LOS ANGELES/Dec. 10, 2002 -- Comerica, one of the leading business banks in the nation, announced today that it has teamed up with the Los Angeles Lakers to form a true winning combination, as basketball's champions have named Comerica the Official Bank of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The announcement solidifies the 10-year banking relationship between Comerica and the Lakers, a relationship that has created an unbeatable combination on and off the court. Like the Lakers, who have won three consecutive championships, Comerica is one of the nation's leading business banks.
"We are proud to be able to expand our long-lasting relationship with the champion Los Angeles Lakers," said Comerica Bank-California President and CEO J. Michael Fulton. "As a relationship-oriented bank, Comerica prides itself on listening to our customers and providing them with the means to make them a winner in their industry. Teaming up with the Lakers is a natural because we're both committed to excellence and teamwork."
The children of the Los Angeles Unified School District will also benefit from this announcement, because the relationship includes Comerica's corporate sponsorship of the Lakers "Read to Achieve" and "A Time for Kids" programs. These initiatives focus the organization's efforts on literacy and instilling the joy of reading in the youth of the Los Angeles area. The Lakers plan to expand their current literacy programs, which include an annual reading challenge and reading "time outs," and will also implement new initiatives such as Lakers Reading and Learning Centers.
"The Lakers and Comerica Bank-California share a commitment to being the best and I am very pleased that we are now committed to work together to promote literacy in our local community," said Jeanie Buss, Executive Vice President, Business Operations of the Lakers. "The Lakers have long relied upon the people at Comerica to provide us with a broad range of financial services. We understand that to be the best, you have to work with the best, which is why the Lakers use Comerica."
Comerica will also be sponsoring several on- and off-court promotions, including the "Comerica Bank Shot" contest, radio spots on the Lakers Broadcasting Network, and other dual promotions.
About Comerica Bank-California
Comerica Bank-California is the fourth largest bank headquartered in California, based on assets of $18.3 billion as of Sept. 30, 2002. Comerica Bank-California has offices throughout California, as well as in numerous other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Comerica Bank-California is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, a $53 billion asset company headquartered in Detroit.
Media Contact:
Keith Turner
Comerica Bank-California
(408) 556-5111
keith_turner@comerica.com
