, 1998. Details can be found on page 44.

 

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Executive Compensation Elements

 
 
   
   
   
  Key Objectives    



   
  Compensation Elements
  Philosophy Statement
  Attract &
Retain

  Reward
Short-Term
Performance

  Reward
Long-Term
Performance

  Align to
Shareholder
Interests

 


 
    TARGET CASH
  
The mix of base salary and STIs is balanced against LTIs to
  Base Salary   Base salary is used to compete in the market for talent and forms the foundation for our other reward vehicles.   X                
    provide appropriate focus on    
    both short and long-term results, with the goal of discouraging behavior that could give rise to excessive risk-taking.   Short-Term Incentives
("STIs")
  Our short-term cash incentive plan rewards annual relative performance against our 11 peer financial institutions, based on specific metrics. To achieve a top payout, our performance must rank first among our peers in all metrics.   X   X       X    
 
        Cash Incentives   Our long-term cash incentive plan rewards three-year relative performance against our 11 peer financial institutions, based on specific metrics. To achieve a top payout, our performance must rank first among our peers in all metrics.   X       X   X    
         

 

 

 

 

Equity Incentives

 

Long-term equity incentives align management with shareholder interests and reward long-term performance. Value is created for participants when sustained performance increases stock price over several years. We primarily use two vehicles, stock options and restricted stock:

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 
    LONG-TERM INCENTIVES                            
    ("LTIs")
  
We use a mix of both cash and equity in our long-term incentive programs. Measuring long-term performance incents behaviors that preserve shareholder value.
     

Stock Options.    Our stock options use the closing price on the date of grant for the strike price. Vesting occurs over four years, and the participant only receives a benefit when the stock price increases so that the shareholders also benefit.

Restricted Stock.    Restricted stock grants for the NEOs vest in their entirety at the end of five years. They are utilized as a retention tool to incent key leadership to remain with Comerica. Their value is directly tied to the stock price and therefore aligns management with shareholder interests.

                   
  
    OTHER   Other Compensation and Benefit Programs / Retirement Benefits   Comerica offers all employees benefits programs that provide protections for health, welfare and retirement.   X                

 

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2011 Compensation Summary

Set forth below is the 2011 compensation for each named executive officer as determined under SEC rules.

 
  Name and Principal
Position (a)
  Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)
  Option
Awards
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
   
    Ralph W. Babb, Jr.     2011     1,170,873     0     2,127,040     1,349,010     2,416,944     2,745,500     9,800     9,819,167    
    Chairman of the Board,     2010     2,727,452     0     1,233,540     757,680     1,986,350     2,108,247     32,180     8,845,449    
    President and Chief Executive Officer, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank     2009     985,000     0     1,801,280     545,908     0     866,533     67,674     4,266,395    

 

 

Elizabeth S. Acton

 

 

2011

 

 

598,712

 

 

0

 

 

430,100

 

 

274,950

 

 

725,274

 

 

391,573

 

 

9,800

 

 

2,430,409

 

 
    Executive Vice President     2010     981,416     0     372,020     227,920     446,000     275,273     15,115     2,317,744    
    and Chief Financial Officer,     2009     512,500     0     394,659     151,496     0     177,884     30,308     1,266,847    
    Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                          

 

 

Karen L. Parkhill

 

 

2011

 

 

218,942

 

 

792,222

 

 

1,131,078

 

 

505,800

 

 

357,778

 

 

0

 

 

991,242

 

 

3,997,062

 

 
    Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                          

 

 

Lars C. Anderson

 

 

2011

 

 

600,000

 

 

0

 

 

1,818,150

 

 

280,800

 

 

907,667

 

 

0

 

 

261,616

 

 

3,868,233

 

 
    Vice Chairman,
Comerica Incorporated and
Comerica Bank
                                                         

 

 

Curtis C. Farmer

 

 

2011

 

 

571,393

 

 

0

 

 

410,550

 

 

257,400

 

 

912,635

 

 

0

 

 

22,050

 

 

2,174,028

 

 
    Vice Chairman,     2010     937,042     0     411,180     258,720     346,000     0     30,952     1,983,894    
    Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank     2009     430,769     0     262,564     119,499     55,781     0     699,274     1,567,887    

 

 

J. Michael Fulton

 

 

2011

 

 

547,854

 

 

0

 

 

391,000

 

 

234,000

 

 

661,540

 

 

884,586

 

 

9,800

 

 

2,728,780

 

 
    Executive Vice President, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                          

 

 

Dale E. Greene

 

 

2011

 

 

445,073

 

 

75,488

 

 

782,000

 

 

0

 

 

562,909

 

 

961,353

 

 

9,800

 

 

2,836,623

 

 
    Executive Vice President,     2010     1,009,073           450,340     277,200     522,000     1,142,136     19,374     3,420,123    
    Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                          
(a)
Current position held by the NEO as of March 16, 2012, except for Elizabeth S. Acton who was Chief Financial Officer from January 1, 2011 - November 1, 2011, and Dale E Greene, who retired on September 1, 2011.

For more information, see the narrative and notes accompanying the "2011 Summary Compensation Table" set forth on pages 47-50.

 

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GRAPHIC

COMERICA INCORPORATED
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
APRIL 24, 2012


    Date:   April 24, 2012    

 

 

Time:

 

9:30 a.m., Central Time

 

 

 

 

Place:

 

Comerica Bank Tower
1717 Main Street, 4th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201

 

 

We invite you to attend the Comerica Incorporated Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the following purposes:

The record date for the Annual Meeting is February 24, 2012 (the "Record Date"). Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date can vote at the Annual Meeting. Comerica mailed this Notice of Annual Meeting to those shareholders. Action may be taken at the Annual Meeting on any of the foregoing proposals on the date specified above or any date or dates to which the Annual Meeting may be adjourned or postponed.

Comerica will have a list of shareholders who can vote at the Annual Meeting available for inspection by shareholders at the Annual Meeting and, for 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting, during regular business hours at the offices of the Comerica Corporate Legal Department, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting but are not a shareholder of record because you hold your shares in street name, please bring evidence of your beneficial ownership of your shares with you to the Annual Meeting. 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 by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card, if applicable, by using the automated telephone voting system, or by using the Internet voting system. "Street name" holders must vote

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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.

    By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 


GRAPHIC

 

 

Jon W. Bilstrom
Executive Vice President — Governance,
Regulatory Relations and Legal Affairs, and
Corporate Secretary

March 16, 2012

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GRAPHIC

Comerica Incorporated
Comerica Bank Tower
1717 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

2012 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" or the "Company") 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 (the "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 and, if applicable, the accompanying proxy card were first mailed to the shareholders on or about March 16, 2012.



Who can vote?

Only record holders of Comerica's common stock at the close of business on February 24, 2012, the Record Date, can vote at the Annual Meeting. Each shareholder of record has one vote, for each share of 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 telephone, by the Internet, or (in most cases) by proxy card. If you previously enrolled in a program to receive electronic versions of Comerica's

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annual report and proxy statement instead of receiving the printed versions, however, you may receive an email notice rather than a proxy card, in which case the email notice will provide you with the information you will need to vote.

To vote by proxy card, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card, if applicable. 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: 1-800-560-1965

(OR)

        TO VOTE BY THE INTERNET:            http://www.ematerials.com/cma

If you submit a proxy to Comerica before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote your shares as you direct. If no instructions are specified, the proxy will be voted for the seven Class I and Class III directors nominated by the Board of Directors; for the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012; and for the approval of executive compensation.

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

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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 197,451,106 shares of Comerica's common stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares, 98,725,554 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 Class I and Class III directors 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 Class I or Class III 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 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.

Other Proposals:    If a quorum exists, the proposals: (i) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors 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. 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.

Comerica will vote properly completed proxies it receives prior to the Annual Meeting in the way you direct. If you do not specify instructions, the shares represented by those properly completed proxies will be voted (i) to elect the seven Class I and Class III directors nominated by the Board of Directors; (ii) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors; and (iii) to approve the non-binding, advisory proposal to approve executive compensation. No other matters are currently scheduled to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

An independent third party, Wells Fargo Bank, 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 Georgeson Inc., a proxy solicitation firm, at a cost of $10,000 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

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banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of Comerica's common stock.



How does the Board select nominees for the Board?

In identifying potential candidates for nomination as directors, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee considers the specific qualities and skills of potential directors. 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 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 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.

The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee will consider director nominees proposed by shareholders, as well as other shareholder proposals, provided such proposals comply with Comerica's applicable procedures as described below. More information regarding the selection of director nominees is included below under "Proposal I Submitted for Your Vote — Election of Directors."



When are shareholder proposals for the 2013 Annual Meeting due?

To be considered for inclusion in next year's proxy statement, all shareholder proposals must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including SEC Rule 14a-8, 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 16, 2012.

Under Comerica's bylaws, shareholders of Comerica must provide advance notice to Comerica if they wish to propose items of business at an Annual Meeting of Comerica's shareholders. For the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, notice must be received by Comerica's Corporate Secretary no later than the close of business on January 24, 2013 and no earlier than the close of business on December 25, 2012. 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 24, 2012), Comerica 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.

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.

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How can shareholders nominate persons for election as directors at the 2013 Annual Meeting?

All shareholder nominations of persons for election as directors at the 2013 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 if they wish to nominate persons for election as directors at an Annual Meeting of Comerica's Shareholders. For the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, written notice must be received by Comerica's Corporate Secretary no later than the close of business on January 24, 2013 and no earlier than the close of business on December 25, 2012.

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 24, 2012), or if a special meeting of shareholders is called for the purpose of electing directors, Comerica 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 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.



How many of Comerica's directors are independent?

Comerica's Board of Directors has determined that 8 of Comerica's 9 current directors, or 89%, are independent. For a discussion of the Board of Directors' basis for this determination, see the section of this proxy statement entitled "Director Independence and Transactions of Directors with Comerica."



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, Treasurer and Executive Vice President of Finance of Comerica. 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.



How many copies of the annual report and proxy statement should I receive?

Unless we receive contrary instructions, we normally send a single set of our annual report or proxy statement to a household at which two or more shareholders reside if they share the same last name or we reasonably believe they are members of the same family. This procedure is referred to as "Householding," and it benefits both Comerica and you. It reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps Comerica reduce expenses. Each shareholder subject to Householding will continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction card.

Comerica will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the annual report or proxy statement, as applicable, to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was delivered. If you received a single set of disclosure documents for the current year, but you would prefer to receive your own copy this year, you may direct requests for separate copies to the Corporate Secretary.

If you are a registered shareholder who resides at the same address as another shareholder and you would prefer to receive your own set of the annual report and/or proxy statement in future years, you may contact our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, at (877) 602-7615. You will need to enter your account number and Comerica number 114. Alternatively, you may write to our transfer agent at the following address: Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, Attn: Householding, P.O. Box 64854, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854. If you hold your shares in street name, you may revoke your consent to Householding by contacting your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee or by following the directions set forth on the voting instruction card you received with the proxy materials. If you are currently receiving multiple copies of the annual report and/or proxy statement and want to receive only a single copy in the future through Householding, follow the same instructions set forth above for registered shareholders or street name holders, as applicable.



Is this year's proxy statement available electronically?

Yes. You may view this proxy statement, as well as the 2011 annual report, electronically by going to www.ematerials.com/cma and clicking on the document you wish to view, either the proxy statement or annual report.

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Can I receive future annual reports and proxy statements electronically instead of receiving paper copies through the mail?

Yes. If your shares are registered directly in your name (i.e., you do not hold them in street name) and you have access to the Internet, you can receive Comerica's annual report and proxy statement over the Internet rather than in printed form. Enrolling in this service will take just a few minutes of your time. It will give you faster delivery of the documents and will save Comerica the cost of printing and mailing. To agree to access the electronic versions of Comerica's annual report and proxy statement instead of receiving the printed versions by mail, go to www.ematerials.com/cma and follow the instructions under Request Meeting Materials. Have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available when you access the website. If you agree to electronic delivery, once the annual report and proxy statement are available on the website, we will email you a notice with the website address that you should use to access the information and to receive voting instructions. Paper copies of the annual report and proxy statement would not be sent unless you request them. Comerica also may choose to send one or more items to you in paper form despite your consent to receive them electronically.

If you hold your shares in street name, you should contact your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee to determine the process for receiving Comerica's annual report and proxy statement over the Internet rather than in printed form.

By consenting to electronic delivery, you are stating that you currently have access to the Internet and expect to have access in the future. If you do not have access to the Internet, or do not expect to have access in the future, please do not consent to electronic delivery because Comerica may rely on your consent and not deliver paper copies of future Annual Meeting materials. In addition, if you consent to electronic delivery, you will be responsible for the costs associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies, in connection with the electronic delivery of the annual report and proxy statement.



A copy of Comerica's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, 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 24, 2012.

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

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table contains information about the number of shares of Comerica's common stock beneficially owned by Comerica's incumbent directors and director nominees, the persons named in the "2011 Summary Compensation Table" presented in this proxy statement (the "named executive officers") and all incumbent directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares each individual beneficially owns includes shares over which the person has or shares voting or investment power as of February 24, 2012 and also any shares which the individual can acquire by April 24, 2012 (60 days after the Record Date), through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless indicated otherwise, each individual has sole investment and voting power (or shares those powers with his or her spouse or other family members) with respect to the shares listed in the table.

 
  Name of Beneficial Owner   Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership
  Percent
of Class
   

 

 

Elizabeth S. Acton

        317,213 (1)(2)           *           

 

 

Lars C. Anderson

        92,485 (3)           *           

 

 

Ralph W. Babb, Jr. 

        1,476,903 (2)(4)           *           

 

 

Roger A. Cregg

        17,185 (5)(6)(7)           *           

 

 

T. Kevin DeNicola

        15,720 (5)(6)           *           

 

 

Curtis C. Farmer

        78,522 (8)           *           

 

 

J. Michael Fulton

        327,475 (2)(9)           *           

 

 

Dale E. Greene

        342,692 (2)(10)           *           

 

 

Jacqueline P. Kane

        9,861 (5)(6)(11)           *           

 

 

Richard G. Lindner

        19,639 (5)(6)           *           

 

 

Karen L. Parkhill

        60,483 (12)           *           

 

 

Alfred A. Piergallini

        70,402 (5)(6)(13)           *           

 

 

Robert S. Taubman

        34,023 (5)(6)(13)           *           

 

 

Reginald M. Turner, Jr. 

        14,732 (5)(6)           *           

 

 

Nina G. Vaca (Ximena G. Humrichouse)

        9,493 (5)(6)           *           

 

  Directors and executive officers as a group (24 people)         3,925,105 (14)(15)           1.96%        

Footnotes:

*
Represents holdings of less than one percent of Comerica's common stock.

(1)
Includes 57,759 shares of restricted stock of Comerica subject to future vesting conditions ("restricted stock") and options to purchase 232,300 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012, which Comerica granted to Ms. Acton under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan.

(2)
Includes the following number of shares deemed invested, on behalf of the respective executives, in Comerica common stock under deferred compensation plans: Ms. Acton, 641 shares; Mr. Babb, 38,722 shares; Mr. Fulton, 5,913 shares; and Mr. Greene, 13,467 shares.

(3)
Includes 43,500 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 13,500 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012, which Comerica granted to Mr. Anderson under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan. Also includes 35,485 restricted stock units, over which Mr. Anderson does not have voting or investment power. The restricted stock units vest in three equal installments on January 25, 2015, January 25, 2017 and January 25, 2019, and are settled in stock on March 4, 2021.

(4)
Includes 317,200 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 926,900 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012, which Comerica granted to Mr. Babb under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan. Also includes 117,381 shares held jointly with his spouse.

(5)
Includes restricted stock units, over which directors do not have voting or investment power, as follows: 12,085 restricted stock units for each non-employee director except for Roger A. Cregg and T. Kevin DeNicola, who each hold 9,444 restricted stock units, Reginald M. Turner, Jr., who holds 11,675 restricted stock units, Richard G. Lindner, who

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(6)
Includes the following number of shares deemed invested, on behalf of the respective non-employee directors, in Comerica common stock under a deferred compensation plan: Roger A. Cregg, 2,741 shares; T. Kevin DeNicola, 6,276 shares; Jacqueline P. Kane, 2,662 shares; Richard G. Lindner, 11,449 shares; Alfred A. Piergallini, 4,865 shares; Robert S. Taubman, 3,876 shares; Reginald M. Turner, Jr., 1,057 shares; and Nina G. Vaca, 3,367 shares.

(7)
Includes 5,000 shares in an account held jointly with his spouse.

(8)
Includes 56,947 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 21,575 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012, which Comerica granted to Mr. Farmer under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan.

(9)
Includes 58,116 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 247,900 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012, which Comerica granted to Mr. Fulton under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan. Also includes 2,890 shares held jointly with his spouse.

(10)
Includes options to purchase 249,650 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012, which Comerica granted to Mr. Greene under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan. Also includes 79,418 shares in an account held jointly with his spouse and 157 shares in a 401(k) account held by his spouse.

(11)
Includes 1,074 shares in an account held jointly with her spouse.

(12)
Includes 26,000 shares of restricted stock, which Comerica granted to Ms. Parkhill under Comerica's Long-Term Incentive Plan. Also includes 34,483 restricted stock units, over which Ms. Parkhill does not have voting or investment power. The restricted stock units vest in three equal installments on August 31, 2014, August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2016 and are settled in stock on August 31, 2016.

(13)
Includes options to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock of Comerica that are or will be exercisable as of April 24, 2012. Comerica granted these options under Comerica's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

(14)
Includes 850,182 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 2,325,818 shares of Comerica's common stock that are exercisable by February 24, 2012 or will become exercisable by April 24, 2012, all of which are beneficially owned by incumbent directors, nominees and executive officers as a group. Comerica granted the options under Comerica's long-term incentive plans and Comerica's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The number shown also includes 69,967 restricted stock units held by executive officers as a group and 75,174 restricted stock units held by incumbent directors and nominees as a group; in each case, the officer or director does not have voting or investment power over such restricted stock units. 110,288 shares are deemed invested, on behalf of the directors and executives, in Comerica common stock under deferred compensation plans; the officer or director does not have voting power over such shares. The number additionally includes 207,989 shares of Comerica's common stock for which the directors, nominees and executive officers share voting and investment power, or which are held by spouses of such persons. As well, the number includes warrants to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock of Comerica. The number shown does not include any shares that are pledged.

(15)
As of February 24, 2012, consists of 8 non-employee directors, 15 current executive officers, one of whom is an employee director, and one former executive officer.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") requires that Comerica's directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Comerica's equity securities file reports of stock ownership and any subsequent changes in stock ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange not later than specified deadlines. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, Comerica believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2011, each of its executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders complied with all such applicable filing requirements.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table provides information about Comerica's current executive officers. The Board has determined that the current officers who are in charge of principal business units, divisions or functions and officers of Comerica or its subsidiaries who perform significant policy making functions for Comerica are (1) the members of the Management Policy Committee and (2) the Chief Accounting Officer. The current members of the Management Policy Committee are the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Mr. Babb), the Executive Vice President, Finance (Ms. Acton), the Vice Chairman, Business Bank (Mr. Anderson), the Executive Vice President, Governance, Regulatory Relations and Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary (Mr. Bilstrom), the Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer (Ms. Burkhart), the Executive Vice President, General Auditor (Mr. Duprey) (non-voting member), the Vice Chairman, Wealth Management and Retail Bank (Mr. Farmer), the Executive Vice President of Comerica Incorporated and President of Comerica Bank-Texas Market (Mr. Faubion), the Executive Vice President of Comerica Incorporated and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Comerica Bank-Western Market (Mr. Fulton), the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer (Mr. Killian), the Executive Vice President, Planning, Forecasting, Analysis & Enterprise Risk (Mr. Michalak), the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer (Mr. Obermeyer), the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer (Ms. Parkhill), and the Executive Vice President of Comerica Incorporated and the President of Comerica Bank-Michigan Market (Mr. Ogden). The Chief Accounting Officer is Ms. Carr.

Name   Age as
of
March 16,
2012
  Principal Occupation and
Business Experience During
Past 5 Years(1)
  Executive
Officer

Elizabeth S. Acton

  60   Executive Vice President (since April 2002), Chief Financial Officer (April 2002 to November 2011) and Treasurer (May 2004 to May 2005), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank.   2002-Present

Lars C. Anderson

  51   Vice Chairman (since December 2010), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank; Executive Vice President (October 2010 to November 2010), Group Banking Executive (August 2010 to November 2010), Group President, Georgia and Texas (August 2009 to August 2010), Group President, Georgia and Alabama (2003 to August 2009) and Regional President (2001 to October 2010), BB&T Corporation (financial services company).   2010-Present

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Name   Age as
of
March 16,
2012
  Principal Occupation and
Business Experience During
Past 5 Years(1)
  Executive
Officer

Ralph W. Babb, Jr. 

  63   President and Chief Executive Officer (since January 2002), Chairman (since October 2002), Chief Financial Officer (June 1995 to April 2002) and Vice Chairman (March 1999 to January 2002), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank.   1995-Present

Jon W. Bilstrom

  65   Executive Vice President (since January 2003) and Corporate Secretary (since June 2003), Comerica Incorporated; Executive Vice President (since May 2003) and Secretary (since June 2003), Comerica Bank.   2003-Present

Megan D. Burkhart

  40   Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer (since January 2010), Senior Vice President and Director of Compensation (February 2007 to January 2010), and First Vice President, Human Resources Director, Credit and Corporate Staff (June 2004 to February 2007), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank.   2010-Present

Muneera S. Carr

  43   Chief Accounting Officer (since July 2010) and Senior Vice President (since February 2010), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank; Senior Vice President, Head of Accounting Policy (June 2009 to January 2010), Suntrust Banks, Inc. (financial services company); Professional Accounting Fellow (June 2007 to June 2009), Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Chief Accountant (federal securities regulatory agency); Senior Vice President, Accounting Policy (July 2005 to June 2007), Bank of America (financial services company).   2010-Present

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Name   Age as
of
March 16,
2012
  Principal Occupation and
Business Experience During
Past 5 Years(1)
  Executive
Officer

David E. Duprey

  54   Executive Vice President, General Auditor (since March 2006), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank.   2006-Present

Curtis C. Farmer

  49   Vice Chairman (since May 2011) and Executive Vice President (October 2008 to May 2011), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank; Executive Vice President and Wealth Management Director (October 2005 to October 2008), Wachovia Corporation (financial services company).   2008-Present

J. Patrick Faubion

  58   Executive Vice President (since August 2010), Comerica Incorporated; President — Texas Market (since July 2010), Executive Vice President (January 2010 to July 2010) and Executive Vice President — Texas Market (July 2003 to January 2010), Comerica Bank.   2010-Present

J. Michael Fulton

  62   Executive Vice President (since May 2002 and April 1997 to May 2000), Comerica Incorporated; President and Chief Executive Officer — Western Market (since July 2003), Comerica Bank.   1994-2001;
2003-Present

John M. Killian

  59   Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer (February 2010 to present) and Executive Vice President, Credit Policy (October 2002 to January 2010), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank.   2010-Present

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Name   Age as
of
March 16,
2012
  Principal Occupation and
Business Experience During
Past 5 Years(1)
  Executive
Officer

Michael H. Michalak

  54   Executive Vice President (since November 2007), Treasurer (July 2011 to November 2011) and Senior Vice President (March 1998 to November 2007), Comerica Incorporated; Executive Vice President (since November 2007), Treasurer (July 2011 to November 2011) and Senior Vice President (November 2003 to November 2007), Comerica Bank.   2003-Present

Paul R. Obermeyer

  54   Executive Vice President (since September 2010) and Chief Information Officer (since November 2010), Comerica Incorporated; Executive Vice President (since September 2005), Comerica Bank.   2010-Present

Thomas D. Ogden

  63   Executive Vice President (since March 2007), Comerica Incorporated; President — Michigan Market (since March 2007) and Executive Vice President (March 2001 to March 2007), Comerica Bank.   1999-2001;
2007-Present

Karen L. Parkhill

  46   Vice Chairman (since August 2011) and Chief Financial Officer (since November 2011), Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank; Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Commercial Banking Business, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (September 2007 to March 2011); on sabbatical from JP Morgan Chase & Co. (April 2006 to May 2007); Managing Director, Investment Banking Coverage Group, JP Morgan Chase & Co. (May 2002 to April 2006).   August 2011-Present

Footnotes:

(1)
References to Comerica and Comerica Bank (the primary banking subsidiary of Comerica) include their predecessors, where applicable.

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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Executive Summary

Economic conditions improved in 2011 compared to 2010 but still remained challenging, particularly during the last half of the year. The Company remained focused, however, on increasing shareholder returns, executing our relationship banking strategy and delivering outstanding customer service. As a result, Comerica was able to navigate these challenging times effectively and maintain its solid capital and liquidity positions and improve operating results. Significant accomplishments during 2011 include the following:

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Three-Year Total Shareholder Return
For the Three Years Ended 12/31/11

GRAPHIC

(1)
S&P 500 Financial Sector Index Global Industry Classificaiton Standard (GICS) Level 1.

Compensation Philosophy

Comerica's executive compensation programs are structured to align the interests of our executives with the interests of our shareholders. They are designed to attract, retain and motivate superior executive talent, provide a competitive advantage within the banking industry and create a framework that delivers pay commensurate with financial results over the short and long-term. Our executive compensation programs and principles are based on a strong pay for performance philosophy and a commitment to balanced performance metrics and sound governance.

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We maintain executive compensation practices that support our compensation philosophy and make changes as appropriate based on market conditions, regulatory changes and shareholder feedback. As a result, there are several compensation practices Comerica does NOT utilize.

Compensation Practices
Comerica Does NOT Utilize
  Description

Employment Agreements*

  Employment agreements are not provided to Comerica's executive team.

Perquisites

 

As of June 30, 2010, Comerica eliminated all executive officer perquisite programs.

Personal Use of Corporate Aircraft

 

Comerica does not allow executives to use corporate aircraft for personal travel (except in the event of an emergency such as a medical or life-threatening event, in which case the executive is required to reimburse Comerica for the full incremental cost of such use).

Change of Control Agreements

   

• Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments

 

Since 2008, Comerica has not entered into any new Change of Control Agreements that include any provision for excise tax gross-up payments on behalf of terminated executives, and it will not include the provision in any future agreements.

• Severance Payment Rights

 

Since 2008, Comerica has not entered into any new Change of Control Agreements that include any provision that effectively allows for severance payments to be made solely on account of the occurrence of a change of control event (typically referred to as "single trigger" or "modified single trigger" provisions). Additionally, Comerica will not include such provisions in any future agreements. More details can be found on pages 43-44.

*
Mr. Babb has an outstanding Supplemental Pension and Retiree Medical Agreement dated May 29, 1998. Details can be found on page 44.

Changes Implemented in Response to Shareholder Feedback

Management Incentive Plan

In response to shareholder feedback, and in conjunction with our annual detailed review of our incentive programs undertaken during 2010, Comerica made several structural changes to its cash incentive program for the 2011 performance year. The changes included the following:

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2011 "Say-on-Pay" Vote

At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 26, 2011, over 95% of the shares voted were in support of compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in the 2011 proxy statement. In addition, the shareholders approved the Comerica Incorporated 2011 Management Incentive Plan by over 96% of the shares voted.

Based on the results of the 2011 Annual Meeting and conversations the Company had with shareholders, the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee (the "Committee") and the Board concluded that the compensation paid to Mr. Babb and the other NEOs, as well as Comerica's overall pay practices, enjoy strong shareholder support. Accordingly, the Committee continued to apply the same effective principles and philosophy it has used in prior years in determining executive compensation and will continue to consider shareholder feedback, as well as evolving executive compensation practices in the future when determining executive compensation.

Recoupment (Clawback) Policy

In September 2010, our Board adopted a policy related to the recoupment of compensation in response to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and shareholder feedback. The recoupment policy provides that in the event we are required to prepare an accounting restatement of our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, the Board will require reimbursement or forfeiture of incentive-based compensation received by any current or former executive officer during the three-year period preceding the date on which the accounting restatement is required. The clawback pertains to any excess income derived by the executive officer based on materially inaccurate accounting statements.

This recoupment policy applies in addition to the clawback provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the clawback provisions of our shareholder-approved Long-Term Incentive Plan, which provide that the Committee has the express right to cancel an option or restricted stock grant if the Committee determines in good faith that the recipient has engaged in conduct harmful to Comerica, such as having: (i) committed a felony; (ii) committed fraud; (iii) embezzled; (iv) disclosed confidential information or trade secrets; (v) been terminated for cause; (vi) engaged in any activity in competition with our business or the business of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vii) engaged in conduct that adversely affected Comerica.

Governance Programs

Our executive compensation programs and principles are based on a strong pay for performance philosophy and a commitment to balanced performance metrics and sound governance. Some of our executive compensation-related governance programs include:

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Roles of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee, Compensation Consultant and Management

The Committee is comprised solely of independent directors and is responsible for determining the compensation of our named executive officers, who are the CEO, the CFO, the former CFO, the three other most highly compensated current executive officers and, for 2011, the former Executive Vice President, Business Bank ("NEOs"). The Committee receives assistance from two sources during its evaluation process: (1) Aon Hewitt ("Hewitt"), the Committee's independent consulting firm; and (2) our internal compensation staff, led by our Executive Vice President of Human Resources.

Hewitt has been retained by and reports directly to the Committee; it does not have any other consulting engagements with management. Hewitt, at the Committee's request, regularly provides independent advice on current trends in compensation design, including a proxy analysis of compensation of the NEOs at each of our peer group members (described below in the "Short-Term Incentives" section on pages 30-34), the pros and cons of particular forms of compensation in relation to our business strategy and compensation philosophy, compensation levels, the appropriate mix of compensation, and emerging compensation practices, not only within the banking industry but across all U.S. business sectors.

Hewitt additionally advises the Committee on CEO compensation. In providing advice, Hewitt relies on its knowledge of Comerica's business, financial performance and compensation programs and its independent research and analysis. Hewitt does not separately meet with the CEO or discuss with the CEO any aspect of his compensation.

For the remaining NEOs and the rest of the leadership team, the CEO provides compensation recommendations to the Committee for its consideration and approval. These recommendations are developed in consultation with the Executive Vice President of Human Resources based on our operational performance, individual performance, competitive market practices, internal equity and alignment with shareholder interests. While Hewitt does not provide specific recommendations, it acts in an advisory capacity to the Committee by providing compensation ranges and market practice insight. Hewitt was paid $89,845 in fees for its services to the Committee in 2011.

Comerica's management from time to time engages the services of Towers Watson ("TW") to perform specific compensation studies. TW predominantly assists management with assessing the risk of Comerica's incentive plans. Occasionally, TW provides market analyses, either for select groups within the organization or for key business unit incentive plans. In 2011, TW completed an in-depth review of Comerica's incentive compensation plans as part of a risk assessment performed to comply with the Federal Reserve's "Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies." TW was paid $56,597 in fees for its services to Comerica's management in 2011.

Benchmarking

Hewitt generates a compensation analysis for the Committee based on our peer group's proxy data (more detail on the peer group is provided in the "Short-Term Incentives" section on pages 30-34). Recognizing that peers may be bigger or smaller than Comerica and that officer positions listed in the proxy vary from company to company, the data is used as a general indicator of compensation

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trends and pay levels. The information is not used to set specific compensation targets for the CEO or the other NEOs. The Committee reviews individual and company performance, historical compensation, as well as the scope of each position, to determine total compensation for the NEOs. Once total compensation targets are established, they are reviewed in relation to the market data to ensure they are both appropriate and competitive. Additionally, annually, Comerica purchases several published compensation surveys to evaluate compensation for our broader executive group and other staff positions. We strive to be at the median of the marketplace on all elements of total compensation and expect variable compensation to increase or decrease relative to the median based on performance.

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2011 Compensation Elements

 
 
   
   
   
  Key Objectives    



   
  Compensation Elements
  Philosophy Statement
  Attract &
Retain

  Reward
Short-Term
Performance

  Reward
Long-Term
Performance

  Align to
Shareholder
Interests

 


 
    TARGET CASH

The mix of base salary and STIs is balanced
  Base Salary   Base salary is used to compete in the market for talent and forms the foundation for our other reward vehicles.   X                
    against LTIs to provide    
    appropriate focus on both short and long-term results, with the goal of discouraging behavior that could give rise to excessive risk-taking.   Short-Term Incentives
("STIs")
  Our short-term cash incentive plan rewards annual relative performance against our 11 peer financial institutions, based on specific metrics. To achieve a top payout, our performance must rank first among our peers in all metrics.   X   X       X    
         
        Cash Incentives   Our long-term cash incentive plan rewards three-year relative performance against our 11 peer financial institutions, based on specific metrics. To achieve a top payout, our performance must rank first among our peers in all metrics.   X       X   X    
         
        Equity Incentives   Long-term equity incentives align management with shareholder interests and reward long-term performance. Value is created for participants when sustained performance increases stock price over several years. We primarily use two vehicles, stock options and restricted stock:   X       X   X    
    LONG-TERM INCENTIVES ("LTIs")

We use a mix of both cash and equity in our long-term incentive programs. Measuring long-term performance incents behaviors that preserve shareholder value.
     


Stock Options.    Our stock options use the closing price on the date of grant for the strike price. Vesting occurs over four years, and the participant only receives a benefit when the stock price increases so that the shareholders also benefit.

                   
           

Restricted Stock.    Restricted stock grants for the NEOs vest in their entirety at the end of five years. They are utilized as a retention tool to incent key leadership to remain with Comerica. Their value is directly tied to the stock price and therefore aligns management with shareholder interests.

                   
  
    OTHER   Other Compensation and
Benefit Programs /
Retirement Benefits
  Comerica offers all employees benefits programs that provide protections for health, welfare and retirement.   X                

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Supporting our pay for performance philosophy, variable compensation plans account for the majority of compensation. This effectively makes compensation contingent on our performance. To ensure we have balanced performance metrics and sound governance, we utilize a mix of cash and equity compensation with varying time horizons to reward sustained performance.

As shown in the charts below, base salary comprised only 18% of the CEO's 2011 compensation opportunity and only 30% of the other NEOs' 2011 compensation opportunity (excluding Mr. Greene, who retired during the year). The following charts illustrate the target compensation opportunity mix of the CEO and our other active NEOs for each compensation element except the "Other Compensation and Benefit Programs / Retirement Benefits" listed in the "2011 Compensation Elements" chart above. These percentages represent target levels approved for 2011. Equity award values in the charts below reflect the grant date fair market value of the awards granted at the beginning of 2011. Those equity awards were granted based on individual and Company performance during 2010.

2011 Compensation Opportunity Mix

GRAPHIC

Compensation Elements

Base Salary

Base salaries for the NEOs are typically reviewed in the first quarter during the annual performance review process. Adjustments, if any, are made based on individual performance and market competitiveness while maintaining fixed cost at an appropriate level. On occasion, factors such as promotion, change in job duties, performance and market competitiveness may support an adjustment outside of the annual performance review. The CEO makes recommendations to the Committee for salary adjustments for his leadership team. The Committee independently establishes the base salary for the CEO.

In early 2011, the Committee discontinued the use of phantom salary stock units as a portion of base salary ("salary stock"), and the NEOs received cash salary increases as part of the regular annual review cycle. Individual salary detail for each NEO is provided in the "2011 Summary Compensation Table" on pages 47-50.

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Short-Term Incentives

The chart below shows Comerica's annual adjusted EPS and TSR growth relative to CEO incentive awards under our Management Incentive Plan ("MIP").

Adjusted EPS and TSR Growth v CEO Incentives

GRAPHIC


Chart Notes

In 2009, the incentive compensation paid to the CEO under the MIP was reduced to $0.

The 2010 award was reduced, as Comerica was under the federal government's Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP") until March 17, 2010. The triangle symbol represents the award the CEO would have received in 2010 if his award had not been adjusted for TARP.

Comerica was not under TARP for any of 2011. As such, Mr. Babb's short-term cash incentive was not adjusted. To accurately compare our year-over-year performance versus pay, the dashed line above reflects a decline of 23% year-over-year if Mr. Babb's 2010 payment had not been adjusted for TARP.

See "Short-Term Cash Incentive Program" below for a description of how we calculate adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROCE.

Short-Term Cash Incentive Program

The MIP is a cash incentive program that provides awards to the NEOs and other key employees based on the achievement of performance goals established annually by the Committee. In response to shareholder feedback and to reinforce the importance of both short and long-term results, the MIP is made up of two separate programs: the Annual Management Incentive Program ("AMI"), which measures one-year performance, and the Long-Term Management Incentive Program (see the "Long-Term Incentives" section on pages 35-39 for more information), which measures three-year performance. Information regarding the AMI is provided below. The performance criteria applicable to the CEO and the other NEOs for purposes of the MIP are determined solely on corporate financial performance.

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2011 AMI Program Structure

 
  Metric   Measurement
Period
  Performance
Goal
   

 

 

Short-Term Incentive

             

 

 

Annual Adjusted EPS Growth

    2011   Relative Rank    

 

 

Annual Adjusted Return on Common Equity (Adjusted ROCE)

    2011   Relative Rank    

As can be seen in the chart above, the AMI measures Comerica's relative adjusted ROCE and adjusted EPS growth compared to a peer group over one year (short-term).

These two metrics have been chosen because they are two of the most commonly used metrics by investors and analysts to evaluate a bank's performance. In addition, unlike other metrics that may be calculated differently, adjusted ROCE and adjusted EPS growth have a generally prescribed formula, allowing these metrics to be easily validated and compared to Comerica's peers. Comerica believes the use of measures that are well understood, transparent and based on the audited financial results of Comerica are the foundation of a responsible incentive program that rewards performance without encouraging participants to take excessive risk.

Comerica computes and compares its one-year and three-year adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROCE performance relative to its peers. For Comerica, annual performance is measured on a calendar year basis, while for its peers, the annual performance measurement period comprises the first three quarters of the calendar year plus the fourth quarter of the prior calendar year. The difference in measurement periods between Comerica and its peers is necessitated by the timing of publicly available peer data required for the calculations. EPS is calculated based on net income available to common shareholders, and ROCE is calculated based on net income less preferred stock dividends. The after-tax impact of any adjustments related to a change in accounting principle and/or merger and restructuring charges incurred during the year for any business combinations are added back to reported net income to determine adjusted EPS and adjusted ROCE. To determine the adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROCE performance over a three-year period, the one-year computations described earlier are averaged over the three-year timeframe.

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Based on key performance measures, adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROCE, Comerica ranked 6th among our peers and above or at the median for both categories. The chart below details the funding for the AMI.


2011 AMI Program Results

 

  Comerica One-Year Adjusted EPS Growth   167.1%    

 

  Comerica One-Year Adjusted ROCE Performance        6.9%    

 

 
 
   
  One-Year Adjusted EPS(1)(2)
Growth Ranking
  One-Year Adjusted ROCE(1)(2)
Performance Ranking
   

 

  Comerica     6     6    

 

 

BB&T Corporation

   
10
   
7
   

 

  BOK Financial Corp.     12     1    

 

  Fifth Third Bancorp     1     4    

 

  First Horizon National Corp.     5     9    

 

  Huntington Bancshares Inc.     3     5    

 

  KeyCorp     2     3    

 

  M&T Bank Corp.     11     2    

 

  Regions Financial Corp.     7     10    

 

  SunTrust Banks, Inc.     4     8    

 

  Synovus Financial Corp.     9     12    

 

  Zions Bancorporation     8     11    
(1)
Comerica's assets were $61.0 billion compared to our peers which had a median asset size of $69.5 billion at December 31, 2011.

(2)
See "Short-Term Cash Incentive Program" above for a description of how we calculate adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROCE.

2011 Award Calculation

An award under the AMI is the product of base salary, AMI target incentive opportunity and the funding percentage.


Target and Maximum Incentive Opportunity

 
 
  NEO   Target   Maximum    

 

 

Mr. Babb

    100 %   200 %  

 

 

Ms. Acton

    65 %   130 %  

 

 

Ms. Parkhill

    90 %   180 %  

 

 

Mr. Anderson

    90 %   180 %  

 

 

Mr. Farmer

    90 %   180 %  

 

 

Mr. Fulton

    65 %   130 %  

 

 

Mr. Greene

    65 %   130 %  
                     

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2011 Annual Funding Percentages for Adjusted EPS Growth and Adjusted ROCE Performance

 
 
  Relative Rank   Funding    

 

 

  1

  100%    

 

 

  2

    95%    

 

 

  3

    90%    

 

 

  4

    85%    

 

 

  5

    80%    

 

 

  6

    70%    

 

 

  7

    60%    

 

 

  8

    50%    

 

 

  9

    40%    

 

 

10

      0%    

 

 

11

      0%    

 

  12       0%    

To ensure appropriate alignment between pay and performance, Comerica's target incentive opportunity percentages and funding opportunities (detailed in the above charts) are developed based on market pay levels so that at various levels of performance relative to peers, the pay is consistent with that level of performance (e.g., median pay for median performance). Maintaining this alignment with the market allows us to put more emphasis on variable compensation for our executives instead of base salary, or fixed compensation.

The following chart illustrates how the payout percentage of the AMI is calculated using Comerica's 2011 performance.


2011 AMI Program Payout Calculation

 
 
Metric
  Rank   Funding    

 

 

Annual Adjusted EPS Growth

    6     70 %  

 

 

Annual Adjusted ROCE Performance

    6     70 %  

 

 

Annual Total

          140 %  

Assuming a NEO had a base salary of $300,000 and a Target Incentive Opportunity of 65% of annual base salary, the incentive award would be calculated as described below.

 
   
  Base Salary    
  Target
Incentive
Opportunity
   
  Funding
Percentage
   
   
   

 

  Annual Portion   $ 300,000   X   65%   X   140%   =   $ 273,000    

The Committee reserves the right to reduce the calculated awards to account for individual performance or other operating considerations, and has used this discretion to adjust awards downward in prior years. It cannot increase the calculated awards for employees covered under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, in specified circumstances, the Committee may increase the award for employees not covered under 162(m) and did so in 2011. See footnote 2 of the "2011 Summary Compensation Table."

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2011 AMI Program Awards

 
  NEOs   Annual
Award
   

 

 

Mr. Babb

  $ 1,646,540    

 

 

Ms. Acton

  $ 547,821    

 

 

Ms. Parkhill(1)

  $ 301,875    

 

 

Mr. Anderson

  $ 756,000    

 

 

Mr. Farmer

  $ 663,133    

 

 

Mr. Fulton

  $ 499,682    

 

  Mr. Greene(2)   $ 468,608    
(1)
Total funding reflects proration based on the period of time Ms. Parkhill was employed by Comerica.

(2)
Total funding reflects proration based on the period of time Mr. Greene was employed by Comerica.

Several factors were considered in determining the 2011 awards for each of the NEOs. Such factors included Comerica's relative and absolute performance, market competitive total compensation, current and prior compensation levels, and each NEO's individual performance (more detail is provided in the "Roles of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee, Compensation Consultant and Management" section listed above). After the Committee conducted its review and evaluated total compensation for each NEO, then it approved the 2011 awards in the above table.

In 2012, Comerica's independent accountants, at the request of the Committee, issued a report applying certain agreed-upon procedures to assist the Committee in determining that the computations for the incentive awards issued for periods ended December 31, 2011 were made in conformity with the MIP. The report addressed Comerica's 2011 rankings in relation to the peer group for the annual and three-year performance periods, using the measurement components set by the Committee. In order to facilitate making the peer comparison computations in a timely manner, Comerica's results are measured over calendar year-end periods, whereas peer data is taken from periods ending in the third calendar quarter. For example, Comerica's performance for the annual performance period that began on January 1, 2011 and ended on December 31, 2011 would be compared against our peers' performance for the four quarters that began on October 1, 2010 and ended on September 30, 2011.

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Long-Term Incentives

The chart below shows Comerica's annual adjusted EPS and TSR growth relative to CEO realizable stock value from prior equity awards made under our long-term equity incentive program. For 2011, adjusted EPS growth increased 167% and TSR declined 38%, while CEO realizable stock value reflected alignment with long-term shareholder interests.


Adjusted EPS and TSR Growth v CEO Realizable Stock Value

GRAPHIC


Chart Notes

Realizable stock value reflects the income Mr. Babb received each year from restricted stock vesting or stock option exercises. Restricted stock cliff vests after five years after grant and stock options remain exercisable for ten years after grant.

Mr. Babb's 2011 realizable value reflects restricted shares that vested February 15, 2011 with a fair market value at the time of $39.74 per share. He still holds the shares. The value of such shares, based on our December 30, 2011 stock price, is $25.80 per share, representing a 35% decline in value.

See "Short-Term Cash Incentive Program" above for a description of how we calculate adjusted EPS growth.

Long-Term Cash Incentive Program

Comerica's long-term portion of the MIP, the Long-Term Management Incentive Program ("LMI"), measures Comerica's relative adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROCE performance over a three-year period. Utilizing the same metric in both our long and short-term programs ensures that short-term management decisions are not encouraged at the expense of longer-term performance. By using the same metrics, the Committee is incenting sustained performance of the Company in these areas over multiple years. This balanced focus on short and long-term results, in combination with our long-term equity program, discourages the management team from taking undue risks.


2011 LMI Program Structure

 
  Metric   Measurement
Period
  Performance
Goal
   

 

 

Long-Term Incentive

             

 

 

Three-Year Adjusted EPS Growth

    2009-2011   Relative Rank    

 

 

Three-Year Adjusted ROCE Performance

    2009-2011   Relative Rank    

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For the measurement period 2009 to 2011, Comerica ranked in 3rd place for adjusted EPS growth and 4th place for adjusted ROCE performance relative to our peers and performed above the median. The chart below details the funding for the LMI.


2011 LMI Program Results

 

  Comerica Three-Year Adjusted EPS Growth   72.2%    

 

  Comerica Three-Year Adjusted ROCE Performance     2.4%    

 

 
 
   
  Three-Year Adjusted EPS(1)
Growth Ranking
  Three-Year Adjusted ROCE(1)
Performance Ranking
   

 

  Comerica     3     4    

 

 

BB&T Corporation

   
7
   
3
   

 

  BOK Financial Corp.     5     1    

 

  Fifth Third Bancorp     11     5    

 

  First Horizon National Corp.     2     7    

 

  Huntington Bancshares Inc.     12     11    

 

  KeyCorp     1     8    

 

  M&T Bank Corp.     4     2    

 

  Regions Financial Corp.     8     10    

 

  SunTrust Banks, Inc.     6     6    

 

  Synovus Financial Corp.     10     12    

 

  Zions Bancorporation     9     9    
(1)
See "Short-Term Cash Incentive Program" above for a description of how we calculate adjusted EPS growth and adjusted ROE.

2011 Award Calculation

An award under the LMI is the product of base salary, LMI target incentive opportunity and the funding percentage.


Target and Maximum Incentive Opportunity

 
 
  NEO   Target   Maximum    

 

 

Mr. Babb

    50 %   100 %  

 

 

Ms. Acton

    22.5 %   45 %  

 

 

Ms. Parkhill

    40 %   80 %  

 

 

Mr. Anderson

    40 %   80 %  

 

 

Mr. Farmer

    40 %   80 %  

 

 

Mr. Fulton

    22.5 %   45 %  

 

 

Mr. Greene

    22.5 %   45 %  

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Table of Contents


2011 Long-Term Funding Percentages for Adjusted EPS Growth and Adjusted ROCE Performance

 
 
  Relative Rank   Funding    

 

 

  1

  100%    

 

 

  2

    95%    

 

 

  3

    90%    

 

 

  4

    85%    

 

 

  5

    80%    

 

 

  6

    70%    

 

 

  7

    60%    

 

 

  8

    50%    

 

 

  9

    40%    

 

 

10

      0%    

 

 

11

      0%    

 

  12       0%    


2011 LMI Program Awards

 
  NEOs   2009 - 2011
Award
   

 

 

Mr. Babb(1)

  $ 770,404    

 

 

Ms. Acton(1)

  $ 177,453    

 

 

Ms. Parkhill(2)

  $ 55,903    

 

 

Mr. Anderson(2)

  $ 151,667    

 

 

Mr. Farmer(1)

  $ 249,502    

 

 

Mr. Fulton(1)

  $ 161,858    

 

  Mr. Greene(1)(2)   $ 169,789    
(1)
Total funding is prorated, where applicable, to exclude impermissible amounts attributable to the time Comerica was a participant in TARP during the performance period.

(2)
Total funding reflects proration based on the period of time Mr. Anderson, Ms. Parkhill and Mr. Greene were employed by Comerica.

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The following chart illustrates how the payout percentage of the LMI is calculated using Comerica's 2011 performance.


2011 LMI Program Payout Calculation

 
 
Metric
  Rank   Funding    

 

 

Three-Year Adjusted EPS Growth

    3     90 %  

 

 

Three-Year Adjusted ROCE Performance

    4     85 %  

 

 

Three-Year Total

          175 %  

Assuming a NEO had a base salary of $300,000 and a Target Incentive opportunity of 22.5% of annual base salary, the incentive award would be calculated as described below.

 
   
  Base Salary    
  Target
Incentive
Opportunity
   
  Funding
Percentage
   
   
   

 

  Three-Year Portion   $ 300,000   X     22.5 % X     175 % =   $ 118,125    

All of the NEOs' incentive awards were calculated in this manner and then prorated, where applicable, to comply with TARP regulations due to our participation in TARP until March 17, 2010. Awards were also prorated in the event the NEO was not employed by Comerica during the entire performance period.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Program

Comerica believes the combination approach of granting stock options and restricted stock best allows us to motivate and retain our NEOs. Stock options align management with shareholder interests by providing value when the stock price increases. Restricted shares help to build long-term value that is realized with continued employment, reinforce our share ownership guidelines, and align management with shareholder interest, since the value increases or decreases based on Comerica's stock performance.

In determining the pool of shares available to grant each year, the Committee considers the following factors:

While stock value is tied to the long-term future performance of the Company, the grant is made as part of our annual review and accordingly is primarily based on Comerica's prior year performance. The Committee also assesses the NEO's future potential to contribute to Comerica's sustained performance (which includes individual performance, level of responsibility and criticality to the organization), as well as the individual's prior year performance, in determining grants.

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2011 Equity Award Grants

Generally, as described below under "Stock Granting Policy," stock grants are made once per year at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee. The targeted mix of stock options to restricted stock historically has been 40% and 60%, respectively. This mix has allowed us to appropriately balance between rewarding participants for mid-range and long-term performance. Stock options can provide realizable compensation over their duration (they typically vest over four years and expire after ten years), while restricted shares provide strong retentive value, with 100% of the shares vesting at the end of five years for NEOs. Additionally, this value mix (40% options / 60% restricted shares) has allowed us to responsibly manage our shares available for grant and provide awards where participant value and company cost are generally equivalent.

Stock Characteristics

Stock Granting Policy

Comerica's stock grants are governed by the Stock Granting Policy. In general, the policy states that annual stock grants to eligible employees will be made once per year during the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee. This meeting typically takes place toward the end of January every year.

The Stock Granting Policy also governs the granting of off-cycle awards. Off-cycle awards include such things as grants to new hires and grants for retention purposes or special recognition. With respect to grants made to newly hired employees, the grant date is typically determined based on their start date with the Company. Generally, individuals who start employment during the first half of the month will receive their grant on the last day of that month, and individuals who start employment during the last half of the month will receive their grant on the 15th day of the subsequent month. In all cases, the grant date will be adjusted if the prescribed date is not a trading day for the NYSE. The exercise price is the closing price of Comerica's stock on the grant date. Other off-cycle awards are normally approved at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee, and the grant date is the date of the Committee meeting. Additionally, the CEO may make off-cycle grants to existing employees who are not executive officers for promotions and retention purposes. Such grants are made on the same schedule as off-cycle grants approved by the Committee and may not exceed 5,000 shares per individual per calendar year.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In order to pursue our executive compensation philosophy of aligning the interests of our senior officers with those of the shareholders, we have stock ownership guidelines that encourage senior officers, including all of the active NEOs, to own a significant number of shares of Comerica's common stock. The stock ownership guidelines are a multiple of the senior officer's annual base salary. Comerica encourages its senior officers to achieve the targeted stock ownership levels within

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Table of Contents

five years of being promoted or named to the applicable senior officer position. For purposes of the stock ownership guidelines, stock ownership includes:

There are approximately 116 senior officers subject to stock ownership guidelines, including the active NEOs. As of December 31, 2011, all active NEOs who had held their current title for at least five years had met their respective stock ownership guideline levels.


Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines

 
   
   
   
   
 
  Level
   
  Multiple of
Annual Salary

   
  Approximate
Value

   
  Years to
Attain

   
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer       5.0 times       $5.9MM       5 Years    
    Vice Chairman       3.0 times       $1.7MM       5 Years    
    Executive Vice President (Salary Grades BE3 and BE4)       3.0 times       $1.3MM       5 Years    
    Senior Vice President (Salary Grade BE2)       2.0 times       $0.4MM       5 Years    

Looking Forward — 2012 Executive Compensation Plan Design Changes

Throughout 2011, the Committee continued to refine Comerica's executive compensation programs consistent with the Company's long-term goals, evolving governance and market practices and shareholder feedback. An analysis of such programs was conducted during the course of 2011. As a result of that analysis, we have determined the following:

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Other Compensation and Benefit Programs

Comerica offers all employees benefit programs that provide protection for health, welfare and retirement. These programs are typical at most companies and include healthcare, life insurance, disability, dental, and vision, as well as an employee stock purchase program and other programs described below under "Retirement Benefits." A deferred compensation program is also provided for highly compensated individuals, including each of the NEOs, and is described in detail below under "Employee Deferred Compensation Plans."

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Comerica offers employees an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP"), which provides participating employees a convenient and affordable way to purchase shares of Comerica common stock without being charged a brokerage fee. Comerica provides a 15% quarterly match on contributions the employee made during that same quarter, provided the employee does not make any withdrawals during the quarter. Following each year-end, Comerica provides a 5% annual retention match on eligible contributions made during the first of the prior two plan-year periods if the employee has not taken any withdrawals from his or her ESPP account during the two year period and is still an employee at the end of the two year period. This encourages stock ownership, which supports our compensation philosophy of aligning the interests of Comerica's employees with those of its shareholders. For further details on ESPP matching contributions made to NEOs during 2011, please see the "2011 Summary Compensation Table."

Relocation Assistance

Comerica's relocation policy provides benefits to many employees at various levels within the organization when they are asked by the Company to relocate or as an inducement to join the Company. Such benefits include: pre-commitment visits, miscellaneous expense allowances, tax assistance, home sale assistance, closing costs on home sale and home purchase, home buyout assistance, home sale incentives of up to $100,000 of employee losses on the sale of homes, home finding trips, household goods shipping, temporary living expenses, duplicate housing expenses and final trip expenses, as applicable. Home buyout assistance is offered if an employee is unable to sell his or her home after marketing the home for 90 days. Home buyout costs are typically based on the average of two independent appraisals; however, in the event the lower appraisal is more than 5% less than the higher appraisal, a third independent appraisal is obtained and the purchase price is based on the average of the two closest appraisals. The relocation policy includes a clawback provision that requires the employee to reimburse Comerica for all or part of the relocation expenses if the employee terminates voluntarily or is terminated for cause within a specified amount of time after receiving the benefits.

Retirement Benefits

Comerica provides retirement benefits to attract and retain employees and to provide avenues for employees to save money for their retirement.

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Pension Plan

Comerica sponsors a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the "defined benefit plan") that provides a retirement benefit based on an eligible employee's years of service and final average monthly pay. Final average monthly pay is a participant's highest aggregate monthly compensation for 60 consecutive calendar months within the last 120 calendar months before the earlier of retirement or separation from service, divided by 60. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2007 are not eligible to participate in this plan, but are eligible to participate in the Retirement Account Plan discussed below.

For those employees who participate in the defined benefit plan, Comerica also sponsors a Benefit Equalization Plan (the "SERP") to restore benefits that are capped by Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") limits imposed on annual compensation and annual benefit amounts under the defined benefit plan.

401(k) Plan

Comerica also maintains a 401(k) savings plan for all employees. The 401(k) plan provides a 100% match on the first four percent of a participant's qualified earnings, as allowed under the IRS annual compensation limit. The match vests immediately for all 401(k) participants, and the matching criteria are the same for all employees, including the NEOs.

Retirement Account Plan

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2007 are not eligible to participate in Comerica's defined benefit plan but are eligible for a Company allocation pursuant to the Retirement Account Plan after attaining age 21 and completing one year of service. To receive an annual Company allocation (which typically occurs in the first quarter of the year), the participant must have completed at least 1,000 hours of service during the prior calendar year. The allocation varies based on the sum of the participant's age and years of service and is based on a percentage of base salary:

 
 
  Age+
Service Points
  Company
Allocation
   
    Less than 40   3.0%    
   

40-49

  4.0%    
   

50-59

  5.0%    
   

60-69

  6.0%    
   

70-79

  7.0%    
   

80 or more

  8.0%    

The maximum annual compensation of any participant that Comerica can consider in computing an allocation under the Retirement Account Plan for 2011 was $245,000. Company contributions are 100% vested after 3 years of service or at age 65 or upon death while an employee. Payment of vested accounts may be made in a lump sum, periodic or partial distributions. No in-service distributions or loans are allowed from Comerica contribution accounts. Mr. Farmer and Mr. Anderson are current participants in the Retirement Account Plan, and Ms. Parkhill will participate in the Retirement Account Plan once she meets applicable service eligibility requirements.

Perquisites

Effective June 30, 2010, Comerica eliminated all of its perquisite programs. Comerica determined it was no longer necessary to provide the NEOs with perquisites as part of a competitive compensation and benefits package. With the acquisition of Sterling Bancshares, Inc., we will fulfill

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certain outstanding obligations concerning perquisites for legacy employees of Sterling (none of whom are NEOs), but do not intend to continue the programs going forward.

Comerica has historically prohibited, and continues to prohibit, the use of corporate aircraft for personal use by executive officers, including the NEOs (except in the event of an emergency such as a medical or life-threatening event, in which case the executive is required to reimburse Comerica for the full incremental cost of such use).

Employment Contracts and Severance or Change of Control Agreements

Change of Control Agreements

We maintain change of control agreements with all of our active NEOs. The change of control agreements aid us in attracting and retaining executives by reducing the personal uncertainty that arises from any business combination. Such change of control agreements further make executives neutral to any change of control transaction, ensuring executives make decisions that are in the best interest of Comerica and our shareholders.

If a change of control of Comerica occurs, each active NEO will have a right to continued employment for a period of 30 months from the date of the change of control (the "Employment Period").

If the executive dies or becomes disabled during the Employment Period, the executive or his or her beneficiary will receive accrued obligations, including salary, pro rata bonus, deferred compensation and vacation pay, and death or disability benefits.

If Comerica terminates the executive's employment for a reason other than cause or disability during the Employment Period, the agreement provides the following severance benefits ("Change of Control Benefits"):

These amounts would be paid in a lump sum with the exception of the health, accident, disability and life insurance benefits and the payment of legal fees and outplacement services, which would be paid as the expenses were incurred. All payments would be made by Comerica or the surviving entity.

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Change of control agreements issued in 2008 and before included an excise tax benefit and a window period feature. Accordingly, Mr. Babb, Ms. Acton, Mr. Farmer and Mr. Fulton would also receive the Change of Control Benefits if they resigned for any reason within the 30 days after the one-year anniversary of the change of control. Additionally, if any payment or benefit to such executives under the agreement or otherwise were subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the executive would receive an additional payment in an amount sufficient to make the executive whole for any such excise tax. However, if such payments (excluding additional amounts payable due to the excise tax) did not exceed 110% of the greatest amount that could be paid without giving rise to the excise tax, no additional payments would be made with respect to the excise tax, and the payments otherwise due to the executive would be reduced to an amount necessary to prevent the application of the excise tax. Mr. Greene was party to a change of control agreement while employed with Comerica, but such agreement expired upon his retirement.

Comerica has not entered into any new agreements since 2008 that include the excise tax benefit and window period provisions. Furthermore, Comerica will not include these provisions in new agreements going forward.

Supplemental Pension and Retiree Medical Agreement with Ralph W. Babb, Jr.

On May 29, 1998, Comerica entered into a Supplemental Pension and Retiree Medical Agreement with Mr. Babb, which is designed to make him whole with respect to pension benefits that he lost when he left his prior employer to come to Comerica. The agreement was entered into pursuant to an understanding reached when Mr. Babb was hired. This supplemental pension provides Mr. Babb a benefit equal to the amount to which he would have been entitled under Comerica's Pension Plan had he been employed by Comerica since October 1978 (an additional 17 years of service), less amounts received by him under both Comerica's Pension Plan and the defined benefit pension plans of his prior employer. In addition, Comerica will provide Mr. Babb and his spouse with retiree medical and accidental insurance coverage for his and her lifetime on a basis no less favorable than such benefits were provided to them as of the date of the agreement. For additional information on Mr. Babb's supplemental pension arrangements, please see the table below entitled, "Pension Benefits at Fiscal Year-End 2011."

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Comerica's executive compensation programs are designed to maximize the deductibility of executive compensation under the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Committee reserves the right in the exercise of its business judgment to establish appropriate compensation levels for executive officers that may exceed the limits on tax deductibility established under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code or not satisfy the performance-based award exception under Section 162(m), and therefore would not be deductible.

Participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program imposed additional limitations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. During the TARP period, the Company's deduction for annual compensation for the Section 162(m) "covered executives" was limited to $500,000 and the "performance-based exception" of Section 162(m) was not available. As a result, certain portions of our executive officers' compensation attributable to services during our TARP participation period (November 13, 2008 to March 17, 2010) may not be deductible when paid. Such additional deductibility limitations ceased with respect to compensation earned after the Company's redemption on March 17, 2010, of the preferred stock issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

The aggregate nondeductible portion of compensation paid in 2011 to NEOs is $1,965,570. The primary component of this nondeductible compensation is the value of restricted stock that vested

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in 2011. As discussed in the "Base Salary" section above, the salary stock was granted to maintain competitive compensation, and restricted stock is a critical component of Comerica's executive compensation program. Both helped to attract and retain executives who are vital to our long-term strategy. At a 35% tax rate, the aggregate cost to the Company associated with the inability to deduct this compensation for 2011 is $687,950, or approximately $0.0035 per share outstanding as of December 31, 2011.

Compensation Policies and Practices that Affect Risk Management

We use incentive compensation plans for a significant number of employees in addition to our executive officers. In this section, we describe some of our policies regarding our use and management of our incentive compensation plans, and how we manage risks arising from our use of incentive compensation.

How We Consider Risk When Structuring Incentive Compensation Programs

How We Identify Potential Risks Arising from Incentive Compensation

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How We Manage Potential Risks Arising from Incentive Compensation

Based on the factors identified above, we have determined that risks arising from Comerica's employee compensation plans are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Comerica. Further, it is both the Committee's and management's intent to continue to evolve our processes going forward by monitoring regulations and best practices for sound incentive compensation.


GOVERNANCE, COMPENSATION AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on that review and those discussions, it recommended to the Board of Directors that the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Comerica's proxy statement.

The Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee

Richard G. Lindner, Chairman
Roger A. Cregg
Jacqueline P. Kane
Alfred A. Piergallini

February 28, 2012

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The following table summarizes the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer of Comerica, the Chief Financial Officer of Comerica, the former Chief Financial Officer of Comerica and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of Comerica who were serving at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as well as Dale E. Greene, who would have been included in that category but for the fact that he was not serving as an executive officer at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (collectively, the "named executive officers" or "NEOs").


2011 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 
  Name and Principal
Position (a)
  Year   Salary(1)
($)
  Bonus(2)
($)
  Stock
Awards
(3)(4)
($)
  Option
Awards
(5)
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(6)
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
(7)
($)
  All Other
Compensation
(8)(9)
($)
  Total (b)
($)
   
    Ralph W. Babb, Jr.   2011     1,170,873     0     2,127,040     1,349,010     2,416,944     2,745,500     9,800     9,819,167    
    Chairman of the Board,   2010     2,727,452     0     1,233,540     757,680     1,986,350     2,108,247     32,180     8,845,449    
    President and Chief Executive Officer, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank   2009     985,000     0     1,801,280     545,908     0     866,533     67,674     4,266,395    

 

 

Elizabeth S. Acton

 

2011

 

 

598,712

 

 

0

 

 

430,100

 

 

274,950

 

 

725,274

 

 

391,573

 

 

9,800

 

 

2,430,409

 

 
    Executive Vice President   2010     981,416     0     372,020     227,920     446,000     275,273     15,115     2,317,744    
    and Chief Financial Officer,   2009     512,500     0     394,659     151,496     0     177,884     30,308     1,266,847    
    Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                        

 

 

Karen L. Parkhill

 

2011

 

 

218,942

 

 

792,222

 

 

1,131,078

 

 

505,800

 

 

357,778

 

 

0

 

 

991,242

 

 

3,997,062

 

 
    Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                        

 

 

Lars C. Anderson

 

2011

 

 

600,000

 

 

0

 

 

1,818,150

 

 

280,800

 

 

907,667

 

 

0

 

 

261,616

 

 

3,868,233

 

 
    Vice Chairman, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                        

 

 

Curtis C. Farmer

 

2011

 

 

571,393

 

 

0

 

 

410,550

 

 

257,400

 

 

912,635

 

 

0

 

 

22,050

 

 

2,174,028

 

 
    Vice Chairman,   2010     937,042     0     411,180     258,720     346,000     0     30,952     1,983,894    
    Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank   2009     430,769     0     262,564     119,499     55,781     0     699,274     1,567,887    

 

 

J. Michael Fulton

 

2011

 

 

547,854

 

 

0

 

 

391,000

 

 

234,000

 

 

661,540

 

 

884,586

 

 

9,800

 

 

2,728,780

 

 
    Executive Vice President, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank                                                        

 

 

Dale E. Greene

 

2011

 

 

445,073

 

 

75,488

 

 

782,000

 

 

0

 

 

562,909

 

 

961,353

 

 

9,800

 

 

2,836,623

 

 
    Executive Vice President, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank   2010     1,009,073           450,340     277,200     522,000     1,142,136     19,374     3,420,123    

Footnotes:

(a)
Current position held by the NEO as of March 16, 2012, except for Elizabeth S. Acton, who was Chief Financial Officer from January 1, 2011 – November 1, 2011, and Dale E. Greene, who retired on September 1, 2011.

(b)
Total compensation in the above table includes several current and future forms of compensation. While it is valuable to understand all the components, generally total compensation consists of base salary, performance-based cash incentives and stock awards. The chart below provides CEO total compensation relative to Comerica's performance.

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        Adjusted EPS and TSR Growth v CEO Compensation

GRAPHIC

(1)
The salary amount for 2010 includes the target value (the amount of salary paid in salary stock) on the date of grant. Salary stock was granted in 2010 to provide key executives an appropriate compensation opportunity within the TARP framework that was also aligned with shareholder interests. Units of salary stock were granted each pay period. The number of units granted was based on the target value divided by the closing price of Comerica common stock on the NYSE on each date of grant. The following table shows the applicable NEOs' regular salary, the pre-tax value of the salary stock payment to applicable NEOs, such NEOs' total salary and the settlement date value of the salary stock delivered to such NEOs:

 
  Named
Executive
Officer
  2010
Regular
Salary
  Salary
Stock
Value
  2010
Total
Salary
  Salary
Stock
Payment
   
    Mr. Babb   $ 1,098,285   $ 1,629,167   $ 2,727,452   $ 1,676,584    
    Ms. Acton   $ 561,486   $ 419,930   $ 981,416   $ 430,445    
    Mr. Farmer   $ 527,354   $ 409,688   $ 937,042   $ 422,121    
    Mr. Greene   $ 597,402   $ 411,671   $ 1,009,073   $ 421,578    
(2)
As an incentive for Ms. Parkhill to join Comerica, she was provided with a $500,000 signing bonus and a guaranteed incentive payment. The difference between the amount received under the MIP and Ms. Parkhill's guaranteed incentive amount is included in this column along with her signing bonus.

Mr. Greene served as Executive Vice President and interim head of the Business Bank from early 2010 until his retirement on September 1, 2011, succeeding the former Vice Chairman of the Business Bank, Joseph Buttigieg. Mr. Greene provided leadership and oversight of this major business segment and facilitated a smooth transition to the newly hired Vice Chairman of the Business Bank, Mr. Anderson. Since incentive compensation funding for an Executive Vice President is lower than that of a Vice Chairman, the Committee provided Mr. Greene an additional 2011 annual award in the amount of $75,488 under the MIP to recognize his contribution to the Company in such a critical role.

(3)
This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units granted to each of the NEOs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718 and Item 402 of Regulation S-K. For additional information on the assumptions used in determining fair value for share-based compensation, refer to Notes 1 and 17 in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Comerica's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. See the "2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table below for information on awards made in 2011.

Both Ms. Parkhill and Mr. Anderson received a restricted stock unit grant when joining Comerica. Ms. Parkhill was granted 34,200 restricted stock units that vest in thirds in years 3, 4 and 5 from the date of grant. All units will be distributed as shares on the 5th anniversary of the date of grant.

Mr. Anderson was granted 35,000 restricted stock units to help offset any loss of pension benefits he may have accrued with his former employer. The units vest in thirds in years 4, 6 and 8 from the date of grant. All units will be distributed in shares when Mr. Anderson reaches the age of 60.

For both awards, dividends are accumulated over the vesting period and are converted into additional restricted stock units based on the fair market value of Comerica's stock price on the date of the dividend payment.

The shares granted to Mr. Babb in 2009 included 58,000 shares with a fair market value of $1,004,560 on the date of grant. At Mr. Babb's request, the cash incentive award that Mr. Babb would have otherwise received under the MIP for the one-year period ended

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(4)
Grants of restricted stock include the right to receive cash dividends. Dividend amounts paid to the NEOs are listed below.

 
   
  2011
Dividend
  2010
Dividend
  2009
Dividend
   
    Mr. Babb   $ 99,020   $ 42,275   $ 71,230    
    Ms. Acton   $ 25,504   $ 11,327   $ 22,654    
    Ms. Parkhill   $ 1,000     N/A     N/A    
    Mr. Anderson   $ 7,950     N/A     N/A    
    Mr. Farmer   $ 15,009   $ 4,354   $ 4,395    
    Mr. Fulton   $ 21,886     N/A     N/A    
    Mr. Greene   $ 20,683   $ 11,064     N/A    
(5)
This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted to the NEOs in accordance with ASC 718 and Item 402 of Regulation S-K. The amounts reflect the fair market value at the date of grant for these awards based on a binomial lattice valuation. See the "2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table below for information on awards made in 2011. The binomial value assigned to an option as of each grant date is as follows:

 
   
  Option Value    

 

 

2009

  $ 6.53    

 

 

2010

  $ 12.32    

 

 

2011

  $ 11.70    
(6)
Amounts in this column represent incentive awards, if any, under Comerica's MIP based on Comerica's adjusted ROCE and adjusted EPS growth performance for the relevant one-year and three-year performance periods, prorated to exclude any impermissible amounts attributable to the time Comerica was a participant in TARP during the measurement period. Awards were also prorated in the event the NEO was not employed by Comerica during the entire performance period.

If eligible, participants can elect to defer all or a portion of the one-year and three-year performance awards. The deemed investment choices for the deferral are either an investment fund where the participant elects the deemed investments or Comerica common stock.

As Mr. Babb, Ms. Acton and Mr. Greene were TARP "Covered Employees" (the Senior Executive Officers and the twenty next most highly compensated employees) in 2009, they were not eligible to receive a cash bonus under the MIP as prescribed by the applicable TARP regulations. Mr. Farmer was not a TARP "Covered Employee" in 2009 and, therefore, was eligible to receive a cash bonus under the MIP.

A break-down of the AMI and LMI earned in 2011 and paid in February 2012 under the MIP are set forth in the table below with respect to each of the NEOs:

2011 Management Incentive Plan Awards

 
  NEOs   AMI
Funding
  LMI
Funding
  Total
Funding
   

 

 

Mr. Babb(a)

  $ 1,646,540   $ 770,404   $ 2,416,944    

 

 

Ms. Acton(c)

  $ 547,821   $ 177,453   $ 725,274    

 

 

Ms. Parkhill(b)

  $ 301,875   $ 55,903   $ 357,778    

 

 

Mr. Anderson(c)

  $ 756,000   $ 151,667   $ 907,667    

 

 

Mr. Farmer(a)

  $ 663,133   $ 249,502   $ 912,635    

 

 

Mr. Fulton(a)

  $ 499,682   $ 161,858   $ 661,540    

 

 

Mr. Greene(a)(b)

  $ 468,608   $ 169,789   $ 638,397    
(7)
This column represents the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the individual's accumulated benefit under the qualified pension plan and SERP.

The years of service credited to Mr. Babb under the SERP include the 17 years of service that Comerica agreed to provide Mr. Babb upon commencing his employment with Comerica.

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(8)
2011 amounts for each of the NEOs include a matching contribution under Comerica's 401(k) savings plan as follows:

 
   
  401(k) Match    

 

 

Ralph W. Babb, Jr.

  $ 9,800    

 

 

Elizabeth S. Acton

  $ 9,800    

 

 

Karen L. Parkhill

    N/A    

 

 

Lars C. Anderson

  $ 9,800    

 

 

Curtis C. Farmer

  $ 9,800    

 

 

J. Michael Fulton

  $ 9,800    

 

 

Dale E. Greene

  $ 9,800    
(9)
To induce Ms. Parkhill and Mr. Anderson to accept employment offers with Comerica, both officers were provided relocation benefits in 2011 pursuant to Comerica's relocation policy. Ms. Parkhill's relocation expenses totaled $985,412. Pursuant to the home buyout program under the relocation policy and based on independent appraisals and market analysis, Comerica purchased Ms. Parkhill's home and ultimately resold the home in December 2011. A difference of $675,000 between the buyout value at which Comerica purchased the home and the ultimate sale price has been included in Ms. Parkhill's "All Other Compensation", along with other transaction costs, including tax assistance of $24,377 and $77,338 in taxes as part of the sales contract. Mr. Anderson's relocation expenses totaled $249,599, including tax assistance of $24,294. See page 41 for more information on the relocation policy.

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The following table provides information on grants of awards to NEOs in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 under Comerica's plans, as well as potential payouts for each of the NEOs under the AMI and LMI for the annual performance period covering 2011 and the three-year performance period covering 2009-2011. Where applicable, the estimated future payout values are prorated for the time Comerica was a participant in TARP during the performance period. For more information on our equity compensation plans, see the "Long-Term Incentives" section of the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."


2011 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

 
 








   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 








   
   
   
   
 

Estimated Possible Payouts
Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units(3)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securitites
Underlying
Options(4)
  Exercise
of Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)(5)
  Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards(6)
 
      
  Award Type   Date Award
Approved
  Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum(2)
($)
   

 

 

Ralph W. Babb, Jr.

  Cash Incentive                 0     1,617,138     3,234,275                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       54,400                 2,127,040    
         

 

      Options     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                             115,300     39.10     1,349,010    
         

 

      Phantom Salary     01/26/2010     01/07/2011                       1,583                 70,833    

 

      Stock Units                                                          

 

 

Elizabeth S. Acton

  Cash Incentive                 0     492,888     985,775                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       11,000                 430,100    
         

 

      Options     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                             23,500     39.10     274,950    
         

 

      Phantom Salary     01/26/2010     01/07/2011                       410                 18,258    

 

      Stock Units                                                          

 

 

Karen L. Parkhill

  Cash Incentive                 0     247,569     495,139                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     04/26/2011     08/31/2011                       10,000                 255,900    
         

 

      Restricted Stock Units     04/26/2011     08/31/2011                       34,200                 875,178    
         

 

      Options     04/26/2011     08/31/2011                             60,000     25.59     505,800    
         

 

 

Lars C. Anderson

  Cash Incentive                 0     626,667     1,253,333                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       11,500                 449,650    
         

 

      Restricted Stock Units     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       35,000                 1,368,500    
         

 

      Options     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                             24,000     39.10     280,800    
         

 

 

Curtis C. Farmer

  Cash Incentive                 0     616,008     1,232,017                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       10,500                 410,550    
         

 

      Options     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                             22,000     39.10     257,400    
         

 

      Phantom Salary     01/26/2010     01/07/2011                       400                 17,813    

 

      Stock Units                                                          

 

 

J. Michael Fulton

  Cash Incentive                 0     449,576     899,151                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       10,000                 391,000    
         

 

      Options     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                             20,000     39.10     234,000    
         

 

      Phantom Salary     01/26/2010     01/07/2011                       377                 17,066    

 

      Stock Units                                                          

 

 

Dale E. Greene

  Cash Incentive                       378,000     756,000                            
         

 

      Restricted Stock     01/25/2011     01/25/2011                       20,000                 782,000    
         

 

      Phantom Salary     01/26/2010     01/07/2011                       402                 17,899    

 

      Stock Units                                                          

Footnotes:

(1)
These columns reflect the potential payments for each of the NEOs under the AMI and the LMI for the annual performance period covering 2011 and the three-year performance period covering 2009-2011. Where applicable, the values are prorated (1) to exclude impermissible amounts attributable to the time Comerica was a participant in TARP during the performance period or (2) to prorate amounts based on the period of time Mr. Anderson, Mr. Greene and Ms. Parkhill were employed by Comerica. Refer to the "Short-Term Incentives" portion of the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section above for additional information. Because there is the possibility of no incentive funding if Comerica does not meet its performance objectives, the threshold is deemed to be zero. Incentives earned under the AMI and the LMI for the one-year and three-year performance periods in 2011 and 2009-2011 are shown in the Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Plan column of the "2011 Summary Compensation Table."

(2)
As described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section above, the maximum stated for each NEO under the MIP represents the maximum amount that could be funded for each NEO based upon the achievement of the performance criteria, the NEO's officer level and the NEO's base salary, prorated, where applicable, due to the restrictions imposed on Comerica as a participant in TARP and based on the period of time the officer was employed by Comerica during the performance period.

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(3)
Reflected in this column are the restricted shares granted to NEOs in January of 2011. Unless an award is forfeited prior to vesting, restricted stock awards are subject to 5 year cliff vesting. Refer to the "2011 Equity Award Grants" portion of the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section above for more information on restricted stock awards.
(4)
This column shows the number of stock options granted to the NEOs in January of 2011, as applicable. Option awards generally have a 10-year term and become exercisable annually in 25% increments. Ms. Parkhill's grant was not made until she began her employment with Comerica in August.

(5)
For all applicable NEOs other than Ms. Parkhill, the closing price of Comerica's common stock per share on January 25, 2011, the grant date. For Ms. Parkhill, the closing price of Comerica's common stock per share on August 31, 2011, the grant date.

(6)
This column represents the fair value (at grant date) of phantom salary stock units, stock options and restricted stock/unit awards granted to applicable NEOs in 2011.

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The following table provides information on stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants awarded under the Long-Term Incentive Plan for each NEO that were outstanding as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The market value of the stock awards is based on the closing market price of Comerica stock on December 30, 2011 of $25.80 per share. For more information on our equity compensation plans, see the "Long-Term Incentives" section of the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2011

 
 
   
  Option Awards    
  Stock Awards    








  Name   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
 








   
 
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)
 







 

 

Ralph W. Babb, Jr.

              0   115,300(1)   39.10     1/25/2021          54,400(8)   1,403,520    

 

        15,375     46,125(2)   39.16     7/27/2020          31,500(9)      812,700    

 

        41,800     41,800(3)   17.32     1/27/2019       104,000(10)   2,683,200    

 

        75,000     25,000(4)   37.45     1/22/2018         34,000(11)      877,200    

 

      100,000             0   58.98     1/23/2017         30,000(12)      774,000    

 

      100,000             0   56.47     2/15/2016                

 

      175,000             0   54.99     4/21/2015                

 

      150,000             0   52.50     4/16/2014                

 

        70,000             0   40.32     4/17/2013                

 

      125,000             0   63.20     4/17/2012                

 

 

Elizabeth S. Acton

 

            0

 

  23,500(1)

 

39.10

 

  1/25/2021

     

  11,000(8)

 

   283,800

   

 

          4,625     13,875(2)   39.16     7/27/2020           9,500(9)      245,100    

 

                  0     11,600(3)   17.32     1/27/2019         12,800(10)      330,240    

 

        24,000       8,000(4)   37.45     1/22/2018           6,014(13)      155,161    

 

        32,000             0   58.98     1/23/2017         18,445(11)      475,881    

 

        32,000             0   56.47     2/15/2016           7,000(12)      180,600    

 

        45,000             0   54.99     4/21/2015                

 

        45,000             0   52.50     4/16/2014                

 

        30,000             0   62.02     4/13/2012                

 

 

Karen L. Parkhill

 

            0

 

  60,000(5)

 

25.59

 

  8/31/2021

     

  10,000(14)

 

   258,000

   

 

                            34,354(15)      886,333    

 

 

Lars C. Anderson

 

            0

 

  24,000(1)

 

39.10

 

  1/25/2021

     

  11,500(8)

 

   296,700

   

 

          7,500     22,500(6)   42.24   12/31/2020         35,352(16)      912,082