Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018
Commission file number 1-10706
COMERICA INCORPORATED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
 
38-1998421
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
Comerica Bank Tower
1717 Main Street, MC 6404
Dallas, Texas 75201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(214) 462-6831
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Exchange Act:
ž Common Stock, $5 par value
These securities are registered on the New York Stock Exchange.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ý
 
Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý
At June 29, 2018 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the registrant’s common stock, $5 par value, held by non-affiliates had an aggregate market value of approximately $15.3 billion based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on that date of $90.92 per share. For purposes of this Form 10-K only, it has been assumed that all common shares Comerica’s Trust Department holds for Comerica’s employee plans, and all common shares the registrant’s directors and executive officers hold, are shares held by affiliates.
At February 8, 2019, the registrant had outstanding 159,000,514 shares of its common stock, $5 par value.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Part III: Items 10-14—Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 23, 2019.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1. Business.
GENERAL
Comerica Incorporated (“Comerica”) is a financial services company, incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Based on total assets as reported in the most recently filed Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies (FR Y-9C), it was among the 25 largest commercial United States (“U.S.”) financial holding companies. Comerica was formed in 1973 to acquire the outstanding common stock of Comerica Bank, which at such time was a Michigan banking corporation and one of Michigan's oldest banks (formerly Comerica Bank-Detroit). On October 31, 2007, Comerica Bank, a Michigan banking corporation, was merged with and into Comerica Bank, a Texas banking association (“Comerica Bank”). As of December 31, 2018, Comerica owned directly or indirectly all the outstanding common stock of 2 active banking and 29 non-banking subsidiaries. At December 31, 2018, Comerica had total assets of approximately $70.8 billion, total deposits of approximately $55.6 billion, total loans (net of unearned income) of approximately $50.2 billion and shareholders’ equity of approximately $7.5 billion.
Comerica has strategically aligned its operations into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. In addition to the three major business segments, Finance is also reported as a segment.
Comerica operates in three primary geographic markets - Texas, California, and Michigan, as well as in Arizona and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, and in Canada and Mexico.
We provide information about the net interest income and noninterest income we received from our various classes of products and services: (1) under the caption, “Analysis of Net Interest Income” on page F-6 of the Financial Section of this report; (2) under the caption “Net Interest Income” on page F-7 of the Financial Section of this report; and (3) under the caption “Noninterest Income” on pages F-8 through F-9 of the Financial Section of this report.
COMPETITION
The financial services business is highly competitive. Comerica and its subsidiaries mainly compete in their three primary geographic markets of Texas, California and Michigan, as well as in the states of Arizona and Florida. They also compete in broader, national geographic markets, as well as markets in Mexico and Canada. They are subject to competition with respect to various products and services, including, without limitation, loans and lines of credit, deposits, cash management, capital market products, international trade finance, letters of credit, foreign exchange management services, loan syndication services, consumer lending, consumer deposit gathering, mortgage loan origination, consumer products, fiduciary services, private banking, retirement services, investment management and advisory services, investment banking services, brokerage services, the sale of annuity products, and the sale of life, disability and long-term care insurance products.
Comerica competes in terms of products and pricing with large national and regional financial institutions and with smaller financial institutions. Some of Comerica's larger competitors, including certain nationwide banks that have a significant presence in Comerica's market area, may make available to their customers a broader array of product, pricing and structure alternatives and, due to their asset size, may more easily absorb credit losses in a larger overall portfolio. Some of Comerica's competitors (larger or smaller) may have more liberal lending policies and processes. Increasingly, Comerica competes with other companies based on financial technology and capabilities, such as mobile banking applications and funds transfer. Further, Comerica's banking competitors may be subject to a significantly different or reduced degree of regulation due to their asset size or types of products offered. They may also have the ability to more efficiently utilize resources to comply with regulations or may be able to more effectively absorb the costs of regulations into their existing cost structure. Comerica believes that the level of competition in all geographic markets will continue to increase in the future.
In addition to banks, Comerica's banking subsidiaries also face competition from other financial intermediaries, including savings and loan associations, consumer finance companies, leasing companies, venture capital funds, credit unions, investment banks, insurance companies and securities firms. Competition among providers of financial products and services continues to increase as technology advances have lowered the barriers to entry for financial technology companies, with customers having the opportunity to select from a growing variety of traditional and nontraditional alternatives, including crowdfunding, digital wallets and money transfer services. The ability of non-banking financial institutions to provide services previously limited to commercial banks has intensified competition. Because non-banking financial institutions are not subject to many of the same regulatory restrictions as banks and bank holding companies, they can often operate with greater flexibility and lower cost structures.
In addition, the industry continues to consolidate, which affects competition by eliminating some regional and local institutions, while strengthening the franchises of acquirers.

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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
Banks, bank holding companies, and financial institutions are highly regulated at both the state and federal level. Comerica is subject to supervision and regulation at the federal level by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Comerica Bank is chartered by the State of Texas and at the state level is supervised and regulated by the Texas Department of Banking under the Texas Finance Code. Comerica Bank has elected to be a member of the Federal Reserve System under the Federal Reserve Act and, consequently, is supervised and regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association is chartered under federal law and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) under the National Bank Act. Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association, by virtue of being a national bank, is also a member of the Federal Reserve System. The deposits of Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to the extent provided by law, and therefore Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association are each also subject to regulation and examination by the FDIC. Certain transactions executed by Comerica Bank are also subject to regulation by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). The Department of Labor (“DOL”) regulates financial institutions providing services to plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Comerica Bank’s Canada branch is supervised by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and its Mexico representative office is supervised by the Banco de México.
The FRB supervises non-banking activities conducted by companies directly and indirectly owned by Comerica. In addition, Comerica’s non-banking subsidiaries are subject to supervision and regulation by various state, federal and self-regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs of the State of Michigan and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) (in the case of Comerica Securities, Inc.); the Department of Insurance and Financial Services of the State of Michigan (in the case of Comerica Insurance Services, Inc.); the DOL (in the case of Comerica Securities, Inc. and Comerica Insurance Services, Inc.); and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (in the case of Comerica Securities, Inc. and World Asset Management, Inc.).
Both the scope of the laws and regulations and intensity of supervision to which Comerica’s business is subject have increased over the past decade in response to the financial crisis as well as other factors such as technological and market changes. Many of these changes have occurred as a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and its implementing regulations, most of which are now in place. In 2018, with the passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”), as described below, there has been some recalibration of the post-financial crisis framework; however, Comerica’s business remains subject to extensive regulation and supervision.
Comerica is also subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, both as administered by the SEC, as well as the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
Described below are material elements of selected laws and regulations applicable to Comerica and its subsidiaries. The descriptions are not intended to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes and regulations described. Changes in applicable law or regulation, and in their application by regulatory agencies, cannot be predicted, but they may have a material effect on the business of Comerica and its subsidiaries.
Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act
On May 24, 2018, EGRRCPA was signed into law. Among other regulatory changes, EGRRCPA amends various sections of the Dodd-Frank Act, including section 165 of Dodd-Frank Act, which was revised to raise the asset thresholds for determining the application of enhanced prudential standards for bank holding companies. Under EGRRCPA bank holding companies with less than $100 billion of consolidated assets, including Comerica, were immediately exempted from all of the enhanced prudential standards, except risk committee requirements, which now apply to publicly-traded bank holding companies with $50 billion or more of consolidated assets, including Comerica. As a result, Comerica is no longer subject to Dodd-Frank Act supervisory and company-run stress testing, required to file a resolution plan under Section 165(d) of the Dodd-Frank Act or subject to internal liquidity stress testing and buffer requirements. In addition, Comerica is no longer required to pay the supervision and regulation fee assessment under the Dodd-Frank Act.
On July 6, 2018, the FRB released a statement that for bank holding companies with between $50 billion and $100 billion in total consolidated assets, including Comerica, the FRB would take no action to require such bank holding companies to comply with the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (“CCAR”) process or the Liquidity Coverage Ratio. On October 31, 2018, the FRB proposed rules that would revise its regulations to raise the asset thresholds for these requirements so that bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets would be exempt.
Also on July 6, 2018, the federal banking regulators issued an interagency statement that banks with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, including Comerica Bank, would not be required to comply with company-run stress testing requirements until November 25, 2019, at which time such banks will become exempt from company-run stress testing requirements

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under the EGRRCPA. In addition, the federal banking regulators have each issued proposed rules that would revise their stress testing regulations consistent with the EGRRCPA.
Requirements for Approval of Activities and Acquisitions
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act expanded the activities in which a bank holding company registered as a financial holding company can engage. Comerica became a financial holding company in 2000. As a financial holding company, Comerica may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies, and engage in activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature. Activities that are “financial in nature” include, but are not limited to: securities underwriting; securities dealing and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies (subject to regulatory requirements described below); insurance underwriting and agency; merchant banking; and activities that the FRB determines, in consultation with the Secretary of the United States Treasury, to be financial in nature or incidental to a financial activity. “Complementary activities” are activities that the FRB determines upon application to be complementary to a financial activity and that do not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally.
In order to maintain its status as a financial holding company, Comerica and each of its depository institution subsidiaries must each remain “well capitalized” and “well managed,” and Comerica, Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association are each “well capitalized” and “well managed” under FRB standards. If Comerica or any subsidiary bank of Comerica were to cease being “well capitalized” or “well managed” under applicable regulatory standards, the FRB could place limitations on Comerica’s ability to conduct the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies or impose limitations or conditions on the conduct or activities of Comerica or its affiliates. If the deficiencies persisted, the FRB could order Comerica to divest any subsidiary bank or to cease engaging in any activities permissible for financial holding companies that are not permissible for bank holding companies, or Comerica could elect to conform its non-banking activities to those permissible for a bank holding company that is not also a financial holding company.
In addition, the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”) requires U.S. banks to help serve the credit needs of their communities. Comerica Bank’s current rating under the CRA is “satisfactory.” If any subsidiary bank of Comerica were to receive a rating under the CRA of less than “satisfactory,” Comerica would be prohibited from engaging in certain activities.
Federal and state laws impose notice and approval requirements for mergers and acquisitions of other depository institutions or bank holding companies. In many cases, no FRB approval is required for Comerica to acquire a company engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the FRB. Prior approval is required before Comerica may acquire the beneficial ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares or substantially all of the assets of a bank holding company (including a financial holding company) or a bank. In considering applications for approval of acquisitions, the banking regulators may take several factors into account, including whether Comerica and its subsidiaries are well capitalized and well managed, are in compliance with anti-money laundering laws and regulations, or have CRA ratings of less than “satisfactory.”
Acquisitions of Ownership of Comerica
Acquisitions of Comerica’s voting stock above certain thresholds are subject to prior regulatory notice or approval under federal banking laws, including the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, a person or entity generally must provide prior notice to the FRB before acquiring the power to vote 10% or more of Comerica’s outstanding common stock. Investors should be aware of these requirements when acquiring shares of Comerica’s stock.
Capital and Liquidity
Comerica and its bank subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital requirements and guidelines imposed by the FRB and/or the OCC. In calculating risk-based capital requirements, a depository institution’s or holding company’s assets and certain specified off-balance sheet commitments are assigned to various risk categories defined by the FRB, each weighted differently based on the level of credit risk that is ascribed to such assets or commitments, based on counterparty type and asset class. A depository institution’s or holding company’s capital is divided into three tiers: Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”), additional Tier 1, and Tier 2. CET1 capital predominantly includes common shareholders’ equity, less certain deductions for goodwill, intangible assets and deferred tax assets that arise from net operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards, if any. Additional Tier 1 capital primarily includes any outstanding noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus. Comerica has also made the election to permanently exclude accumulated other comprehensive income related to debt securities, cash flow hedges, and defined benefit postretirement plans from CET1 capital. Tier 2 capital primarily includes qualifying subordinated debt and qualifying allowance for credit losses. The ultimate treatment for certain specific deductions and adjustments is yet to be determined pending the finalization of a proposal by banking regulators to simplify certain aspects of the capital rules. In addition, in December 2018, the federal banking regulators adopted rules that would permit bank holding companies and banks to phase in, for regulatory capital purposes, the day-one impact of the new current expected credit loss ("CECL") accounting rule on retained earnings over a period of three years. More information is set forth in the “Capital” section located on pages F-18 through F-20.

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Entities that engage in trading activities that exceed specified levels, also are required to maintain capital to account for market risk. Market risk includes changes in the market value of trading account, foreign exchange, and commodity positions, whether resulting from broad market movements (such as changes in the general level of interest rates, equity prices, foreign exchange rates, or commodity prices) or from position specific factors. From time to time, Comerica’s trading activities may exceed specified regulatory levels, in which case Comerica adjusts its risk-weighted assets to account for market risk as required.
Comerica and its bank subsidiaries, like other bank holding companies and banks, currently are required to maintain a minimum CET1 capital ratio, minimum Tier 1 capital ratio and minimum total capital ratio equal to at least 4.5 percent, 6 percent and 8 percent of their total risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance-sheet items, such as standby letters of credit), respectively. In 2018, Comerica and its bank subsidiaries were also required to maintain a minimum capital conservation buffer of 1.875 percent in order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. The minimum required capital conservation buffer increased to 2.5 percent as of January 1, 2019. Comerica and its bank subsidiaries are also required to maintain a minimum “leverage ratio” (Tier 1 capital to non-risk-adjusted average total assets) of 4 percent.
To be well capitalized, Comerica’s bank subsidiaries are required to maintain a CET1 capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio, total capital ratio and a leverage ratio equal to at least 6.5 percent, 8.0 percent, 10.0 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively. The FRB has not yet revised the minimum requirements for bank holding companies to be considered well capitalized to reflect the higher capital requirements imposed under the current capital rules. For purposes of the FRB’s Regulation Y, including determining whether a bank holding company meets the requirements to be a financial holding company, bank holding companies, such as Comerica, must maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6.0 percent and a total capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent to be well capitalized. If the FRB were to apply the same or a very similar minimum requirement to be considered well capitalized to bank holding companies as that applicable to Comerica’s bank subsidiaries, Comerica’s capital ratios as of December 31, 2018 would exceed such revised minimum requirements. The FRB may require bank holding companies, including Comerica, to maintain capital ratios substantially in excess of mandated minimum levels, depending upon general economic conditions and a bank holding company’s particular condition, risk profile and growth plans.
Failure to be well capitalized or to meet minimum capital requirements could result in certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators, including restrictions on Comerica’s or its bank subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or otherwise distribute capital or to receive regulatory approval of applications, or other restrictions on growth.
At December 31, 2018, Comerica met all of its minimum risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio requirements plus the applicable countercyclical conservation buffer and the applicable well capitalized requirements, as shown in the table below:
(dollar amounts in millions)
Comerica
Incorporated
(Consolidated)
 
Comerica
Bank
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
CET1 capital (minimum $3.0 billion (Consolidated))
$
7,470

 
$
7,229

Tier 1 capital (minimum $4.0 billion (Consolidated))
7,470

 
7,229

Total capital (minimum $5.4 billion (Consolidated))
8,855

 
8,433

Risk-weighted assets
67,047

 
66,857

Adjusted average assets (fourth quarter)
71,070

 
70,905

CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum 4.5%)
11.14
%
 
10.81
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum 6.0%)
11.14

 
10.81

Total capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum 8.0%)
13.21

 
12.61

Tier 1 capital to average assets (minimum 4.0%)
10.51

 
10.20

Capital conservation buffer
5.14

 
4.61

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
CET1 capital (minimum $3.0 billion (Consolidated))
$
7,773

 
$
7,121

Tier 1 capital (minimum $4.0 billion (Consolidated))
7,773

 
7,121

Total capital (minimum $5.3 billion (Consolidated))
9,211

 
8,378

Risk-weighted assets
66,575

 
66,447

Adjusted average assets (fourth quarter)
71,372

 
71,181

CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum 4.5%)
11.68
%
 
10.72
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum 6.0%)
11.68

 
10.72

Total capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum 8.0%)
13.84

 
12.61

Tier 1 capital to average assets (minimum 4.0%)
10.89

 
10.00

Capital conservation buffer
5.68

 
4.61

Comerica was previously required to comply with the modified Liquidity Coverage Ratio and would have been required to comply with the proposed Net Stable Funding Ratio. However, as discussed above, the FRB has stated that it will take no action to require bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, including Comerica, to comply with

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the modified Liquidity Coverage Ratio. In addition, the banking regulators proposed a rule on October 31, 2018, that would raise the asset threshold for the proposed Net Stable Funding Ratio rule to apply to firms with more than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, and therefore, Comerica would not be required to comply with this rule as currently proposed.
Additional information on the calculation of Comerica’s and its bank subsidiaries’ CET1 capital, Tier 1 capital, total capital and risk-weighted assets is set forth in the “Capital” section located on pages F-18 through F-20 of the Financial Section of this report and Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located on pages F-92 through F-93 of the Financial Section of this report.
Annual Capital Plans and Stress Tests
Comerica was previously subject to the FRB’s annual CCAR process, including the requirement to submit an annual capital plan to the FRB for non-objection. However, as discussed above, the FRB has stated that it will take no action to require bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, including Comerica, to comply with the requirements of the CCAR process, and on October 31, 2018, the FRB proposed rules that would revise its regulations to raise the asset thresholds for these requirements such that bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets would be exempt.
Comerica and Comerica Bank were also previously subject to Dodd-Frank Act stress testing requirements. As discussed above, as a bank holding company with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets Comerica was immediately exempted from Dodd-Frank Act supervisory and company-run stress testing requirements by the EGRRCPA, and Comerica Bank, as a bank with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets, will be exempt from company-run stress testing requirements under the EGRRCPA on November 25, 2019, and will not be required to comply with them during the intervening period. The federal banking regulators have proposed rules that would revise their respective regulations to raise the asset thresholds for these requirements such that bank holding companies and banks with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets would be exempt.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”) requires, among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to depository institutions that do not meet certain minimum capital requirements. FDICIA establishes five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” An institution that fails to remain well capitalized becomes subject to a series of restrictions that increase in severity as its capital condition weakens. Such restrictions may include a prohibition on capital distributions, restrictions on asset growth or restrictions on the ability to receive regulatory approval of applications. The FDICIA also provides for enhanced supervisory authority over undercapitalized institutions, including authority for the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the institution.
As of December 31, 2018, each of Comerica’s bank subsidiaries’ capital ratios exceeded those required for an institution to be considered “well capitalized” under these regulations.
As an additional means to identify problems in the financial management of depository institutions, FDICIA requires federal bank regulatory agencies to establish certain non-capital-based safety and soundness standards for institutions any such agency supervises. The standards relate generally to, among others, earnings, liquidity, operations and management, asset quality, various risk and management exposures (e.g., credit, operational, market, interest rate, etc.) and executive compensation. The agencies are authorized to take action against institutions that fail to meet such standards.
FDICIA also contains a variety of other provisions that may affect the operations of depository institutions including reporting requirements, regulatory standards for real estate lending, “truth in savings” provisions, the requirement that a depository institution give 90 days prior notice to customers and regulatory authorities before closing any branch, and a prohibition on the acceptance or renewal of brokered deposits by depository institutions that are not well capitalized or are adequately capitalized and have not received a waiver from the FDIC.
Dividends
Comerica is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and other subsidiaries. Since Comerica’s consolidated net income and liquidity consists largely of net income of and dividends received from Comerica’s bank subsidiaries, Comerica’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase shares depends upon its receipt of dividends from these subsidiaries. There are statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the payment of dividends by subsidiary banks to Comerica, as well as by Comerica to its shareholders. Certain, but not all, of these requirements are discussed below. No assurances can be given that Comerica’s bank subsidiaries will, in any circumstances, pay dividends to Comerica.
Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association are required by federal law to obtain the prior approval of the FRB and/or the OCC, as the case may be, for the declaration and payment of dividends, if the total of all dividends declared by the board of directors of such bank in any calendar year will exceed the total of (i) such bank's retained net income (as defined and interpreted by regulation) for that year plus (ii) the retained net income (as defined and interpreted by regulation) for the

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preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus or to fund the retirement of preferred stock. At January 1, 2019, Comerica's subsidiary banks could declare aggregate dividends of approximately $108 million from retained net profits of the preceding two years. Comerica's subsidiary banks declared dividends of $1.1 billion in 2018, $907 million in 2017 and $545 million in 2016.
Comerica and its bank subsidiaries must maintain the applicable CET1 capital conservation buffer to avoid becoming subject to restrictions on capital distributions, including dividends. The capital conservation buffer is currently at its fully phased-in level of 2.5%.
Furthermore, federal regulatory agencies can prohibit a bank or bank holding company from paying dividends under circumstances in which such payment could be deemed an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Under the FDICIA “prompt corrective action” regime discussed above, which applies to each of Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association, a bank is specifically prohibited from paying dividends to its parent company if payment would result in the bank becoming “undercapitalized.” In addition, Comerica Bank is also subject to limitations under Texas state law regarding the amount of earnings that may be paid out as dividends to Comerica, and requires prior approval for payments of dividends that exceed certain levels.
FRB policy provides that a bank holding company should not pay dividends unless (1) the bank holding company’s net income over the last four quarters (net of dividends paid) is sufficient to fully fund the dividends, (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition of the bank holding company and its subsidiaries and (3) the bank holding company will continue to meet minimum required capital adequacy ratios. The policy also provides that a bank holding company should inform the FRB reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the bank holding company’s capital structure. Bank holding companies also are required to consult with the FRB before redeeming or repurchasing capital instruments (including common stock), or materially increasing dividends.
Transactions with Affiliates
Federal banking laws and regulations impose qualitative standards and quantitative limitations upon certain transactions between a bank and its affiliates, including between Comerica and its nonbank subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Comerica’s affiliate insured depository institutions, on the other. For example, Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act limits the aggregate outstanding amount of any insured depository institution’s loans and other “covered transactions” with any particular nonbank affiliate (including financial subsidiaries) to no more than 10% of the institution’s total capital and limits the aggregate outstanding amount of any insured depository institution’s covered transactions with all of its nonbank affiliates to no more than 20% of its total capital. “Covered transactions” are defined by statute to include (i) a loan or extension of credit, (ii) a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, (iii) a purchase of assets (unless otherwise exempted by the FRB) from the affiliate, (iv) the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan, (v) the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate and (vi) securities borrowing or lending transactions and derivative transactions with an affiliate, to the extent that either causes a bank or its affiliate to have credit exposure to the securities borrowing/lending or derivative counterparty. Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act also generally requires that an insured depository institution’s loans to its nonbank affiliates be, at a minimum, 100% secured, and Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act generally requires that an insured depository institution’s transactions with its nonbank affiliates be on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same or at least as favorable as those prevailing for comparable transactions with nonaffiliates. Federal banking laws also place similar restrictions on loans and other extensions of credit by FDIC-insured banks, such as Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association, and their subsidiaries to their directors, executive officers and principal shareholders.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulation
Comerica is subject to many U.S. federal, U.S. state and international laws and regulations governing consumer data privacy protection, which require, among other things, maintaining policies and procedures to protect the non-public confidential information of customers and employees. The privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act generally prohibit financial institutions, including Comerica and its subsidiaries, from disclosing nonpublic personal financial information of consumer customers to third parties for certain purposes (primarily marketing) unless customers have the opportunity to “opt out” of the disclosure. Other laws and regulations, at the international, federal and state levels, limit Comerica’s ability to share certain information with affiliates and non-affiliates for marketing and/or non-marketing purposes, or to contact customers with marketing offers. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also requires banks to implement a comprehensive information security program that includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information. Because we have a limited presence in New York, we are subject to certain requirements of the New York Department of Financial Service’s Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, which include maintaining a cybersecurity program and policies and breach notification requirements.
In October 2016, the federal banking regulators issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding enhanced cyber risk management standards, which would apply to a wide range of large financial institutions, including Comerica, and their third-party service providers. The proposed standards would expand existing cybersecurity regulations and guidance to focus on

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cyber risk governance and management; management of internal and external dependencies; and incident response, cyber resilience and situational awareness. In addition, the proposal contemplates more stringent standards for institutions with systems that are critical to the financial sector. Comerica is monitoring the development of this rule.
Data privacy and data protection are areas of increasing state legislative focus. For example, in June of 2018, the Governor of California signed into law the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”). The CCPA, which becomes effective on January 1, 2020, applies to for-profit businesses that conduct business in California and meet certain revenue or data collection thresholds. The CCPA will give consumers the right to request disclosure of information collected about them, and whether that information has been sold or shared with others, the right to request deletion of personal information (subject to certain exceptions), the right to opt out of the sale of the consumer’s personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. The CCPA contains several exemptions, including an exemption applicable to information that is collected, processed, sold or disclosed pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The California Attorney General has not yet proposed or adopted regulations implementing the CCPA, and the California State Legislature has amended the Act since its passage. Comerica has a physical footprint in California and will be required to comply with the CCPA. In addition, similar laws may be adopted by other states where Comerica does business. The impact of the CCPA on Comerica’s business is yet to be determined. The federal government may also pass data privacy or data protection legislation.
Like other lenders, Comerica Bank and other of Comerica’s subsidiaries use credit bureau data in their underwriting activities. Use of such data is regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), and the FCRA also regulates reporting information to credit bureaus, prescreening individuals for credit offers, sharing of information between affiliates, and using affiliate data for marketing purposes. Similar state laws may impose additional requirements on Comerica and its subsidiaries.
FDIC Insurance Assessments
The DIF provides deposit insurance coverage for certain deposits up to $250,000 per depositor in each deposit account category. Comerica's subsidiary banks are subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. The FDIC imposes a risk-based deposit premium assessment system, where the assessment rates for an insured depository institution are determined by an assessment rate calculator, which is based on a number of elements to measure the risk each institution poses to the DIF. The assessment rate is applied to total average assets less tangible equity. Under the current system, premiums are assessed quarterly and could increase if, for example, criticized loans and/or other higher risk assets increase or balance sheet liquidity decreases. For 2018, Comerica’s FDIC insurance expense totaled $42 million, including the DIF surcharge that was in place from mid-2016 until September 30, 2018. For 2019, management expects a reduction in deposit insurance assessments of $16 million as a result of the elimination of the DIF surcharge.
Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (“USA PATRIOT Act”) of 2001 and its implementing regulations require insured depository institutions, broker-dealers, and certain other financial institutions to have policies, procedures, and controls to detect, prevent, and report money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act and its regulations also provide for information sharing, subject to conditions, between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, for counter-terrorism purposes. Federal banking regulators are required, when reviewing bank holding company acquisition and bank merger applications, to take into account the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering activities of the applicants. To comply with these obligations, Comerica and its various operating units have implemented appropriate internal practices, procedures, and controls.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for administering economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others, as defined by various Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. OFAC-administered sanctions take many different forms. For example, sanctions may include: (1) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on U.S. persons engaging in financial transactions relating to, making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (2) a blocking of assets in which the government or “specially designated nationals” of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). OFAC also publishes lists of persons, organizations, and countries suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts, known as Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Blocked assets (e.g., property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences.

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Interstate Banking and Branching
The Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act (the “Interstate Act”), as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, permits a bank holding company, with FRB approval, to acquire banking institutions located in states other than the bank holding company's home state without regard to whether the transaction is prohibited under state law, but subject to any state requirement that the bank has been organized and operating for a minimum period of time, not to exceed five years, and the requirement that the bank holding company, prior to and following the proposed acquisition, control no more than 10 percent of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions in the U.S. and no more than 30 percent of such deposits in that state (or such amount as established by state law if such amount is lower than 30 percent). The Interstate Act, as amended, also authorizes banks to operate branch offices outside their home states by merging with out-of-state banks, purchasing branches in other states and by establishing de novo branches in other states, subject to various conditions. In the case of purchasing branches in a state in which it does not already have banking operations, de novo interstate branching is permissible if under the law of the state in which the branch is to be located, a state bank chartered by that state would be permitted to establish the branch. A bank holding company or bank must be well capitalized and well managed in order to take advantage of these interstate banking and branching provisions.
Comerica has consolidated the majority of its banking business into one bank, Comerica Bank, with banking centers in Texas, Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, as well as Canada.
Source of Strength and Cross-Guarantee Requirements
Federal law and FRB regulations require that bank holding companies serve as a source of strength to each subsidiary bank and commit resources to support each subsidiary bank. This support may be required at times when a bank holding company may not be able to provide such support without adversely affecting its ability to meet other obligations. The FRB may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if the bank holding company fails to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank or if it undertakes actions that the FRB believes might jeopardize the bank holding company’s ability to commit resources to such subsidiary bank. Under these requirements, Comerica may in the future be required to provide financial assistance to its subsidiary banks should they experience financial distress. Capital loans by Comerica to its subsidiary banks would be subordinate in right of payment to deposits and certain other debts of the subsidiary banks. In the event of Comerica’s bankruptcy, any commitment by Comerica to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of its subsidiary banks would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
Similarly, under the cross-guarantee provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, in the event of a loss suffered or anticipated by the FDIC (either as a result of the failure of a banking subsidiary or related to FDIC assistance provided to such a subsidiary in danger of failure), the other banking subsidiaries may be assessed for the FDIC’s loss, subject to certain exceptions. An FDIC cross-guarantee claim against a depository institution is superior in right of payment to claims of the holding company and its affiliates against such depository institution.
Supervisory and Enforcement Powers of Federal and State Banking Agencies
The FRB and other federal and state banking agencies have broad supervisory and enforcement powers, including, without limitation, and as prescribed to each agency by applicable law, the power to conduct examinations and investigations, impose nonpublic supervisory agreements, issue cease and desist orders, terminate deposit insurance, impose substantial fines and other civil penalties and appoint a conservator or receiver. Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations could subject Comerica or its banking subsidiaries, as well as officers and directors of these organizations, to administrative sanctions and potentially substantial civil and criminal penalties. Bank regulators regularly examine the operations of bank holding companies and banks, and the results of these examinations, as well as certain supervisory and enforcement actions, are confidential and may not be made public.
Resolution Plans
Before the enactment of EGRRCPA, Comerica was required to prepare and submit a resolution plan to the FRB and FDIC. As discussed above, pursuant to EGRRCPA, Comerica is now exempt from this requirement as a bank holding company with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets.
EGRRCPA did not change the FDIC’s rules that require depository institutions with $50 billion or more of total consolidated assets, including Comerica Bank, to periodically file a separate resolution plan. The FDIC’s Chairman, however, has stated that the FDIC intends to release an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking with respect to the FDIC’s bank resolution plan requirements meant to better tailor bank resolution plans to a firm’s size, complexity and risk profile.
Incentive-Based Compensation
Comerica is subject to guidance issued by the FRB, OCC and FDIC intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers senior executives as well as other employees who, either individually or as part of a group,

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have the ability to expose the banking organization to material amounts of risk, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization's incentive compensation arrangements (i) should provide employees incentives that appropriately balance risk and financial results in a manner that does not encourage employees to expose their organizations to imprudent risk; (ii) should be compatible with effective controls and risk-management; and (iii) should be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization's board of directors. Banking organizations are expected to review regularly their incentive compensation arrangements based on these three principles. Where there are deficiencies in the incentive compensation arrangements, they should be promptly addressed. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization's safety and soundness, particularly if the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies. Similar to other large banking organizations, Comerica has been subject to a continuing review of incentive compensation policies and practices by representatives of the FRB, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the Texas Department of Banking since 2011. As part of that review, Comerica has undertaken a thorough analysis of all the incentive compensation programs throughout the organization, the individuals covered by each plan and the risks inherent in each plan’s design and implementation. Comerica has determined that risks arising from employee compensation plans are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Comerica. It is Comerica’s intent to continue to evolve its incentive compensation processes going forward by monitoring regulations and best practices for sound incentive compensation.
In 2016, the FRB, OCC and several other federal financial regulators revised and re-proposed rules to implement Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 956 directed regulators to jointly prescribe regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements, or any feature of any such arrangement, at covered financial institutions that encourage inappropriate risks by providing excessive compensation or that could lead to a material financial loss. This proposal supplements the final guidance issued by the banking agencies in June 2010. Consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act, the proposed rule would impose heightened standards for institutions with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets, which includes Comerica. For these larger institutions, the proposed rule would require the deferral of at least 40 percent of incentive-based payments for designated executives and significant risk-takers who individually have the ability to expose the institution to possible losses that are substantial in relation to the institution's size, capital or overall risk tolerance. Moreover, incentive-based compensation of these individuals would be subject to potential clawback for seven years following vesting. Further, the rule imposes enhanced risk management controls and governance and internal policy and procedure requirements with respect to incentive compensation. Comerica is monitoring the development of this rule.
The Volcker Rule
Comerica is prohibited under the Volcker Rule from (1) engaging in short-term proprietary trading for its own account and (2) having certain ownership interests in and relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds ("Covered Funds"). The Volcker Rule regulations contain exemptions for market-making, hedging, underwriting and trading in U.S. government and agency obligations, and also permit certain ownership interests in certain types of Covered Funds to be retained. They also permit the offering and sponsoring of Covered Funds under certain conditions. The Volcker Rule regulations impose significant compliance and reporting obligations on banking entities.
Comerica has put in place the compliance programs currently required by the Volcker Rule and has either divested or received extensions for any holdings in Covered Funds. Additional information on Comerica's portfolio of indirect (through funds) private equity and venture capital investments, which includes the Covered Funds, is set forth in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located on page F-49 of the Financial Section of this report.
In May 2018, the five federal agencies with rulemaking authority with respect to the Volcker Rule released a proposal to revise the Volcker Rule. The proposal would tailor the Volcker Rule’s compliance requirements to the amount of a firm’s trading activity, revise the definition of trading account, clarify certain key provisions in the Volcker Rule, and modify the information companies are required to provide the federal agencies. Comerica is following the development of this proposed rule.
Derivative Transactions
As a state member bank, Comerica Bank may engage in derivative transactions, as permitted by applicable Texas and federal law. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act contains a comprehensive framework for over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives transactions. Even though many of the requirements do not impact Comerica directly, since Comerica Bank does not meet the definition of swap dealer or “major swap participant,” Comerica continues to review and evaluate the extent to which such requirements impact its business indirectly. On November 5, 2018, the CFTC issued a final rule that sets the permanent aggregate gross notional amount threshold for the de minimis exception from the definition of swap dealer at $8 billion in swap dealing activity entered into by a person over the preceding 12 months. Comerica's swap dealing activities are currently below this threshold.
The initial margin requirements for non-centrally cleared swaps and security-based swaps will be effective for Comerica’s swap and security-based swap counterparties that are swap dealers on September 1, 2020, at which time such counterparties will be required to collect initial margin from Comerica.  The initial margin requirements were issued for the purpose of ensuring safety

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and soundness of swap trading in light of the risk to the financial system associated with non-cleared swaps activity.  Comerica is currently working toward meeting compliance with the initial margin requirements.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Certain Recent Consumer Finance Regulations
Comerica is subject to regulation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which has a broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions and possesses examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, including Comerica Bank, and their depositary affliates.
Comerica is also subject to certain state consumer protection laws, and under the Dodd-Frank Act, state attorneys general and other state officials are empowered to enforce certain federal consumer protection laws and regulations. In recent years, state authorities have increased their focus on and enforcement of consumer protection rules. These federal and state consumer protection laws apply to a broad range of Comerica’s activities and to various aspects of its business and include laws relating to interest rates, fair lending, disclosures of credit terms and estimated transaction costs to consumer borrowers, debt collection practices, the use of and the provision of information to consumer reporting agencies, and the prohibition of unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices in connection with the offer, sale or provision of consumer financial products and services.
The CFPB has issued final rules changing the reporting requirements for lenders under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. The new rules expand the range of transactions subject to these requirements to include most securitized residential mortgage loans and credit lines. The rules also increase the overall amount of data required to be collected and submitted, including additional data points about the applicable loans and expanded data about the borrowers. Comerica began collecting the expanded data on January 1, 2018.
Flood Insurance Rules
Comerica continues to monitor the development and implementation of the private flood insurance requirements. To date, the joint agencies have yet to issue a final rule with respect to this remaining requirement. All other flood insurance requirements subject to the Final Rule - Loans in Areas Having Special Flood Hazards, including the escrow of premium and fees for certain real estate loans, are now effective and have been implemented by Comerica.
UNDERWRITING APPROACH
The loan portfolio is a primary source of profitability and risk, so proper loan underwriting is critical to Comerica's long-term financial success. Comerica extends credit to businesses, individuals and public entities based on sound lending principles and consistent with prudent banking practice. During the loan underwriting process, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of potential credit facilities is performed, and the credit risks associated with each relationship are evaluated. Important factors considered as part of the underwriting process for new loans and loan renewals include:
People: Including the competence, integrity and succession planning of customers.
Purpose: The legal, logical and productive purposes of the credit facility.
Payment: Including the source, timing and probability of payment.
Protection: Including obtaining alternative sources of repayment, securing the loan, as appropriate, with collateral and/or third-party guarantees and ensuring appropriate legal documentation is obtained.
Perspective: The risk/reward relationship and pricing elements (cost of funds; servicing costs; time value of money; credit risk).
Comerica prices credit facilities to reflect risk, the related costs and the expected return, while maintaining competitiveness with other financial institutions. Loans with variable and fixed rates are underwritten to achieve expected risk-adjusted returns on the credit facilities and for the full relationship including the borrower's ability to repay the principal and interest based on such rates.
Credit Approval and Monitoring    
Approval of new loan exposure and oversight and monitoring of Comerica's loan portfolio is the joint responsibility of the Credit Risk Management and Decisioning department and the Credit Underwriting department (collectively referred to as “Credit”), plus the business units (“Line’). Credit assists the Line with underwriting by providing objective financial analysis, including an assessment of the borrower's business model, balance sheet, cash flow and collateral. The approval of new loan exposure is the joint responsibility of Credit Risk Management and Decisioning and the Line. Each commercial borrower relationship is assigned an internal risk rating by Credit Risk Management and Decisioning. Further, Credit updates the assigned internal risk rating as new information becomes available as a result of periodic reviews of credit quality, a change in borrower performance or approval of new loan exposure. The goal of the internal risk rating framework is to support Comerica's risk management capability, including its ability to identify and manage changes in the credit risk profile of its portfolio, predict future

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losses and price the loans appropriately for risk. Finally, the Line and Credit (including its Portfolio Risk Analytics department) work together to insure the overall credit risk within the loan portfolio is consistent with the bank’s Credit Risk Appetite.
Credit Policy
Comerica maintains a comprehensive set of credit policies. Comerica's credit policies provide individual relationship managers, as well as loan committees, approval authorities based on its internal risk-rating system and establish maximum exposure limits based on risk ratings and Comerica's legal lending limit. Credit, in conjunction with the Line, monitors compliance with the credit policies and modifies the existing policies as necessary. New or modified policies/guidelines require approval by the Strategic Credit Committee, chaired by Comerica's Chief Credit Officer and comprised of senior credit, market and risk management executives.
Commercial Loan Portfolio
Commercial loans are underwritten using a comprehensive analysis of the borrower's operations. The underwriting process includes an analysis of some or all of the factors listed below:
The borrower's business model.
Periodic review of financial statements including financial statements audited by an independent certified public accountant when appropriate.
The proforma financial condition including financial projections.
The borrower's sources and uses of funds.
The borrower's debt service capacity.
The guarantor's financial strength.
A comprehensive review of the quality and value of collateral, including independent third-party appraisals of machinery and equipment and commercial real estate, as appropriate, to determine the advance rates.
Physical inspection of collateral and audits of receivables, as appropriate.
For additional information specific to our Energy loan portfolio, please see the caption, “Energy Lending” on page F-28 of the Financial Section of this report.
Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Loan Portfolio
Comerica's CRE loan portfolio consists of real estate construction and commercial mortgage loans and includes loans to real estate developers and investors and loans secured by owner-occupied real estate. Comerica's CRE loan underwriting policies are consistent with the approach described above and provide maximum loan-to-value ratios that limit the size of a loan to a maximum percentage of the value of the real estate collateral securing the loan. The loan-to-value percentage varies by the type of collateral and is limited by advance rates established by our regulators. Our loan-to-value limitations are, in certain cases, more restrictive than those required by regulators and are influenced by other risk factors such as the financial strength of the borrower or guarantor, the equity provided to the project and the viability of the project itself. CRE loans generally require cash equity. CRE loans are normally originated with full recourse or limited recourse to all principals and owners. There are limitations to the size of a single project loan and to the aggregate dollar exposure to a single guarantor.
Consumer and Residential Mortgage Loan Portfolios
Comerica's consumer and residential mortgage loan underwriting includes an assessment of each borrower's personal financial condition, including a review of credit reports and related FICO scores (a type of credit score used to assess an applicant's credit risk) and verification of income and assets, as applicable. After origination, internal risk ratings are assigned based on payment status and product type.
Comerica does not originate subprime loans. Although a standard industry definition for subprime loans (including subprime mortgage loans) does not exist, Comerica defines subprime loans as specific product offerings for higher risk borrowers, including individuals with one or a combination of high credit risk factors. These credit factors include low FICO scores, poor patterns of payment history, high debt-to-income ratios and elevated loan-to-value. Comerica generally considers subprime FICO scores to be those below 620 on a secured basis (excluding loans with cash or near-cash collateral and adequate income to make payments) and below 660 for unsecured loans. Residential mortgage loans retained in the portfolio are largely relationship based. The remaining loans are typically eligible to be sold on the secondary market. Adjustable-rate loans are limited to standard conventional loan programs.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2018, Comerica and its subsidiaries had 7,573 full-time and 478 part-time employees.

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Comerica maintains an Internet website at www.comerica.com where the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are available without charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. 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 adopted by Comerica are also available on the Internet website and are available in print to any shareholder who requests them. Such requests should be made in writing to the Corporate Secretary at Comerica Incorporated, Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, MC 6404, Dallas, Texas 75201.
In addition, pursuant to regulations adopted by the FRB, Comerica makes additional regulatory capital-related disclosures. Under these regulations, Comerica satisfies a portion of these requirements through postings on its website, and Comerica has done so and expects to continue to do so without also providing disclosure of this information through filings with the SEC.
Where we have included web addresses in this report, such as our web address and the web address of the SEC, we have included those web addresses as inactive textual references only. Except as specifically incorporated by reference into this report, information on those websites is not part hereof.
Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
This report includes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, Comerica may make other written and oral communications from time to time that contain such statements. All statements regarding Comerica's expected financial position, strategies and growth prospects and general economic conditions Comerica expects to exist in the future are forward-looking statements. The words, “anticipates,” “believes,” “contemplates,” “feels,” “expects,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “strives,” “plans,” “intends,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “position,” “target,” “mission,” “assume,” “achievable,” “potential,” “strategy,” “goal,” “aspiration,” “opportunity,” “initiative,” “outcome,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “on track,” “trend,” “objective,” “looks forward,” “projects,” “models” and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions, as they relate to Comerica or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Comerica cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement is made, and Comerica does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.
In addition to factors mentioned elsewhere in this report or previously disclosed in Comerica's SEC reports (accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on Comerica's website at www.comerica.com), the factors contained below, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, and future results could differ materially from historical performance.
General political, economic or industry conditions, either domestically or internationally, may be less favorable than expected.
Local, domestic, and international events including economic, financial market, political and industry specific conditions affect the financial services industry, directly and indirectly. The economic environment and market conditions in which Comerica operates continue to be uncertain. Financial market volatility increased through the fourth quarter of 2018. Also, economic growth in the rest of the world appears to be slowing, notably in China and in Europe. Changes to U.S. trade policy and reactions to changes by U.S. trading partners have also increased stress on many U.S. businesses. Most U.S. economic indicators continue to be positive. However, some have shown signs of weakness through the end of 2018. This includes residential investment, which has cooled as mortgage rates have increased. Conditions related to inflation, recession, unemployment, volatile interest rates, international conflicts, changes in trade policies and other factors, such as real estate values, energy prices, state and local municipal budget deficits, government spending and the U.S. national debt, outside of our control may, directly and indirectly, adversely affect Comerica.
Governmental monetary and fiscal policies may adversely affect the financial services industry, and therefore impact Comerica's financial condition and results of operations.
Monetary and fiscal policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, in particular the FRB, affect the financial services industry, directly and indirectly. The FRB regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S. and its monetary and fiscal policies determine in a large part Comerica's cost of funds for lending and investing and the return that can be earned on such loans and investments. Changes in such policies, including changes in interest rates, such as recent increases in the federal funds rate, or changes in the FRB's balance sheet, such as the FRB's continuing balance sheet reduction, will influence the origination of loans, the value of investments, the generation of deposits and the rates received

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on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits. Changes in monetary and fiscal policies are beyond Comerica's control and difficult to predict. Comerica's financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted by changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies.
Comerica’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could fail or be breached, which could disrupt Comerica’s business and adversely impact Comerica’s results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, as well as cause legal or reputational harm.
The potential for operational risk exposure exists throughout Comerica’s business and, as a result of its interactions with, and reliance on, third parties, is not limited to Comerica’s own internal operational functions. Comerica's operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information on its technology systems and networks. These networks are subject to infrastructure failures, ongoing system maintenance and upgrades and planned network outages. The increased use of mobile and cloud technologies can heighten these and other operational risks. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in Comerica's customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems.
Comerica relies on its employees and third parties in its day-to-day and ongoing operations, who may, as a result of human error, misconduct, malfeasance or failure, or breach of Comerica’s or of third-party systems or infrastructure, expose Comerica to risk. For example, Comerica’s ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any significant disruptions to Comerica or to third parties with whom Comerica interacts or upon whom it relies. Although Comerica has programs in place related to business continuity, disaster recovery and information security to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of its systems, business applications and customer information, such disruptions may still give rise to interruptions in service to customers and loss or liability to Comerica, including loss of customer data. In addition, Comerica’s ability to implement backup systems and other safeguards with respect to third-party systems is more limited than with respect to its own systems.
Comerica’s financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating or security systems and infrastructure may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors, including events that are wholly or partially beyond its control, which could adversely affect its ability to process transactions or provide services. Such events may include sudden increases in customer transaction volume and/or customer activity; electrical, telecommunications or other major physical infrastructure outages; natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods; disease pandemics; cyber attacks; and events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including wars and terrorist acts.
The occurrence of any failure or interruption in Comerica's operations or information systems, or any security breach, could cause reputational damage, jeopardize the confidentiality of customer information, result in a loss of customer business, subject Comerica to regulatory intervention or expose it to civil litigation and financial loss or liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Comerica.
Comerica relies on other companies to provide certain key components of its delivery systems, and certain failures could materially adversely affect operations.
Comerica faces the risk of operational disruption, failure or capacity constraints due to its dependency on third party vendors for components of its delivery systems. Third party vendors provide certain key components of Comerica's delivery systems, such as cloud-based computing, networking and storage services, payment processing services, recording and monitoring services, internet connections and network access, clearing agency services and card processing services, and additionally will be providing trust processing services starting in 2019. While Comerica conducts due diligence prior to engaging with third party vendors and performs ongoing monitoring of vendor controls, it does not control their operations. Further, while Comerica's vendor management policies and practices are designed to comply with current regulations, these policies and practices cannot eliminate this risk. In this context, any vendor failure to properly deliver these services could adversely affect Comerica’s business operations, and result in financial loss, reputational harm, and/or regulatory action.
Comerica faces security risks, including denial of service attacks, hacking, social engineering attacks targeting Comerica’s colleagues and customers, malware intrusion or data corruption attempts, and identity theft that could result in the disclosure of confidential information, adversely affect its business or reputation, and create significant legal and financial exposure.
Comerica’s computer systems and network infrastructure and those of third parties, on which Comerica is highly dependent, are subject to security risks and could be susceptible to cyber attacks, such as denial of service attacks, hacking, terrorist activities or identity theft. Comerica’s business relies on the secure processing, transmission, storage and retrieval of confidential, proprietary and other information in its computer and data management systems and networks, and in the computer and data management systems and networks of third parties. In addition, to access Comerica’s network,

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products and services, its customers and other third parties may use personal mobile devices or computing devices that are outside of its network environment and are subject to their own cybersecurity risks.
Cyber attacks could include computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service or information, ransomware, improper access by employees or vendors, attacks on personal email of employees, ransom demands to not expose security vulnerabilities in Comerica's systems or the systems of third parties, or other security breaches, and could result in the destruction or exfiltration of data and systems. As cyber threats continue to evolve, Comerica may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance its protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or incidents. Despite efforts to ensure the integrity of Comerica’s systems and implement controls, processes, policies and other protective measures, Comerica may not be able to anticipate all security breaches, nor may it be able to implement guaranteed preventive measures against such security breaches. Cyber threats are rapidly evolving and Comerica may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks and could be held liable for any security breach or loss.
Although Comerica has programs in place related to business continuity, disaster recovery and information security to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its systems, business applications and customer information, such disruptions may still give rise to interruptions in service to customers and loss or liability to Comerica, including loss of customer data. Like other financial services firms, Comerica and its third party providers continue to be the subject of cyber attacks. Although to this date Comerica has not experienced any material losses or other material consequences related to cyber attacks, future cyber attacks could be more disruptive and damaging, and Comerica may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks. Further, cyber attacks may not be detected in a timely manner.
Cyber attacks or other information or security breaches, whether directed at Comerica or third parties, may result in a material loss or have material consequences. Furthermore, the public perception that a cyber attack on Comerica’s systems has been successful, whether or not this perception is correct, may damage its reputation with customers and third parties with whom it does business. Hacking of personal information and identity theft risks, in particular, could cause serious reputational harm. A successful penetration or circumvention of system security could cause Comerica serious negative consequences, including loss of customers and business opportunities, costs associated with maintaining business relationships after an attack or breach; significant business disruption to Comerica’s operations and business, misappropriation, exposure, or destruction of its confidential information, intellectual property, funds, and/or those of its customers; or damage to Comerica’s or Comerica’s customers’ and/or third parties’ computers or systems, and could result in a violation of applicable privacy laws and other laws, litigation exposure, regulatory fines, penalties or intervention, loss of confidence in Comerica’s security measures, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensatory costs, additional compliance costs, and could adversely impact its results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. In addition, Comerica may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for losses from a cybersecurity event.
Proposed revenue enhancements and efficiency improvements may not be achieved.
In July 2016, Comerica announced its efficiency and revenue program, GEAR Up (the "program") and initial financial targets. Several initiatives continue to be implemented within the program. There may be changes in the scope or assumptions underlying the program, delays in the anticipated timing of activities related to the program and higher than expected or unanticipated costs to implement them, and some benefits may not be fully achieved. As well, even if the program is successful, many factors can influence the amount of core noninterest expenses, some of which are not wholly in our control, including changing regulations, benefits and health care costs, technology and cybersecurity investments, outside processing expenses and litigation.
Furthermore, the implementation of the program may have unintended impacts on Comerica's ability to attract and retain business, customers and employees, and could result in disruptions to systems, processes, controls and procedures. Any revenue enhancement ideas may not be successful in the marketplace. Accordingly, Comerica's results of operations and profitability may be negatively impacted, making it less competitive and potentially causing a loss of market share. Additionally, Comerica's future performance is subject to the various risks inherent to its business and operations.
Comerica must maintain adequate sources of funding and liquidity to meet regulatory expectations, support its operations and fund outstanding liabilities.
Comerica’s liquidity and ability to fund and run its business could be materially adversely affected by a variety of conditions and factors, including financial and credit market disruptions and volatility, a lack of market or customer confidence in financial markets in general, or deposit competition as interest rates increase, which may result in a loss of customer deposits or outflows of cash or collateral and/or adversely affect Comerica's ability to access capital markets on favorable terms.

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Other conditions and factors that could materially adversely affect Comerica’s liquidity and funding include a lack of market or customer confidence in, or negative news about, Comerica or the financial services industry generally which also may result in a loss of deposits and/or negatively affect Comerica's ability to access the capital markets; the loss of customer deposits to alternative investments; counterparty availability; interest rate fluctuations; general economic conditions; and the legal, regulatory, accounting and tax environments governing Comerica's funding transactions. Many of the above conditions and factors may be caused by events over which Comerica has little or no control. There can be no assurance that significant disruption and volatility in the financial markets will not occur in the future. Further, Comerica's customers may be adversely impacted by such conditions, which could have a negative impact on Comerica's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, if Comerica is unable to continue to fund assets through customer bank deposits or access funding sources on favorable terms, or if Comerica suffers an increase in borrowing costs or otherwise fails to manage liquidity effectively, Comerica’s liquidity, operating margins, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Compliance with stringent capital requirements may adversely affect Comerica.
Comerica is required to satisfy stringent regulatory capital standards, as set forth in the “Supervision and Regulation” section of this report. These requirements, and any other new laws or regulations related to capital and liquidity, could adversely affect Comerica's ability to pay dividends or make equity repurchases, or could require Comerica to reduce business levels or to raise capital, including in ways that may adversely affect its results of operations or financial condition and/or existing shareholders. Maintaining higher levels of capital may reduce Comerica's profitability and otherwise adversely affect its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Declines in the businesses or industries of Comerica's customers could cause increased credit losses or decreased loan balances, which could adversely affect Comerica.
Comerica's business customer base consists, in part, of customers in volatile businesses and industries such as the energy industry, the automotive production industry and the real estate business. These industries are sensitive to global economic conditions, supply chain factors and/or commodities prices. Any decline in one of those customers' businesses or industries could cause increased credit losses, which in turn could adversely affect Comerica. Further, any decline in these businesses or industries could cause decreased borrowings, either due to reduced demand or reductions in the borrowing base available for each customer loan.
For more information regarding certain of Comerica's lines of business, please see "Concentration of Credit Risk," "Commercial Real Estate Lending," "Residential Real Estate Lending" and “Energy Lending” on pages F-26 through F-28 of the Financial Section of this report.
Unfavorable developments concerning credit quality could adversely affect Comerica's financial results.
Although Comerica regularly reviews credit exposure related to its customers and various industry sectors in which it has business relationships, default risk may arise from events or circumstances that are difficult to detect or foresee. Under such circumstances, Comerica could experience an increase in the level of provision for credit losses, nonperforming assets, net charge-offs and reserve for credit losses, which could adversely affect Comerica's financial results.
Changes in regulation or oversight may have a material adverse impact on Comerica's operations.
Comerica is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the U.S. Treasury, the Texas Department of Banking, the FDIC, the FRB, the OCC, the SEC, FINRA, DOL, MSRB and other regulatory bodies. Such regulation and supervision governs and limits the activities in which Comerica may engage. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on Comerica's operations and ability to make acquisitions, investigations and limitations related to Comerica's securities, the classification of Comerica's assets and determination of the level of Comerica's allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material adverse impact on Comerica's business, financial condition or results of operations. The impact of any future legislation or regulatory actions may adversely affect Comerica's businesses or operations.
Cybersecurity and data privacy are areas of heightened legislative and regulatory focus.
As cybersecurity and data privacy risks for banking organizations and the broader financial system have significantly increased in recent years, cybersecurity and data privacy issues have become the subject of increasing legislative and regulatory focus. The federal bank regulatory agencies have proposed enhanced cyber risk management standards, which would apply to a wide range of large financial institutions and their third-party service providers, including Comerica and its bank subsidiaries, and would focus on cyber risk governance and management, management of internal and external dependencies, and incident response, cyber resilience and situational awareness. Several states have also proposed or adopted cybersecurity legislation and regulations, which require, among other things, notification to affected individuals

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when there has been a security breach of their personal data. For more information regarding cybersecurity regulation, refer to the “Supervision and Regulation” section of this report.
Comerica receives, maintains and stores non-public personal information of Comerica’s customers and counterparties, including, but not limited to, personally identifiable information and personal financial information. The sharing, use, disclosure and protection of this information are governed by federal and state law. Both personally identifiable information and personal financial information is increasingly subject to legislation and regulation, the intent of which is to protect the privacy of personal information that is collected and handled. For example, in June of 2018, the Governor of California signed into law the CCPA. The CCPA, which becomes effective on January 1, 2020, applies to for-profit businesses that conduct business in California and meet certain revenue or data collection thresholds, including Comerica. For more information regarding data privacy regulation, refer to the “Supervision and Regulation” section of this report.
Comerica may become subject to new legislation or regulation concerning cybersecurity or the privacy of personally identifiable information and personal financial information or of any other information Comerica may store or maintain. Comerica could be adversely affected if new legislation or regulations are adopted or if existing legislation or regulations are modified such that Comerica is required to alter its systems or require changes to its business practices or privacy policies. If cybersecurity, data privacy, data protection, data transfer or data retention laws are implemented, interpreted or applied in a manner inconsistent with Comerica’s current practices, it may be subject to fines, litigation or regulatory enforcement actions or ordered to change its business practices, policies or systems in a manner that adversely impacts Comerica’s operating results.
Fluctuations in interest rates and their impact on deposit pricing could adversely affect Comerica's net interest income and balance sheet.
The operations of financial institutions such as Comerica are dependent to a large degree on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. Prevailing economic conditions and the trade, fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and various regulatory agencies all affect market rates of interest and the availability and cost of credit, which in turn significantly affect financial institutions' net interest income and the market value of its investment securities. For a discussion of Comerica's interest rate sensitivity, please see, “Market and Liquidity Risk” beginning on page F-29 of the Financial Section of this report.
While recent interest rate rises have benefited Comerica's net interest income, higher interest rates can also lead to fewer loan originations, lower returns on investment securities and increased competition for deposits. In particular, Comerica's funding costs may continue to increase if it raises deposit rates to avoid losing customer deposits, or if it loses customer deposits and must rely on more expensive sources of funding. Higher funding costs will reduce Comerica's net interest margin and net interest income.
Volatility in interest rates can also result in disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from financial institutions into direct investments, such as federal government and corporate securities and other investment vehicles, which, because of the absence of federal insurance premiums and reserve requirements, generally pay higher rates of return than financial institutions. Comerica's financial results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in financial market conditions.
Interest rates on Comerica's outstanding financial instruments might be subject to change based on developments related to LIBOR, which could adversely affect its revenue, expenses, and the value of those financial instruments.
On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, publicly announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. It is expected that a transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to alternative rates will occur over the course of the next several years. While there is no consensus on what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of U.S. financial market participants, selected and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York started in May 2018 to publish the Secured Overnight Finance Rate (“SOFR”) as an alternative to LIBOR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash in the overnight U.S. treasury repo market. At this time, it is impossible to predict whether the SOFR or another reference rate will become an accepted alternative to LIBOR.
Comerica's loan composition at December 31, 2018 was 62 percent 30-day LIBOR, 13 percent other LIBOR (primarily 60-day), 16 percent prime and 9 percent fixed rate. The market transition away from LIBOR to an alternative reference rate, including SOFR, is complex and could have a range of adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, any such transition could:
adversely affect the interest rates paid or received on, and the revenue and expenses associate with, Comerica’s floating rate obligations, loans, deposits, derivatives, and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, or other securities or financial arrangements given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally;

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adversely affect the value of Comerica’s floating rate obligations, loans, deposits, derivatives, and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, or other securities or financial arrangements given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally;
prompt inquiries or other actions from regulators in respect of Comerica’s preparation and readiness for the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate;
result in disputes, litigation or other actions with counterparties regarding the interpretation and enforceability of certain fallback language in LIBOR-based securities; and
require the transition to or development of appropriate systems and analytics to effectively transition Comerica’s risk management processes from LIBOR-based products to those based on the applicable alternative pricing benchmark, such as SOFR.
The manner and impact of this transition, as well as the effect of these developments on Comerica’s funding costs, loan and investment and trading securities portfolios, asset-liability management, and business, is uncertain.
Reduction in our credit ratings could adversely affect Comerica and/or the holders of its securities.
Rating agencies regularly evaluate Comerica, and their ratings are based on a number of factors, including Comerica's financial strength as well as factors not entirely within its control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. There can be no assurance that Comerica will maintain its current ratings. In February 2016, Standard & Poor's downgraded Comerica's long-term senior credit ratings one notch to BBB+ and Comerica Bank's long and short-term credit ratings one notch to A- and A-2, respectively. While recent credit rating actions have had little to no detrimental impact on Comerica's profitability, borrowing costs, or ability to access the capital markets, future downgrades to Comerica's or its subsidiaries' credit ratings could adversely affect Comerica's profitability, borrowing costs, or ability to access the capital markets or otherwise have a negative effect on Comerica's results of operations or financial condition. If such a reduction placed Comerica's or its subsidiaries' credit ratings below investment grade, it could also create obligations or liabilities under the terms of existing arrangements that could increase Comerica's costs under such arrangements. Additionally, a downgrade of the credit rating of any particular security issued by Comerica or its subsidiaries could negatively affect the ability of the holders of that security to sell the securities and the prices at which any such securities may be sold.
Damage to Comerica’s reputation could damage its businesses.
Reputational risk is an increasing concern for businesses as customers are interested in doing business with companies they admire and trust. Such risks include compliance issues, operational challenges, or a strategic, high profile event. Comerica's business is based on the trust of its customers, communities, and entire value chain, which makes managing reputational risk extremely important.  News or other publicity that impairs Comerica's reputation, or the reputation of the financial services industry generally, can therefore cause significant harm to Comerica’s business and prospects. Further, adverse publicity or negative information posted on social media websites regarding Comerica, whether or not true, may result in harm to Comerica’s prospects.
Comerica may not be able to utilize technology to efficiently and effectively develop, market, and deliver new products and services to its customers.
The financial services industry experiences rapid technological change with regular introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The ability to access and use technology is an increasingly important competitive factor in the financial services industry, and having the right technology is a critically important component to customer satisfaction. As well, the efficient and effective utilization of technology enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Comerica's future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to market and deliver products and services that will satisfy customer demands, meet regulatory requirements, and create additional efficiencies in Comerica's operations. Comerica may not be able to effectively develop new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing or supporting these products and services to its customers, which could have a material adverse impact on Comerica's financial condition and results of operations.
Competitive product and pricing pressures within Comerica's markets may change.
Comerica operates in a very competitive environment, which is characterized by competition from a number of other financial institutions in each market in which it operates. Comerica competes in terms of products and pricing with large national and regional financial institutions and with smaller financial institutions. Some of Comerica's larger competitors, including certain nationwide banks that have a significant presence in Comerica's market area, may make available to their customers a broader array of product, pricing and structure alternatives and, due to their asset size, may more easily absorb credit losses in a larger overall portfolio. Some of Comerica's competitors (larger or smaller) may have more

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liberal lending policies and processes. Increasingly, Comerica competes with other companies based on financial technology and capabilities, such as mobile banking applications and funds transfer.
Additionally, the financial services industry is subject to extensive regulation. For more information, see the “Supervision and Regulation” section of this report. Such regulations may require significant additional investments in technology, personnel or other resources or place limitations on the ability of financial institutions, including Comerica, to engage in certain activities. Comerica's competitors may be subject to a significantly different or reduced degree of regulation due to their asset size or types of products offered. They may also have the ability to more efficiently utilize resources to comply with regulations or may be able to more effectively absorb the costs of regulations into their existing cost structure.
In addition to banks, Comerica's banking subsidiaries also face competition from other financial intermediaries, including savings and loan associations, consumer finance companies, leasing companies, venture capital funds, credit unions, investment banks, insurance companies and securities firms. Competition among providers of financial products and services continues to increase as technology advances have lowered the barriers to entry for financial technology companies, with customers having the opportunity to select from a growing variety of traditional and nontraditional alternatives, including crowdfunding, digital wallets and money transfer services. The ability of non-banking financial institutions to provide services previously limited to commercial banks has intensified competition. Because non-banking financial institutions are not subject to many of the same regulatory restrictions as banks and bank holding companies, they can often operate with greater flexibility and lower cost structures.
If Comerica is unable to compete effectively in products and pricing in its markets, business could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on Comerica's business, financial condition or results of operations.
The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect Comerica.
Comerica's ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. Comerica has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and it routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led, and may further lead, to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions could expose Comerica to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. In addition, Comerica's credit risk may be impacted when the collateral held by it cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due to Comerica. There is no assurance that any such losses would not adversely affect, possibly materially, Comerica.
The introduction, implementation, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies may be less successful or may be different than anticipated, which could adversely affect Comerica's business.
Comerica makes certain projections and develops plans and strategies for its banking and financial products. If Comerica does not accurately determine demand for its banking and financial product needs, it could result in Comerica incurring significant expenses without the anticipated increases in revenue, which could result in a material adverse effect on its business.
Changes in customer behavior may adversely impact Comerica's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Comerica uses a variety of financial tools, models and other methods to anticipate customer behavior as a part of its strategic planning and to meet certain regulatory requirements. Individual, economic, political, industry-specific conditions and other factors outside of Comerica's control, such as fuel prices, energy costs, tariffs, real estate values or other factors that affect customer income levels, could alter predicted customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices. Such a change in these practices could materially adversely affect Comerica's ability to anticipate business needs and meet regulatory requirements.
Recently, there have been discussions regarding potential changes to U.S. trade policies, legislation, treaties and tariffs, including trade policies and tariffs affecting China, the European Union, Canada and Mexico and retaliatory tariffs by such countries. Tariffs and retaliatory tariffs have been imposed, and additional tariffs and retaliatory tariffs have been proposed. Also, on October 1, 2018, the United States, Canada and Mexico agreed to a new trade deal, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ("USMCA"), to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. The USMCA is subject to congressional approval and various components of the USMCA are not effective until 2020. These and any other changes in tariffs, retaliatory tariffs or other trade restrictions on products and materials that Comerica’s customers import or export could cause the prices of their products to increase, which could reduce demand for such products, or reduce

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customer margins, and adversely impact their revenues, financial results and ability to service debt; in turn, this could adversely affect Comerica’s financial condition and results of operations.
Further, difficult economic conditions may negatively affect consumer confidence levels. A decrease in consumer confidence levels would likely aggravate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on Comerica, Comerica's customers and others in the financial institutions industry.
Management's ability to maintain and expand customer relationships may differ from expectations.
The financial services industry is very competitive. Comerica not only vies for business opportunities with new customers, but also competes to maintain and expand the relationships it has with its existing customers. While management believes that it can continue to grow many of these relationships, Comerica will continue to experience pressures to maintain these relationships as its competitors attempt to capture its customers. Failure to create new customer relationships and to maintain and expand existing customer relationships to the extent anticipated may adversely impact Comerica's earnings.
Methods of reducing risk exposures might not be effective.
Instruments, systems and strategies used to hedge or otherwise manage exposure to various types of credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance, financial reporting and strategic risks could be less effective than anticipated. As a result, Comerica may not be able to effectively mitigate its risk exposures in particular market environments or against particular types of risk, which could have a material adverse impact on Comerica's business, financial condition or results of operations.
For more information regarding risk management, please see "Risk Management" on pages F-21 through F-34 of the Financial Section of this report.
Catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, droughts and floods, may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and Comerica.
Comerica has significant operations and a significant customer base in California, Texas, Florida and other regions where natural and other disasters may occur. These regions are known for being vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, droughts and floods, the nature and severity of which may be impacted by climate change. These types of natural catastrophic events have at times disrupted the local economies, Comerica's business and customers, and have caused physical damage to Comerica's property in these regions. In addition, catastrophic events occurring in other regions of the world may have an impact on Comerica's customers and in turn, on Comerica. Comerica’s business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not be successful upon the occurrence of one of these scenarios, and a significant catastrophic event anywhere in the world could materially adversely affect Comerica's operating results.
Tax regulations could be subject to potential legislative, administrative or judicial changes or interpretations.
Federal income tax treatment of corporations may be clarified and/or modified by legislative, administrative or judicial changes or interpretations at any time. Any such changes could adversely affect Comerica, either directly, or indirectly as a result of effects on Comerica's customers. For example, the tax reform bill enacted on December 22, 2017 has had, and is expected to continue to have, far-reaching and significant effects on Comerica, its customers and the U.S. economy, including commercial customer borrowings due to the increase in cash flows as a result of the reduction in the corporate statutory tax rate.
Any future strategic acquisitions or divestitures may present certain risks to Comerica's business and operations.
Difficulties in capitalizing on the opportunities presented by a future acquisition may prevent Comerica from fully achieving the expected benefits from the acquisition, or may cause the achievement of such expectations to take longer to realize than expected.
Further, the assimilation of the acquired entity's customers and markets could result in higher than expected deposit attrition, loss of key employees, disruption of Comerica's businesses or the businesses of the acquired entity or otherwise adversely affect Comerica's ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. These matters could have an adverse effect on Comerica for an undetermined period. Comerica will be subject to similar risks and difficulties in connection with any future decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change the business mix of Comerica.
Management's ability to retain key officers and employees may change.
Comerica's future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of its executive officers and key personnel. Comerica's future operating results also depend in significant part upon its ability to attract and retain qualified management, financial, technical, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense,

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and Comerica cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these positions, and it may be increasingly difficult for Comerica to hire personnel over time.
Further, Comerica's ability to retain key officers and employees may be impacted by legislation and regulation affecting the financial services industry. In 2016, the FRB, OCC and several other federal financial regulators revised and re-proposed rules to implement Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Section 956 directed regulators to jointly prescribe regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements, or any feature of any such arrangement, at covered financial institutions that encourage inappropriate risks by providing excessive compensation or that could lead to a material financial loss. Consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act, the proposed rule would impose heightened standards for institutions with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets, which includes Comerica. For these larger institutions, the proposed rule would require the deferral of at least 40 percent of incentive-based payments for designated executives and significant risk-takers who individually have the ability to expose the institution to possible losses that are substantial in relation to the institution's size, capital or overall risk tolerance. Moreover, incentive-based compensation of these individuals would be subject to potential clawback for seven years following vesting. Further, the rule imposes enhanced risk management controls and governance and internal policy and procedure requirements with respect to incentive compensation. Accordingly, Comerica may be at a disadvantage to offer competitive compensation compared to other financial institutions (as referenced above) or companies in other industries, which may not be subject to the same requirements.
Comerica's business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any of its key employees, or Comerica's inability to attract and retain skilled employees.
Legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters with respect to the financial services industry, including those directly involving Comerica and its subsidiaries, could adversely affect Comerica or the financial services industry in general.
Comerica has been, and may in the future be, subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings. It is inherently difficult to assess the outcome of these matters, and there can be no assurance that Comerica will prevail in any proceeding or litigation. Any such matter could result in substantial cost and diversion of Comerica's efforts, which by itself could have a material adverse effect on Comerica's financial condition and operating results. Further, adverse determinations in such matters could result in fines or actions by Comerica's regulators that could materially adversely affect Comerica's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Comerica establishes reserves for legal claims when payments associated with the claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Comerica may still incur legal costs for a matter even if it has not established a reserve. In addition, due to the inherent subjectivity of the assessments and unpredictability of the outcome of legal proceedings, the actual cost of resolving a legal claim may be substantially higher than any amounts reserved for that matter. The ultimate resolution of a pending legal proceeding, depending on the remedy sought and granted, could adversely affect Comerica's results of operations and financial condition.
Comerica may incur losses due to fraud.
Fraudulent activity can take many forms and has escalated as more tools for accessing financial services emerge, such as real-time payments. Fraud schemes are broad and continuously evolving.  Examples include but are not limited to:  debit card/credit card fraud, check fraud, mechanical devices attached to ATM machines, social engineering and phishing attacks to obtain personal information, impersonation of our clients through the use of falsified or stolen credentials, employee fraud, information theft and other malfeasance. Increased deployment of technologies, such as chip card technology, defray and reduce aspects of fraud; however, criminals are turning to other sources to steal personally identifiable information in order to impersonate the consumer to commit fraud. Many of these data compromises have been widely reported in the media. Further, as a result of the increased sophistication of fraud activity, Comerica continues to invest in systems, resources, and controls to detect and prevent fraud. This will result in continued ongoing investments in the future.
Terrorist activities or other hostilities may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and Comerica.
Terrorist attacks or other hostilities may disrupt Comerica's operations or those of its customers. In addition, these events have had and may continue to have an adverse impact on the U.S. and world economy in general and consumer confidence and spending in particular, which could harm Comerica's operations. Any of these events could increase volatility in the U.S. and world financial markets, which could harm Comerica's stock price and may limit the capital resources available to Comerica and its customers. This could have a material adverse impact on Comerica's operating results, revenues and costs and may result in increased volatility in the market price of Comerica's common stock.

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Changes in accounting standards could materially impact Comerica's financial statements.
From time to time accounting standards setters change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of Comerica’s financial statements. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how Comerica records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, Comerica could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in changes to previously reported financial results, or a cumulative charge to retained earnings. In particular, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued a new accounting standard, CECL, for the recognition and measurement of credit losses for loans and debt securities. The new standard will be effective for Comerica in the first quarter 2020. The anticipated change in loan loss reserves due to CECL is currently unknown and is dependent upon many factors that are yet to be determined, such as the economic environment at adoption and any future FASB clarifications. Comerica anticipates that CECL will have an impact on its loan loss reserves and retained earnings, as well as how it manages its capital.
Comerica's accounting policies and processes are critical to the reporting of financial condition and results of operations. They require management to make estimates about matters that are uncertain.
Accounting policies and processes are fundamental to how Comerica records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. Management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and processes so they comply with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). In some cases, management must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which may be reasonable under the circumstances, yet may result in the Company reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.
Management has identified certain accounting policies as being critical because they require management's judgment to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. Comerica has established detailed policies and control procedures that are intended to ensure these critical accounting estimates and judgments are well controlled and applied consistently. In addition, the policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. Because of the uncertainty surrounding management's judgments and the estimates pertaining to these matters, Comerica cannot guarantee that it will not be required to adjust accounting policies or restate prior period financial statements. See “Critical Accounting Policies” on pages F-35 through F-37 of the Financial Section of this report and Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located on pages F-46 through F-58 of the Financial Section of this report.
Controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud.
Controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports Comerica files or submits under the Exchange Act is accurately accumulated and communicated to management, and recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, due to certain inherent limitations. These limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, that alternative reasoned judgments can be drawn, that breakdowns can occur because of an error or mistake, or that controls may be fraudulently circumvented. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in control systems, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Comerica's stock price can be volatile.
Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for shareholders to resell their common stock when they want and at prices they find attractive. Comerica's stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:
Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations.
Recommendations or projections by securities analysts.
Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to Comerica.
News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry.
Perceptions in the marketplace regarding Comerica and/or its competitors.
New technology used, or services offered, by competitors.
Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving Comerica or its competitors.
Changes in dividends and capital returns.
Changes in government regulations.
Cyclical fluctuations.

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Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.
Activity by short sellers and changing government restrictions on such activity.
General market fluctuations, including real or anticipated changes in the strength of the economy; industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions; interest rate changes, oil price volatility or credit loss trends, among other factors, could also cause Comerica's stock price to decrease regardless of operating results.
For the above and other reasons, the market price of Comerica's securities may not accurately reflect the underlying value of the securities, and investors should consider this before relying on the market prices of Comerica's securities when making an investment decision.
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2.  Properties.
The executive offices of Comerica are located in the Comerica Bank Tower, 1717 Main Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. Comerica Bank occupies six floors of the building, plus additional space on the building's lower level. Comerica does not own the Comerica Bank Tower space, but has naming rights to the building and leases the space from an unaffiliated third party. The lease for such space used by Comerica and its subsidiaries extends through September 2028. Comerica's Michigan headquarters are located in a 10-story building in the central business district of Detroit, Michigan at 411 W. Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan 48226. Such building is owned by Comerica Bank. As of December 31, 2018, Comerica, through its banking affiliates, operated at a total of 550 locations. This includes banking centers, trust services locations, and/or loan production or other financial services offices, primarily in the States of Texas, Michigan, California, Florida and Arizona. Of the 550 locations, 221 were owned and 329 were leased. As of December 31, 2018, affiliates also operated from leased spaces in Denver, Colorado; Wilmington, Delaware; Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Morristown, New Jersey; New York, New York; Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; McLean, Virginia; Bellevue, Washington; Monterrey, Mexico; Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Comerica and its subsidiaries own, among other properties, a check processing center in Livonia, Michigan, and three buildings in Auburn Hills, Michigan, used mainly for lending functions and operations.
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.
Please see Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located on pages F-93 through F-94 of the Financial Section of this report.

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information, Holders of Common Stock and Dividends
The common stock of Comerica Incorporated is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Trading Symbol: CMA). At February 8, 2019, there were approximately 8,844 record holders of Comerica's common stock.
On January 22, 2019, Comerica’s Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.67 per common share payable on April 1, 2019 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2019. Subject to approval of the Board of Directors and applicable regulatory requirements, Comerica expects to continue its policy of paying regular cash dividends on a quarterly basis. A discussion of Comerica's dividend restrictions is set forth in Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements located on pages F-92 through F-93 of the Financial Section of this report, in the "Capital" section on pages F-18 through F-20 of the Financial Section of this report and in the “Supervision and Regulation” section of this report.
Performance Graph
Our performance graph is available under the caption "Performance Graph" on page F-2 of the Financial Section of this report.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Authorization to repurchase up to an additional 10 million shares of Comerica Incorporated outstanding common stock was announced by the Board on July 24, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, a total of 65.2 million shares have been authorized for repurchase under the equity repurchase program since its inception in 2010. There is no expiration date for Comerica's equity repurchase program.
Previously, Comerica's equity repurchase program also covered the repurchase of up to 14.1 million warrants (12.1 million share-equivalents). All unexercised warrants expired according to their terms in the quarter ended December 31, 2018.
In January 2019, the Board also authorized the repurchase of up to 15 million additional shares of Comerica Incorporated outstanding common stock.
The following table summarizes Comerica's equity repurchase activity for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(shares in thousands)
Total Number of Shares 
and Warrants Purchased 
as Part of Publicly
Announced Repurchase
Plans or Programs (a)
 
Remaining
Repurchase
Authorization 
(b)
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (c)
 
Average 
Price
Paid Per 
Share
Total first quarter 2018
1,565

 
8,714

 
1,674

 
$
95.16

Total second quarter 2018
1,755

 
6,952

 
1,759

 
96.32

Total third quarter 2018
5,137

 
11,706

(d)
5,143

 
97.32

October 2018
4,701

 
6,987

 
4,703

 
79.17

November 2018

 
6,346

 

 

December 2018
1,615

 
4,707

 
1,615

 
79.16

Total fourth quarter 2018
6,316

 
4,707

 
6,318

 
79.16

Total 2018
14,773

 
4,707

 
14,894

 
$
89.26

(a)
The Corporation made no repurchases of warrants under the repurchase program during the year ended December 31, 2018. Upon exercise of a warrant, the number of shares with a value equal to the aggregate exercise price is withheld from an exercising warrant holder as payment (known as a "net exercise provision"). During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Corporation withheld the equivalent of approximately 309,000 shares to cover an aggregate of $9 million in exercise price and issued approximately 585,000 shares to the exercising warrant holders. Shares withheld in connection with the net exercise provision are not included in the total number of shares or warrants purchased in the above table. All unexercised warrants expired in the fourth quarter.
(b)
Maximum number of shares and warrants that may yet be purchased under the publicly announced plans or programs. In January 2019,
the Board rescinded its warrant repurchase authorization following the expiration of all unexercised warrants.
(c)
Includes approximately 121,000 shares (including 2,000 shares in the quarter ended December 31, 2018) purchased pursuant to deferred compensation plans and shares purchased from employees to pay for taxes related to restricted stock vesting under the terms of an employee share-based compensation plan during the year ended December 31, 2018. These transactions are not considered part of the Corporation's repurchase program.
(d)
Includes July 24, 2018 equity repurchase authorization for an additional 10 million shares.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.
Reference is made to the caption “Selected Financial Data” on page F-3 of the Financial Section of this report.

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Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Reference is made to the sections entitled “2018 Overview and 2019 Outlook,” “Results of Operations," "Strategic Lines of Business," "Balance Sheet and Capital Funds Analysis," "Risk Management," "Critical Accounting Policies," "Supplemental Financial Data" and "Forward-Looking Statements" on pages F-4 through F-40 of the Financial Section of this report.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Reference is made to the subheadings entitled “Market and Liquidity Risk,” “Operational Risk,” “Compliance Risk” and “Strategic Risk” on pages F-29 through F-34 of the Financial Section of this report.
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Reference is made to the sections entitled “Consolidated Balance Sheets,” “Consolidated Statements of Income,” “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income,” “Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity,” “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,” “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Report of Management,” “Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” and “Historical Review” on pages F-41 through F-109 of the Financial Section of this report.
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Comerica's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting and the related attestation report of Comerica's registered public accounting firm are included on pages F-104 and F-105 in the Financial Section of this report.
As required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the last quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Comerica's internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that there has been no such change during the last quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Comerica's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.  Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Comerica has a Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer and the Treasurer. The Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics is available on Comerica's website at www.comerica.com. If any substantive amendments are made to the Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics or if Comerica grants any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer or the Treasurer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website.
The remainder of the response to this item will be included under the sections captioned “Information About Nominees,” “Committees and Meetings of Directors,” “Executive Officers” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of Comerica's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2019, which sections are hereby incorporated by reference.

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Item 11.  Executive Compensation.
The response to this item will be included under the sections captioned “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee Report,” “2018 Summary Compensation Table,” “2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2018,” “2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested,” “Pension Benefits at Fiscal Year-End 2018,” “2018 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation,” “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control at Fiscal Year-End 2018” and "Pay Ratio Disclosure" of Comerica's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2019, which sections are hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The response to this item will be included under the sections captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Security Ownership of Management” and "Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans" of Comerica's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2019, which sections are hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The response to this item will be included under the sections captioned “Director Independence,” “Transactions with Related Persons,” and “Information about Nominees” of Comerica's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2019, which sections are hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The response to this item will be included under the section captioned “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of Comerica's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2019, which section is hereby incorporated by reference.


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PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
 
1.
 
Financial Statements: The financial statements that are filed as part of this report are included in the Financial Section on pages F-41 through F-106.
 
 
 
2.
 
All of the schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are either not required under the related instruction, the required information is contained elsewhere in the Form 10-K, or the schedules are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
 
 
 
3.
 
Exhibits:
3.1
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
3.3
 
 
 
 
4
 
[Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 in respect of instruments defining the rights of security holders. In accordance with Regulation S-K Item No. 601(b)(4)(iii), the Registrant is not filing copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt because none of those instruments authorizes debt in excess of 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.]
 
 
 
9
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
10.1†
 
 
 
 
10.1A†
 
 
 
 
10.1B†
 
 
 
 
10.1C†
 
 
 
 
10.1D†
 
 
 
 
10.1E†
 
 
 
 
10.1F†
 
 
 
 
10.1G†
 
 
 
 
10.2†
 
 
 
 
10.2A†
 
 
 
 

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10.2B†
 
 
 
 
10.2C†
 
 
 
 
10.2D†
 
 
 
 
10.2E†
 
 
 
 
10.2F†
 
 
 
 
10.2G†
 
 
 
 
10.2H†
 
 
 
 
10.2I†
 
 
 
 
10.2J†
 
 
 
 
10.2K†
 
 
 
 
10.2L†
 
 
 
 
10.2M†
 
 
 
 
10.2N†
 
 
 
 
10.2O†
 
 
 
 
10.2P†
 
 
 
 
10.2Q†
 
 
 
 

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10.2R†
 
 
 
 
10.2S†
 
 
 
 
10.2T†
 
 
 
 
10.2U†
 
 
 
 
10.3†
 
 
 
 
10.4†
 
 
 
 
10.5†
 
 
 
 
10.6†
 
 
 
 
10.7†
 
 
 
 
10.8†
 
 
 
 
10.9†
 
 
 
 
10.10†
 
 
 
 
10.11†
 
 
 
 
10.12†
 
 
 
 
10.13†
 
 
 
 
10.13A†
 
 
 
 

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10.13B†
 
 
 
 
10.13C†
 
 
 
 
10.13D†
 
 
 
 
10.13E†
 
 
 
 
10.14†
 
 
 
 
10.14A†
 
 
 
 
10.15†
 
 
 
 
10.16†
 
 
 
 
10.17†
 
 
 
 
10.18A†
 
 
 
 
10.18B†
 
 
 
 
10.18C†
 
 
 
 
10.18D†
 
 
 
 
10.19†
 
 
 
 
10.19A†
 
 
 
 
10.20†
 
 
 
 
10.20A†
 
 
 
 
10.21†
 
 
 
 

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10.21A†
 
 
 
 
10.22†
 
 
 
 
10.23†
 
 
 
 
10.23A†
 
 
 
 
13
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
14
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
16
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
18
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
21
 
 
 
 
23.1
 
 
 
 
24
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
33
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
34
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
35
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
95
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
99
 
(not applicable)
 
 
 
101
 
Financial statements from Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
 
 
 
 
File No. for all filings under Exchange Act, unless otherwise noted: 1-10706.

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW AND REPORTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


F-1

Table of Contents

PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph shown below compares the total returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) of Comerica Incorporated common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the KBW Bank Index. The graph assumes $100 invested in Comerica Incorporated common stock (returns based on stock prices per the NYSE) and each of the indices on December 31, 2013 and the reinvestment of all dividends during the periods presented.
ye20185yrcomparisonv2a01.jpgThe performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.


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Table of Contents

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
EARNINGS SUMMARY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
2,352

 
$
2,061

 
$
1,797

 
$
1,689

 
$
1,655

Provision for credit losses
(1
)
 
74

 
248

 
147

 
27

Noninterest income
976

(a)
1,107

 
1,051


1,035

(b)
857

Noninterest expenses
1,794

(a), (c)
1,860

(c)
1,930

(c)
1,827

(b)
1,615

Provision for income taxes
300

 
491

(d)
193

 
229

 
277

Net income
1,235

 
743

 
477

 
521

 
593

Net income attributable to common shares
1,227

 
738

 
473

 
515

 
586

PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share
$
7.20

 
$
4.14

 
$
2.68

 
$
2.84

 
$
3.16

Cash dividends declared
1.84

 
1.09

 
0.89

 
0.83

 
0.79

Common shareholders’ equity
46.89

 
46.07

 
44.47

 
43.03

 
41.35

Tangible common equity (e)
42.89

 
42.34

 
40.79

 
39.33

 
37.72

Market value
68.69

 
86.81

 
68.11

 
41.83

 
46.84

Average diluted shares (in millions)
171

 
178

 
177

 
181

 
185

YEAR-END BALANCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
70,818

 
$
71,567

 
$
72,978

 
$
71,877

 
$
69,186

Total earning assets
65,513

 
65,880

 
67,518

 
66,687

 
63,788

Total loans
50,163

 
49,173

 
49,088

 
49,084

 
48,593

Total deposits
55,561

 
57,903

 
58,985

 
59,853

 
57,486

Total medium- and long-term debt
6,463

 
4,622

 
5,160

 
3,058

 
2,675

Total common shareholders’ equity
7,507

 
7,963

 
7,796

 
7,560

 
7,402

AVERAGE BALANCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
70,724

 
$
71,452

 
$
71,743

 
$
70,247

 
$
66,336

Total earning assets
65,410

 
66,300

 
66,545

 
65,129

 
61,560

Total loans
48,766

 
48,558

 
48,996

 
48,628

 
46,588

Total deposits
55,935

 
57,258

 
57,741

 
58,326

 
54,784

Total medium- and long-term debt
5,842

 
4,969

 
4,917

 
2,905

 
2,963

Total common shareholders’ equity
7,809

 
7,952

 
7,674

 
7,534

 
7,373

CREDIT QUALITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total allowance for credit losses
$
701

 
$
754

 
$
771

 
$
679

 
$
635

Total nonperforming loans
229

 
410

 
590

 
379

 
290

Foreclosed property
1

 
5

 
17

 
12

 
10

Total nonperforming assets
230

 
415

 
607

 
391

 
300

Net credit-related charge-offs
51

 
92

 
157

 
101

 
25

Net credit-related charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans
0.11
%
 
0.19
%
 
0.32
%
 
0.21
%
 
0.05
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total period-end loans
1.34

 
1.45

 
1.49

 
1.29

 
1.22

Allowance for loan losses as a multiple of total nonperforming loans
2.9x

 
1.7x

 
1.2x

 
1.7x

 
2.1x

RATIOS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
3.58
%
 
3.11
%
 
2.71
%
 
2.60
%
 
2.69
%
Return on average assets
1.75

 
1.04

 
0.67

 
0.74

 
0.89

Return on average common shareholders’ equity
15.82

 
9.34

 
6.22

 
6.91

 
8.05

Dividend payout ratio
25.17

 
25.77

 
32.48

 
28.33

 
24.09

Average common shareholders’ equity as a percentage of average assets
11.04

 
11.13

 
10.70

 
10.73

 
11.11

Common equity tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets (f)
11.14

 
11.68

 
11.09

 
10.54

 
n/a

Tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets (f)
11.14

 
11.68

 
11.09

 
10.54

 
10.50

Common equity ratio
10.60

 
11.13

 
10.68

 
10.52

 
10.70

Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets (e)
9.78

 
10.32

 
9.89

 
9.70

 
9.85

(a)
Effective January 1, 2018, adoption of Topic 606 resulted in a change in presentation which records certain costs in the same category as the associated revenues. The effect of this change was to reduce noninterest income and expenses by $145 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(b)
Effective January 1, 2015, contractual changes to a card program resulted in a change to the accounting presentation of the related revenues and expenses. The effect of this change was an increase of $177 million in 2015 to both noninterest income and noninterest expenses. Amounts prior to 2015 reflect revenues from this card program net of related noninterest expenses.
(c)
Noninterest expenses included restructuring charges of $53 million, $45 million and $93 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(d)
The provision for income taxes for 2017 was impacted by a $107 million charge to adjust deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
(e)
See Supplemental Financial Data section for reconcilements of non-GAAP financial measures.
(f) Ratios calculated based on the risk-based capital requirements in effect at the time. The U.S. implementation of the Basel III regulatory capital framework became effective on January 1, 2015, with transitional provisions.
n/a - not applicable.


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Table of Contents

2018 OVERVIEW AND 2019 OUTLOOK
Comerica Incorporated (the Corporation) is a financial holding company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The Corporation's major business segments are the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management. The core businesses are tailored to each of the Corporation's three primary geographic markets: Michigan, California and Texas. Information about the activities of the Corporation's business segments is provided in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.
As a financial institution, the Corporation's principal activity is lending to and accepting deposits from businesses and individuals. The primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is principally derived from the difference between interest earned on loans and investment securities and interest paid on deposits and other funding sources. The Corporation also provides other products and services that meet the financial needs of customers which generate noninterest income, the Corporation's secondary source of revenue. Growth in loans, deposits and noninterest income is affected by many factors, including economic conditions in the markets the Corporation serves, the financial requirements and economic health of customers, and the ability to add new customers and/or increase the number of products used by current customers. Success in providing products and services depends on the financial needs of customers and the types of products desired.
The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation and its subsidiaries conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (U.S.). The Corporation's consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies, the most significant of which are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The most critical of these significant accounting policies are discussed in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this financial review.
OVERVIEW
Net income was $1.2 billion in 2018, an increase of $492 million, or 66 percent, compared to $743 million in 2017. Net income per diluted common share was $7.20 in 2018 compared to $4.14 in 2017, an increase of 74 percent.
Average loans were $48.8 billion in 2018, an increase of $208 million compared to 2017. The increase in average loans primarily reflected increases in Technology and Life Sciences as well as National Dealer Services, partially offset by decreases in Corporate Banking and Energy.
Average deposits decreased $1.3 billion, or 2 percent, to $55.9 billion in 2018, with the largest decrease in general Middle Market driven by a $925 million decline in Municipalities. The decrease in average deposits reflected a decrease of $1.8 billion, or 6 percent, in average noninterest-bearing deposits, partially offset by an increase of $449 million, or 2 percent, in average interest-bearing deposits.
Net interest income was $2.4 billion in 2018, an increase of $291 million, or 14 percent, compared to 2017, and the net interest margin increased 47 basis points in 2018 to 3.58 percent, from 3.11 percent in 2017. Both increases were primarily driven by the net benefit from higher short-term rates.
The provision for credit losses decreased $75 million to a $1 million benefit in 2018, reflecting a $683 million decline in total criticized loans and a $41 million decrease in net credit-related charge-offs.
Noninterest income decreased $131 million to $976 million in 2018, reflecting a $118 million decrease due to a presentation change resulting from the adoption of a new accounting standard1 and a $20 million loss related to repositioning the securities portfolio in 2018.
Noninterest expenses decreased $66 million to $1.8 billion in 2018, reflecting a $118 million decrease due to a presentation change resulting from the adoption of a new accounting standard1, partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits expense, mostly due to higher incentive compensation tied to performance.
The provision for income taxes decreased $191 million to $300 million in 2018. The decrease primarily reflected the impact of the 14-percentage-point decrease in the statutory federal tax rate in 2018 and a $120 million decrease due to discrete tax items, partially offset by an increase in pre-tax income.
The Corporation repurchased 14.8 million shares of common stock during 2018 under the equity repurchase program and increased the cash dividend 69 percent to $1.84 per share. All together, $1.6 billion was returned to shareholders in 2018, an increase of $903 million, or 125 percent, compared to 2017.







________________________________________________________
1Effective January 1, 2018, the Corporation adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," as a result, revenue from certain products is now presented net of costs. For further information, refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

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GROWTH IN EFFICIENCY AND REVENUE INITIATIVE
Since the GEAR Up initiative was launched in 2016, the Corporation consolidated 38 banking centers, implemented a new retirement program resulting in a significant reduction in retirement plan expense and reduced the number of full-time equivalent employees by over 900. Other expense reduction efforts included rationalizing and modernizing technology (including optimizing infrastructure platforms, process optimization and migrating certain applications to cloud-based systems), as well as consolidating office and operations space. Additionally, the Corporation completed a plan for an end-to-end credit redesign, which streamlines the credit process and increases the capacity of relationship managers to service clients. Revenue improvements were achieved through product enhancements, enhanced sales tools and training and improved customer analytics to drive opportunities. The impact of increases in short-term rates and the execution of GEAR Up initiatives helped lower the efficiency ratio to 53.6 percent for 2018, compared to 58.6 percent for 2017. Return on equity for 2018 increased to 15.8 percent, compared to 9.3 percent for 2017.
Restructuring activities were completed, resulting in cumulative pre-tax restructuring charges of $191 million from inception through December 31, 2018. For additional information regarding restructuring charges, refer to Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements.
2019 OUTLOOK
For full-year 2019 compared to full-year 2018, management expects the following, assuming a continuation of the current economic and rate environment:
Growth in average loans of 2 percent to 4 percent, reflecting increases in most lines of business.
Decline in average deposits of 1 percent to 2 percent from a decrease in non-interest-bearing deposits.
Growth in net interest income of 4 percent to 5 percent from the full-year net benefit of higher interest rates ($130 million to $150 million), growth in average loans and repositioning the securities portfolio, partially offset by higher average debt and lower interest recoveries.
Provision for credit losses of 15 basis points to 25 basis points and net charge-offs to remain low.
Noninterest income higher by 2 percent to 3 percent, benefiting from growth in card fees and fiduciary income, partially offset by lower service charges on deposit accounts and lower derivative income.
Noninterest expenses lower by 3 percent, reflecting the end of restructuring charges from the GEAR Up initiatives ($53 million in full-year 2018), FDIC insurance expense lower by $16 million from the discontinuance of the surcharge, as well as lower compensation and pension expense, partially offset by higher outside processing expenses in line with growing revenue, technology expenditures and typical inflationary pressures.
Noninterest expenses excluding restructuring expenses expected to be stable.
Lower compensation driven by executive incentive compensation, partially offset by merit increases.
Income tax expense to be approximately 23 percent of pre-tax income, excluding any tax impact from employee stock transactions.
Full-year 2018 included discrete tax benefits of $48 million.
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio target of 9.5 percent to 10 percent through continued return of excess capital.



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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following provides a comparative discussion of the Corporation's consolidated results of operations for 2018 compared to 2017. A comparative discussion of results for 2017 compared to 2016 is provided at the end of this section. For a discussion of the Critical Accounting Policies that affect the consolidated results of operations, see the "Critical Accounting Policies" section of this financial review.
ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Rate
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Average
Rate
Commercial loans
$
30,534

$
1,416

4.64
%
 
$
30,415

$
1,162

3.82
%
 
$
31,062

$
1,008

3.25
%
Real estate construction loans
3,155

164

5.21

 
2,958

124

4.18

 
2,508

91

3.63

Commercial mortgage loans
9,131

429

4.69

 
9,005

358

3.97

 
8,981

314

3.49

Lease financing
470

18

3.82

 
509

13

2.63

 
684

18

2.64

International loans
1,021

51

4.97

 
1,157

47

4.07

 
1,367

50

3.63

Residential mortgage loans
1,983

75

3.77

 
1,989

74

3.70

 
1,894

71

3.76

Consumer loans
2,472

109

4.41

 
2,525

94

3.70

 
2,500

83

3.32

Total loans (a)
48,766

2,262

4.64

 
48,558

1,872

3.85

 
48,996

1,635

3.34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
9,099

214

2.28

 
9,330

202

2.17

 
9,356

203

2.19

Other investment securities
2,711

51

1.86

 
2,877

48

1.66

 
2,992

44

1.51

Total investment securities
11,810

265

2.19

 
12,207

250

2.05

 
12,348

247

2.02

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
4,700

91

1.94

 
5,443

60

1.09

 
5,099

26

0.51

Other short-term investments
134

1

0.96

 
92


0.64

 
102

1

0.61

Total earning assets
65,410

2,619

3.99

 
66,300

2,182

3.29

 
66,545

1,909

2.88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
1,135

 
 
 
1,209

 
 
 
1,146

 
 
Allowance for loan losses
(695
)
 
 
 
(728
)
 
 
 
(730
)
 
 
Accrued income and other assets
4,874

 
 
 
4,671

 
 
 
4,782

 
 
Total assets
$
70,724

 
 
 
$
71,452

 
 
 
$
71,743

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market and interest-bearing checking deposits
$
22,378

111

0.50

 
$
21,585

33

0.15

 
$
22,744

27

0.11

Savings deposits
2,199

1

0.04

 
2,133


0.02

 
2,013


0.02

Customer certificates of deposit
2,092

10

0.46

 
2,471

9

0.36

 
3,200

13

0.40

Foreign office time deposits (b)
25


1.19

 
56


0.64

 
33


0.35

Total interest-bearing deposits
26,694

122

0.46

 
26,245

42

0.16

 
27,990

40

0.14

Short-term borrowings
62

1

1.90

 
277

3

1.14

 
138


0.45

Medium- and long-term debt
5,842

144

2.42

 
4,969

76

1.51

 
4,917

72

1.45

Total interest-bearing sources
32,598

267

0.82

 
31,491

121

0.38

 
33,045

112

0.34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits
29,241

 
 
 
31,013

 
 
 
29,751

 
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,076

 
 
 
996

 
 
 
1,273

 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
7,809

 
 
 
7,952

 
 
 
7,674

 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
70,724

 
 
 
$
71,452

 
 
 
$
71,743

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income/rate spread
 
$
2,352

3.17

 
 
$
2,061

2.91

 
 
$
1,797

2.54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impact of net noninterest-bearing sources of funds
 
 
0.41

 
 
 
0.20

 
 
 
0.17

Net interest margin (as a percentage of average earning assets)
 
 
3.58
%
 
 
 
3.11
%
 
 
 
2.71
%
(a)
Nonaccrual loans are included in average balances reported and in the calculation of average rates.
(b)
Includes substantially all deposits by foreign depositors; deposits are primarily in excess of $100,000.



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RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018/2017
 
2017/2016
 
Increase
Due to Rate
Increase
(Decrease)
Due to 
Volume (a)
Net
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Increase
(Decrease)
Due to Rate
Increase
(Decrease)
Due to 
Volume (a)
Net
Increase
(Decrease)
Interest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
$
248

 
$
6

 
$
254

 
 
$
179

 
$
(25
)
 
$
154

 
Real estate construction loans
30

 
10

 
40

 
 
14

 
19

 
33

 
Commercial mortgage loans
65

 
6

 
71

 
 
43

 
1

 
44

 
Lease financing
6

 
(1
)
 
5

 
 

 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
International loans
11

 
(7
)
 
4

 
 
6

 
(9
)
 
(3
)
 
Residential mortgage loans
1

 

 
1

 
 
(1
)
 
4

 
3

 
Consumer loans
17

 
(2
)
 
15

 
 
10

 
1

 
11

 
 Total loans
378

 
12

 
390

 
 
251

 
(14
)
 
237

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
12

 

 
12

 
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
Other investment securities
5

 
(2
)
 
3

 
 
5

 
(1
)
 
4

 
 Total investment securities
17

 
(2
)
 
15

 
 
4

 
(1
)
 
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
46

 
(15
)
 
31

 
 
30

 
4

 
34

 
Other short-term investments
1

 

 
1

 
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
Total interest income
442

 
(5
)
 
437

 
 
285

 
(12
)
 
273

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market and interest-bearing checking deposits
74

 
4

 
78

 
 
8

 
(2
)
 
6

 
Savings deposits
1

 

 
1

 
 

 

 

 
Customer certificates of deposit
3

 
(2
)
 
1

 
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
Total interest-bearing deposits
78

 
2

 
80

 
 
7

 
(5
)
 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
2

 
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
 
1

 
2

 
3

 
Medium- and long-term debt
50

 
18

 
68

 
 
23

 
(19
)
 
4

 
Total interest expense
130

 
16

 
146

 
 
31

 
(22
)
 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
312

 
$
(21
)
 
$
291

 
 
$
254

 
$
10

 
$
264

 
(a)
Rate/volume variances are allocated to variances due to volume.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. Gains and losses related to risk management interest rate swaps that convert fixed rate debt to a floating rate and qualify as hedges are included with the interest expense of the hedged item. Refer to the Analysis of Net Interest Income and the Rate/Volume Analysis tables above for an analysis of net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and details of the components of the change in net interest income for 2018 compared to 2017 and 2017 compared to 2016.
Net interest income was $2.4 billion in 2018, an increase of $291 million compared to 2017. The increase in net interest income primarily reflected the net benefit from higher short-term rates. Average earning assets decreased $890 million, primarily reflecting decreases of $743 million in interest-bearing deposits with banks and $397 million in average investment securities, primarily due to unrealized losses, partially offset by a $208 million increase in average loans.
The net interest margin increased 47 basis points in 2018 to 3.58 percent, from 3.11 percent in 2017, primarily reflecting the net benefit from higher short-term rates.
The Corporation utilizes various asset and liability management strategies to manage net interest income exposure to interest rate risk. Refer to the “Market and Liquidity Risk” section of this financial review for additional information regarding the Corporation's asset and liability management policies and the “Balance Sheet and Capital Funds Analysis” section for further discussion on changes in earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The provision for credit losses was a benefit of $1 million in 2018, compared to a provision of $74 million in 2017. The provision for credit losses includes both the provision for loan losses and the provision for credit losses on lending-related commitments.

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The provision for loan losses is recorded to maintain the allowance for loan losses at the level deemed appropriate by the Corporation to cover probable credit losses inherent in the portfolio. The provision for loan losses was $11 million in 2018, a decrease of $62 million compared to $73 million in 2017, primarily resulting from improved credit quality in most lines of business, reflected by lower net loan charge-offs and criticized loans. Net loan charge-offs in 2018 decreased $41 million to $51 million, or 0.11 percent of average total loans, compared to $92 million, or 0.19 percent, in 2017. The decrease primarily reflected lower charge-offs in Energy, Technology and Life Sciences as well as Corporate Banking. Criticized loans decreased $683 million to $1.5 billion in 2018.
The provision for credit losses on lending-related commitments is recorded to maintain reserves at the level deemed appropriate by the Corporation to cover probable credit losses inherent in lending-related commitments. The provision for credit losses on lending-related commitments was a benefit of $12 million in 2018, a decrease of $13 million compared to a provision of $1 million in 2017. The increase in the provision benefit primarily reflected a decrease in commercial commitments, primarily in Energy. There were no lending-related commitment charge-offs in 2018 and 2017.
For further discussion of the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments, including the methodology used in the determination of the allowances and an analysis of the changes in the allowances, refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements and the "Credit Risk" section of this financial review.
PRESENTATION CHANGES
Noninterest income and noninterest expenses for 2018 reflect certain presentation changes resulting from the adoption of ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," (Topic 606), effective January 1, 2018. These changes primarily impacted card fees and service charges on deposit accounts in noninterest income, fully offset by the impact to outside processing fee expense in noninterest expenses. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for further details on the adoption of Topic 606. The table below summarizes the proforma effects to 2017.
(in millions)
Reported Amounts
Proforma Effects
Proforma Amounts (a)
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Card fees
$
333

$
(113
)
$
220

Service charges on deposit accounts
227

(5
)
222

Total noninterest income
1,107

(118
)
989

 
 
 
 
Outside processing fee expense
366

(118
)
248

Total noninterest expenses
1,860

(118
)
1,742

(a)
The Corporation believes proforma noninterest income and noninterest expenses (each a non-GAAP measure) provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhances comparability of results with 2017.

NONINTEREST INCOME
(in millions)
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
2017
2016
Card fees
$
244

 
$
333

 
$
303

 
Service charges on deposit accounts
211

 
227

 
219

 
Fiduciary income
206

 
198

 
190

 
Commercial lending fees
85

 
85

 
89

 
Foreign exchange income
47

 
45

 
42

 
Letter of credit fees
40

 
45

 
50

 
Bank-owned life insurance
39

 
43

 
42

 
Brokerage fees
27

 
23

 
19

 
Net securities losses
(19
)
 

 

 
Other noninterest income (a)
96

 
108

 
97

 
Total noninterest income
$
976

 
$
1,107

 
$
1,051

 
(a)
The table below provides further details on certain categories included in other noninterest income.
Noninterest income decreased $131 million to $976 million in 2018, compared to $1.1 billion in 2017. The change in noninterest income included the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $118 million to 2017, a $20 million loss due to the repositioning of the securities portfolio and a $10 million reduction in deferred compensation asset returns (offset in noninterest expenses). Excluding these items, noninterest income increased $17 million in 2018. The increase was primarily due to increases in card fees (proforma) and fiduciary income, partly offset by a decrease in service charges on deposit accounts (proforma). For further information about the investment securities portfolio, refer to "Balance Sheet and Capital Funds Analysis" section in this financial review.

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Card fees consist primarily of interchange and other fee income earned on government card, commercial card, debit/Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and merchant payment processing services. Card fees increased $24 million (proforma), or 11 percent, to $244 million in 2018, compared to $220 million (proforma) in 2017. The increase in 2018 was primarily due to volume-driven increases in merchant payment processing services and government card programs.
Service charges on deposit accounts consist primarily of charges on retail and business accounts, including fees for treasury management services. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $11 million (proforma), or 5 percent, to $211 million in 2018, compared to $222 million (proforma) in 2017. The decrease in service charges on deposit accounts included higher earnings credit allowances provided on customer deposit balances due to increases in short-term interest rates.
Fiduciary income consists of fees and commissions from asset management, custody, recordkeeping, investment advisory and other services provided primarily to personal and institutional trust customers. These fees are based on services provided, assets under management and assets under administration. Fluctuations in the market values of the underlying assets managed or administered, which include both equity and fixed income securities, and net asset flows within client accounts impact fiduciary income. Fiduciary income increased $8 million, or 4 percent, to $206 million in 2018, compared to $198 million in 2017. The increase in 2018 was primarily driven by the favorable impact on fees from average market value increases and net positive asset flows for trust as well as investment advisory services.
Other noninterest income decreased $12 million, or 11 percent, to $96 million in 2018, compared to $108 million in 2017, driven by a $10 million decrease in deferred compensation asset returns (offset in noninterest expenses) and smaller changes in various categories as illustrated in the following table.
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
2017
2016
Customer derivative income
 
$
26

 
$
26

 
$
27

 
Insurance commissions
 
10

 
8

 
10

 
Investment banking fees
 
9

 
9

 
7

 
Securities trading income
 
8

 
8

 
6

 
Income from principal investing and warrants
 
4

 
6

 
7

 
Risk management hedge ineffectiveness

 

 
1

 
(2
)
 
Deferred compensation asset returns (a)
 
(2
)
 
8

 
3

 
All other noninterest income
 
41

 
42

 
39

 
Other noninterest income
 
$
96

 
$
108

 
$
97

 
(a)
Compensation deferred by the Corporation's officers and directors is invested based on investment selections of the officers and directors. Income earned on these assets is reported in noninterest income and the offsetting change in deferred compensation plan liabilities is reported in salaries and benefits expense.

NONINTEREST EXPENSES
(in millions)
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
2017
2016
Salaries and benefits expense
$
1,009

 
$
961

(a)
$
989

(a)
Outside processing fee expense
255

 
366

 
336

 
Net occupancy expense
152

 
154

 
157

 
Software expense
125

 
126

 
119

 
Restructuring charges
53

 
45

 
93

 
Equipment expense
48

 
45

 
53

 
FDIC insurance expense
42

 
51

 
54

 
Advertising expense
30

 
28

 
21

 
Other noninterest expenses
80

 
84

(a)
108

(a)
Total noninterest expenses
$
1,794

 
$
1,860

 
$
1,930

 
(a)
Prior period amounts restated to reflect the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost," effective January 1, 2018. For further information, refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Noninterest expenses decreased $66 million to $1.8 billion in 2018, compared to 2017. The change in noninterest expenses included the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $118 million to 2017 and an $8 million increase in restructuring charges. Excluding these items, noninterest expenses increased $44 million in 2018 primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits expense as well as outside processing fee expense (proforma), partly offset by decreases in FDIC insurance expense and other noninterest expenses.
Salaries and benefits expense increased $48 million, or 5 percent, to $1.0 billion in 2018, compared to $961 million in 2017. The increase in salaries and benefits expense was driven by higher share-based and executive incentive compensation tied

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to financial performance as well as merit increases and technology-related labor costs, partially offset by decreases in workforce and deferred compensation expense (offset in noninterest income).
Outside processing fee expense increased $7 million (proforma), or 3 percent, to $255 million in 2018, compared to $248 million (proforma) in 2017, primarily due to expenses tied to revenue-generating activities, including government card programs and merchant payment processing services, partially offset by $3 million of reduced expenses due to the wind down of a retirement savings program in 2018.
Restructuring charges associated with the implementation of the GEAR Up initiative increased $8 million, or 18 percent, to $53 million in 2018, compared to $45 million in 2017, including increases of $11 million in technology costs and $2 million in facilities costs, partially offset by a $5 million decrease in other restructuring costs such as professional and legal fees as well as contract termination fees. For further information about restructuring charges, refer to Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements.
FDIC insurance expense decreased $9 million, or 17 percent, to $42 million in 2018, compared to $51 million in 2017, primarily due to the completion of FDIC surcharges in third quarter 2018 as well as lower risk-based assessment rates.
Other noninterest expenses decreased $4 million, or 4 percent, to $80 million in 2018, compared to $84 million in 2017, driven by decreases of $6 million in operational losses and $5 million in state business taxes, partially offset by $6 million of net gains recognized on sales of assets in 2017 that did not repeat. The decrease in state business taxes was due to tax refunds obtained in 2018.
INCOME TAXES AND RELATED ITEMS
The provision for income taxes was $300 million in 2018, compared to $491 million in 2017. The $191 million decrease in the provision for income taxes in 2018, compared to 2017, primarily reflected the impact of a 14-percentage-point decrease in federal statutory tax rate in 2018 resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and a $120 million decrease in discrete tax items, from a $72 million charge in 2017 to a benefit of $48 million in 2018, partially offset by the tax effect of a $301 million increase in pre-tax income. The discrete tax charge in 2017 was primarily due to a $107 million adjustment to deferred taxes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, partially offset by tax benefits of $35 million from employee stock transactions. The discrete tax benefit in 2018 primarily resulted from a review of certain tax capitalization and recovery positions related to software and fixed assets included in the 2017 tax return and tax benefits of $23 million from employee stock transactions.
Net deferred tax assets were $166 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $141 million at December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for information about the components of net deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets of $302 million were evaluated for realization and it was determined that a valuation allowance of $3 million related to state net operating loss carryforwards was needed at both December 31, 2018 and 2017. These conclusions were based on available evidence of projected future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, assumptions made regarding future events and, when applicable, state loss carryback capacity.
2017 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COMPARED TO 2016
Net interest income was $2.1 billion in 2017, an increase of $264 million compared to 2016. The increase in net interest income primarily reflected the net benefit from higher short-term rates and elevated interest recoveries, partially offset by one fewer day in 2017. Average earning assets decreased $245 million, primarily reflecting decreases of $438 million in average loans and $141 million in average investment securities, partially offset by an increase of $344 million in interest-bearing deposits with banks.
The net interest margin increased 40 basis points in 2017 to 3.11 percent, primarily reflecting the net benefit from higher rates. The "Analysis of Net Interest Income" and "Rate/Volume Analysis" tables under the "Net Interest Income" subheading in this section above provide an analysis of net interest income for 2017 and 2016 and details the components of the change in net interest income for 2017 compared to 2016.
The provision for credit losses, which includes both the provision for loan losses and the provision for credit losses on lending-related commitments, was $74 million in 2017, a decrease of $174 million compared to 2016. Net loan charge-offs in 2017 decreased $54 million to $92 million, or 0.19 percent of average total loans, primarily reflecting lower Energy charge-offs. There were no lending-related commitment charge-offs in 2017, compared to $11 million in 2016, primarily reflecting improved credit quality.
Noninterest income increased $56 million, or 5 percent, to $1.1 billion in 2017 compared to 2016, partially driven by the GEAR Up initiative. Card fees increased $30 million, or 10 percent, to $333 million in 2017, primarily due to volume-driven increases from merchant payment processing services, including new customers, and government card programs. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $8 million, or 4 percent, to $227 million in 2017, primarily reflecting an increase in commercial service charges. Fiduciary income increased $8 million, or 5 percent, to $198 million in 2017, primarily driven by the favorable impact on fees from market value increases and net asset inflows. Other noninterest income increased $11 million, or 11 percent, to $108 million in 2017, driven by small changes in various categories of other noninterest income. Refer to the table provided

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Table of Contents

under the "Noninterest Income" subheading previously in this section for details of certain categories included in other noninterest income.
Noninterest expenses decreased $70 million to $1.9 billion in 2017, compared to 2016. Excluding restructuring charges related to the GEAR Up initiative, noninterest expenses decreased $22 million in 2017. Salaries and benefits expense decreased $28 million, or 3 percent, to $961 million in 2017, primarily driven by the GEAR Up initiative, partially offset by an increase in performance-based incentive compensation and a one-time bonus of $1,000 to approximately 4,500 non-officer employees, as well as the impact of merit increases. Outside processing fee expense increased $30 million, or 9 percent, to $366 million in 2017, primarily tied to revenue-generating activities, including expenses related to increases in merchant payment processing services and government card programs, as well as increases in other outsourced services. Restructuring charges associated with the implementation of the GEAR Up initiative decreased $48 million to $45 million in 2017, including decreases of $42 million in employee costs, $19 million in other restructuring costs and $13 million in facilities costs, partially offset by an increase of $26 million in technology costs. Equipment expense decreased $8 million, or 15 percent, to $45 million in 2017, primarily driven by favorable price renegotiations and a reduction in equipment depreciation expense, in part reflecting careful management of fully depreciated assets. Software expense increased $7 million, or 6 percent, to $126 million in 2017, primarily reflecting continued investment in the Corporation's technology infrastructure. Advertising expense increased $7 million to $28 million in 2017, primarily due to increased marketing expenses tied to new initiatives as well as an increase in sponsorship expenses.
The provision for income taxes increased $298 million to $491 million in 2017, primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income of $564 million and the $107 million charge to adjust deferred taxes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, partially offset by a $35 million tax benefit from employee stock transactions.

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Table of Contents

STRATEGIC LINES OF BUSINESS
The Corporation has strategically aligned its operations into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management. These business segments are differentiated based upon the type of customer and the related products and services provided. In addition to the three major business segments, the Finance Division is also reported as a segment. The Other category includes items not directly associated with these business segments or the Finance segment. The performance of the business segments is not comparable with the Corporation's consolidated results and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution. Additionally, because of the interrelationships of the various segments, the information presented is not indicative of how the segments would perform if they operated as independent entities. Market segment results are also provided for the Corporation's three primary geographic markets: Michigan, California and Texas. In addition to the three primary geographic markets, Other Markets is also reported as a market segment. Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements describes the Corporation's segment reporting methodology as well as the business activities of each business segment and presents financial results of these business segments for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
The Corporation's management accounting system assigns balance sheet and income statement items to each segment using certain methodologies, which are regularly reviewed and refined. These methodologies may be modified as the management accounting system is enhanced and changes occur in the organizational structure and/or product lines. During 2018, the Small Business component was reclassified from Retail Bank to Business Bank. Results in all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the change in organizational structure.
Net interest income for each segment reflects the interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities plus the net impact from associated internal funds transfer pricing (FTP). The FTP methodology allocates credits to each business segment for deposits and other funds provided as well as charges for loans and other assets being funded. FTP crediting rates on deposits and other funds provided reflect the long-term value of deposits and other funding sources based on their implied maturities. FTP charge rates for funding loans and other assets reflect a matched cost of funds based on the pricing and duration characteristics of the assets. Therefore, net interest income for each segment primarily reflects the volume and associated FTP impacts of loan and deposit levels. Business segments that generate deposits benefited from higher FTP crediting rates on deposits during 2018 compared to the prior year. As overall market rates increased, FTP charges for funding loans increased for asset-generating business segments in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the prior year.
The following sections present a summary of the performance of each of the Corporation's business and market segments for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in the prior year. The proforma effect of Topic 606 to the year ended December 31, 2017, reducing both noninterest income and noninterest expenses by $118 million, primarily impacted the Business Bank and Other Markets segments.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The following table presents net income (loss) by business segment.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Business Bank
$
1,024

 
85
%
 
$
755

 
90
 %
 
$
613

 
99
 %
Retail Bank
65

 
5

 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(61
)
 
(10
)
Wealth Management
121

 
10

 
87

 
11

 
68

 
11

 
1,210

 
100
%
 
836

 
100
 %
 
620

 
100
 %
Finance
(1
)
 
 
 
(23
)
 
 
 
(146
)
 
 
Other (a)
26

 
 
 
(70
)
 
 
 
3

 
 
Total
$
1,235

 
 
 
$
743

 
 
 
$
477

 
 
(a)    Primarily reflected discrete tax items, including a benefit of $48 million in 2018 and a net charge of $72 million in 2017.
The Business Bank's net income increased $269 million to $1.0 billion. Average loans increased $377 million and average deposits decreased $1.9 billion. Net interest income increased $100 million to $1.6 billion. An increase in loan income of $355 million was partially offset by a $41 million increase in deposit costs and a $215 million increase in allocated net FTP charges. The FTP allocation reflected increases in funding charges and crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses decreased $63 million to $6 million, primarily reflecting improved credit quality in most lines of business. Net credit-related charge-offs decreased $44 million to $52 million, with most of the decreases in Energy, Technology and Life Sciences as well as Corporate Banking. Including the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $105 million to the prior year, noninterest income increased $13 million and noninterest expenses increased $34 million. Noninterest income benefited from a $22 million increase in card fees (proforma) and smaller increases in other noninterest income categories, partially offset by decreases of $9 million in service charges on deposit accounts (proforma) and $5 million in letter of credit fees. Noninterest expenses reflected increases of $12 million in salaries and benefits expense, $11 million in outside processing fee expense (proforma), $8 million in allocated corporate overhead and smaller increases in other categories of noninterest expenses, partially

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offset by an $8 million decrease in FDIC insurance expense. Additionally, noninterest expenses in 2017 included $6 million in net gains recognized on sales of assets that did not repeat.
The Retail Bank's net income increased $71 million to $65 million. Average loans and deposits were stable. Net interest income increased $95 million to $548 million. Increases of $98 million in allocated net FTP credits and $14 million in loan income were partially offset by a $16 million increase in deposit costs. The FTP allocation primarily reflected an increase in crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses decreased $3 million to a benefit of $1 million. Including the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $12 million to the prior year, noninterest income decreased $6 million and noninterest expenses decreased $1 million. Noninterest income was primarily impacted by a decrease of $6 million due to the wind down of a retirement savings program and a $2 million decline in service charges on deposit accounts (proforma), partially offset by a $2 million increase in card fees (proforma). The decrease in noninterest expenses primarily reflected decreases of $6 million in outside processing fee expense (proforma), including a $3 million decrease resulting from the wind down of a retirement savings program in 2018, and $4 million in FDIC insurance expense as well as smaller decreases in other categories of noninterest expenses, mostly offset by increases of $9 million in salaries and benefits expense and $4 million in restructuring charges.
Wealth Management's net income increased $34 million to $121 million. Net interest income increased $12 million to $181 million, primarily reflecting an increase in crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses decreased $4 million to a benefit of $3 million. Net credit-related recoveries decreased $4 million to $1 million in 2018. Noninterest income increased $11 million to $266 million, primarily reflecting increases of $7 million in fiduciary income and $3 million in brokerage fees. Noninterest expenses increased $8 million to $293 million, primarily reflecting a $5 million increase in salaries and benefits expense and smaller increases in other categories of noninterest expenses.
The net loss in the Finance segment decreased $22 million to $1 million, primarily reflecting an increase in net FTP revenue as a result of higher rates charged to the business segments under the Corporation's internal FTP methodology, partially offset by a $15 million loss, net of tax, due to repositioning the securities portfolio.
MARKET SEGMENTS
The following table presents net income (loss) by market segment.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Michigan
$
326

 
27
%
 
$
247

 
30
%
 
$
210

 
33
 %
California
375

 
31

 
229

 
27

 
246

 
40

Texas
229

 
19

 
175

 
21

 
(39
)
 
(6
)
Other Markets
280

 
23

 
185

 
22

 
203

 
33

 
1,210

 
100
%
 
836

 
100
%
 
620

 
100
 %
Finance & Other (a)
25

 
 
 
(93
)
 
 
 
(143
)
 
 
Total
$
1,235

 
 
 
$
743

 
 
 
$
477

 
 
(a)    Primarily reflected discrete tax items, including a benefit of $48 million in 2018 and a net charge of $72 million in 2017.
The Michigan market's net income increased $79 million to $326 million. Average loans decreased $146 million and average deposits decreased $1.1 billion. Net interest income increased $70 million to $727 million. An increase in loan income of $95 million was partially offset by a $23 million increase in deposit costs and a $1 million increase in allocated net FTP charges. The FTP allocation reflected an increase in funding charges mostly offset by increases in crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses increased $22 million to $30 million, primarily reflecting an increase in general Middle Market. Net credit-related charge-offs increased $8 million to $7 million, primarily reflecting an increase in general Middle Market. Including the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $13 million to the prior year, noninterest income decreased $15 million and noninterest expenses increased $1 million. The decrease in noninterest income reflected decreases of $9 million in fiduciary income, $6 million in service charges on deposit accounts (proforma) and smaller decreases in several other categories, partially offset by a $3 million increase in card fees (proforma). Noninterest expenses were impacted by an $8 million increase in salaries and benefits expense, $6 million of net gains recognized in 2017 on sales of assets that did not repeat and smaller increases in other categories of noninterest expenses, mostly offset by a $14 million decrease in allocated corporate overhead.
The California market's net income increased $146 million to $375 million. Average loans increased $275 million and average deposits decreased $569 million. Net interest income increased $77 million to $788 million. An increase in loan income of $158 million was partially offset by a $23 million increase in deposit costs and a $58 million increase in allocated net FTP charges. The FTP allocation reflected increases in funding charges and in crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses decreased $73 million to $31 million, primarily reflecting improved credit quality in most lines of business. Net credit-related charge-offs decreased $6 million to $27 million, with the largest decrease in Corporate Banking. Including the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $7 million to the prior year, noninterest income was unchanged and noninterest expenses increased $27 million. Noninterest income was impacted by a $4 million increase in card fees (proforma)

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Table of Contents

and smaller increases in other categories of noninterest income, offset by decreases of $3 million each in service charges on deposit accounts (proforma) and letter of credit fees. Noninterest expenses reflected increases of $13 million in allocated corporate overhead, $6 million in salaries and benefits expense, $4 million each in outside processing fee expense (proforma) and restructuring charges as well as smaller increases in other categories of noninterest expenses, partially offset by a $4 million decrease in FDIC insurance expense. Additionally, the increase in noninterest expenses reflected the impact of a $3 million benefit in 2017 due to a favorable litigation-related settlement.
The Texas market's net income increased $54 million to $229 million. Average loans decreased $148 million and average deposits decreased $632 million. Net interest income increased $24 million to $475 million. An increase in loan income of $68 million was partially offset by increases of $5 million in deposit costs and $40 million in allocated net FTP charges. The FTP allocation reflected increases in funding charges and in crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses was impacted by a $19 million decrease in provision benefit to $53 million, primarily due to improved credit quality and a large decrease in Energy loans in 2017. Net credit-related charge-offs decreased $34 million to $12 million, primarily reflecting decreases in Energy and general Middle Market. Including the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $6 million to the prior year, noninterest income increased $5 million and noninterest expenses decreased $4 million. Noninterest income was primarily impacted by a $3 million increase in card fees (proforma). The decline in noninterest expenses primarily reflected decreases of $4 million in allocated corporate overhead and $3 million in FDIC insurance expense, partially offset by a $2 million increase in outside processing fee expense (proforma).
Other Markets' net income increased $95 million to $280 million. Average loans increased $227 million and average deposits increased $267 million. Net interest income increased $36 million to $352 million. An increase in loan income of $70 million was partially offset by a $13 million increase in deposit costs and a $21 million increase in allocated net FTP charges. The FTP allocation reflected an increase in funding charges as well as increases in crediting rates on deposits as a result of higher short-term rates. The provision for credit losses decreased $39 million to a $6 million benefit, with most of the decreases in Corporate Banking, Small Business as well as Technology and Life Sciences. Net credit-related charge-offs decreased $9 million to $5 million, primarily reflecting decreases in Technology and Life Sciences as well as Small Business. Including the Topic 606 proforma reduction of $92 million to the prior year, noninterest income increased $28 million and noninterest expenses increased $18 million. Noninterest income was primarily impacted by increases of $15 million in fiduciary income and $13 million in card fees (proforma). Noninterest expenses primarily reflected increases of $11 million in salaries and benefits expense and $10 million in allocated corporate overhead, partially offset by a $4 million decrease in outside processing fee expense (proforma).
Net income for the Finance & Other category increased $118 million to $25 million, primarily reflecting the $120 million change in discrete tax items and an increase in FTP revenue as a result of higher rates charged to the market segments under the Corporation's internal FTP methodology, partially offset by a $15 million loss, net of tax, due to repositioning the securities portfolio.
The following table lists the Corporation's banking centers by geographic market segment.
December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Michigan
193

 
194

 
209

Texas
122

 
122

 
127

California
96

 
97

 
97

Other Markets:
 
 
 
 
 
Arizona
17

 
17

 
17

Florida
7

 
7

 
7

Canada
1
 
1

 
1

Total Other Markets
25

 
25

 
25

Total
436

 
438

 
458


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Table of Contents

BALANCE SHEET AND CAPITAL FUNDS ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND LOANS
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
$
2,727

 
$
2,727

 
$
2,779

 
$
2,763

 
$
526

Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
9,318

(b)
8,124

 
7,872

 
7,545

 
7,274

State and municipal securities

 
5

 
7

 
9

 
23

Corporate debt securities

 

 

 
1

 
51

Equity and other non-debt securities

 
82

 
129

 
201

 
242

Total investment securities available-for-sale
12,045

 
10,938

 
10,787

 
10,519

 
8,116

Investment securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)

(b)
1,266

 
1,582

 
1,981

 
1,935

Total investment securities
$
12,045

 
$
12,204

 
$
12,369

 
$
12,500

 
$
10,051

Commercial loans
$
31,976

 
$
31,060

 
$
30,994

 
$
31,659

 
$
31,520

Real estate construction loans
3,077

 
2,961

 
2,869

 
2,001

 
1,955

Commercial mortgage loans
9,106

 
9,159

 
8,931

 
8,977

 
8,604

Lease financing
507

 
468

 
572

 
724

 
805

International loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks and other financial institutions

 
4

 
2

 

 
31

Commercial and industrial
1,013

 
979

 
1,256

 
1,368

 
1,465

Total international loans
1,013

 
983

 
1,258

 
1,368

 
1,496

Residential mortgage loans
1,970

 
1,988

 
1,942

 
1,870

 
1,831

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
1,765

 
1,816

 
1,800

 
1,720

 
1,658

Other consumer
749

 
738

 
722

 
765

 
724

Total consumer loans
2,514

 
2,554

 
2,522

 
2,485

 
2,382

Total loans
$
50,163

 
$
49,173

 
$
49,088

 
$
49,084

 
$
48,593

(a)
Issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.
(b)
Effective with the adoption of ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” on January 1, 2018, the Corporation transferred residential mortgage-backed securities with a book value of approximately $1.3 billion from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale.

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Table of Contents

EARNING ASSETS
Loans
On a period-end basis, total loans increased $990 million to $50.2 billion at December 31, 2018 compared to $49.2 billion at December 31, 2017. Average total loans increased $208 million to $48.8 billion in 2018, compared to $48.6 billion in 2017. The following tables provide information about the changes in the Corporation's average loan portfolio in 2018, compared to 2017.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Percent
Change
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
By Business Line:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Middle Market
$
11,800

 
$
11,873

 
$
(73
)
 
(1
)%
National Dealer Services
7,294

 
6,953

 
341

 
5

Energy
1,868

 
2,075

 
(207
)
 
(10
)
Technology and Life Sciences
3,808

 
3,281

 
527

 
16

Environmental Services
1,099

 
924

 
175

 
19

Entertainment
731

 
659

 
72

 
11

Total Middle Market
26,600

 
25,765

 
835

 
3

Corporate Banking
4,337

 
4,682

 
(345
)
 
(7
)
Mortgage Banker Finance
1,716

 
1,768

 
(52
)
 
(3
)
Commercial Real Estate
5,287

 
5,230

 
57

 
1

Small Business
3,678

 
3,796

 
(118
)
 
(3
)
Total Business Bank
41,618


41,241

 
377

 
1

Total Retail Bank
2,067

 
2,061

 
6

 

Total Wealth Management
5,081

 
5,256

 
(175
)
 
(3
)
Total loans
$
48,766

 
$
48,558

 
$
208

 
 %
By Loan Type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
30,534

 
$
30,415

 
$
119

 
 %
Real estate construction loans
3,155

 
2,958

 
197

 
7

Commercial mortgage loans
9,131

 
9,005

 
126

 
1

Lease financing
470

 
509

 
(39
)
 
(8
)
International loans
1,021

 
1,157

 
(136
)
 
(12
)
Residential mortgage loans
1,983

 
1,989

 
(6
)
 

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
1,749

 
1,794

 
(45
)
 
(3
)
Other consumer
723

 
731

 
(8
)
 
(1
)
Total consumer loans
2,472

 
2,525

 
(53
)
 
(2
)
Total loans
$
48,766

 
$
48,558

 
$
208

 
 %
By Geographic Market:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan
$
12,531

 
$
12,677

 
$
(146
)
 
(1
)%
California
18,283

 
18,008

 
275

 
2

Texas
9,821

 
9,969

 
(148
)
 
(1
)
Other Markets
8,131

 
7,904

 
227

 
3

Total loans
$
48,766

 
$
48,558

 
$
208

 
 %
Middle Market business lines generally serve customers with annual revenue between $20 million and $500 million. Within the Middle Markets business lines, the largest changes were due to Technology and Life Sciences as well as National Dealer Services, partially offset by Energy. Technology and Life Sciences serves two segments: (1) private equity and venture capital firms, referred to as equity fund services, and (2) companies that are typically owned by venture-capital firms, where significant equity is invested to create products and build companies around new intellectual property. The $527 million increase in average Technology and Life Sciences loans primarily reflected growth in the equity fund services business. National Dealer Services provides floor plan inventory financing and commercial mortgages to auto dealerships. The $341 million increase in average National Dealer Services loans largely reflected the expansion of new and existing relationships. Customers in the Energy business line are primarily engaged in the oil and gas businesses. The $207 million decrease in average Energy loans primarily reflected Energy customers taking actions to adjust their cash flow and reduce their bank debt, including selling assets and raising capital, as well as improved operations. For more information on Energy loans, refer to "Energy Lending" in the "Risk Management" section of this financial review.

F-16

Table of Contents

Corporate Banking generally serves customers with revenue over $500 million. The $345 million decrease in average Corporate Banking loans reflected continued pricing and credit discipline as well as an elevated number of customers taking advantage of favorable valuations to sell their businesses.
Investment Securities
 
Maturity (a)
Weighted
Average
Maturity
(dollar amounts in millions)
Within 1 Year
1 - 5 Years
5 - 10 Years
After 10 Years
Total
December 31, 2018
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Years
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
$
100

1.42
%
$
2,627

2.34
%
$

%
$

%
$
2,727

2.30
%
2.3

Residential mortgage-backed securities (b)


15

2.70

1,502

2.43

7,801

2.36

9,318

2.37

19.7

Total investment securities
$
100

1.42
%
$
2,642

2.34
%
$
1,502

2.43
%
$
7,801

2.36
%
$
12,045

2.35
%
15.8

(a)Based on final contractual maturity.
(b)Issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.
Investment securities decreased $159 million to $12.0 billion at December 31, 2018, from $12.2 billion at December 31, 2017, including a $57 million increase in net unrealized losses. Net unrealized losses on investment securities available-for-sale were $180 million at December 31, 2018, compared to net unrealized losses of $123 million at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018, the weighted-average expected life of the Corporation's residential mortgage-backed securities portfolio was approximately 3.5 years. On an average basis, investment securities decreased $397 million to $11.8 billion in 2018, compared to $12.2 billion in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in net unrealized losses.
At the end of the third quarter 2018, the Corporation repositioned $1.3 billion of treasury securities by purchasing securities yielding approximately $4 million in additional interest per quarter. The loss taken on the securities sold ($15 million, net of tax) was offset by discrete tax benefits resulting from actions taken related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Banks and Other Short-Term Investments
Interest-bearing deposits with banks primarily include deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and also include deposits with banks in developed countries or international banking facilities of foreign banks located in the United States. Interest-bearing deposits with banks are mostly used to manage liquidity requirements of the Corporation. Interest-bearing deposits with banks decreased $1.2 billion to $3.2 billion at December 31, 2018. On an average basis, interest-bearing deposits with banks decreased $743 million to $4.7 billion in 2018, compared to $5.4 billion in 2017.
Other short-term investments include federal funds sold, trading securities, money market investments and loans held-for-sale. Substantially all trading securities are deferred compensation plan assets. Loans held-for-sale typically represent residential mortgage loans originated with management's intention to sell and, from time to time, other loans that are transferred to held-for-sale. Other short-term investments increased $38 million to $134 million at December 31, 2018. On an average basis, other short-term investments increased $42 million to $134 million in 2018.
DEPOSITS AND BORROWED FUNDS
At December 31, 2018, total deposits were $55.6 billion, a decrease of $2.3 billion, or 4 percent, compared to $57.9 billion at December 31, 2017, reflecting a decrease of $3.4 billion, or 11 percent, in noninterest-bearing deposits, partially offset by an increase of $1.0 billion, or 4 percent, in interest-bearing deposits. The Corporation's average deposits and borrowed funds balances are detailed in the following table.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent
Change
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits
$
29,241

 
$
31,013

 
$
(1,772
)
 
(6
)%
Money market and interest-bearing checking deposits
22,378

 
21,585

 
793

 
4

Savings deposits
2,199

 
2,133

 
66

 
3

Customer certificates of deposit
2,092

 
2,471

 
(379
)
 
(15
)
Foreign office time deposits
25

 
56

 
(31
)
 
(56
)
Total deposits
$
55,935

 
$
57,258

 
$
(1,323
)
 
(2
)%
Short-term borrowings
$
62

 
$
277

 
$
(215
)
 
(78
)%
Medium- and long-term debt
5,842

 
4,969

 
873

 
18

Total borrowed funds
$
5,904

 
$
5,246

 
$
658

 
13
 %
Average deposits decreased $1.3 billion, or 2 percent, to $55.9 billion in 2018, compared to $57.3 billion in 2017, reflecting a decrease of $1.8 billion, or 6 percent, in noninterest-bearing deposits, partially offset by an increase of $449 million, or 2 percent, in interest-bearing deposits. The decrease is primarily due to more efficient cash management by customers. The largest decreases

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were reflected in general Middle Market (driven by a $925 million decline in Municipalities), Commercial Real Estate ($598 million) and Corporate Banking ($454 million), partially offset by increases in Finance ($699 million) and Technology and Life Sciences ($418 million). By market, average deposits decreased in Michigan ($1.1 billion), Texas ($632 million) and in California ($569 million), partially offset by increases in Finance and Other ($662 million) and Other Markets ($267 million).
Short-term borrowings totaled $44 million at December 31, 2018, an increase of $34 million compared to $10 million at December 31, 2017. Short-term borrowings primarily include federal funds purchased, short-term FHLB advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Average short-term borrowings decreased $215 million, to $62 million in 2018, compared to $277 million in 2017.
Total medium- and long-term debt at December 31, 2018 increased $1.8 billion to $6.5 billion, compared to $4.6 billion at December 31, 2017. The increase in medium- and long-term debt reflected a $1.0 billion increase in long-term FHLB advances during the first quarter 2018 and an issuance of $850 million in medium-term notes during the third quarter 2018. The Corporation uses medium- and long-term debt, which includes long-term FHLB advances as well as medium-term and subordinated notes, to provide funding to support earning assets, liquidity and regulatory capital. Average medium- and long-term debt increased $873 million, or 18 percent, to $5.8 billion in 2018, compared to $5.0 billion in 2017.
On February 1, 2019, the Corporation issued $350 million of 4.00% senior notes maturing in 2029, swapped to floating rate at 30-day LIBOR plus 129 basis points. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, investments in or advances to existing or future subsidiaries, and repurchases, maturities and redemptions of other outstanding securities. Pending such use, the net proceeds will be invested for the short term.
Further information on medium- and long-term debt is provided in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.
CAPITAL
Total shareholders' equity decreased $456 million to $7.5 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $8.0 billion at December 31, 2017. The following table presents a summary of changes in total shareholders' equity in 2018.
(in millions)
  
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2018
 
 
$
7,963

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles
 
 
15

Net income
 
 
1,235

Cash dividends declared on common stock
 
 
(309
)
Purchase of common stock
 
 
(1,329
)
Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale
$
(38
)
 
 
Defined benefit and other postretirement plans
(121
)
 
 
Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
(159
)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
 
 
43

Share-based compensation
 
 
48

Balance at December 31, 2018
 
 
$
7,507

Further information about other comprehensive loss is provided in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.
In July 2018, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued a statement announcing that, consistent with the recently enacted Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (EGRRCPA), bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total assets are no longer subject to certain regulations and reporting requirements, such as Dodd-Frank Act stress testing, Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio, effective immediately. EGRRCPA also revised the definition of High Volatility Commercial Real Estate (HVCRE) exposure for regulatory capital calculations. The Corporation adopted the revised HVCRE definition effective September 30, 2018. The resulting change in regulatory capital ratios was not significant.
The Corporation expects to return excess capital to shareholders with a target of reaching a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 9.5 percent to 10 percent by the end of 2019. The timing and ultimate amount of future distributions will be subject to various factors including financial performance, capital position and market conditions.
During 2018, the Corporation repurchased 14.8 million shares for a total $1.3 billion. This included $149 million in the first quarter and $169 million in the second quarter repurchased under the Corporation's 2017 capital plan. The Board of Directors (the Board) approved the repurchase of $500 million in each of the third and fourth quarters of 2018. The Corporation facilitated the third and fourth quarter repurchases through an accelerated share repurchase program due to volume and timing execution constraints.

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In January 2019, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 15 million shares of Comerica Incorporated outstanding common stock. This action is in addition to the 4.7 million shares remaining at December 31, 2018 under the Board's prior authorizations for the equity repurchase program. The number of shares ultimately repurchased during 2019 will depend on many factors, including capital needs of the Corporation and market conditions. Additionally, repurchases of common stock under the authorization may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or accelerated repurchase programs. There is no expiration date for the Corporation's share repurchase program.
The Board approved a 4-cent increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.34 per share in April 2018 and further increased the divided 26 cents to $0.60 per share in July 2018. In January 2019, the Board approved a 7-cent increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.67 per share, effective for the dividend payable on April 1, 2019.
The following table summarizes the Corporation’s equity repurchase activity for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(shares in thousands)
Total Number of Shares and Warrants Purchased as 
Part of Publicly Announced Repurchase Plans or Programs (a)
 
Remaining
Repurchase
Authorization (b)
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (c)
 
Average Price
Paid Per 
Share
First quarter 2018
1,565

 
8,714

 
1,674

 
$
95.16

Second quarter 2018
1,755

 
6,952

 
1,759

 
96.32

Third quarter 2018
5,137

 
11,706

(d)
5,143

 
97.32

Fourth quarter 2018
6,316

 
4,707

 
6,318

 
79.16

Total 2018
14,773

 
4,707

 
14,894

 
$
89.26

(a)
The Corporation made no repurchases of warrants under the repurchase program during the year ended December 31, 2018. Upon exercise of a warrant, the number of shares with a value equal to the aggregate exercise price is withheld from an exercising warrant holder as payment (known as a "net exercise provision"). During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Corporation withheld the equivalent of approximately 309,000 shares to cover an aggregate of $9 million in exercise price and issued approximately 585,000 shares to the exercising warrant holders. Shares withheld in connection with the net exercise provision are not included in the total number of shares or warrants purchased in the above table. All unexercised warrants expired in fourth quarter 2018.
(b)
Maximum number of shares and warrants that may yet be purchased under the publicly announced plans or programs. In January 2019, the Board rescinded its warrant repurchase authorization following the expiration of all unexercised warrants.
(c)
Includes approximately 121,000 shares purchased pursuant to deferred compensation plans and shares purchased from employees to pay for taxes related to restricted stock vesting under the terms of an employee share-based compensation plan during the year ended December 31, 2018. These transactions are not considered part of the Corporation's repurchase program.
(d)
Includes July 24, 2018 equity repurchase authorization for an additional 10 million shares.
The U.S. adoption of the Basel III regulatory capital framework (Basel III) became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2015. Basel III included a more stringent definition of capital and introduced a common equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital requirement; set forth two comprehensive methodologies for calculating risk-weighted assets (RWA), a standardized approach and an advanced approach; introduced two capital buffers, a conservation buffer and a countercyclical buffer (applicable to advanced approach entities); established a supplemental leverage ratio (applicable to advanced approach entities); and set out minimum capital ratios and overall capital adequacy standards. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in and will be fully implemented on January 1, 2019.
Under Basel III, CET1 capital predominantly includes common shareholders' equity, less certain deductions for goodwill, intangible assets and deferred tax assets that arise from net operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Additionally, the Corporation has elected to permanently exclude capital in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale as well as for defined benefit postretirement plans from CET1, an option available to standardized approach entities under Basel III. Tier 1 capital incrementally includes noncumulative perpetual preferred stock. Tier 2 capital includes Tier 1 capital as well as subordinated debt qualifying as Tier 2 and qualifying allowance for credit losses. The ultimate treatment for certain specific deductions and adjustments is yet to be determined pending the finalization of a proposal by banking regulators to simplify certain aspects of the capital rules. In addition, in December 2018, the federal banking regulators adopted rules that would permit bank holding companies and banks to phase in, for regulatory capital purposes, the day-one impact of the new current expected credit loss accounting rule on retained earnings over a period of three years. The Corporation does not expect the proposed rule to have a significant impact on its capital ratios.
The Corporation computes RWA using the standardized approach. Under the standardized approach, RWA is generally based on supervisory risk-weightings which vary by counterparty type and asset class. Under the Basel III standardized approach, capital is required for credit risk RWA, to cover the risk of unexpected losses due to failure of a customer or counterparty to meet its financial obligations in accordance with contractual terms; and if trading assets and liabilities exceed certain thresholds, capital is also required for market risk RWA, to cover the risk of losses due to adverse market movements or from position-specific factors.

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The following table presents the minimum ratios required to be considered "adequately capitalized."
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
4.500
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
6.000

Total capital to risk-weighted assets
8.000

Capital conservation buffer (a)
1.875

Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets (leverage ratio)
4.000

(a)
In addition to the minimum risk-based capital requirements, the Corporation is required to maintain a minimum capital conservation buffer in the form of common equity, in order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. The required amount of the capital conservation buffer is being phased in and ultimately increases to 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer indicated above is as of December 31, 2018.
The Corporation's capital ratios exceeded minimum regulatory requirements as follows:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(dollar amounts in millions)
Capital/Assets
 
Ratio
 
Capital/Assets
 
Ratio
Common equity tier 1 and tier 1 risk-based
$
7,470

 
11.14
%
 
$
7,773

 
11.68
%
Total risk-based
8,855

 
13.21

 
9,211

 
13.84

Leverage
7,470

 
10.51

 
7,773

 
10.89

Common equity
7,507

 
10.60

 
7,963

 
11.13

Tangible common equity (a)
6,866

 
9.78

 
7,320

 
10.32

Risk-weighted assets
67,047

 
 
 
66,575

 
 
(a)
See Supplemental Financial Data section for reconcilements of non-GAAP financial measures.
At December 31, 2018, the Corporation and its U.S. banking subsidiaries exceeded the capital ratios required for an institution to be considered “well capitalized” by the standards developed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991. Refer to Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of regulatory capital requirements and capital ratio calculations.

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Table of Contents

RISK MANAGEMENT
The Corporation assumes various types of risk as a result of conducting business in the normal course. The Corporation's enterprise risk framework provides a process for identifying, measuring, controlling and managing these risks. This framework incorporates a risk assessment process, a collection of risk committees that manage the Corporation's major risk elements, and a risk appetite statement that outlines the levels and types of risks the Corporation accepts. The Corporation continuously enhances its enterprise risk framework with additional processes, tools and systems designed to not only provide management with deeper insight into the various existing and emerging risks in accordance with its appetite for risk, but also to improve the Corporation's ability to control those risks and ensure that appropriate consideration is received for the risks taken.
The Corporation’s front line employees, the first line of defense, are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks including the identification, assessment, measurement and control of risks encountered as a part of the normal course of business. Risks are further monitored, measured and controlled by the second line of defense, comprised of specialized risk managers for each of the major risk categories who provide oversight, effective challenge and guidance for the risk management activities of the organization. The majority of these risk managers reside in the Enterprise Risk Division. The Enterprise Risk Division, led by the Chief Risk Officer, is responsible for designing and managing the Corporation’s enterprise risk framework and ensures effective risk management oversight. Risk management committees serve as a point of review and escalation for those risks which may have risk interdependencies or where risk levels may be nearing the limits outlined in the Corporation’s risk appetite statement. These committees comprise senior and executive management that represent views from both the lines of business and risk management. Internal Audit, the third line of defense, monitors and assesses the overall effectiveness of the risk management framework on an ongoing basis and provides an independent assessment of the Corporation’s ability to manage and control risk to management and the Audit Committee of the Board.
The Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Committee, chaired by the Chief Risk Officer, is established by the Enterprise Risk Committee of the Board, and is responsible for governance over the risk management framework, providing oversight in managing the Corporation's aggregate risk position and reporting on the comprehensive portfolio of risks as well as the potential impact these risks can have on the Corporation's risk profile and resulting capital level. Capital is the common denominator of risk. The Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Committee is principally composed of senior officers and executives representing the different risk areas and business units who are appointed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
The Board's Enterprise Risk Committee meets quarterly and is chartered to assist the Board in promoting the best interests of the Corporation by overseeing policies, procedures and risk practices relating to enterprise-wide risk and ensuring compliance with bank regulatory obligations. Members of the Enterprise Risk Committee are selected such that the committee comprises individuals whose experiences and qualifications can lead to broad and informed views on risk matters facing the Corporation and the financial services industry. These include, but are not limited to, existing and emerging risk matters related to credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance and strategic conditions. A comprehensive risk report is submitted to the Enterprise Risk Committee each quarter providing management's view of the Corporation's aggregate risk position.
Further discussion and analyses of each major risk area are included in the following sub-sections of the Risk Management section in this financial review.
CREDIT RISK
Credit risk represents the risk of loss due to failure of a customer or counterparty to meet its financial obligations in accordance with contractual terms. The governance structure is administered through the Strategic Credit Committee. The Strategic Credit Committee is chaired by the Chief Credit Officer and approves recommendations to address credit risk matters through credit policy, credit risk management practices and required credit risk actions. The Strategic Credit Committee also ensures a comprehensive reporting of credit risk levels and trends, including exception levels, along with identification and mitigation of emerging risks. In order to facilitate the corporate credit risk management process, various other corporate functions provide the resources for the Strategic Credit Committee to carry out its responsibilities. The Corporation manages credit risk through underwriting and periodically reviewing and approving its credit exposures using approved credit policies and guidelines. Additionally, the Corporation manages credit risk through loan portfolio diversification, limiting exposure to any single industry, customer or guarantor, and selling participations and/or syndicating credit exposures above those levels it deems prudent to third parties.
The Credit Division manages credit policy and provides the resources to manage the line of business transactional credit risk, assuring that all exposure is risk rated according to the requirements of the credit risk rating policy and providing business segment reporting support as necessary. The Enterprise Risk Division provides credible and well-documented challenge of overall portfolio credit risk, and other credit-related attributes of the Corporation's loan portfolios, with a particular emphasis on all attendant modeled results. The Corporation's Asset Quality Review function, a division of Internal Audit, audits the accuracy of internal risk ratings that are assigned by the lending and credit groups. The Special Assets Group is responsible for managing the recovery process on distressed or defaulted loans and loan sales.

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Portfolio Risk Analytics, within the Credit Division, provides comprehensive reporting on portfolio credit risk levels and trends, continuous assessment and verification of risk rating models, quarterly calculation of the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments, and calculation of economic credit risk capital.
ANALYSIS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Balance at beginning of year
$
712

 
$
730

 
$
634

 
$
594

 
$
598

Loan charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
95

 
133

 
181

 
139

 
59

Commercial mortgage
3

 
3

 
3

 
3

 
22

Lease financing

 
1

 

 
1

 

International
1

 
6

 
23

 
14

 
6

Residential mortgage

 

 

 
1

 
2

Consumer
4

 
6

 
7

 
10

 
13

Total loan charge-offs
103

 
149

 
214

 
168

 
102

Recoveries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
44

 
37

 
43

 
33

 
34

Real estate construction

 
1

 

 
1

 
4

Commercial mortgage
2

 
9

 
20

 
21

 
28

Lease financing

 

 

 

 
2

International
1

 
3

 

 

 

Residential mortgage
1

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
4

Consumer
4

 
6

 
4

 
11

 
5

Total recoveries
52

 
57

 
68

 
68

 
77

Net loan charge-offs
51

 
92

 
146

 
100

 
25

Provision for loan losses
11

 
73

 
241

 
142

 
22

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(1
)
 
1

 
1

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Balance at end of year
$
671

 
$
712

 
$
730

 
$
634

 
$
594

Net loan charge-offs during the year as a percentage of average loans outstanding during the year
0.11
%
 
0.19
%
 
0.30
%
 
0.21
%
 
0.05
%
Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses includes both the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments. The allowance for loan losses represents management's assessment of probable, estimable losses inherent in the Corporation's loan portfolio. The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, provides for probable losses inherent in lending-related commitments, including unused commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the methodology used in the determination of the allowance for credit losses.
An analysis of the coverage of the allowance for loan losses is provided in the following table.
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans at end of year
1.34
%
 
1.45
%
 
1.49
%
Allowance for loan losses as a multiple of total nonperforming loans at end of year
2.9x

 
1.7x

 
1.2x

Allowance for loan losses as a multiple of total net loan charge-offs for the year
13.1x

 
7.7x

 
5.0x

The allowance for loan losses was $671 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $712 million at December 31, 2017, a decrease of $41 million, or 6 percent. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses reflected continued improvement in credit quality of the portfolio, including a $683 million decline in criticized loans and a $41 million decline in net loan charge-offs.

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Table of Contents

ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
(dollar amounts in millions)
Allocated
Allowance
Allowance
Ratio (a)
% (b)
 
Allocated
Allowance
% (b)
 
Allocated
Allowance
% (b)
 
Allocated
Allowance
% (b)
 
Allocated
Allowance
% (b)
December 31
 
 
 
 
Business loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
492

1.54
%
64
%
 
$
521

63
%
 
$
547

63
%
 
$
448

65
%
 
$
379

65
%
Real estate construction
19

0.62

6

 
19

6

 
21

6

 
12

4

 
20

4

Commercial mortgage
99

1.08

18

 
91

19

 
93

18

 
93

18

 
120

18

Lease financing
4

0.70

1

 
12

1

 
5

1

 
3

1

 
2

1

International
13

1.31

2

 
18

2

 
16

3

 
23

3

 
13

3

Total business loans
627

1.37

91

 
661

91

 
682

91

 
579

91

 
534

91

Retail loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
9

0.43

4

 
13

4

 
11

4

 
14

4

 
14

4

Consumer
35

1.40

5

 
38

5

 
37

5

 
41

5

 
46

5

Total retail loans
44

0.97

9

 
51

9

 
48

9

 
55

9

 
60

9

Total loans
$
671

1.34
%
100
%
 
$
712

100
%
 
$
730

100
%
 
$
634

100
%
 
$
594

100
%
(a)
Allocated allowance as a percentage of related loans outstanding.
(b)
Loans outstanding as a percentage of total loans.
The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments includes specific allowances, based on individual evaluations of certain letters of credit in a manner consistent with business loans, and allowances based on the pool of the remaining letters of credit and all unused commitments to extend credit within each internal risk rating.
The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments was $30 million at December 31, 2018 compared to $42 million at December 31, 2017. An analysis of changes in the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments is presented below.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Balance at beginning of year
$
42

 
$
41

 
$
45

 
$
41

 
$
36

Charge-offs on lending-related commitments (a)

 

 
(11
)
 
(1
)
 

Provision for credit losses on lending-related commitments
(12
)
 
1

 
7

 
5

 
5

Balance at end of year
$
30

 
$
42

 
$
41

 
$
45

 
$
41

(a)    Charge-offs result from the sale of unfunded lending-related commitments.
For additional information regarding the allowance for credit losses, refer to the "Critical Accounting Policies" section of this financial review and Notes 1 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming assets include loans on nonaccrual status, troubled debt restructured loans (TDRs) which have been renegotiated to less than the original contractual rates (reduced-rate loans) and foreclosed property. TDRs include performing and nonperforming loans. Nonperforming TDRs are either on nonaccrual or reduced-rate status.

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Table of Contents

SUMMARY OF NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND PAST DUE LOANS
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
141

 
$
309

 
$
445

 
$
238

 
$
109

Real estate construction

 

 

 
1

 
2

Commercial mortgage
20

 
31

 
46

 
60

 
95

Lease financing
2

 
4

 
6

 
6

 

International
3

 
6

 
14

 
8

 

Total nonaccrual business loans
166

 
350

 
511

 
313

 
206

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
36

 
31

 
39

 
27

 
36

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
19

 
21

 
28

 
27

 
30

Other consumer

 

 
4

 

 
1

Total consumer
19

 
21

 
32

 
27

 
31

Total nonaccrual retail loans
55

 
52

 
71

 
54

 
67

Total nonaccrual loans
221

 
402

 
582

 
367

 
273

Reduced-rate loans
8

 
8

 
8

 
12

 
17

Total nonperforming loans
229

 
410

 
590

 
379

 
290

Foreclosed property
1

 
5

 
17

 
12

 
10

Total nonperforming assets
$
230

 
$
415

 
$
607

 
$
391

 
$
300

Gross interest income that would have been recorded had the nonaccrual and reduced-rate loans performed in accordance with original terms
$
19

 
$
31

 
$
38

 
$
27

 
$
25

Interest income recognized
4

 
7

 
6

 
5

 
6

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans
0.46
%
 
0.83
%
 
1.20
%
 
0.77
%
 
0.60
%
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
$
16

 
$
35

 
$
19

 
$
17

 
$
5

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing as a percentage of total loans
0.03
%
 
0.07
%
 
0.04
%
 
0.03
%
 
0.01
%
Nonperforming assets decreased $185 million to $230 million at December 31, 2018, from $415 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease in nonperforming assets primarily reflected a $168 million decrease in nonaccrual commercial loans, with the largest decreases in general Middle Market, Energy and Corporate Banking. Nonperforming assets were 0.46 percent of total loans and foreclosed property at December 31, 2018, compared to 0.84 percent at December 31, 2017.
The following table presents a summary of TDRs at December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Nonperforming TDRs:
 
 
 
Nonaccrual TDRs
$
73

 
$
182

Reduced-rate TDRs
8

 
8

Total nonperforming TDRs
81

 
190

Performing TDRs (a)
101

 
123

Total TDRs
$
182

 
$
313

(a)
TDRs that do not include a reduction in the original contractual interest rate which are performing in accordance with their modified terms.
At December 31, 2018, nonaccrual and performing TDRs included $38 million and $46 million of Energy loans, respectively, compared to $82 million and $43 million, respectively at December 31, 2017.

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Table of Contents

The following table presents a summary of changes in nonaccrual loans.
(in millions)
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
402

 
$
582

Loans transferred to nonaccrual (a)
197

 
297

Nonaccrual loan gross charge-offs
(103
)
 
(149
)
Loans transferred to accrual status (a)
(6
)
 

Nonaccrual loans sold
(39
)
 
(40
)
Payments/other (b)
(230
)
 
(288
)
Balance at end of period
$
221

 
$
402

(a)
Based on an analysis of nonaccrual loans with book balances greater than $2 million.
(b)
Includes net changes related to nonaccrual loans with balances less than $2 million, payments on nonaccrual loans with book balances greater than $2 million and transfers of nonaccrual loans to foreclosed property.
There were 32 borrowers with balances greater than $2 million transferred to nonaccrual status in 2018, a decrease of 6 when compared to 38 in 2017.
The following table presents the composition of nonaccrual loans by balance and the related number of borrowers at December 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
2018
 
2017
(dollar amounts in millions)
Number of
Borrowers
 
Balance
 
Number of
Borrowers
 
Balance
Under $2 million
799

 
$
78

 
939

 
$
85

$2 million - $5 million
14

 
41

 
16

 
47

$5 million - $10 million
10

 
69

 
12

 
93

$10 million - $25 million
2

 
33

 
8

 
130

Greater than $25 million

 

 
1

 
47

Total
825

 
$
221

 
976

 
$
402

The following table presents a summary of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2018 and loans transferred to nonaccrual and net loan charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2018, based on North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) categories.
 
December 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(dollar amounts in millions)
Nonaccrual Loans
 
Loans Transferred to
Nonaccrual (a)
 
Net Loan Charge-Offs (Recoveries)
Industry Category
 
 
Mining, Quarrying and Oil & Gas Extraction
$
50

 
23
%
 
$
30

 
15
%
 
$
9

 
16
 %
Residential Mortgage
36

 
16

 
10

 
5

 

 

Manufacturing
33

 
15

 
91

 
45

 
19

 
37

Health Care & Social Assistance
18

 
8

 
14

 
7

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Services
14

 
6

 
19

 
10

 
10

 
20

Contractors
13

 
6

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(3
)
Real Estate & Home Builders
8

 
4

 
3

 
2

 
2

 
4

Wholesale Trade
7

 
3

 
19

 
10

 
13

 
25

Information & Communication
5

 
2

 
5

 
3

 
1

 
2

Other (b)
37

 
17

 
6

 
3

 

 

Total
$
221

 
100
%
 
$
197

 
100
%
 
$
51

 
100
 %
(a)
Based on an analysis of nonaccrual loans with book balances greater than $2 million.
(b)
Consumer, excluding residential mortgage and certain personal purpose nonaccrual loans and net charge-offs, is included in the Other category.
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest generally represent loans that are well collateralized and in the process of collection. Loans past due 90 days or more decreased $19 million to $16 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $35 million at December 31, 2017. Loans past due 30-89 days decreased $169 million to $133 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $302 million at December 31, 2017. An aging analysis of loans included in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements provides further information about the balances comprising past due loans.

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Table of Contents

The following table presents a summary of total criticized loans. The Corporation's criticized list is consistent with the Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful categories defined by regulatory authorities. Criticized loans with balances of $2 million or more on nonaccrual status or loans with balances of $1 million or more whose terms have been modified in a TDR are individually subjected to quarterly credit quality reviews, and the Corporation may establish specific allowances for such loans. A table of loans by credit quality indicator included in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements provides further information about the balances comprising total criticized loans.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
 
2017
Total criticized loans
$
1,548

 
 
$
2,231

As a percentage of total loans
3.1
%
 
 
4.5
%
The $683 million decrease in criticized loans in the year ended December 31, 2018 included decreases of $303 million in Energy and $159 million in general Middle Market.
The following table presents a summary of changes in foreclosed property.
(in millions)
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
5

 
 
$
17

Acquired in foreclosure
3

 
 
8

Write-downs

 
 
(1
)
Foreclosed property sold (a)
(7
)
 
 
(19
)
Balance at end of period
$
1

 
 
$
5

(a) Net gain on foreclosed property sold
$
1

 
 
$
3

For further information regarding the Corporation's nonperforming assets policies and impaired loans, refer to Note 1 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentrations of credit risk may exist when a number of borrowers are engaged in similar activities, or activities in the same geographic region, and have similar economic characteristics that would cause them to be similarly impacted by changes in economic or other conditions. The Corporation has a concentration of credit risk with the automotive industry. All other industry concentrations, as defined by management, individually represented less than 10 percent of total loans at December 31, 2018.
The following table presents a summary of loans outstanding to companies related to the automotive industry.
 
2018
 
2017
(in millions)
Loans
Outstanding
 
Percent of
Total Loans
 
Loans
Outstanding
 
Percent of
Total Loans
December 31
 
 
 
Production:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
$
946

 
 
 
$
1,007

 
 
Foreign
385

 
 
 
337

 
 
Total production
1,331

 
2.7
%
 
1,344

 
2.7
%
Dealer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor plan
4,678

 
 
 
4,359

 
 
Other
3,419

 
 
 
3,233

 
 
Total dealer
8,097

 
16.1
%
 
7,592

 
15.5
%
Total automotive
$
9,428

 
18.8
%
 
$
8,936

 
18.2
%
Substantially all dealer loans are in the National Dealer Services business line. Loans in the National Dealer Services business line primarily include floor plan financing and other loans to automotive dealerships. Floor plan loans, included in commercial loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $4.7 billion at December 31, 2018, an increase of $319 million compared to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018 other loans in the National Dealer Services business line totaled $3.4 billion, including $2.0 billion of owner-occupied commercial real estate mortgage loans, compared to $3.2 billion, including $1.9 billion of owner-occupied commercial real estate mortgage loans, at December 31, 2017. Automotive lending also includes loans to borrowers involved with automotive production, primarily Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Loans to borrowers involved with automotive production totaled $1.3 billion at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Dealer loans, as shown in the table above, totaled $8.1 billion at December 31, 2018, of which $4.7 billion, or 60 percent, were to foreign franchises, and $2.3 billion, or 29 percent, were to domestic franchises. Other dealer loans, totaling $844 million,

F-26

Table of Contents

or 11 percent, at December 31, 2018, include obligations where a primary franchise was indeterminable, such as loans to large public dealership consolidators and rental car, leasing, heavy truck and recreation vehicle companies.
There were $4 million of nonaccrual loans to automotive borrowers at December 31, 2018 and none at December 31, 2017. There was $5 million of automotive net loan charge-offs in 2018 and none in 2017.
For further information regarding significant group concentrations of credit risk, refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
Commercial Real Estate Lending
At December 31, 2018, the Corporation's commercial real estate portfolio represented 24 percent of total loans. The following table summarizes the Corporation's commercial real estate loan portfolio by loan category.
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Real estate construction loans:
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
$
2,687

 
$
2,630

Other business lines (b)
390

 
331

Total real estate construction loans
$
3,077

 
$
2,961

Commercial mortgage loans:
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
$
1,743

 
$
1,831

Other business lines (b)
7,363

 
7,328

Total commercial mortgage loans
$
9,106

 
$
9,159

(a)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(b)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.
The Corporation limits risk inherent in its commercial real estate lending activities by monitoring borrowers directly involved in the commercial real estate markets and adhering to conservative policies on loan-to-value ratios for such loans. Commercial real estate loans, consisting of real estate construction and commercial mortgage loans, totaled $12.2 billion at December 31, 2018, of which $4.4 billion, or 36 percent, were to borrowers in the Commercial Real Estate business line, which includes loans to real estate developers, an increase of $63 million compared to December 31, 2017. The remaining $7.8 billion, or 64 percent, of commercial real estate loans in other business lines consisted primarily of owner-occupied commercial mortgages, which bear credit characteristics similar to non-commercial real estate business loans.
The real estate construction loan portfolio primarily contains loans made to long-time customers with satisfactory completion experience. Credit quality in the real estate construction loan portfolio was strong, with criticized loans of $31 million and $4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no net charge-offs in 2018 and net recoveries of $1 million in 2017.
Commercial mortgage loans are loans where the primary collateral is a lien on any real property and are primarily loans secured by owner occupied real estate. Real property is generally considered primary collateral if the value of that collateral represents more than 50 percent of the commitment at loan approval. Loans in the commercial mortgage portfolio generally mature within three to five years. Criticized commercial mortgage loans in the Commercial Real Estate business line totaled $61 million and $72 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. In other business lines, $206 million and $229 million of commercial mortgage loans were criticized at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Commercial mortgage loan net charge-offs were $1 million in 2018, compared to net recoveries of $6 million in 2017.
Residential Real Estate Lending
At December 31, 2018, residential real estate loans represented 7 percent of total loans. The following table summarizes the Corporation's residential mortgage and home equity loan portfolios by geographic market.


2018
 
2017
(dollar amounts in millions) December 31
Residential
Mortgage 
Loans
 
% of
Total
 
Home
Equity 
Loans
 
% of
Total
 
Residential
Mortgage 
Loans
 
% of
Total
 
Home
Equity 
Loans
 
% of
Total
Geographic market:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan
$
406

 
21
%
 
$
650

 
37
%
 
$
387

 
19
%
 
$
705

 
39
%
California
993

 
50

 
710

 
40

 
1,023

 
52

 
718

 
40

Texas
310

 
16

 
346

 
20

 
297

 
15

 
335

 
18

Other Markets
261

 
13

 
59

 
3

 
281

 
14

 
58

 
3

Total
$
1,970

 
100
%
 
$
1,765

 
100
%
 
$
1,988

 
100
%
 
$
1,816

 
100
%

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Table of Contents

Residential real estate loans, which consist of traditional residential mortgages and home equity loans and lines of credit, totaled $3.7 billion at December 31, 2018. The residential real estate portfolio is principally located within the Corporation's primary geographic markets. Substantially all residential real estate loans past due 90 days or more are placed on nonaccrual status, and substantially all junior lien home equity loans that are current or less than 90 days past due are placed on nonaccrual status if full collection of the senior position is in doubt. At no later than 180 days past due, such loans are charged off to current appraised values less costs to sell.
Residential mortgages totaled $2.0 billion at December 31, 2018, and were primarily larger, variable-rate mortgages originated and retained for certain private banking relationship customers. Of the $2.0 billion of residential mortgage loans outstanding, $36 million were on nonaccrual status at December 31, 2018. The home equity portfolio totaled $1.8 billion at December 31, 2018, of which $1.6 billion was outstanding under primarily variable-rate, interest-only home equity lines of credit, $123 million were in amortizing status and $36 million were closed-end home equity loans. Of the $1.8 billion of home equity loans outstanding, $19 million were on nonaccrual status at December 31, 2018. A majority of the home equity portfolio was secured by junior liens at December 31, 2018.
Energy Lending
The Corporation has a portfolio of Energy loans that are included primarily in commercial loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Customers in the Corporation's Energy business line (approximately 170 relationships) are engaged in three segments of the oil and gas business: exploration and production (E&P), midstream and energy services. E&P generally includes such activities as searching for potential oil and gas fields, drilling exploratory wells and operating active wells. Commitments to E&P borrowers are generally subject to semi-annual borrowing base re-determinations based on a variety of factors including updated prices (reflecting market and competitive conditions), energy reserve levels and the impact of hedging. The midstream sector is generally involved in the transportation, storage and marketing of crude and/or refined oil and gas products. The Corporation's energy services customers provide products and services primarily to the E&P segment.
The following table summarizes information about the Corporation's portfolio of Energy loans.
(dollar amounts in millions)
2018
 
2017
December 31
Outstandings
Nonaccrual
Criticized (a)
 
Outstandings
Nonaccrual
Criticized (a)
Exploration and production (E&P)
$
1,771

82
%
$
46

$
143

 
$
1,346

73
%
$
94

$
376

Midstream
298

14


43

 
295

16


37

Services
94

4

2

19

 
195

11

14

95

Total Energy business line
$
2,163

100
%
$
48

$
205

 
$
1,836

100
%
$
108

$
508

As a percentage of total Energy loans
2
%
9
%
 
 
 
6
%
28
%
(a)
Includes nonaccrual loans.
Loans in the Energy business line increased $327 million, or 18 percent, to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2017, or approximately 4 percent of total loans at both December 31, 2018 and 2017. Total exposure, including unused commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, was $4.5 billion and $4.0 billion at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
The Corporation's allowance methodology considers the various risk elements within the loan portfolio. When merited, the Corporation may incorporate a qualitative reserve component for Energy loans. There were $6 million and $25 million in net credit-related charge-offs in the Energy business line for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Leveraged Loans
Certain loans in the Corporation's commercial portfolio are considered leveraged transactions. These loans are typically used for mergers, acquisitions, business recapitalizations, refinancing and equity buyouts. To help mitigate the risk associated with these loans, the Corporation focuses on middle market companies with highly capable management teams, strong sponsors and solid track records of financial performance. Industries prone to cyclical downturns and acquisitions with a high degree of integration risk are generally avoided. Other considerations include the sufficiency of collateral, the level of balance sheet leverage and the adequacy of financial covenants. During the underwriting process, cash flows are stress tested to evaluate the borrowers' abilities to handle economic downturns and an increase in interest rates.
The FDIC defines higher-risk commercial and industrial (HR C&I) loans for assessment purposes as loans generally with leverage of four times total debt to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation (EBITDA) as well as three times senior debt to EBITDA, excluding certain collateralized loans. HR C&I loans were $2.5 billion and $2.7 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Criticized loans within the HR C&I loan portfolio were $147 million and $284 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Charge-offs of HR C&I loans totaled $15 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2017.

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Table of Contents

International Exposure
International assets are subject to general risks inherent in the conduct of business in countries, including economic uncertainties and each foreign government's regulations. Risk management practices minimize the risk inherent in international lending arrangements. These practices include structuring bilateral agreements or participating in bank facilities, which secure repayment from sources external to the borrower's country. Accordingly, such international outstandings are excluded from the cross-border risk of that country.
There were no countries with cross-border outstandings exceeding one percent of total assets at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Further, none exceeded 0.75 percent of total assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Mexico, with cross-border outstandings of $650 million (0.89 percent of total assets) at December 31, 2016 was the only country with outstandings between 0.75 and one percent of total assets at December 31, 2016. The Corporation's international strategy is to focus on international companies doing business in North America, with an emphasis on the Corporation's primary geographic markets.
MARKET AND LIQUIDITY RISK
Market risk represents the risk of loss due to adverse movements in market rates or prices, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Liquidity risk represents the failure to meet financial obligations coming due, resulting from an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding, and the inability to easily unwind or offset specific exposures without significant changes in pricing, due to inadequate market depth or market disruptions.
The Asset and Liability Policy Committee (ALCO) of the Corporation establishes and monitors compliance with the policies and risk limits pertaining to market and liquidity risk management activities. ALCO meets regularly to discuss and review market and liquidity risk management strategies, and consists of executive and senior management from various areas of the Corporation, including treasury, finance, economics, lending, deposit gathering and risk management. Corporate Treasury mitigates market and liquidity risk under the direction of ALCO through the actions it takes to manage the Corporation's market, liquidity and capital positions.
In addition to assessing liquidity risk on a consolidated basis, Corporate Treasury also monitors the parent company's liquidity and has established limits for the minimum number of months into the future in which the parent company can meet existing and forecasted obligations without the support of additional dividends from subsidiaries. ALCO's liquidity policy requires the parent company to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet expected capital and debt obligations with a target of 24 months but no less than 18 months.
Corporate Treasury and the Enterprise Risk Division support ALCO in measuring, monitoring and managing interest rate risk as well as all other market risks. Key activities encompass: (i) providing information and analyses of the Corporation's balance sheet structure and measurement of interest rate and all other market risks; (ii) monitoring and reporting of the Corporation's positions relative to established policy limits and guidelines; (iii) developing and presenting analyses and strategies to adjust risk positions; (iv) reviewing and presenting policies and authorizations for approval; and (v) monitoring of industry trends and analytical tools to be used in the management of interest rate and all other market and liquidity risks.
Interest Rate Risk
Net interest income is the primary source of revenue for the Corporation. Interest rate risk arises in the normal course of business due to differences in the repricing and cash flow characteristics of assets and liabilities, primarily through the Corporation's core business activities of extending loans and acquiring deposits. The Corporation's balance sheet is predominantly characterized by floating-rate loans funded by core deposits. The Corporation's loan composition at December 31, 2018 was 62 percent 30-day LIBOR, 13 percent other LIBOR (primarily 60-day), 16 percent prime and 9 percent fixed rate. This creates sensitivity to interest rate movements due to the imbalance between the floating-rate loan portfolio and more slowly repricing deposit products. In addition, the growth and/or contraction in the Corporation's loans and deposits may lead to changes in sensitivity to interest rate movements in the absence of mitigating actions. Examples of such actions are purchasing fixed-rate investment securities, which provide liquidity to the balance sheet and act to mitigate the inherent interest sensitivity, as well as hedging with interest rate swaps and options. The Corporation actively manages its exposure to interest rate risk, with the principal objective of optimizing net interest income and the economic value of equity while operating within acceptable limits established for interest rate risk and maintaining adequate levels of funding and liquidity.
Since no single measurement system satisfies all management objectives, a combination of techniques is used to manage interest rate risk. These techniques examine the impact of interest rate risk on net interest income and the economic value of equity under a variety of alternative scenarios, including changes in the level, slope and shape of the yield curve utilizing multiple simulation analyses. Simulation analyses produce only estimates of net interest income as the assumptions used are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ from simulated results due to many factors, including, but not limited to, the timing, magnitude and frequency of changes in interest rates, market conditions, regulatory impacts and management strategies.

F-29

Table of Contents

Sensitivity of Net Interest Income to Changes in Interest Rates
The analysis of the impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income under various interest rate scenarios is management's principal risk management technique. Management models a base case net interest income under an unchanged interest rate environment. Existing derivative instruments entered into for risk management purposes are included in the analysis, but no additional hedging is forecasted. These derivative instruments currently comprise interest rate swaps that convert fixed-rate long-term debt to variable rates. This base case net interest income is then compared against interest rate scenarios in which rates rise or decline in a linear, non-parallel fashion from the base case over 12 months. The first scenario presents a 200 basis- point increase in short-term rates, resulting in an average increase in short-term interest rates of 100 basis points over the period (+200 scenario). The second scenario presents a 200 basis-point decrease in short-term interest rates (but not to less than zero percent).
Each scenario includes assumptions such as loan growth, investment security prepayment levels, depositor behavior, yield curve changes, loan and deposit pricing, and overall balance sheet mix and growth. In this low rate environment, depositors have maintained a higher level of liquidity and their historical behavior may be less indicative of future trends. As a result, the +200 scenario reflects a greater decrease in deposits than we have experienced historically as rates begin to rise. Changes in actual economic activity may result in a materially different interest rate environment as well as a balance sheet structure that is different from the changes management included in its simulation analysis.
The table below, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, displays the estimated impact on net interest income during the next 12 months by relating the base case scenario results to those from the rising and declining rate scenarios described above.
 
Estimated Annual Change
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
December 31
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Change in Interest Rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rising 200 basis points
$
142

 
6
 %
 
$
197

 
9
 %
Declining 200 basis points
(313
)
 
(12
)
 
(283
)
 
(13
)
Sensitivity to rising rates decreased from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, due to changes in balance sheet composition and interest-bearing deposit pricing assumptions. The December 31, 2017 risk to declining interest rates is impacted by the assumed floor on interest rates of zero percent and therefore simulates a decline of 150 basis points, while the December 31, 2018 sensitivity reflects a decline of 200 basis points due to higher short-term rates.
Sensitivity of Economic Value of Equity to Changes in Interest Rates
In addition to the simulation analysis on net interest income, an economic value of equity analysis provides an alternative view of the interest rate risk position. The economic value of equity is the difference between the estimate of the economic value of the Corporation's financial assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, derived through discounting cash flows based on actual rates at the end of the period, and the estimated economic value after applying the estimated impact of rate movements. The Corporation primarily monitors the percentage change on the base case economic value of equity. The economic value of equity analysis is based on an immediate parallel 200 basis point increase. The declining interest rate scenarios are based on decreases of 200 basis points and 150 basis points in interest rates at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The table below, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, displays the estimated impact on the economic value of equity from the interest rate scenario described above.
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
December 31
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Change in Interest Rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rising 200 basis points
$
711

 
6
 %
 
$
1,188

 
9
 %
Declining 200 basis points
(2,769
)
 
(21
)
 
(2,635
)
 
(20
)
The sensitivity of the economic value of equity to a 200 basis point parallel increase in rates declined between December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 due to an increase in the modeled base case economic value of equity, which was driven by changes in balance sheet composition. The percentage change in sensitivity of the economic value of equity to a parallel decrease in rates to zero during the same period was stable.

F-30

Table of Contents

LOAN MATURITIES AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
 
Loans Maturing
(in millions)
December 31, 2018
Within One
Year (a)
 
After One
But Within
Five Years
 
After
Five Years
 
Total
Commercial loans
$
15,175

 
$
15,706

 
$
1,095

 
$
31,976

Real estate construction loans
1,408

 
1,589

 
80

 
3,077

Commercial mortgage loans
1,653

 
4,793

 
2,660

 
9,106

International loans
456

 
543

 
14

 
1,013

Total
$
18,692

 
$
22,631

 
$
3,849

 
$
45,172

Sensitivity of loans to changes in interest rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Predetermined (fixed) interest rates
$
711

 
$
2,397

 
$
570

 
$
3,678

Floating interest rates
17,981

 
20,234

 
3,279

 
41,494

Total
$
18,692

 
$
22,631

 
$
3,849

 
$
45,172

(a)
Includes demand loans, loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity and overdrafts.
The Corporation uses investment securities and derivative instruments as asset and liability management tools with the overall objective of managing the volatility of net interest income from changes in interest rates. These tools assist management in achieving the desired interest rate risk management objectives. Activity related to derivative instruments currently involves interest rate swaps effectively converting fixed-rate medium- and long-term debt to a floating rate.
Risk Management Derivative Instruments
(in millions)
Risk Management Notional Activity
Interest
Rate
Contracts
 
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
 
Totals
Balance at January 1, 2017
$
2,275

 
$
717

 
$
2,992

Additions

 
12,004

 
12,004

Maturities/amortizations
(500
)
 
(12,071
)
 
(12,571
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
1,775

 
$
650

 
$
2,425

Additions
850

 
10,095

 
10,945

Maturities/amortizations

 
(10,443
)
 
(10,443
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
2,625

 
$
302

 
$
2,927

The notional amount of risk management interest rate swaps totaled $2.6 billion at December 31, 2018, and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2017, all under fair value hedging strategies, converting fixed-rate medium- and long-term debt to a floating rate. The fair value of risk management interest rate swaps was a net unrealized loss of $2 million at both December 31, 2018 and 2017. Risk management interest rate swaps generated $7 million and $32 million of net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
In addition to interest rate swaps, the Corporation employs various other types of derivative instruments as offsetting positions to mitigate exposures to foreign currency risks associated with specific assets and liabilities (e.g., customer loans or deposits denominated in foreign currencies). Such instruments may include foreign exchange spot and forward contracts as well as foreign exchange swap agreements.
Further information regarding risk management derivative instruments is provided in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Customer-Initiated and Other Derivative Instruments
(in millions)
Customer-Initiated and Other Notional Activity
Interest
Rate
Contracts
 
Energy
Derivative
Contracts
 
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
 
Totals
Balance at January 1, 2017
$
13,323

 
$
2,227

 
$
1,509

 
$
17,059

Additions
4,377

 
1,539

 
47,456

 
53,372

Maturities/amortizations
(2,096
)
 
(1,681
)
 
(46,987
)
 
(50,764
)
Terminations
(1,215
)
 
(238
)
 
(94
)
 
(1,547
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
14,389

 
$
1,847

 
$
1,884

 
$
18,120

Additions
4,245

 
2,287

 
50,220

 
56,752

Maturities/amortizations
(2,195
)
 
(1,481
)
 
(50,639
)
 
(54,315
)
Terminations
(1,554
)
 
(3
)
 
(370
)
 
(1,927
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
14,885

 
$
2,650

 
$
1,095

 
$
18,630


F-31

Table of Contents

The Corporation sells and purchases interest rate caps and floors and enters into foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps and energy derivative contracts to accommodate the needs of customers requesting such services. Changes in the fair value of customer-initiated and other derivatives are recognized in earnings as they occur. To limit the market risk of these activities, the Corporation generally takes offsetting positions with dealers. The notional amounts of offsetting positions are included in the table above. Customer-initiated and other notional activity represented 86 percent and 88 percent of total interest rate, energy and foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Further information regarding customer-initiated and other derivative instruments is provided in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Liquidity Risk and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Liquidity is the ability to meet financial obligations through the maturity or sale of existing assets or the acquisition of additional funds. Various financial obligations, including contractual obligations and commercial commitments, may require future cash payments by the Corporation. Certain obligations are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, while others are off-balance sheet under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The following contractual obligations table summarizes the Corporation's noncancelable contractual obligations and future required minimum payments. Refer to Notes 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 18 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding these contractual obligations.
Contractual Obligations
 
Minimum Payments Due by Period
(in millions)
December 31, 2018
Total
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
More than
5 Years
Deposits without a stated maturity (a)
$
53,422

 
$
53,422

 


 


 


Certificates of deposit and other deposits with a stated maturity (a)
2,139

 
1,614

 
472

 
28

 
25

Short-term borrowings (a)
44

 
44

 

 

 

Medium- and long-term debt (a)
6,425

 
350

 
675

 
850

 
4,550

Operating leases
377

 
67

 
109

 
74

 
127

Commitments to fund low income housing partnerships
165

 
101

 
45

 
5

 
14

Other long-term obligations (b)
348

 
87

 
83

 
38

 
140

Total contractual obligations
$
62,920

 
$
55,685

 
$
1,384

 
$
995

 
$
4,856

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium- and long-term debt (parent company only) (a) (c)
$
1,450

 
$
350

 
$

 
$
850

 
$
250

(a)
Deposits and borrowings exclude accrued interest.
(b)
Includes unrecognized tax benefits.
(c)
Parent company only amounts are included in the medium- and long-term debt minimum payments above.
In addition to contractual obligations, other commercial commitments of the Corporation impact liquidity. These include unused commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees, and commercial letters of credit. The following table summarizes the Corporation's commercial commitments and expected expiration dates by period.
Commercial Commitments
 
Expected Expiration Dates by Period
(in millions)
December 31, 2018
Total
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
More than
5 Years
Unused commitments to extend credit
$
27,267

 
$
7,878

 
$
8,733

 
$
7,860

 
$
2,796

Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees
3,244

 
2,791

 
268

 
119

 
66

Commercial letters of credit
39

 
37

 

 
2

 

Total commercial commitments
$
30,550

 
$
10,706

 
$
9,001

 
$
7,981

 
$
2,862

Since many of these commitments expire without being drawn upon, and each customer must continue to meet the conditions established in the contract, the total amount of these commercial commitments does not necessarily represent the future cash requirements of the Corporation. Refer to the “Other Market Risks” section below and Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of these commercial commitments.
Wholesale Funding
The Corporation may access the purchased funds market when necessary, which includes a variety of funding sources. Capacity for incremental purchased funds at December 31, 2018 included short-term FHLB advances, the ability to purchase federal funds, sell securities under agreements to repurchase, as well as issue deposits through brokers. Purchased funds increased

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to $52 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $25 million at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018, the Bank had pledged loans totaling $22.8 billion which provided for up to $18.9 billion of available collateralized borrowing with the FRB.
The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Dallas, Texas, which provides short- and long-term funding to its members through advances collateralized by real estate-related assets. Actual borrowing capacity is contingent on the amount of collateral available to be pledged to the FHLB. At December 31, 2018, $15.7 billion of real estate-related loans were pledged to the FHLB as blanket collateral for current and potential future borrowings. The Corporation had $3.8 billion of outstanding borrowings maturing between 2026 and 2028 and capacity for potential future borrowings of approximately $5.0 billion.
Additionally, the Bank had the ability to issue up to $14.0 billion of debt at December 31, 2018 under an existing $15.0 billion note program which allows the issuance of debt with maturities between three months and 30 years. The Corporation also maintains a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission from which it may issue debt and equity securities.
The ability of the Corporation and the Bank to raise funds at competitive rates is impacted by rating agencies' views of the credit quality, liquidity, capital and earnings of the Corporation and the Bank. As of December 31, 2018, the three major rating agencies had assigned the following ratings to long-term senior unsecured obligations of the Corporation and the Bank. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
 
Comerica Incorporated
 
Comerica Bank
December 31, 2018
Rating
Outlook
 
Rating
Outlook
Standard and Poor’s
BBB+
Stable
 
 
A-
Stable
 
Moody’s Investors Service
A3
Stable
 
 
A3
Stable
 
Fitch Ratings
A
Stable
 
 
A
Stable
 
The Corporation satisfies liquidity needs with either liquid assets or various funding sources. Liquid assets totaled $16.3 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $17.4 billion at December 31, 2017. Liquid assets include cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits with banks, other short-term investments and unencumbered investment securities.
The Corporation performs monthly liquidity stress testing to evaluate its ability to meet funding needs in hypothetical stressed environments. Such environments cover a series of broad events, distinguished in terms of duration and severity. The evaluation as of December 31, 2018 projected that sufficient sources of liquidity were available under each series of events.
Other Market Risks
Market risk related to the Corporation's trading instruments is not significant, as trading activities are limited. Certain components of the Corporation's noninterest income, primarily fiduciary income, are at risk to fluctuations in the market values of underlying assets, particularly equity and debt securities. Other components of noninterest income, primarily brokerage fees, are at risk to changes in the volume of market activity.
OPERATIONAL RISK
Operational risk represents the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems, including cybersecurity, or from external events. The definition does not include strategic or reputational risks. Although operational losses are experienced by all companies and are routinely incurred in business operations, the Corporation recognizes the need to identify and control operational losses and seeks to limit losses to a level deemed appropriate by management, as outlined in the Corporation’s risk appetite statement. The appropriate risk level is determined through consideration of the nature of the Corporation's business and the environment in which it operates, in combination with the impact from, and the possible impact on, other risks faced by the Corporation. Operational risk is mitigated through a system of internal controls that are designed to keep operating risks at appropriate levels. The Operational Risk Management Committee monitors risk management techniques and systems. The Corporation has developed a framework that includes a centralized operational risk management function and business/support unit risk liaisons responsible for managing operational risk specific to the respective business lines.
COMPLIANCE RISK
Compliance risk represents the risk of regulatory sanctions or financial loss resulting from the Corporation's failure to comply with regulations and standards of good banking practice. The impact of such risks is highly interdependent with strategic risk, as the reputational impact from compliance breaches can be severe. Activities which may expose the Corporation to compliance risk include, but are not limited to, those dealing with the prevention of money laundering, privacy and data protection, community reinvestment initiatives, fair lending, consumer protection, employment and tax matters, over-the-counter derivative activities and other activities regulated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
The Enterprise-Wide Compliance Committee, comprising senior and executive business unit managers, as well as managers responsible for compliance, audit and overall risk, oversees compliance risk. This enterprise-wide approach provides a

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consistent view of compliance across the organization. The Enterprise-Wide Compliance Committee also ensures that appropriate actions are implemented in business units to mitigate risk to an acceptable level.
STRATEGIC RISK
Strategic risk represents the risk of loss due to impairment of reputation, failure to fully develop and execute business plans, failure to assess current and new opportunities in business, markets and products, failure to determine appropriate consideration for risks accepted, and any other event not identified in the defined risk categories of credit, market and liquidity, operational or compliance risks. Mitigation of the various risk elements that represent strategic risk is achieved through various metrics and initiatives to help the Corporation better understand, measure and report on such risks.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Corporation’s consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies, the most significant of which are described in Note 1. These policies require numerous estimates and strategic or economic assumptions, which may prove inaccurate or subject to variations. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on the Corporation’s future financial condition and results of operations. At December 31, 2018, the most critical of these significant accounting policies were the policies related to the allowance for credit losses, fair value measurement, goodwill, pension plan accounting and income taxes. These policies were reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors and are discussed more fully below.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The allowance for credit losses, which includes both the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments, is calculated with the objective of maintaining a reserve sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses. Management's determination of the appropriateness of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio, lending-related commitments and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires numerous estimates, including the loss content for internal risk ratings, collateral values, the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows, and for lending-related commitments, estimates of the probability of draw on unused commitments. In addition, management exercises judgment to adjust or supplement modeled estimates for factors not otherwise fully accounted for, such as the risks and uncertainties observed in current market conditions, portfolio developments and other imprecision factors.
In determining the allowance for credit losses, the Corporation individually evaluates certain impaired loans, applies standard reserve factors to pools of homogeneous loans and lending-related commitments and incorporates qualitative adjustments. Standard loss factors, applied to the majority of the Corporation's loan portfolio and lending-related commitments, are based on estimates of probabilities of default for individual risk ratings over the loss emergence period and loss given default. Loss emergence periods are used to determine the most appropriate default horizon associated with the calculation of probabilities of default. Changes to one or more of the estimates used to develop standard loss factors, or the use of different estimates, would result in a different estimated allowance for credit losses. To illustrate, if recent loss experience dictated that the estimated standard loss factors would be changed by five percent of the estimate across all loan risk ratings, the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2018 would change by approximately $23 million.
Because standard loss factors are applied to pools of loans based on the Corporation's internal risk rating system, loss estimates are highly dependent on the accuracy of the risk rating assigned to each loan. The inherent imprecision in the risk rating system resulting from inaccuracy in assigning and/or entering risk ratings in the loan accounting system is monitored by the Corporation's asset quality review function and incorporated in a qualitative adjustment. The Corporation may also include qualitative adjustments intended to capture the impact of certain other uncertainties that exist but are not yet reflected in the standard reserve factors. These qualitative adjustments are based on management’s analysis of factors such as portfolios where recent historical losses exceed expected losses or known recent events are expected to alter risk ratings once evidence is acquired, observable macroeconomic metrics, including consideration of regional metrics within the Corporation's footprint, and a qualitative assessment of the lending environment, including underwriting standards, current economic and political conditions, and other factors affecting credit quality. Qualitative reserves at December 31, 2018 primarily included components for portfolios where recent loss trends were in excess of estimated losses based on overall portfolio standard loss factors, model imprecision and changes in market conditions compared to the conditions that existed at the date of the most recent annual update to standard reserve factors.
For further discussion of the methodology used in the determination of the allowance for credit losses, refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for credit losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods. The allowance is assigned to business segments and any earnings impact resulting from actual outcomes differing from management estimates would primarily affect the Business Bank segment.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Investment securities available-for-sale, derivatives and deferred compensation plan assets and associated liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, other assets and liabilities may be recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans that have been reduced based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, other real estate (primarily foreclosed property), nonmarketable equity securities and certain other assets and liabilities. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve write-downs of individual assets or application of lower of cost or fair value accounting.
Fair value is an estimate of the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (i.e., not a forced transaction, such as a liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date and is based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurement and disclosure guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of assets and liabilities recorded at fair

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value. Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements includes information about the fair value hierarchy, the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities and the valuation methodologies and key inputs used.
At December 31, 2018, assets and liabilities measured using observable inputs that are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 represented 99.6 percent and 100 percent of total assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, respectively. Valuations generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market are considered Level 3 and reflect estimates of assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
GOODWILL
Goodwill is initially recorded as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination and is subsequently evaluated for impairment. Goodwill impairment testing is performed annually (unless management determines an interim test is necessary) at the reporting unit level, equivalent to a business segment or one level below. The Corporation has three reporting units: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, goodwill totaled $635 million, including $473 million allocated to the Business Bank, $101 million allocated to the Retail Bank and $61 million allocated to Wealth Management.
The annual test of goodwill impairment was performed as of the beginning of the third quarter 2018. The Corporation may elect to perform a quantitative impairment analysis, or first conduct a qualitative analysis to determine if a quantitative analysis is necessary. The Corporation first assessed qualitative factors to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Qualitative factors included economic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, regulatory developments and performance of the Corporation’s stock, among other events and circumstances. At the conclusion of the qualitative assessment in the third quarter 2018, the Corporation determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.
Subsequent to the date of the annual impairment test, the Corporation reorganized certain reporting structures. As a result, Small Business, formerly a component of the Retail Bank, became a component of the Business Bank. Accordingly, the Corporation reallocated $93 million of goodwill from the Retail Bank to Business Bank. The Corporation subsequently performed an additional qualitative impairment analysis and again determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded it carrying value and that performing a quantitative impairment test was not necessary.
Qualitative factors considered in the analysis of each reporting unit incorporated current economic and market conditions, including the recent Federal Reserve announcements and the impact of legislative and regulatory changes, to the extent known. However, further weakening in the economic environment, such as adverse changes in interest rates, a decline in the performance of the reporting units or other factors could cause the fair value of one or more of the reporting units to fall below their carrying value, resulting in a goodwill impairment charge. Additionally, new legislative or regulatory changes not anticipated in management's expectations may cause the fair value of one or more of the reporting units to fall below the carrying value, resulting in a goodwill impairment charge. Any impairment charge would not affect the Corporation's regulatory capital ratios, tangible common equity ratio or liquidity position.
PENSION PLAN ACCOUNTING
The Corporation has a qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plan. Effective January 1, 2017, benefits are calculated using a cash balance formula based on years of service, age, compensation and an interest credit based on the 30-year Treasury rate. Participants under age 60 as of December 31, 2016 are eligible to receive a frozen final average pay benefit in addition to amounts earned under the cash balance formula. Participants age 60 or older as of December 31, 2016 continue to be eligible for a final average pay benefit. The Corporation makes assumptions concerning future events that will determine the amount and timing of required benefit payments, funding requirements and defined benefit pension expense. The major assumptions are the discount rate used in determining the current benefit obligation, the long-term rate of return expected on plan assets, mix of assets within the portfolio, the form of payment election and the projected mortality rate.
The discount rate is determined by matching the expected cash flows of the pension plans to a portfolio of high quality corporate bonds as of the measurement date, December 31. The long-term rate of return expected on plan assets is set after considering both long-term returns in the general market and long-term returns experienced by the assets in the plan. The current target asset allocation model for the plans is provided in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements. The expected returns on these various asset categories are blended to derive one long-term return assumption. The assets are invested in certain collective investment funds, common stocks, U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities, and corporate and municipal bonds and notes. The form of payment election assumption is based on market experience. Mortality rate assumptions are based on mortality tables published by third-parties such as the Society of Actuaries (SOA), considering other available information including historical data as well as studies and publications from reputable sources.

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The Corporation reviews its pension plan assumptions on an annual basis with its actuarial consultants to determine if the assumptions are reasonable and adjusts the assumptions to reflect changes in future expectations. The assumptions used to calculate 2019 defined benefit plan pension expense (benefit) were as follows:
Discount rate
4.37
%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets
6.50
%
Lump sum payment election rate:
 
Participants before January 1, 2017
50
%
All other participants
80
%
Mortality table:
 
Base table (a)
RP-2018

Mortality improvement scale (a)
MP-2018

(a)
Issued by the Society of Actuaries in October 2018.
Defined benefit plan expense is expected to decrease $9 million to a benefit of approximately $27 million in 2019, compared to a benefit of $18 million in 2018. This includes service cost expense of $34 million and a benefit from other components of $61 million.
Changing the 2019 discount rate and long-term rate of return by 25 basis points would impact defined benefit expense in 2019 by $7.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively.
Due to the long-term nature of pension plan assumptions, actual results may differ significantly from the actuarial-based estimates. Differences resulting in actuarial gains or losses are required to be recorded in shareholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss and amortized to defined benefit pension expense in future years. Refer to Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
INCOME TAXES
The calculation of the Corporation's income tax provision and tax-related accruals is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgments. The provision for income taxes is the sum of income taxes due for the current year and deferred taxes. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial accounting basis of assets and liabilities. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due to or to be received from taxing jurisdictions, currently or in the future, and are included in accrued income and other assets or accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Corporation assesses the relative risks and merits of tax positions for various transactions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other available information and maintains tax accruals consistent with these assessments. The Corporation is subject to audit by taxing authorities that could question and/or challenge the tax positions taken by the Corporation.
Included in net deferred taxes are deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for realization based on available evidence of projected future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, assumptions made regarding future events and, when applicable, state loss carryback capacity. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") was signed into law, resulting in the reduction of the federal tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. This resulted in a $107 million charge to adjust deferred taxes as a result of the decline in the federal tax rate in 2017, with an $8 million downward revision to the estimated impact recorded in 2018 for a total remeasurement of the Corporation's deferred tax balance of $99 million.
Changes in the estimate of accrued taxes occur due to changes in tax law, interpretations of existing tax laws, new judicial or regulatory guidance, and the status of examinations conducted by taxing authorities that impact the relative risks and merits of tax positions taken by the Corporation. These changes, when they occur, impact the estimate of accrued taxes and could be significant to the operating results of the Corporation. For further information on tax accruals and related risks, see Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.


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SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
The following table provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures used in this financial review with financial measures defined by GAAP.
(dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Tangible Common Equity Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shareholders' equity
$
7,507

 
$
7,963

 
$
7,796

 
$
7,560

 
$
7,402

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
635

 
635

 
635

 
635

 
635

Other intangible assets
6

 
8

 
10

 
14

 
15

Tangible common equity
$
6,866

 
$
7,320

 
$
7,151

 
$
6,911

 
$
6,752

Total assets
$
70,818

 
$
71,567

 
$
72,978

 
$
71,877

 
$
69,186

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
635

 
635

 
635

 
635

 
635

Other intangible assets
6

 
8

 
10

 
14

 
15

Tangible assets
$
70,177

 
$
70,924

 
$
72,333

 
$
71,228

 
$
68,536

Common equity ratio
10.60
%
 
11.13
%
 
10.68
%
 
10.52
%
 
10.70
%
Tangible common equity ratio
9.78

 
10.32

 
9.89

 
9.70

 
9.85

Tangible Common Equity per Share of Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shareholders' equity
$
7,507

 
$
7,963

 
$
7,796

 
$
7,560

 
$
7,402

Tangible common equity
6,866

 
7,320

 
7,151

 
6,911

 
6,752

Shares of common stock outstanding (in millions)
160

 
173

 
175

 
176

 
179

Common shareholders' equity per share of common stock
$
46.89

 
$
46.07

 
$
44.47

 
$
43.03

 
$
41.35

Tangible common equity per share of common stock
42.89

 
42.34

 
40.79

 
39.33

 
37.72

The tangible common equity ratio removes the effect of intangible assets from capital and total assets. Tangible common equity per share of common stock removes the effect of intangible assets from common shareholders equity per share of common stock. The Corporation believes these measurements are meaningful measures of capital adequacy used by investors, regulators, management and others to evaluate the adequacy of common equity and to compare against other companies in the industry.


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report includes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, the Corporation may make other written and oral communications from time to time that contain such statements. All statements regarding the Corporation's expected financial position, strategies and growth prospects, including the GEAR Up initiative, and general economic conditions expected to exist in the future are forward-looking statements. The words, “anticipates,” “believes,” "contemplates," “feels,” “expects,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “strives,” “plans,” “intends,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “position,” “target,” “mission,” “assume,” “achievable,” “potential,” “strategy,” “goal,” “aspiration,” “opportunity,” “initiative,” “outcome,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” "on track," “trend,” “objective,” “looks forward,” "projects," "models" and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions, as they relate to the Corporation or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Corporation cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement is made, and the Corporation does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.
In addition to factors mentioned elsewhere in this report or previously disclosed in the Corporation's SEC reports (accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on the Corporation's website at www.comerica.com), actual results could differ materially from forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance due to a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, the following factors:
general political, economic or industry conditions, either domestically or internationally, may be less favorable than expected;
governmental monetary and fiscal policies may adversely affect the financial services industry, and therefore impact the Corporation's financial condition and results of operations;
the Corporation’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties, could fail or be breached;
the Corporation relies on other companies to provide certain key components of its delivery systems, and certain failures could materially adversely affect operations;
security risks, including denial of service attacks, hacking, social engineering attacks targeting the Corporation’s colleagues and customers, malware intrusion or data corruption attempts, and identity theft, could result in the disclosure of confidential information;
proposed revenue enhancements and efficiency improvements under the GEAR Up initiative may not be achieved;
the Corporation must maintain adequate sources of funding and liquidity to meet regulatory expectations, support its operations and fund outstanding liabilities;
compliance with more stringent capital requirements may adversely affect the Corporation;
declines in the businesses or industries of the Corporation's customers could cause increased credit losses or decreased loan balances, which could adversely affect the Corporation;
unfavorable developments concerning credit quality could adversely affect the Corporation's financial results;
changes in regulation or oversight may have a material adverse impact on the Corporation's operations;
cybersecurity and data privacy are areas of heightened legislative and regulatory focus;
fluctuations in interest rates and their impact on deposit pricing could adversely affect the Corporation's net interest income and balance sheet;
developments impacting LIBOR and other interest rate benchmarks could adversely affect the Corporation;
reduction in the Corporation's credit ratings could adversely affect the Corporation and/or the holders of its securities;
damage to the Corporation’s reputation could damage its businesses;
the Corporation may not be able to utilize technology to develop, market and deliver new products and services to its customers;
competitive product and pricing pressures within the Corporation's markets may change;
the soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Corporation;
the introduction, implementation, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies may be less successful or may be different than anticipated, which could adversely affect the Corporation's business;
changes in customer behavior may adversely impact the Corporation's business, financial condition and results of operations;
management's ability to maintain and expand customer relationships may differ from expectations;
methods of reducing risk exposures might not be effective;
catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, droughts and floods, may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and the Corporation;
the impacts of future legislative, administrative or judicial changes or interpretations to tax regulations are unknown;
any future strategic acquisitions or divestitures may present certain risks to the Corporation's business and operations;
management's ability to retain key officers and employees may change;
legal and regulatory proceedings and related financial services industry matters, including those directly involving the Corporation and its subsidiaries, could adversely affect the Corporation or the financial services industry in general;
the Corporation may incur losses due to fraud;
terrorist activities or other hostilities could cause adverse effects;

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changes in accounting standards could materially impact the Corporation's financial statements;
the Corporation's accounting policies and processes are critical to the reporting of financial condition and results of operations and require management to make estimates about matters that are uncertain;
controls and procedures may fail to prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud; and
the Corporation's stock price can be volatile.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries

(in millions, except share data)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
1,390

 
$
1,438

 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
3,171

 
4,407

Other short-term investments
134

 
96

 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale
12,045

 
10,938

Investment securities held-to-maturity

 
1,266

 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
31,976

 
31,060

Real estate construction loans
3,077

 
2,961

Commercial mortgage loans
9,106

 
9,159

Lease financing
507

 
468

International loans
1,013

 
983

Residential mortgage loans
1,970

 
1,988

Consumer loans
2,514

 
2,554

Total loans
50,163

 
49,173

Less allowance for loan losses
(671
)
 
(712
)
Net loans
49,492

 
48,461

Premises and equipment
475

 
466

Accrued income and other assets
4,111

 
4,495

Total assets
$
70,818

 
$
71,567

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits
$
28,690

 
$
32,071

 
 
 
 
Money market and interest-bearing checking deposits
22,560

 
21,500

Savings deposits
2,172

 
2,152

Customer certificates of deposit
2,131

 
2,165

Foreign office time deposits
8

 
15

Total interest-bearing deposits
26,871

 
25,832

Total deposits
55,561

 
57,903

Short-term borrowings
44

 
10

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,243

 
1,069

Medium- and long-term debt
6,463

 
4,622

Total liabilities
63,311

 
63,604

 
 
 
 
Common stock - $5 par value:
 
 
 
Authorized - 325,000,000 shares
 
 
 
Issued - 228,164,824 shares
1,141

 
1,141

Capital surplus
2,148

 
2,122

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(609
)
 
(451
)
Retained earnings
8,781

 
7,887

Less cost of common stock in treasury - 68,081,176 shares at 12/31/18 and 55,306,483 shares at 12/31/17
(3,954
)
 
(2,736
)
Total shareholders’ equity
7,507

 
7,963

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
70,818

 
$
71,567

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries

(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
2,262

 
$
1,872

 
$
1,635

Interest on investment securities
265

 
250

 
247

Interest on short-term investments
92

 
60

 
27

Total interest income
2,619

 
2,182

 
1,909

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
122

 
42

 
40

Interest on short-term borrowings

1

 
3

 

Interest on medium- and long-term debt
144

 
76

 
72

Total interest expense
267

 
121

 
112

Net interest income
2,352

 
2,061

 
1,797

Provision for credit losses
(1
)
 
74

 
248

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
2,353

 
1,987

 
1,549

NONINTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
Card fees
244

 
333

 
303

Service charges on deposit accounts
211

 
227

 
219

Fiduciary income
206

 
198

 
190

Commercial lending fees
85

 
85

 
89

Foreign exchange income
47

 
45

 
42

Letter of credit fees
40

 
45

 
50

Bank-owned life insurance
39

 
43

 
42

Brokerage fees
27

 
23

 
19

Net securities losses
(19
)
 

 

Other noninterest income
96

 
108

 
97

Total noninterest income
976

 
1,107

 
1,051

NONINTEREST EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits expense
1,009

 
961

 
989

Outside processing fee expense
255

 
366

 
336

Net occupancy expense
152

 
154

 
157

Software expense
125

 
126

 
119

Restructuring charges
53

 
45

 
93

Equipment expense
48

 
45

 
53

FDIC insurance expense
42

 
51

 
54

Advertising expense
30

 
28

 
21

Other noninterest expenses
80

 
84

 
108

Total noninterest expenses
1,794

 
1,860

 
1,930

Income before income taxes
1,535

 
1,234

 
670

Provision for income taxes
300

 
491

 
193

NET INCOME
1,235

 
743

 
477

Less income allocated to participating securities
8

 
5

 
4

Net income attributable to common shares
$
1,227

 
$
738

 
$
473

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
7.31

 
$
4.23

 
$
2.74

Diluted
7.20

 
4.14

 
2.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared on common stock
309

 
193

 
154

Cash dividends declared per common share
1.84

 
1.09

 
0.89

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-42

Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries

(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
$
1,235

 
$
743

 
$
477

 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses on investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized holding losses arising during the period
(69
)
 
(81
)
 
(70
)
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for net securities losses included in net income
(20
)
 

 

Net losses realized as a yield adjustment in interest on investment securities

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Change in net unrealized losses before income taxes
(49
)
 
(78
)
 
(67
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
Actuarial (loss) gain arising during the period
(191
)
 
72

 
(134
)
Prior service credit arising during the period

 

 
234

Adjustments for amounts recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of actuarial net loss
61

 
51

 
46

Amortization of prior service credit
(27
)
 
(27
)
 
(7
)
Change in defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans adjustment before income taxes
(157
)
 
96

 
139

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income before income taxes
(206
)
 
18

 
72

(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(47
)
 
(1
)
 
26

Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(159
)
 
19

 
46

 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
1,076

 
$
762

 
$
523

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
(in millions, except per share data)
Shares
Outstanding
 
Amount
 
Capital
Surplus
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury
Stock
 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2015
175.7

 
$
1,141

 
$
2,173

 
$
(429
)
 
$
7,084

 
$
(2,409
)
 
$
7,560

Net income

 

 

 

 
477

 

 
477

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 
46

 

 

 
46

Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.89 per share)

 

 

 

 
(154
)
 

 
(154
)
Purchase of common stock
(6.8
)
 

 

 

 

 
(310
)
 
(310
)
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
4.1

 

 
(15
)
 

 
(27
)
 
185

 
143

Net issuance of common stock for warrants
2.3

 

 
(57
)
 

 
(49
)
 
106

 

Share-based compensation

 

 
34

 

 

 

 
34

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2016
175.3

 
1,141

 
2,135

 
(383
)
 
7,331

 
(2,428
)
 
7,796

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 
3

 

 
(2
)
 

 
1

Net income

 

 

 

 
743

 

 
743

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 
19

 

 

 
19

Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.09 per share)

 

 

 

 
(193
)
 

 
(193
)
Purchase of common stock
(7.5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(544
)
 
(544
)
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
3.3

 

 
(24
)
 

 
(26
)
 
152

 
102

Net issuance of common stock for warrants
1.8

 

 
(30
)
 

 
(53
)
 
83

 

Share-based compensation

 

 
39

 

 

 

 
39

Reclassification of certain deferred tax effects

 

 

 
(87
)
 
87

 

 

Other

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
1

 

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2017
172.9

 
1,141

 
2,122

 
(451
)
 
7,887

 
(2,736
)
 
7,963

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles

 

 

 
1

 
14

 

 
15

Net income

 

 

 

 
1,235

 

 
1,235

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(159
)
 

 

 
(159
)
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.84 per share)

 

 

 

 
(309
)
 

 
(309
)
Purchase of common stock
(14.9
)
 

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(1,326
)
 
(1,329
)
Net issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
1.5

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(23
)
 
75

 
43

Net issuance of common stock for warrants
0.6

 

 
(10
)
 

 
(23
)
 
33

 

Share-based compensation

 

 
48

 

 

 

 
48

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2018
160.1

 
$
1,141

 
$
2,148

 
$
(609
)
 
$
8,781

 
$
(3,954
)
 
$
7,507

See notes to consolidated financial statements.



F-44

Table of Contents
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,235

 
$
743

 
$
477

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for credit losses
(1
)
 
74

 
248

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
24

 
79

 
(51
)
Depreciation and amortization
120

 
121

 
121

Net periodic defined benefit (credit) cost
(18
)
 
(18
)
 
6

Share-based compensation expense
48

 
39

 
34

Net amortization of securities
3

 
6

 
8

Accretion of loan purchase discount
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
Net securities losses
19

 

 

Net gains on sales of foreclosed property
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
Net change in:
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued income receivable
(45
)
 
(33
)
 
(20
)
Accrued expenses payable
49

 
41

 
37

Other, net
184

 
39

 
(366
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,616

 
1,085

 
486

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Maturities and redemptions
1,781

 
1,615

 
1,699

Sales
1,256

 
1,259

 

Purchases
(3,032
)
 
(3,112
)
 
(2,045
)
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
Maturities and redemptions

 
319

 
402

Net change in loans
(1,045
)
 
(175
)
 
(136
)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed property
8

 
22

 
20

Net increase in premises and equipment
(90
)
 
(69
)
 
(95
)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock:
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
(41
)
 
(42
)
 
(115
)
Redemptions

 
42

 

Proceeds from bank-owned life insurance settlements
9

 
18

 
16

Other, net
(2
)
 
3

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,156
)
 
(120
)
 
(254
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in:
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
(2,082
)
 
(1,180
)
 
(998
)
Short-term borrowings
34

 
(15
)
 
2

Medium- and long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
Maturities and redemptions

 
(500
)
 
(650
)
Issuances and advances
1,850

 

 
2,800

Terminations

 
(16
)
 

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchases
(1,338
)
 
(560
)
 
(320
)
Cash dividends paid
(263
)
 
(180
)
 
(152
)
Issuances under employee stock plans
52

 
118

 
157

Other, net
3

 
(5
)
 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(1,744
)
 
(2,338
)
 
839

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(1,284
)
 
(1,373
)
 
1,071

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
5,845

 
7,218

 
6,147

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
4,561

 
$
5,845

 
$
7,218

Interest paid
$
261

 
$
122

 
$
111

Income taxes paid
200

 
336

 
151

Noncash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans transferred to other real estate
3

 
8

 
21

Loans transferred from held-to-sale to portfolio

 

 
17

Securities transferred from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale
1,266

 

 

Securities transferred from available-for-sale to equity securities
81

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-45

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
Comerica Incorporated (the Corporation) is a registered financial holding company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The Corporation’s major business segments are the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management. The Corporation operates in three primary geographic markets: Michigan, California and Texas. For further discussion of each business segment and primary geographic market, refer to Note 23. The Corporation and its banking subsidiaries are regulated at both the state and federal levels.
The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Certain amounts in the financial statements for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation.
The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Corporation applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and the accounts of those subsidiaries that are majority owned and in which the Corporation has a controlling financial interest. The Corporation consolidates entities not determined to be variable interest entities (VIEs) when it holds a controlling financial interest and uses the cost or equity method when it holds less than a controlling financial interest. In consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The results of operations of companies acquired are included from the date of acquisition.
The Corporation holds investments in certain legal entities that are considered VIEs. In general, a VIE is an entity that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations. If any of these characteristics are present, the entity is subject to a variable interests consolidation model, and consolidation is based on variable interests, not on voting interests. Variable interests are defined as contractual ownership or other money interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in the entity’s net asset value. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary is defined as the party that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE. The maximum potential exposure to losses relative to investments in VIEs is generally limited to the sum of the outstanding book basis and unfunded commitments for future investments.
The Corporation evaluates its investments in VIEs, both at inception and when there is a change in circumstances that requires reconsideration, to determine if the Corporation is the primary beneficiary and consolidation is required. The Corporation accounts for unconsolidated VIEs using either the proportional, cost or equity method. These investments comprise investments in community development projects which generate tax credits to their investors and are included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The proportional method is used for investments in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC). The equity method is used for other investments where the Corporation has the ability to exercise significant influence over the entity’s operation and financial policies. Other unconsolidated equity investments that do not meet the criteria to be accounted for under the equity method are accounted for under the cost method. Amortization and other write-downs of LIHTC investments are presented on a net basis as a component of the provision for income taxes, while income, amortization and write-downs from cost and equity method investments are recorded in other noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Corporation and are not included in the consolidated financial statements.
See Note 9 for additional information about the Corporation’s involvement with VIEs.
Fair Value Measurements
The Corporation utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The determination of fair values of financial instruments often requires the use of estimates. In cases where quoted market values in an active market are not available, the Corporation uses present value techniques and other valuation methods to estimate the fair values of its financial instruments. These valuation methods require considerable judgment and the resulting estimates of fair value can be significantly affected by the assumptions made and methods used.

F-46

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Fair value is an estimate of the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (i.e., not a forced transaction, such as a liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability.
Investment securities available-for-sale, derivatives, deferred compensation plans, and equity securities with readily determinable fair values (primarily money market mutual funds) are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Corporation may be required to record other assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans, other real estate (primarily foreclosed property), nonmarketable equity securities and certain other assets and liabilities. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve write-downs of individual assets or application of lower of cost or fair value accounting.
Fair value measurements and disclosures guidance establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. Fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is the Corporation’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements.
 
Level 1
 
Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2
 
Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are less active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3
 
Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.
The Corporation generally utilizes third-party pricing services to value Level 1 and Level 2 securities. Management reviews the methodologies and assumptions used by the third-party pricing services and evaluates the values provided, principally by comparison with other available market quotes for similar instruments and/or analysis based on internal models using available third-party market data. The Corporation may occasionally adjust certain values provided by the third-party pricing service when management believes, as the result of its review, that the adjusted price most appropriately reflects the fair value of the particular security.
Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where limited or no observable market data exists are based primarily upon estimates, often calculated based on the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values.
Following are descriptions of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, as well as a description of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value disclosures for financial instruments not recorded at fair value in their entirety on a recurring basis. The descriptions include an indication of the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified. Transfers of assets or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period, when applicable.
Cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks
Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates the estimated fair value. As such, the Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of these instruments as Level 1.
Deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities as well as equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
The Corporation holds a portfolio of equity securities, as well as assets held related to employee deferred compensation plans. Securities and associated deferred compensation plan liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and included in other short-term investments and accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Level 1 securities include assets related to employee deferred compensation plans, which are invested in mutual funds, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and other securities traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Deferred compensation plan liabilities represent the fair value of the obligation to the employee, which corresponds to the fair value of the invested assets. Level 2 securities include municipal bonds and residential

F-47

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and corporate debt securities. The methods used to value equity securities and deferred compensation plan assets are the same as the methods used to value investment securities, discussed below.
Investment securities
Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The Corporation discloses estimated fair values of investment securities held-to-maturity, which is determined in the same manner as investment securities available-for-sale. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include residential mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored entities and corporate debt securities. The fair value of Level 2 securities is determined using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or pricing models based on observable market data inputs, primarily interest rates, spreads and prepayment information.
Securities classified as Level 3 represent securities in less liquid markets requiring significant management assumptions when determining fair value. Auction-rate securities comprise Level 3 investment securities available-for-sale. The Corporate Treasury department, with appropriate oversight and approval provided by senior management, is responsible for the valuation of auction-rate securities. Valuation results, including an analysis of changes to the valuation methodology, are provided to senior management for review on a quarterly basis.
Loans held-for-sale
Loans held-for-sale, included in other short-term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. Loans held-for-sale may be carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when fair value is less than cost. The fair value is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. As such, the Corporation classifies both loans held-for-sale subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments and the estimated fair value of loans held-for sale as Level 2.
Loans
The Corporation does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, the Corporation may establish a specific allowance for an impaired loan based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Such loan values are reported as nonrecurring fair value measurements. Collateral values supporting individually evaluated impaired loans are evaluated quarterly. When management determines that the fair value of the collateral requires additional adjustments, either as a result of non-current appraisal value or when there is no observable market price, the Corporation classifies the impaired loan as Level 3. The Special Assets Group is responsible for performing quarterly credit quality reviews for all impaired loans as part of the quarterly allowance for loan losses process overseen by the Chief Credit Officer, during which valuation adjustments to updated collateral values are determined.
The Corporation discloses fair value estimates for loans. The estimated fair value is determined based on characteristics such as loan category, repricing features and remaining maturity, and includes prepayment and credit loss estimates. Fair values are estimated using a discounted cash flow model that employs discount rates that reflects current pricing for loans with similar maturity and risk characteristics, including credit characteristics, and the cost of equity for the portfolio at the balance sheet date. The rates take into account the expected yield curve, as well as an adjustment for prepayment risk, when applicable. The Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of loans held for investment as Level 3.
Customers’ liability on acceptances outstanding and acceptances outstanding
Customers' liability on acceptances outstanding is included in accrued income and other assets and acceptances outstanding are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates the estimated fair value. As such, the Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of these instruments as Level 1.
Derivative assets and derivative liabilities
Derivative instruments held or issued for risk management or customer-initiated activities are traded in over-the-counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. Fair value for over-the-counter derivative instruments is measured on a recurring basis using internally developed models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as yield curves and option volatilities. The Corporation manages credit risk on its derivative positions based on whether the derivatives are being settled through a clearinghouse or bilaterally with each counterparty. For derivative positions settled on a counterparty-by-counterparty basis, the Corporation calculates credit valuation adjustments, included in the fair value of these instruments, on the basis of its relationships at the counterparty portfolio/master netting agreement level. These credit valuation adjustments are determined by applying a credit spread for the counterparty or the Corporation, as appropriate, to the total expected exposure of the derivative after considering collateral and other master netting arrangements. These adjustments, which are considered Level 3 inputs, are

F-48

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


based on estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. When credit valuation adjustments are significant to the overall fair value of a derivative, the Corporation classifies the over-the-counter derivative valuation in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy; otherwise, over-the-counter derivative valuations are classified in Level 2.
Nonmarketable equity securities
The Corporation has a portfolio of indirect (through funds) private equity and venture capital investments with a carrying value of $6 million and unfunded commitments of less than $1 million, at December 31, 2018. The investments are accounted for either on the cost or equity method and are individually reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis by comparing the carrying value to the estimated fair value. These investments may be carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when they are deemed to be impaired and written down to fair value. Where there is not a readily determinable fair value, the Corporation estimates fair value for indirect private equity and venture capital investments based on the net asset value, as reported by the fund.
The Corporation also holds restricted equity investments, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock. Restricted equity securities are not readily marketable and are recorded at cost (par value) in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. No significant observable market data for these instruments is available. The Corporation considers the profitability and asset quality of the issuer, dividend payment history and recent redemption experience and believes its investments in FHLB and FRB stock are ultimately recoverable at par. Therefore, the carrying amount for these restricted equity investments approximates fair value. The Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of such investments as Level 1. The Corporation’s investment in FHLB stock totaled $163 million and $122 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and its investment in FRB stock totaled $85 million at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Other real estate
Other real estate is included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and includes primarily foreclosed property. Foreclosed property is initially recorded at fair value, less costs to sell, at the date of legal title transfer to the Corporation, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, foreclosed property is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less costs to sell. Other real estate may be carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when fair value is less than cost. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised value or management's estimate of the value of the property. The Special Assets Group obtains updated independent market prices and appraised values, as required by state regulation or deemed necessary based on market conditions, and determines if additional write-downs are necessary. On a quarterly basis, senior management reviews all other real estate and determines whether the carrying values are reasonable, based on the length of time elapsed since receipt of independent market price or appraised value and current market conditions. When management determines that the fair value of other real estate requires additional adjustments, either as a result of a non-current appraisal or when there is no observable market price, the Corporation classifies the other real estate as Level 3.
Deposit liabilities
The estimated fair value of checking, savings and certain money market deposit accounts is represented by the amounts payable on demand. The estimated fair value of term deposits is calculated by discounting the scheduled cash flows using the period-end rates offered on these instruments. As such, the Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of deposit liabilities as Level 2.
Short-term borrowings
The carrying amount of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximates the estimated fair value. As such, the Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 1.
Medium- and long-term debt
The estimated fair value of the Corporation's medium- and long-term debt is based on quoted market values when available. If quoted market values are not available, the estimated fair value is based on the market values of debt with similar characteristics. The Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of medium- and long-term debt as Level 2.
Credit-related financial instruments
Credit-related financial instruments include unused commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. These instruments generate ongoing fees which are recognized over the term of the commitment. In situations where credit losses are probable, the Corporation records an allowance. The carrying value of these instruments included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which includes the carrying value of the deferred fees plus the related allowance, approximates the estimated fair value. The Corporation classifies the estimated fair value of credit-related financial instruments as Level 3.
For further information about fair value measurements refer to Note 2.

F-49

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Other Short-Term Investments
Other short-term investments include deferred compensation plan assets, equity securities with a readily determinable fair value and loans held-for-sale.    
Deferred compensation plan assets and equity securities are carried at fair value. Realized and unrealized gains or losses are included in other noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Loans held-for-sale, typically residential mortgages originated with the intent to sell and occasionally may include other loans transferred to held-for-sale, are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is determined in the aggregate for each portfolio. Changes in fair value and gains or losses upon sale are included in other noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Investment Securities
Debt securities not held for trading purposes are classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income (OCI). Interest income is recognized using the interest method. Securities for which management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and recorded at amortized cost.
Securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity are reclassified at fair value on the date of transfer. The net unrealized gain (loss) at the date of transfer is included in historical cost and amortized over the remaining life of the related securities as a yield adjustment consistent with the amortization of the net unrealized gain (loss) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the same securities, resulting in no impact to net income.
The Corporation adopted ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (ASU 2017-12), effective January 1, 2018. As part of the adoption, the Corporation made a transition election to reclassify the portfolio of held-to-maturity securities to available-for-sale in January 2018 as the securities are eligible to be hedged. This resulted in the recognition of additional unrealized losses of $11 million at the date of transfer. For further information on ASU 2017-12, refer to the “Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities” policy in this Note.
Debt securities are reviewed quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). In determining whether OTTI exists for debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Corporation assesses the likelihood of selling the security prior to the recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Corporation intends to sell the debt security or it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the debt security prior to the recovery of its amortized cost basis, the debt security is written down to fair value, and the full amount of any impairment charge is recorded as a loss in net securities losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. If the Corporation does not intend to sell the debt security and it is more likely than not that the Corporation will not be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, only the credit component of any impairment of a debt security is recognized as a loss in net securities losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income, with the remaining impairment recorded in OCI.
Gains or losses on the sale of securities are computed based on the adjusted cost of the specific security sold.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Corporation adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," (ASU 2016-01). ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments, other than equity method investments, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. As a result, equity securities with readily determinable fair value were reclassified from investment securities available-for-sale to other short-term investments. At adoption, an immaterial amount of cumulative net unrealized losses on equity securities previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) was reclassified to the opening balance of retained earnings, included in cumulative effect of change in accounting principles in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.
For further information on investment securities, refer to Note 3.
Loans
Loans and leases originated and held for investment are recorded at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned income, charge-offs and unamortized deferred fees and costs. Interest income is recognized on loans and leases using the interest method.
The Corporation assesses all loan modifications to determine whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). A restructuring is considered a TDR when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Corporation grants a concession to the borrower. TDRs on accrual status at the original contractual rate of interest are considered performing.

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Nonperforming TDRs include TDRs on nonaccrual status and loans which have been renegotiated to less than the original contractual rates (reduced-rate loans). All TDRs are considered impaired loans.
Loan Origination Fees and Costs
Substantially all loan origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized to net interest income over the life of the related loan or over the commitment period as a yield adjustment. Net deferred income on originated loans, including unearned income and unamortized costs, fees, premiums and discounts, totaled $115 million and $113 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Loan fees on unused commitments and net origination fees related to loans sold are recognized in noninterest income.
 Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses includes both the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments.
The Corporation disaggregates the loan portfolio into segments for purposes of determining the allowance for credit losses. These segments are based on the level at which the Corporation develops, documents and applies a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses. The Corporation's portfolio segments are business loans and retail loans. Business loans include the commercial, real estate construction, commercial mortgage, lease financing and international loan portfolios. Retail loans consist of traditional residential mortgage, home equity and other consumer loans.
For further information on the Allowance for Credit Losses, refer to Note 4.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses represents management’s assessment of probable, estimable losses inherent in the Corporation’s loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses includes specific allowances, based on individual evaluations of certain loans, and allowances for homogeneous pools of loans with similar risk characteristics.
The Corporation individually evaluates certain impaired loans on a quarterly basis and establishes specific allowances for such loans, if required. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that interest or principal payments will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Consistent with this definition, all loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued (nonaccrual loans) are considered impaired. The Corporation individually evaluates nonaccrual loans with book balances of $2 million or more and loans whose terms have been modified in a TDR with book balances of $1 million or more. The threshold for individual evaluation is revised on an infrequent basis, generally when economic circumstances change significantly. Specific allowances for impaired loans are estimated using one of several methods, including the estimated fair value of underlying collateral, observable market value of similar debt or discounted expected future cash flows. Collateral values supporting individually evaluated impaired loans are evaluated quarterly. At least annually, appraisals are obtained or appraisal assumptions are updated, unless conditions dictate increased frequency. The Corporation may reduce the collateral value based upon the age of the appraisal and adverse developments in market conditions.
Loans which do not meet the criteria to be evaluated individually are evaluated in homogeneous pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. Business loans are assigned to pools based on the Corporation's internal risk rating system. Internal risk ratings are assigned to each business loan at the time of approval and are subjected to subsequent periodic reviews by the Corporation’s senior management, generally at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of a circumstance that affects the credit risk of the loan. For business loans not individually evaluated, losses inherent to the pool are estimated by applying standard reserve factors to outstanding principal balances. Standard reserve factors are based on estimated probabilities of default for each internal risk rating, set to a default horizon based on an estimated loss emergence period, and loss given default. These factors are evaluated quarterly and updated annually, unless economic conditions necessitate a change, giving consideration to count-based borrower risk rating migration experience and trends, recent charge-off experience, current economic conditions and trends, changes in collateral values of properties securing loans, and trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual amounts.
The allowance for business loans not individually evaluated also includes qualitative adjustments to bring the allowance to the level management believes is appropriate based on factors that have not otherwise been fully accounted for, including adjustments for (i) risk factors that have not been fully addressed in internal risk ratings, (ii) imprecision in the risk rating system resulting from inaccuracy in assigning and/or entering risk ratings in the loan accounting system, (iii) market conditions and (iv) model imprecision. Risk factors that have not been fully addressed in internal risk ratings may include portfolios where recent historical losses exceed expected losses or known recent events are expected to alter risk ratings once evidence is acquired, portfolios where a certain level of concentration introduces added risk, or changes in the level and quality of experience held by lending management. An additional allowance for risk rating errors is calculated based on the results of risk rating accuracy assessments performed on samples of business loans conducted by the Corporation's asset quality review function, a function independent of

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the lending and credit groups responsible for assigning the initial internal risk rating at the time of approval. Qualitative adjustments for market conditions are determined based on an established framework. The determination of the appropriate adjustment is based on management's analysis of observable macroeconomic metrics, including consideration of regional metrics within the Corporation's footprint, internal credit risk movement and a qualitative assessment of the lending environment, including underwriting standards, current economic and political conditions, and other factors affecting credit quality. Management recognizes the sensitivity of various assumptions made in the quantitative modeling of expected losses and may adjust reserves depending upon the level of uncertainty that currently exists in one or more assumption.
The allowance for retail loans not individually evaluated is determined by applying estimated loss rates to various pools of loans within the portfolios with similar risk characteristics. Estimated loss rates for all pools are updated quarterly, incorporating quantitative and qualitative factors such as recent charge-off experience, current economic conditions and trends, changes in collateral values of properties securing loans (using index-based estimates), and trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual amounts.
The total allowance for loan losses is sufficient to absorb incurred losses inherent in the total portfolio. Unanticipated economic events, including political, economic and regulatory instability in countries where the Corporation has loans, could cause changes in the credit characteristics of the portfolio and result in an unanticipated increase in the allowance. Significant increases in current portfolio exposures, as well as the inclusion of additional industry-specific portfolio exposures in the allowance, could also increase the amount of the allowance. Any of these events, or some combination thereof, may result in the need for additional provision for credit losses in order to maintain an allowance that complies with credit risk and accounting policies.
Loans deemed uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance. Recoveries on loans previously charged off are added to the allowance.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Lending-Related Commitments
The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments provides for probable losses inherent in lending-related commitments, including unused commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments includes allowances based on homogeneous pools of letters of credit and unused commitments to extend credit within each internal risk rating. A probability of draw estimate is applied to the commitment amount, and the result is multiplied by standard reserve factors consistent with business loans. In general, the probability of draw for letters of credit is considered certain for all letters of credit supporting loans and for letters of credit assigned an internal risk rating generally consistent with regulatory defined substandard or doubtful. Other letters of credit and all unfunded commitments have a lower probability of draw. The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the corresponding charge reflected in the provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, reduced-rate loans and foreclosed property.
A loan is considered past due when the contractually required principal or interest payment is not received by the specified due date or, for certain loans, when a scheduled monthly payment is past due and unpaid for 30 days or more. Business loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when management determines full collection of principal or interest is unlikely or when principal or interest payments are 90 days past due, unless the loan is fully collateralized and in the process of collection. The past-due status of a business loan is one of many indicative factors considered in determining the collectability of the credit. The primary driver of when the principal amount of a business loan should be fully or partially charged-off is based on a qualitative assessment of the recoverability of the principal amount from collateral and other cash flow sources. Residential mortgage and home equity loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status once they become 90 days past due and are charged off to current appraised values less costs to sell no later than 180 days past due. In addition, junior lien home equity loans less than 90 days past due are placed on nonaccrual status if they have underlying risk characteristics that place full collection of the loan in doubt, such as when the related senior lien position is identified as seriously delinquent. Residential mortgage and consumer loans in bankruptcy for which the court has discharged the borrower's obligation and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt are placed on nonaccrual status and written down to estimated collateral value, without regard to the actual payment status of the loan, and are classified as TDRs. All other consumer loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status at 90 days past due and are charged off at no later than 120 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible.
At the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is charged against current income. Principal and interest payments received on such loans are generally first applied as a reduction of principal. Income on nonaccrual loans is then recognized only to the extent that cash is received after principal has been fully repaid or future collection of principal is probable. Generally, a loan may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest have been

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received and the Corporation expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest, or when the loan or debt security is both well secured and in the process of collection.
Foreclosed property (primarily real estate) is initially recorded at fair value, less costs to sell, at the date of legal title transfer to the Corporation and subsequently carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Loans are reclassified to foreclosed property upon obtaining legal title to the collateral. Independent appraisals are obtained to substantiate the fair value of foreclosed property at the time of foreclosure and updated at least annually or upon evidence of deterioration in the property’s value. At the time of foreclosure, the adjustment for the difference between the related loan balance and fair value (less estimated costs to sell) of the property acquired is charged or credited to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent write-downs, operating expenses and losses upon sale, if any, are charged to noninterest expenses. Foreclosed property is included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation, computed using the straight-line method, is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are generally 3 years to 33 years for premises that the Corporation owns and 3 years to 8 years for furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements are generally amortized over the terms of their respective leases or 10 years, whichever is shorter.
Software
Capitalized software is stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Capitalized software includes purchased software, capitalizable application development costs associated with internally-developed software and cloud computing arrangements, including an in-substance software license. Amortization, computed on the straight-line method, is charged to operations over the estimated useful life of the software, generally 5 years. Capitalized software is included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles
Goodwill, included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is initially recorded as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination and is subsequently evaluated at least annually for impairment. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level, equivalent to a business segment or one level below. The Corporation has three reporting units: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management.
The Corporation performs its annual evaluation of goodwill impairment in the third quarter of each year and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances between annual tests suggest additional testing may be warranted to determine if goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step test. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the estimated fair value of identified reporting units with their carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the second step must be performed to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill and the amount of goodwill impairment, if any. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined as if the reporting unit were being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment charge would be recorded for the excess.
The Corporation may choose to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the first step of the impairment test should be performed in future periods if certain factors indicate that impairment is unlikely. Factors which could be considered in the assessment of the likelihood of impairment include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, stock performance of the Corporation and its peers, financial performance, events affecting the Corporation as a whole or its reporting units individually and previous results of goodwill impairment tests.
Core deposit intangibles are amortized on an accelerated basis, based on the estimated period the economic benefits are expected to be received. Core deposit intangibles are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment for a finite-lived intangible asset exists if the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset exceeds its carrying value.
Additional information regarding goodwill and core deposit intangibles can be found in Note 7.
Nonmarketable Equity Securities
The Corporation has certain investments that are not readily marketable. These investments include a portfolio of investments in indirect private equity and venture capital funds and restricted equity investments, which are securities the Corporation is required to hold for various reasons, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock. These investments are accounted for on the cost or equity method and are included in accrued income and other

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assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The investments are individually reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis. Indirect private equity and venture capital funds are evaluated by comparing the carrying value to the estimated fair value. The amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value that is determined to be other-than-temporary impairment is charged to current earnings and the carrying value of the investment is written down accordingly. FHLB and FRB stock are recorded at cost (par value) and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. If the Corporation does not expect to recover the full par value, the amount by which the par value exceeds the ultimately recoverable value would be charged to current earnings and the carrying value of the investment would be written down accordingly.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative instruments are carried at fair value in either accrued income and other assets or accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument is determined by whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, by the type of hedging relationship. The Corporation presents derivative instruments at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis when a right of offset exists, based on transactions with a single counterparty and any cash collateral paid to and/or received from that counterparty for derivative contracts that are subject to legally enforceable master netting arrangements.
The Corporation adopted ASU No. 2017-12 effective January 1, 2018. ASU 2017-12 better aligns the accounting and reporting of hedging relationships with the economics of risk management activities and provides administrative reliefs to simplify the application of hedge accounting, including expanding the application of the shortcut method, eliminating the separate measurement and reporting of hedge ineffectiveness and generally requiring the entire effect of the hedging instrument and the hedged item to be presented in the same income statement line item.
For derivative instruments designated and qualifying as fair value hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in the same consolidated statement of income line that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item during the period of the change in fair values. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same consolidated statement of income line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings during the period of change.
The Corporation’s derivative instruments used for risk management predominately comprise swaps converting fixed-rate long-term debt to variable rates. An ineffectiveness net gain of $1 million and net loss of $2 million were included in other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Under ASU 2017-12, beginning January 1, 2018, gains or losses relating to hedge ineffectiveness are no longer separately measured or reported.
To qualify for the use of hedge accounting, a derivative must be effective at inception and expected to be continuously effective in offsetting the risk being hedged. For derivatives designated as hedging instruments at inception, the Corporation uses either the short-cut method or applies statistical regression analysis to assess effectiveness. The short-cut method is used for $1 billion notional of fair value hedges of medium- and long-term debt. This method allows for the assumption of perfect effectiveness and eliminates the requirement to further assess hedge effectiveness on these transactions. For hedge relationships to which the Corporation does not apply the short-cut method, statistical regression analysis is used at inception to assess whether the derivative used is expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. A statistical regression or qualitative analysis is performed at each reporting period thereafter to evaluate hedge effectiveness.
Upon adopting ASU 2017-12, the Corporation elected to change the measurement methodology of all long-haul fair value hedges existing at December 31, 2017. The prior period effect of this election was a $1 million reduction to opening retained earnings, included in cumulative effect of change in accounting principles in the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity.
Further information on the Corporation’s derivative instruments and hedging activities is included in Note 8.
Short-Term Borrowings
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are treated as collateralized borrowings and are recorded at amounts equal to the cash received. The contractual terms of the agreements to repurchase may require the Corporation to provide additional collateral if the fair value of the securities underlying the borrowings declines during the term of the agreement.

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Financial Guarantees
Certain guarantee contracts or indemnification agreements that contingently require the Corporation, as guarantor, to make payments to the guaranteed party are initially measured at fair value and included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The subsequent accounting for the liability depends on the nature of the underlying guarantee. The release from risk is accounted for under a particular guarantee when the guarantee expires or is settled, or by a systematic and rational amortization method.
Further information on the Corporation’s obligations under guarantees is included in Note 8.
Share-Based Compensation
The Corporation recognizes share-based compensation expense using the straight-line method over the requisite service period for all stock awards, including those with graded vesting. The requisite service period is the period an employee is required to provide service in order to vest in the award, which cannot extend beyond the date at which the employee is no longer required to perform any service to receive the share-based compensation (i.e. the retirement-eligible date). Forfeiture of stock awards and dividend equivalents are accounted for as they occur.
Certain awards are contingent upon performance and/or market conditions, which affect the number of shares ultimately issued. The Corporation periodically evaluates the probable outcome of the performance conditions and makes cumulative adjustments to compensation expense as appropriate. Market conditions are included in the determination of the fair value of the award on the date of grant. Subsequent to the grant date, market conditions have no impact on the amount of compensation expense the Corporation will recognize over the life of the award.
Further information on the Corporation’s share-based compensation plans is included in Note 16.
Revenue Recognition
Effective January 1, 2018, the Corporation adopted the provision of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606), using the modified retrospective method applied to all open contracts as of January 1, 2018.
Under Topic 606, card fee revenue from certain products is generally presented net of network costs, including interchange costs, surcharge fees and assessment fees, as opposed to the previous presentation of associated network costs in outside processing fee expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Similar adjustments were made for other revenue streams that resulted in certain costs being recognized in the same category as the associated revenues in noninterest income.
The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in decreases of $140 million in card fees and $5 million in service charges on deposits accounts, included in noninterest income, and a corresponding $145 million decrease in outside processing fee expense included in noninterest expenses, in the Consolidated Statements of Income for 2018.
The Corporation previously deferred recognition of certain treasury management fees included in service charges on deposit accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Income until the amount of compensation was considered fixed and determinable. Under the new guidance, the portion of these fees that are based on agreed-upon rates less estimated credits expected to be earned by the customer is recognized as services are rendered. As a result, the Corporation recorded a transition adjustment of $14 million, after tax, to retained earnings, included in cumulative effect of change in accounting principles in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity. Similar adjustments were made for other revenue streams that resulted in an additional cumulative transition after-tax adjustment to retained earnings of $2 million.
Revenue from contracts with customers comprises the noninterest income earned by the Corporation in exchange for services provided to customers and are recognized when services are complete or as they are rendered, although contracts are generally short-term by nature. Services provided over a period of time are typically transferred to customers evenly over the term of the contracts and revenue is recognized evenly over the period services are provided. Contract receivables are included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment terms vary by services offered, and the time between completion of performance obligations and payment is typically not significant.
Card Fees
Card fees comprise interchange and other fee income earned on government card, commercial card, debit/automated teller machine card and merchant payment processing programs. Card fees are presented net of network costs, as performance obligations for card services are limited to transaction processing and settlement with the card network on behalf of the customers. Fees for these services are primarily based on interchange rates set by the network and transaction volume. The Corporation also provides ongoing card program support services, for which fees are based on contractually agreed prices and customer demand for services.

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Service Charges on Deposit Accounts
Service charges on deposit accounts comprise charges on retail and business accounts, including fees for treasury management services. Treasury management services include transaction-based services related to payment processing, overdrafts, non-sufficient funds and other deposit account activity, as well as account management services that are provided over time. Business customers can earn credits depending on deposit balances maintained with the Corporation, which may be used to offset fees. Fees and credits are based on predetermined, agreed-upon rates.
Fiduciary Income
Fiduciary income includes fees and commissions from asset management, custody, recordkeeping, investment advisory and other services provided primarily to personal and institutional trust customers. Revenue is recognized as the services are performed and is based either on the market value of the assets managed or the services provided, as well as agreed-upon rates.
Commercial Lending Fees
Commercial lending fees include both revenue from contracts with customers (primarily loan servicing fees) and other sources of revenue. Commercial loan servicing fees are based on contractually agreed-upon prices and when the services are provided. Other sources of revenue in commercial lending fees primarily include fees assessed on the unused portion of commercial lines of credit (unused commitment fees) and syndication arrangements.
Brokerage Fees    
Brokerage fees are commissions earned for facilitating securities transactions for customers, as well as other brokerage services provided. Revenue is recognized when services are complete and is based on the type of services provided and agreed-upon rates. The Corporation pays commissions based on brokerage fee revenue. These are typically recognized when incurred because the amortization period is one year or less and are included in salaries and benefits expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Other Revenues    
Other revenues, consisting primarily of other retail fees, investment banking fees and insurance commissions, are typically recognized when services or transactions are completed and are based on the type of services provided and agreed-upon rates.
Except as discussed above, commissions and other incentives paid to employees are generally based on several internal and external metrics and, as a result, are not solely dependent on revenue generating activities.
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Costs
Defined benefit pension costs are funded consistent with the requirements of federal laws and regulations. Inherent in the determination of defined benefit pension costs are assumptions concerning future events that will affect the amount and timing of required benefit payments under the plans. These assumptions include demographic assumptions such as retirement age and mortality, a compensation rate increase, a discount rate used to determine the current benefit obligation, form of payment election and a long-term expected rate of return on plan assets. Net periodic defined benefit pension expense includes service cost, interest cost based on the assumed discount rate, an expected return on plan assets based on an actuarially derived market-related value of assets, amortization of prior service cost or credit and amortization of net actuarial gains or losses. The market-related value of plan assets is determined by amortizing the current year’s investment gains and losses (the actual investment return net of the expected investment return) over 5 years. The amortization adjustment cannot exceed 10 percent of the fair value of assets. Prior service costs or credits include the impact of plan amendments on the liabilities and are amortized over the future service periods of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plan. Actuarial gains and losses result from experience different from that assumed and from changes in assumptions (excluding asset gains and losses not yet reflected in market-related value). Amortization of actuarial gains and losses is included as a component of net periodic defined benefit pension cost for a year if the actuarial net gain or loss exceeds 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. If amortization is required, the excess is amortized over the average remaining service period of participating employees expected to receive benefits under the plan. Service costs are included in salaries and benefits expense, while the other components of net periodic defined benefit pension expense are included in other noninterest expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Postretirement benefits are recognized in other noninterest expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income during the average remaining service period of participating employees expected to receive benefits under the plan or the average remaining future lifetime of retired participants currently receiving benefits under the plan.
The Corporation retrospectively adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (ASU 2017-07) on January 1, 2018, which requires employers to report service cost as part of compensation expense and the other components of net benefit cost separately from service cost. As a result, $49 million and $28 million of benefit from the other components of

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net benefit cost was reclassified from salaries and benefits expense to other noninterest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Corporation based the adjustment to the prior periods on amounts disclosed in Note 17.
See Note 17 for further information regarding the Corporation’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is the sum of income taxes due for the current year and deferred taxes. The Corporation classifies interest and penalties on income tax liabilities and, beginning January 1, 2017, excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from employee stock awards in the provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial accounting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for realization based on available evidence of projected future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, assumptions made regarding future events and, when applicable, state loss carryback capacity. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act"), enacted on December 22, 2017, reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Also, on December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects of the Act. SAB 118 provided a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date to complete the accounting. The amount recorded related to the remeasurement of the Corporation's deferred tax balance was a reduction of $99 million, including a provisional adjustment of $107 million recognized in 2017 and an $8 million revision to the impact recorded in 2018.
Earnings Per Share
Basic net income per common share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each share of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared (distributed earnings) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated between common and participating security shareholders based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Nonvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities (e.g., nonvested restricted stock and certain service-based restricted stock units). Undistributed net losses are not allocated to nonvested restricted shareholders, as these shareholders do not have a contractual obligation to fund the losses incurred by the Corporation. Net income attributable to common shares is then divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted net income per common share is calculated using the more dilutive of either the treasury method or the two-class method. The dilutive calculation considers common stock issuable under the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, as well as service- and performance-based restricted stock units granted under the Corporation’s stock plans using the treasury stock method, if dilutive. Net income attributable to common shares is then divided by the total of weighted-average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period.
Statements of Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents are defined as those amounts included in cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits with banks on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Corporation adopted ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” (ASU 2016-15) on January 1, 2018 and, as a result, reclassified $18 million and $16 million of proceeds from settlement of bank-owned life insurance policies from operating activities to investing activities for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Corporation presents on an annual basis the components of net income and other comprehensive income in two separate, but consecutive statements and presents on an interim basis the components of net income and a total for comprehensive income in one continuous consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” (ASU 2016-02), to increase the transparency and comparability of lease recognition and disclosure. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize lease contracts on the balance sheet, while recognizing expenses on the income statement in a manner similar to current guidance. The Corporation will adopt Topic 842 in the first quarter 2019 for all open leases with a term greater than one year as of the adoption date using the modified

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Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


retrospective approach and will elect the hindsight practical expedient in determining its lease terms. This is expected to result in increases of $330 million and $345 million to total assets and total liabilities, respectively, and a reduction to retained earnings of approximately $15 million. The increase to total assets was primarily due to the recognition of a right-of-use asset recorded in accrued income and other assets, while the increase in total liabilities was primarily due to recognition of the lease payment liability recorded in accrued expenses and other liabilities. A similar increase in assets at December 31, 2018 would have caused a 5-basis-point decrease in the common equity tier 1 capital (CET1) ratio.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," (ASU 2016-13), which addresses concerns regarding the perceived delay in recognition of credit losses under the existing incurred loss model. The amendment introduces a new, single model for recognizing credit losses on all financial instruments presented on a cost basis. Under the new model, entities must estimate current expected credit losses by considering all available relevant information, including historical and current conditions, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts of future events. The update also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosure to allow users to better understand the credit risk within the portfolio and the methodologies for determining the allowance for credit losses.
ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and must be applied using the modified retrospective approach with limited exceptions. In preparation, the Corporation has developed new credit estimation models, processes and controls. Internal validation of the models is underway and expected to be completed early in 2019. The Corporation has performed test runs of the new processes and controls and expects to begin full parallel runs by mid-2019. The impact of the standard will depend on the composition of the Corporation’s portfolio as well as economic conditions and forecasts at the time of adoption. The Corporation expects to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2020.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract," (ASU 2018-15), to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs relating to internal-use software. The update requires entities in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset and which costs to expense. ASU 2018-15 is effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and may be applied using either the retrospective or prospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of adoption.
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815):  Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes,” (ASU 2018-16), to permit the use of SOFR as an eligible benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting. SOFR has been identified by the Federal Reserve Board and the Alternative Reference Rates Committee as the preferred alternative reference rate to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).  The Corporation will adopt ASU 2018-16 prospectively in the first quarter of 2019. As of December 31, 2018, there were no active SOFR-based contracts.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 2 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Note 1 contains information about the fair value hierarchy, descriptions of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, as well as a description of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value disclosures for financial instruments not recorded at fair value in their entirety on a recurring basis.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(in millions)
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan assets
$
88

 
$
88

 
$

 
$

 
Equity securities
43

 
43

 

 

 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
2,727

 
2,727

 

 

 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
9,318

 

 
9,318

 

 
Total investment securities available-for-sale
12,045

 
2,727

 
9,318

 

 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
67

 

 
58

 
9

 
Energy derivative contracts
189

 

 
189

 

 
Foreign exchange contracts
19

 

 
19

 

 
Total derivative assets
275

 

 
266

 
9

 
Total assets at fair value
$
12,451

 
$
2,858

 
$
9,584

 
$
9

 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$
70

 
$

 
$
70

 
$

 
Energy derivative contracts
186

 

 
186

 

 
Foreign exchange contracts
13

 

 
13

 

 
Total derivative liabilities
269

 

 
269

 

 
Deferred compensation plan liabilities
88

 
88

 

 

 
Total liabilities at fair value
$
357

 
$
88

 
$
269

 
$

 
(a)
Issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


(in millions)
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan assets
$
92

 
$
92

 
$

 
$

 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
2,727

 
2,727

 

 

 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
8,124

 

 
8,124

 

 
State and municipal securities
5

 

 

 
5

(b)
Equity and other non-debt securities
82

 
38

 

 
44

(b)
Total investment securities available-for-sale
10,938

 
2,765

 
8,124

 
49

 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
57

 

 
43

 
14

 
Energy derivative contracts
93

 

 
93

 

 
Foreign exchange contracts
42

 

 
42

 

 
Total derivative assets
192

 

 
178

 
14

 
Total assets at fair value
$
11,222

 
$
2,857

 
$
8,302

 
$
63

 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$
59

 
$

 
$
59

 
$

 
Energy derivative contracts
91

 

 
91

 

 
Foreign exchange contracts
40

 

 
40

 

 
Total derivative liabilities
190

 

 
190

 

 
Deferred compensation plan liabilities
92

 
92

 

 

 
Total liabilities at fair value
$
282

 
$
92

 
$
190

 
$

 
(a)
Issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.
(b)
Auction-rate securities.
There were no transfers of assets or liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis into or out of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) (Pretax)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance 
at
Beginning
of Period
 
 
 
Recorded in Earnings (b)
Recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (c)
 
 
 
Balance 
at
End of 
Period
 
 
Change in Classification (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales & Redemptions
 
(in millions)
 
 
Realized
Unrealized
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$

 
$
44

 
$

 
$

 
$
 
 
$
(44
)
 
$

Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and municipal securities (d)
5

 

 

 

 
 
 
(5
)
 

Equity and other non-debt securities (d)
44

 
(44
)
 

 

 
 
 

 

Total investment securities
available-for-sale
49

 
(44
)
 

 

 
 

(5
)
 

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
14

 

 

 
(5
)
 
 
 

 
9

Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and municipal securities (d)
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
5

Equity and other non-debt securities (d)
47

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
44

Total investment securities
available-for-sale
54

 

 

 

 
(2
)

(3
)
 
49

Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
11

 

 

 
3

 
 
 

 
14

(a)
Reflects the reclassification of equity securities resulting from the adoption of ASU 2016-01.
(b)
Realized and unrealized gains and losses due to changes in fair value recorded in other noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(c)
Recorded in net unrealized holding losses arising during the period in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
(d)
Auction-rate securities.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The Corporation may be required to record certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These include assets that are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, and were recognized at fair value since it was less than cost at the end of the period.
The following table presents assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017. No liabilities were recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(in millions)
Level 3
December 31, 2018
 
Loans:
 
Commercial
$
33

Commercial mortgage
2

Total assets at fair value
$
35

December 31, 2017
 
Loans:
 
Commercial
$
111

Commercial mortgage
5

Total assets at fair value
$
116

Level 3 assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017 included loans for which a specific allowance was established based on the fair value of collateral. The unobservable inputs were the additional adjustments applied by management to the appraised values to reflect such factors as non-current appraisals and revisions to estimated time to sell. These adjustments are determined based on qualitative judgments made by management on a case-by-case basis and are not quantifiable inputs, although they are used in the determination of fair value.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The Corporation typically holds the majority of its financial instruments until maturity and thus does not expect to realize many of the estimated fair value amounts disclosed. The disclosures also do not include estimated fair value amounts for items that are not defined as financial instruments, but which have significant value. These include such items as core deposit intangibles, the future earnings potential of significant customer relationships and the value of trust operations and other fee generating businesses. The Corporation believes the imprecision of an estimate could be significant.
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value in their entirety on a recurring basis on the Corporation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
(in millions)
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
1,390

 
$
1,390

 
$
1,390

 
$

 
$

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
3,171

 
3,171

 
3,171

 

 

Loans held-for-sale
3

 
3

 

 
3

 

Total loans, net of allowance for loan losses (a)
49,492

 
48,889

 

 

 
48,889

Customers’ liability on acceptances outstanding
4

 
4

 
4

 

 

Restricted equity investments
248

 
248

 
248

 

 

Nonmarketable equity securities (b)
6

 
11

 


 


 


Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits (noninterest-bearing)
28,690

 
28,690

 

 
28,690

 

Interest-bearing deposits
24,740

 
24,740

 

 
24,740

 

Customer certificates of deposit
2,131

 
2,100

 

 
2,100

 

Total deposits
55,561

 
55,530

 

 
55,530

 

Short-term borrowings
44

 
44

 
44

 

 

Acceptances outstanding
4

 
4

 
4

 

 

Medium- and long-term debt
6,463

 
6,436

 

 
6,436

 

Credit-related financial instruments
(57
)
 
(57
)
 

 

 
(57
)
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
1,438

 
$
1,438

 
$
1,438

 
$

 
$

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
4,407

 
4,407

 
4,407

 

 

Investment securities held-to-maturity
1,266

 
1,246

 

 
1,246

 

Loans held-for-sale
4

 
4

 

 
4

 

Total loans, net of allowance for loan losses (a)
48,461

 
48,153

 

 

 
48,153

Customers’ liability on acceptances outstanding
2

 
2

 
2

 

 

Restricted equity investments
207

 
207

 
207

 

 

Nonmarketable equity securities (b)
6

 
9

 

 

 

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits (noninterest-bearing)
32,071

 
32,071

 

 
32,071

 

Interest-bearing deposits
23,667

 
23,667

 

 
23,667

 

Customer certificates of deposit
2,165

 
2,142

 

 
2,142

 

Total deposits
57,903

 
57,880

 

 
57,880

 

Short-term borrowings
10

 
10

 
10

 

 

Acceptances outstanding
2

 
2

 
2

 

 

Medium- and long-term debt
4,622

 
4,636

 

 
4,636

 

Credit-related financial instruments
(67
)
 
(67
)
 

 

 
(67
)
(a)
Included $35 million and $116 million of impaired loans recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(b)
Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES
A summary of the Corporation’s investment securities follows:
(in millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
$
2,732

 
$
14

 
$
19

 
$
2,727

Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
9,493

 
22

 
197

 
9,318

Total investment securities available-for-sale
$
12,225

 
$
36

 
$
216

 
$
12,045

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
$
2,743

 
$

 
$
16

 
$
2,727

Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
8,230

 
22

 
128

 
8,124

State and municipal securities
5

 

 

 
5

Equity and other non-debt securities
83

 
1

 
2

 
82

Total investment securities available-for-sale (b)
$
11,061

 
$
23

 
$
146

 
$
10,938

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities held-to-maturity (c):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
$
1,266

 
$

 
$
20

 
$
1,246

(a)
Issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.
(b)
Included auction-rate securities at amortized cost and fair value of $51 million and $49 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.
(c)
The amortized cost of investment securities held-to-maturity included the net unrealized losses of $9 million at December 31, 2017 related to securities transferred from available-for-sale in 2014, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, cumulative unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity and other non-debt securities were reclassified to retained earnings and the carrying value was reclassified to other short-term investments. Additionally, the Corporation transferred residential mortgage-backed securities with a book value of approximately $1.3 billion from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale upon the adoption of ASU 2017-12. For additional information about the adoption of ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2017-12, refer to Note 1.
A summary of the Corporation’s investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 follows:
 
Temporarily Impaired
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or more
 
Total
(in millions)
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
$

 
$

 
$
1,457

 
$
19

 
 
$
1,457

 
$
19

 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
1,008

 
9

 
6,412

 
188

 
 
7,420

 
197

 
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
1,008

 
$
9

 
$
7,869


$
207

 
 
$
8,877

 
$
216

 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
$
2,727

 
$
16

 
$

 
$

 
 
$
2,727

 
$
16

 
Residential mortgage-backed securities (a)
3,845

 
32

 
4,003

 
125

 
 
7,848

 
157

 
State and municipal securities (b)

 

 
5

 

(c)
 
5

 

(c)
Equity and other non-debt securities (b)

 

 
44

 
2

 
 
44

 
2

 
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
6,572

 
$
48

 
$
4,052

 
$
127

 
 
$
10,624

 
$
175

 
(a)
Issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.
(b)
Primarily auction-rate securities.
(c)
Unrealized losses less than $0.5 million.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


At December 31, 2018, the Corporation had 375 securities in an unrealized loss position with no credit impairment, including 16 U.S. Treasury securities and 359 residential mortgage-backed securities. The unrealized losses for these securities resulted from changes in market interest rates and liquidity, not changes in credit quality. The Corporation ultimately expects full collection of the carrying amount of these securities, does not intend to sell the securities in an unrealized loss position, and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Corporation will be required to sell the securities in an unrealized loss position prior to recovery of amortized cost. The Corporation does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2018.
Sales, primarily from repositioning $1.3 billion of lower-yielding treasury securities, calls and write-downs of investment securities available-for-sale resulted in the following gains and losses recorded in net securities losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income, computed based on the adjusted cost of the specific security. There were no securities gains or losses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
(in millions)
 
Year Ended December 31
2018
Securities gains
$
2

Securities losses
(21
)
Net securities losses
$
(19
)
The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair values of debt securities by contractual maturity. Securities with multiple maturity dates are classified in the period of final maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
(in millions)
 
December 31, 2018
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Contractual maturity
 
 
 
Within one year
$
100

 
$
100

After one year through five years
2,647

 
2,642

After five years through ten years
1,522

 
1,502

After ten years
7,956

 
7,801

Total investment securities
$
12,225

 
$
12,045

Included in the contractual maturity distribution in the table above were residential mortgage-backed securities with a total amortized cost of $9.5 billion and a fair value of $9.3 billion. The actual cash flows of mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturity as the borrowers of the underlying loans may exercise prepayment options.
At December 31, 2018, investment securities with a carrying value of $396 million were pledged where permitted or required by law to secure $274 million of liabilities, primarily public and other deposits of state and local government agencies and derivative instruments.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 4 – CREDIT QUALITY AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The following table presents an aging analysis of the recorded balance of loans.
 
Loans Past Due and Still Accruing
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
30-59
Days
 
60-89 
Days
 
90 Days
or More
 
Total
 
Nonaccrual
Loans
 
Current
Loans
 
Total 
Loans
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
34

 
$
26

 
$
8

 
$
68

 
$
141

 
$
31,767

 
$
31,976

Real estate construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
6

 

 

 
6

 

 
2,681

 
2,687

Other business lines (b)
6

 

 

 
6

 

 
384

 
390

Total real estate construction
12

 

 

 
12

 

 
3,065

 
3,077

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
4

 

 

 
4

 
2

 
1,737

 
1,743

Other business lines (b)
32

 
5

 
8

 
45

 
18

 
7,300

 
7,363

Total commercial mortgage
36

 
5

 
8

 
49

 
20

 
9,037

 
9,106

Lease financing

 

 

 

 
2

 
505

 
507

International

 

 

 

 
3

 
1,010

 
1,013

Total business loans
82

 
31

 
16

 
129

 
166

 
45,384

 
45,679

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
11

 
3

 

 
14

 
36

 
1,920

 
1,970

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
4

 
1

 

 
5

 
19

 
1,741

 
1,765

Other consumer
1

 

 

 
1

 

 
748

 
749

Total consumer
5

 
1

 

 
6

 
19

 
2,489

 
2,514

Total retail loans
16

 
4

 

 
20

 
55

 
4,409

 
4,484

Total loans
$
98

 
$
35

 
$
16

 
$
149

 
$
221

 
$
49,793

 
$
50,163

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
79

 
$
134

 
$
12

 
$
225

 
$
309

 
$
30,526

 
$
31,060

Real estate construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
3

 

 

 
3

 

 
2,627

 
2,630

Other business lines (b)
4

 

 

 
4

 

 
327

 
331

Total real estate construction
7

 

 

 
7

 

 
2,954

 
2,961

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
14

 

 

 
14

 
9

 
1,808

 
1,831

Other business lines (b)
27

 
6

 
22

 
55

 
22

 
7,251

 
7,328

Total commercial mortgage
41

 
6

 
22

 
69

 
31

 
9,059

 
9,159

Lease financing

 

 

 

 
4

 
464

 
468

International
13

 

 

 
13

 
6

 
964

 
983

Total business loans
140

 
140

 
34

 
314

 
350

 
43,967

 
44,631

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
10

 
2

 

 
12

 
31

 
1,945

 
1,988

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
5

 
1

 

 
6

 
21

 
1,789

 
1,816

Other consumer
4

 

 
1

 
5

 

 
733

 
738

Total consumer
9

 
1

 
1

 
11

 
21

 
2,522

 
2,554

Total retail loans
19

 
3

 
1

 
23

 
52

 
4,467

 
4,542

Total loans
$
159

 
$
143

 
$
35

 
$
337

 
$
402

 
$
48,434

 
$
49,173

(a)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(b)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.

F-65

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table presents loans by credit quality indicator, based on internal risk ratings assigned to each business loan at the time of approval and subjected to subsequent reviews, generally at least annually, and to pools of retail loans with similar risk characteristics.
 
Internally Assigned Rating
 
 
(in millions)
Pass (a)
 
Special
Mention (b)
 
Substandard (c)
 
Nonaccrual (d)
 
Total
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
30,817

 
$
464

 
$
554

 
$
141

 
$
31,976

Real estate construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (e)
2,664

 
23

 

 

 
2,687

Other business lines (f)
382

 
8

 

 

 
390

Total real estate construction
3,046

 
31

 

 

 
3,077

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (e)
1,682

 
14

 
45

 
2

 
1,743

Other business lines (f)
7,157

 
118

 
70

 
18

 
7,363

Total commercial mortgage
8,839

 
132

 
115

 
20

 
9,106

Lease financing
500

 
3

 
2

 
2

 
507

International
996

 
4

 
10

 
3

 
1,013

Total business loans
44,198

 
634

 
681

 
166

 
45,679

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
1,931

 
3

 

 
36

 
1,970

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
1,738

 

 
8

 
19

 
1,765

Other consumer
748

 
1

 

 

 
749

Total consumer
2,486

 
1

 
8

 
19

 
2,514

Total retail loans
4,417

 
4

 
8

 
55

 
4,484

Total loans
$
48,615

 
$
638

 
$
689

 
$
221

 
$
50,163

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
29,263

 
$
591

 
$
897

 
$
309

 
$
31,060

Real estate construction:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (e)
2,630

 

 

 

 
2,630

Other business lines (f)
327

 
4

 

 

 
331

Total real estate construction
2,957

 
4

 

 

 
2,961

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (e)
1,759

 
20

 
43

 
9

 
1,831

Other business lines (f)
7,099

 
115

 
92

 
22

 
7,328

Total commercial mortgage
8,858

 
135

 
135

 
31

 
9,159

Lease financing
440

 
23

 
1

 
4

 
468

International
946

 
11

 
20

 
6

 
983

Total business loans
42,464

 
764

 
1,053

 
350

 
44,631

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
1,955

 
2

 

 
31

 
1,988

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
1,786

 
1

 
8

 
21

 
1,816

Other consumer
737

 
1

 

 

 
738

Total consumer
2,523

 
2

 
8

 
21

 
2,554

Total retail loans
4,478

 
4

 
8

 
52

 
4,542

Total loans
$
46,942

 
$
768

 
$
1,061

 
$
402

 
$
49,173

(a)
Includes all loans not included in the categories of special mention, substandard or nonaccrual.
(b)
Special mention loans are accruing loans that have potential credit weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention, such as loans to borrowers who may be experiencing financial difficulties that may result in deterioration of repayment prospects from the borrower at some future date. This category is generally consistent with the "special mention" category as defined by regulatory authorities.
(c)
Substandard loans are accruing loans that have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, such as loans to borrowers who may be experiencing losses from operations or inadequate liquidity of a degree and duration that jeopardizes the orderly repayment of the loan. Substandard loans also are distinguished by the distinct possibility of loss in the future if these weaknesses are not corrected. This category is generally consistent with the "substandard" category as defined by regulatory authorities.
(d)
Nonaccrual loans are loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued. For further information regarding nonaccrual loans, refer to the Nonperforming Assets subheading in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies. A significant majority of nonaccrual loans are generally consistent with the "substandard" category and the remainder are generally consistent with the "doubtful" category as defined by regulatory authorities.
(e)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(f)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.

F-66

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table summarizes nonperforming assets.
(in millions)
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Nonaccrual loans
$
221

 
$
402

Reduced-rate loans (a)
8

 
8

Total nonperforming loans
229

 
410

Foreclosed property (b)
1

 
5

Total nonperforming assets
$
230

 
$
415

(a)
There were no reduced-rate business loans at both December 31, 2018 and 2017. Reduced-rate retail loans were $8 million at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(b)
There were no foreclosed residential real estate properties at December 31, 2018 and $4 million at December 31, 2017.
There were $1 million of retail loans secured by residential real estate properties in process of foreclosure included in nonaccrual loans at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table details the changes in the allowance for loan losses and related loan amounts.
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
(in millions)
Business Loans
Retail Loans
 
Total
 
Business Loans
Retail Loans
 
Total
 
Business Loans
Retail Loans
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
661

$
51

 
$
712

 
$
682

$
48

 
$
730

 
$
579

$
55

 
$
634

Loan charge-offs
(99
)
(4
)
 
(103
)
 
(143
)
(6
)
 
(149
)
 
(207
)
(7
)
 
(214
)
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off
47

5

 
52

 
50

7

 
57

 
63

5

 
68

Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries
(52
)
1

 
(51
)
 
(93
)
1

 
(92
)
 
(144
)
(2
)
 
(146
)
Provision for loan losses
19

(8
)
 
11

 
71

2

 
73

 
246

(5
)
 
241

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(1
)

 
(1
)
 
1


 
1

 
1


 
1

Balance at end of period
$
627

$
44

 
$
671

 
$
661

$
51

 
$
712

 
$
682

$
48

 
$
730

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As a percentage of total loans
1.37
%
0.97
%
 
1.34
%
 
1.48
%
1.12
%
 
1.45
%
 
1.53
%
1.08
%
 
1.49
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
27

$

 
$
27

 
$
67

$

 
$
67

 
$
86

$
3

 
$
89

Collectively evaluated for impairment
600

44

 
644

 
594

51

 
645

 
596

45

 
641

Total allowance for loan losses
$
627

$
44

 
$
671

 
$
661

$
51

 
$
712

 
$
682

$
48

 
$
730

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
240

$
36

 
$
276

 
$
443

$
34

 
$
477

 
$
566

$
48

 
$
614

Collectively evaluated for impairment
45,439

4,448

 
49,887

 
44,188

4,508

 
48,696

 
44,058

4,416

 
48,474

Total loans evaluated for impairment
$
45,679

$
4,484

 
$
50,163

 
$
44,631

$
4,542

 
$
49,173

 
$
44,624

$
4,464

 
$
49,088



F-67

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Changes in the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are summarized in the following table.
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
42

 
$
41

 
$
45

Charge-offs on lending-related commitments (a)

 

 
(11
)
Provision for credit losses on lending-related commitments
(12
)
 
1

 
7

Balance at end of period
$
30

 
$
42

 
$
41

(a)    Charge-offs result from the sale of unfunded lending-related commitments.
Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans
The following table presents additional information regarding individually evaluated impaired loans.
 
Recorded Investment In:
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Impaired
Loans with
No Related
Allowance
 
Impaired
Loans with
Related
Allowance
 
Total
Impaired
Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
50

 
$
130

 
$
180

 
$
227

 
$
24

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
39

 

 
39

 
49

 

Other business lines (b)
2

 
16

 
18

 
23

 
3

Total commercial mortgage
41

 
16

 
57

 
72

 
3

International
2

 
1

 
3

 
8

 

Total business loans
93

 
147

 
240

 
307

 
27

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
16

 
8

 
24

 
25

 

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
11

 

 
11

 
13

 

Other consumer
1

 

 
1

 
1

 

Total consumer
12

 

 
12

 
14

 

Total retail loans (c)
28

 
8

 
36

 
39

 

Total individually evaluated impaired loans
$
121

 
$
155

 
$
276

 
$
346

 
$
27

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
105

 
$
267

 
$
372

 
$
460

 
$
63

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
39

 
1

 
40

 
49

 

Other business lines (b)
3

 
22

 
25

 
29

 
3

Total commercial mortgage
42

 
23

 
65

 
78

 
3

International

 
6

 
6

 
17

 
1

Total business loans
147

 
296

 
443

 
555

 
67

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
14

 
8

 
22

 
22

 

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
11

 

 
11

 
14

 

Other consumer
1

 

 
1

 
2

 

Total consumer
12

 

 
12

 
16

 

Total retail loans (c)
26

 
8

 
34

 
38

 

Total individually evaluated impaired loans
$
173

 
$
304

 
$
477

 
$
593

 
$
67

(a)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(b)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.
(c)
Individually evaluated retail loans generally have no related allowance for loan losses, primarily due to policy which results in direct write-downs of most restructured retail loans.

F-68

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table presents information regarding average individually evaluated impaired loans and the related interest recognized. Interest income recognized for the period primarily related to performing restructured loans.
 
Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
(in millions)
Average Balance for the Period
 
Interest Income Recognized for the Period
 
Average Balance for the Period
 
Interest Income Recognized for the Period
 
Average Balance for the Period
 
Interest Income Recognized for the Period
Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
262

 
$
5

 
$
451

 
$
8

 
$
550

 
$
10

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
40

 
4

 
21

 
2

 
9

 

Other business lines (b)
23

 

 
31

 

 
31

 
1

Total commercial mortgage
63

 
4

 
52

 
2

 
40

 
1

International
4

 

 
8

 

 
18

 

Total business loans
329

 
9

 
511

 
10

 
608

 
11

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
21

 

 
24

 

 
15

 

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity
11

 

 
13

 

 
13

 

Other consumer
1

 

 
3

 

 
4

 

Total consumer
12

 

 
16

 

 
17

 

Total retail loans
33

 

 
40

 

 
32

 

Total individually evaluated impaired loans
$
362

 
$
9

 
$
551

 
$
10

 
$
640

 
$
11

(a)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(b)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.

F-69

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Troubled Debt Restructurings
The following tables detail the recorded balance at December 31, 2018 and 2017 of loans considered to be TDRs that were restructured during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, by type of modification. In cases of loans with more than one type of modification, the loans were categorized based on the most significant modification.
 
2018
 
2017
 
Type of Modification
 
 
Type of Modification
 
(in millions)
Principal Deferrals (a)
Interest Rate Reductions
Total Modifications
 
Principal Deferrals (a)
Interest Rate Reductions
AB Note Restructures (b)
Total Modifications
Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
27

 
$

$
27

 
$
77

 
$
18

$
21

$
116

Commercial mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (c)

 


 
37

 


37

Other business lines (d)
2

 

2

 
3

 


3

Total commercial mortgage
2

 

2

 
40

 


40

International
1

 

1

 

 



Total business loans
30

 

30

 
117

 
18

21

156

Retail loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity (e)

 
3

3

 
1

 
2


3

Total loans
$
30

 
$
3

$
33

 
$
118

 
$
20

$
21

$
159

(a)
Primarily represents loan balances where terms were extended 90 days or more at or above contractual interest rates.
(b)
Loan restructurings whereby the original loan is restructured into two notes: an "A" note, which generally reflects the portion of the modified loan which is expected to be collected; and a "B" note, which is fully charged off.
(c)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(d)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.
(e)
Includes bankruptcy loans for which the court has discharged the borrower's obligation and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose terms have been modified in TDRs totaled $20 million and $31 million, respectively.
The majority of the modifications considered to be TDRs that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were principal deferrals. The Corporation charges interest on principal balances outstanding during deferral periods. Additionally, none of the modifications involved forgiveness of principal. As a result, the current and future financial effects of the recorded balance of loans considered to be TDRs that were restructured during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were insignificant.
On an ongoing basis, the Corporation monitors the performance of modified loans to their restructured terms. The allowance for loan losses continues to be reassessed on the basis of an individual evaluation of the loan.
For principal deferrals, incremental deterioration in the credit quality of the loan, represented by a downgrade in the risk rating of the loan, for example, due to missed interest payments or a reduction of collateral value, is considered a subsequent default. For interest rate reductions and AB note restructures, a subsequent payment default is defined in terms of delinquency, when a principal or interest payment is 90 days past due. There were no subsequent defaults of principal deferrals during the year ended December 31, 2018 and $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. There were no subsequent payment defaults of interest rate reductions or AB note restructures during the December 31, 2018 and 2017.
NOTE 5 - SIGNIFICANT GROUP CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
Concentrations of credit risk may exist when a number of borrowers are engaged in similar activities, or activities in the same geographic region, and have similar economic characteristics that would cause them to be similarly impacted by changes in economic or other conditions. Concentrations of both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet credit risk are controlled and monitored as part of credit policies. The Corporation is a regional financial services holding company with a geographic concentration of its on-balance-sheet and off-balance-sheet activities in Michigan, California and Texas.
As outlined below, the Corporation has a concentration of credit risk with the automotive industry. Loans to automotive dealers and to borrowers involved with automotive production are reported as automotive, as management believes these loans have similar economic characteristics that might cause them to react similarly to changes in economic conditions. This aggregation

F-70

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


involves the exercise of judgment. Included in automotive production are: (a) original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers that produce components used in vehicles and whose primary revenue source is automotive-related (“primary” defined as greater than 50%) and (b) other manufacturers that produce components used in vehicles and whose primary revenue source is automotive-related. Loans less than $1 million and loans recorded in the Small Business loan portfolio were excluded from the definition. Outstanding loans, included in commercial loans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and total exposure (outstanding loans, unused commitments and standby letters of credit) to companies related to the automotive industry were as follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Automotive loans:
 
 
 
Production
$
1,331

 
$
1,344

Dealer
8,097

 
7,592

Total automotive loans
$
9,428

 
$
8,936

Total automotive exposure:
 
 
 
Production
$
2,396

 
$
2,439

Dealer
10,044

 
9,405

Total automotive exposure
$
12,440

 
$
11,844

Further, the Corporation’s portfolio of commercial real estate loans, which includes real estate construction and commercial mortgage loans, was as follows.
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Real estate construction loans:
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
$
2,687

 
$
2,630

Other business lines (b)
390

 
331

Total real estate construction loans
3,077

 
2,961

Commercial mortgage loans:
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate business line (a)
1,743

 
1,831

Other business lines (b)
7,363

 
7,328

Total commercial mortgage loans
9,106

 
9,159

Total commercial real estate loans
$
12,183

 
$
12,120

Total unused commitments on commercial real estate loans
$
3,146

 
$
3,018

(a)
Primarily loans to real estate developers.
(b)
Primarily loans secured by owner-occupied real estate.
NOTE 6 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of premises and equipment by major category follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Land
$
85

 
$
85

Buildings and improvements
842

 
813

Furniture and equipment
492

 
484

Total cost
1,419

 
1,382

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(944
)
 
(916
)
Net book value
$
475

 
$
466

The Corporation conducts a portion of its business from leased facilities and leases certain equipment. Rental expense for leased properties and equipment amounted to $75 million, $78 million and $80 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
As of December 31, 2018, future minimum rental payments under operating leases were as follows:
(in millions)
 
Years Ending December 31
  
2019
$
67

2020
59

2021
50

2022
40

2023
34

Thereafter
127

Total
$
377

NOTE 7 - GOODWILL AND CORE DEPOSIT INTANGIBLES
The following table summarizes the carrying value of goodwill by reporting unit for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Business Bank
$
473

 
$
380

Retail Bank
101

 
194

Wealth Management
61

 
61

Total
$
635

 
$
635

The Corporation performs its annual evaluation of goodwill impairment in the third quarter of each year and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances between annual tests indicate goodwill might be impaired. In 2018 and 2017, the annual test of goodwill impairment was performed as of the beginning of the third quarter. In 2018, a qualitative assessment was performed resulting in the Corporation determining goodwill was not impaired as it was more likely than not the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. In 2017, a quantitative assessment was performed and the estimated fair values of all reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts, including goodwill, indicating goodwill was not impaired.
During 2018 the Corporation reorganized certain reporting structures. As a result, Small Business, formerly a component of the Retail Bank, became a component of the Business Bank. Accordingly, the Corporation reallocated $93 million of goodwill from the Retail Bank to the Business Bank. The Corporation subsequently performed an additional qualitative impairment analysis and again determined that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and that performing a quantitative impairment test was not necessary. There have been no events since the annual test performed in the third quarter 2018 that would indicate that it was more-likely-than-not that goodwill had become impaired.
A summary of core deposit intangible carrying value and related accumulated amortization follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Gross carrying amount
$
34

 
$
34

Accumulated amortization
(30
)
 
(28
)
Net carrying amount
$
4

 
$
6

The Corporation recorded amortization expense related to the core deposit intangible of $2 million for both the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. At December 31, 2018, estimated future amortization expense was as follows:
(in millions)
 
Years Ending December 31
 
2019
$
2

2020
1

2021
1

Total
$
4

NOTE 8 - DERIVATIVE AND CREDIT-RELATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In the normal course of business, the Corporation enters into various transactions involving derivative and credit-related financial instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rate, foreign currency and other market risks and to meet the financing needs of customers (customer-initiated derivatives). These financial instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. Market and credit risk are included in the determination of fair value.
Market risk is the potential loss that may result from movements in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or energy commodity prices that cause an unfavorable change in the value of a financial instrument. The Corporation manages this risk by establishing monetary exposure limits and monitoring compliance with those limits. Market risk inherent in interest rate and energy contracts entered into on behalf of customers is mitigated by taking offsetting positions, except in those circumstances when the amount, tenor and/or contract rate level results in negligible economic risk, whereby the cost of purchasing an offsetting contract is not economically justifiable. The Corporation mitigates most of the inherent market risk in foreign exchange contracts entered into on behalf of customers by taking offsetting positions and manages the remainder through individual foreign currency position limits and aggregate value-at-risk limits. These limits are established annually and positions are monitored quarterly.

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Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Market risk inherent in derivative instruments held or issued for risk management purposes is typically offset by changes in the fair value of the assets or liabilities being hedged.
Credit risk is the possible loss that may occur in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to a financial instrument. The Corporation attempts to minimize credit risk arising from customer-initiated derivatives by evaluating the creditworthiness of each customer, adhering to the same credit approval process used for traditional lending activities and obtaining collateral as deemed necessary. Derivatives with dealer counterparties are either cleared through a clearinghouse or settled directly with a single counterparty. For derivatives settled directly with dealer counterparties, the Corporation utilizes counterparty risk limits and monitoring procedures, as well as master netting arrangements and bilateral collateral agreements to facilitate the management of credit risk. Master netting arrangements effectively reduce credit risk by permitting settlement of positive and negative positions and offset cash collateral held with the same counterparty on a net basis. Bilateral collateral agreements require daily exchange of cash or highly rated securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or other U.S. government entities to collateralize amounts due to either party. At December 31, 2018, counterparties with bilateral collateral agreements had pledged $1 million of marketable investment securities and deposited $180 million of cash with the Corporation to secure the fair value of contracts in an unrealized gain position, and the Corporation had posted $2 million of cash as collateral for contracts in an unrealized loss position. For those counterparties not covered under bilateral collateral agreements, collateral is obtained, if deemed necessary, based on the results of management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral varies, but may include cash, investment securities, accounts receivable, equipment or real estate. Included in the fair value of derivative instruments are credit valuation adjustments reflecting counterparty credit risk. These adjustments are determined by applying a credit spread for the counterparty or the Corporation, as appropriate, to the total expected exposure of the derivative. There were no derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position at December 31, 2018.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative instruments utilized by the Corporation are negotiated over-the-counter and primarily include swaps, caps and floors, forward contracts and options, each of which may relate to interest rates, energy commodity prices or foreign currency exchange rates. Swaps are agreements in which two parties periodically exchange cash payments based on specified indices applied to a specified notional amount until a stated maturity. Caps and floors are agreements which entitle the buyer to receive cash payments based on the difference between a specified reference rate or price and an agreed strike rate or price, applied to a specified notional amount until a stated maturity. Forward contracts are over-the-counter agreements to buy or sell an asset at a specified future date and price. Options are similar to forward contracts except the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the asset during a specified period or at a specified future date.
Over-the-counter contracts are tailored to meet the needs of the counterparties involved and, therefore, contain a greater degree of credit risk and liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts, which have standardized terms and readily available price information. The Corporation reduces exposure to market and liquidity risks from over-the-counter derivative instruments entered into for risk management purposes, and transactions entered into to mitigate the market risk associated with customer-initiated transactions, by conducting hedging transactions with investment grade domestic and foreign financial institutions and subjecting counterparties to credit approvals, limits and collateral monitoring procedures similar to those used in making other extensions of credit. In addition, certain derivative contracts executed bilaterally with a dealer counterparty in the over-the-counter market are cleared through a clearinghouse, whereby the clearinghouse becomes the counterparty to the transaction.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table presents the composition of the Corporation’s derivative instruments held or issued for risk management purposes or in connection with customer-initiated and other activities at December 31, 2018 and 2017. The table excludes commitments and warrants accounted for as derivatives.
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
(in millions)
Notional/
Contract
Amount (a)
 
Gross Derivative Assets
 
Gross Derivative Liabilities
 
Notional/
Contract
Amount (a)
 
Gross Derivative Assets
 
Gross Derivative Liabilities
Risk management purposes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps - fair value - receive fixed/pay floating
$
2,625

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
1,775

 
$

 
$
2

Derivatives used as economic hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spot, forwards and swaps
302

 
1

 
1

 
650

 

 
2

Total risk management purposes
2,927

 
1

 
3

 
2,425

 

 
4

Customer-initiated and other activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Caps and floors written
885

 

 
1

 
635

 

 

Caps and floors purchased
885

 
1

 

 
635

 

 

Swaps
13,115

 
66

 
67

 
13,119

 
57

 
57

Total interest rate contracts
14,885

 
67

 
68

 
14,389

 
57

 
57

Energy contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Caps and floors written
278

 

 
26

 
164

 

 
11

Caps and floors purchased
278

 
26

 

 
164

 
11

 

Swaps
2,094

 
163

 
160

 
1,519

 
82

 
80

Total energy contracts
2,650

 
189

 
186

 
1,847

 
93

 
91

Foreign exchange contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Spot, forwards, options and swaps
1,095

 
18

 
12

 
1,884

 
42

 
38

Total customer-initiated and other activities
18,630

 
274

 
266

 
18,120

 
192

 
186

Total gross derivatives
$
21,557

 
275

 
269

 
$
20,545

 
192

 
190

Amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Netting adjustment - Offsetting derivative assets/liabilities
 
 
(45
)
 
(45
)
 
 
 
(49
)
 
(49
)
Netting adjustment - Cash collateral received/posted
 
 
(174
)
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
(39
)
Net derivatives included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (b)

 
56

 
223

 



142

 
102

Amounts not offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketable securities pledged under bilateral collateral agreements
 
 
(1
)
 

 
 
 
(3
)
 
(24
)
Net derivatives after deducting amounts not offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets


 
$
55

 
$
223

 


 
$
139

 
$
78

(a)
Notional or contractual amounts, which represent the extent of involvement in the derivatives market, are used to determine the contractual cash flows required in accordance with the terms of the agreement. These amounts are typically not exchanged, significantly exceed amounts subject to credit or market risk and are not reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(b) Net derivative assets are included in accrued income and other assets and net derivative liabilities are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in the fair value of net derivative assets and net derivative liabilities are credit valuation adjustments reflecting counterparty credit risk and credit risk of the Corporation. The fair value of net derivative assets included credit valuation adjustments for counterparty credit risk of $2 million and $4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Risk Management
The Corporation's derivative instruments used for managing interest rate risk currently comprise swaps converting fixed rate long-term debt to variable rates.
The following table details the effects of fair value hedging on the Consolidated Statements of Income.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


(in millions)
Interest on Medium- and Long-Term Debt
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
Total interest on medium-and long-term debt (a)
$
144

 
$
76

 
 
 
 
Fair value hedging relationships:
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
Hedged items
74

 
79

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
(7
)
 
(32
)
(a)
Includes the effects of hedging.
The following table summarizes the expected weighted average remaining maturity of the notional amount of risk management interest rate swaps, the carrying amount of the related hedged item and the weighted average interest rates associated with amounts expected to be received or paid on interest rate swap agreements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
(dollar amounts in millions)
Derivative Notional
Amount
 
Carrying Value of Hedged Items (a)
 
Remaining
Maturity
(in years)
 
Receive Rate
 
Pay Rate (b)
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps - fair value - receive fixed/pay floating rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium- and long-term debt designation
$
2,625

 
$
2,663

 
3.9
 
3.40
%
 
3.45
%
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaps - fair value - receive fixed/pay floating rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium- and long-term debt designation
1,775

 
1,822

 
4.6
 
3.26

 
2.35

(a)
Included $49 million and $56 million of cumulative hedging adjustments at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which
included $8 million and $9 million, respectively, of hedging adjustment on a discontinued hedging relationship.
(b)
Variable rates paid on receive fixed swaps are based on one- and six-month LIBOR rates in effect at December 31, 2018 and six-month LIBOR rates in effect at December 31, 2017.
Foreign exchange rate risk arises from changes in the value of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The Corporation employs spot and forward contracts in addition to swap contracts to manage exposure to these and other risks. These instruments are used as economic hedges and net gains or losses are included in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Customer-Initiated and Other
The Corporation enters into derivative transactions at the request of customers and generally takes offsetting positions with dealer counterparties to mitigate the inherent market risk. Income primarily results from the spread between the customer derivative and the offsetting dealer position.
For customer-initiated foreign exchange contracts where offsetting positions have not been taken, the Corporation manages the remaining inherent market risk through individual foreign currency position limits and aggregate value-at-risk limits. These limits are established annually and reviewed quarterly. For those customer-initiated derivative contracts which were not offset or where the Corporation holds a position within the limits described above, the Corporation recognized no net gains and losses in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Fair values of customer-initiated and other derivative instruments represent the net unrealized gains or losses on such contracts and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in fair value are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The net gains recognized in income on customer-initiated derivative instruments, net of the impact of offsetting positions, were as follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
Location of Gain
2018
 
2017
Interest rate contracts
 
Other noninterest income
$
26

 
$
24

Energy contracts
 
Other noninterest income
4

 
2

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Foreign exchange income
47

 
45

Total
 
 
$
77

 
$
71



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Credit-Related Financial Instruments
The Corporation issues off-balance sheet financial instruments in connection with commercial and consumer lending activities. The Corporation’s credit risk associated with these instruments is represented by the contractual amounts indicated in the following table.
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Unused commitments to extend credit:
 
 
 
Commercial and other
$
24,266

 
$
22,636

Bankcard, revolving check credit and home equity loan commitments
3,001

 
2,833

Total unused commitments to extend credit
$
27,267

 
$
25,469

Standby letters of credit
$
3,244

 
$
3,228

Commercial letters of credit
39

 
39

The Corporation maintains an allowance to cover probable credit losses inherent in lending-related commitments, including unused commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and financial guarantees. The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $30 million and $42 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively.
Unused Commitments to Extend Credit
Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to a customer, provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many commitments expire without being drawn upon, the total contractual amount of commitments does not necessarily represent future cash requirements of the Corporation. Commercial and other unused commitments are primarily variable rate commitments. The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments included $24 million and $27 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for probable credit losses inherent in the Corporation’s unused commitments to extend credit.
Standby and Commercial Letters of Credit
Standby letters of credit represent conditional obligations of the Corporation which guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing and similar transactions. Commercial letters of credit are issued to finance foreign or domestic trade transactions. These contracts expire in decreasing amounts through the year 2028. The Corporation may enter into participation arrangements with third parties that effectively reduce the maximum amount of future payments which may be required under standby and commercial letters of credit. These risk participations covered $136 million and $127 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of the $3.3 billion of standby and commercial letters of credit outstanding at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
The carrying value of the Corporation’s standby and commercial letters of credit, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $34 million at December 31, 2018, including $28 million in deferred fees and $6 million in the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments. At December 31, 2017, the comparable amounts were $40 million, $25 million and $15 million, respectively.
The following table presents a summary of criticized standby and commercial letters of credit at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The Corporation's criticized list is consistent with the Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful categories defined by regulatory authorities. The Corporation manages credit risk through underwriting, periodically reviewing and approving its credit exposures using Board committee approved credit policies and guidelines.
(dollar amounts in millions)
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Total criticized standby and commercial letters of credit
$
49

 
$
88

As a percentage of total outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit
1.5
%
 
2.7
%
Other Credit-Related Financial Instruments
The Corporation enters into credit risk participation agreements, under which the Corporation assumes credit exposure associated with a borrower’s performance related to certain interest rate derivative contracts. The Corporation is not a party to the interest rate derivative contracts and only enters into these credit risk participation agreements in instances in which the Corporation is also a party to the related loan participation agreement for such borrowers. The Corporation manages its credit risk on the credit risk participation agreements by monitoring the creditworthiness of the borrowers, which is based on the normal credit review process had it entered into the derivative instruments directly with the borrower. The notional amount of such credit risk participation


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


agreement reflects the pro-rata share of the derivative instrument, consistent with its share of the related participated loan. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the total notional amount of the credit risk participation agreements was approximately $703 million and $549 million, respectively, and the fair value was insignificant for both periods. The maximum estimated exposure to these agreements, as measured by projecting a maximum value of the guaranteed derivative instruments, assuming 100 percent default by all obligors on the maximum values, was $7 million and insignificant at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In the event of default, the lead bank has the ability to liquidate the assets of the borrower, in which case the lead bank would be required to return a percentage of the recouped assets to the participating banks. As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average remaining maturity of outstanding credit risk participation agreements was 3.5 years.
NOTE 9 - VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (VIEs)
The Corporation evaluates its interest in certain entities to determine if these entities meet the definition of a VIE and whether the Corporation is the primary beneficiary and should consolidate the entity based on the variable interests it held both at inception and when there is a change in circumstances that requires a reconsideration.
The Corporation holds ownership interests in funds in the form of limited partnerships or limited liability companies (LLCs) investing in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC). The Corporation also directly invests in limited partnerships and LLCs which invest in community development projects which generate similar tax credits to investors (other tax credit entities). As an investor, the Corporation obtains income tax credits and deductions from the operating losses of these tax credit entities. These tax credit entities meet the definition of a VIE; however, the Corporation is not the primary beneficiary of the entities, as the general partner or the managing member has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities.
The Corporation accounts for its interests in LIHTC entities using the proportional amortization method. Exposure to loss as a result of the Corporation’s involvement with LIHTC entities at December 31, 2018 was limited to $425 million. Ownership interests in other tax credit entities are accounted for under either the cost or equity method. Exposure to loss as a result of the Corporation's involvement in other tax credit entities at December 31, 2018 was limited to $6 million.
Investment balances, including all legally binding commitments to fund future investments, are included in accrued income and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A liability is recognized in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all legally binding unfunded commitments to fund tax credit entities ($165 million at December 31, 2018). Amortization and other write-downs of LIHTC investments are presented on a net basis as a component of the provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income, while amortization and write-downs of other tax credit investments are recorded in other noninterest income. The income tax credits and deductions are recorded as a reduction of income tax expense and a reduction of federal income taxes payable.
The Corporation provided no financial or other support that was not contractually required to any of the above VIEs during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
The following table summarizes the impact of these tax credit entities on line items on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
(in millions)
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Other noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Sales (amortization) of other tax credit investments
$
5

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
Provision for income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of LIHTC Investments
65

 
67

 
66

Low income housing tax credits
(62
)
 
(63
)
 
(62
)
Other tax benefits related to tax credit entities
(14
)
 
(24
)
 
(26
)
Total provision for income taxes
$
(11
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
(22
)
For further information on the Corporation’s consolidation policy, see Note 1.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 10 - DEPOSITS
At December 31, 2018, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit and other deposits with a stated maturity were as follows:
(in millions)
 
Years Ending December 31
  
2019
$
1,614

2020
434

2021
38

2022
17

2023
11

Thereafter
25

Total
$
2,139

A maturity distribution of domestic certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Three months or less
$
363

 
$
355

Over three months to six months
146

 
207

Over six months to twelve months
278

 
319

Over twelve months
297

 
130

Total
$
1,084

 
$
1,011

The aggregate amount of domestic certificates of deposit that meet or exceed the current FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 was $543 million and $462 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. All foreign office time deposits of $8 million and $15 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were in denominations of $250,000 or more.
NOTE 11 - SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date. Other short-term borrowings, which may consist of borrowed securities and short-term notes, generally mature within one to 120 days from the transaction date.
At December 31, 2018, Comerica Bank (the Bank), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, had pledged loans totaling $22.8 billion which provided for up to $18.9 billion of available collateralized borrowing with the FRB.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table provides a summary of short-term borrowings.
(dollar amounts in millions)
Federal Funds Purchased
and Securities Sold Under
Agreements to Repurchase
 
Other
Short-term
Borrowings
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
Amount outstanding at year-end
$
44

 
$

Weighted average interest rate at year-end
2.39
%
 
%
Maximum month-end balance during the year
$
182

 
$
250

Average balance outstanding during the year
59

 
3

Weighted average interest rate during the year
1.91
%
 
1.75
%
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Amount outstanding at year-end
$
10

 
$

Weighted average interest rate at year-end
1.43
%
 
%
Maximum month-end balance during the year
$
41

 
$
1,024

Average balance outstanding during the year
20

 
257

Weighted average interest rate during the year
1.02
%
 
1.15
%
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Amount outstanding at year-end
$
25

 
$

Weighted average interest rate at year-end
0.54
%
 
%
Maximum month-end balance during the year
$
25

 
$
501

Average balance outstanding during the year
15

 
123

Weighted average interest rate during the year
0.47
%
 
0.45
%
NOTE 12 - MEDIUM- AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Medium- and long-term debt is summarized as follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Parent company
 
 
 
Subordinated notes:
 
 
 
3.80% subordinated notes due 2026 (a)
$
250

 
$
255

Medium-term notes:

 
 
2.125% notes due 2019 (a)
348

 
347

3.70% notes due 2023 (a)
861

 

Total medium-term notes
1,209

 
347

Total parent company
1,459

 
602

Subsidiaries
 
 
 
Subordinated notes:
 
 
 
4.00% subordinated notes due 2025 (a)
343

 
347

7.875% subordinated notes due 2026 (a)
198

 
208

Total subordinated notes
541

 
555

Medium-term notes:
 
 
 
2.50% notes due 2020 (a)
663

 
665

FHLB advances:
 
 
 
Floating-rate based on FHLB auction rate due 2026
2,800

 
2,800

Floating-rate based on FHLB auction rate due 2028
1,000

 

Total FHLB advances
3,800

 
2,800

Total subsidiaries
5,004

 
4,020

Total medium- and long-term debt
$
6,463

 
$
4,622

(a)
The fixed interest rates on these notes have been swapped to a variable rate and designated in a hedging relationship. Accordingly, carrying value has been adjusted to reflect the change in the fair value of the debt as a result of changes in the benchmark rate.
Subordinated notes with remaining maturities greater than one year qualify as Tier 2 capital.
The Bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides short- and long-term funding to its members through advances collateralized by real-estate related assets. In the first quarter 2018, the Bank borrowed an additional $1 billion of 10-year, floating-rate FHLB advances due January 26, 2028. The interest rate on the FHLB advances resets between four and eight weeks, based

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


on the FHLB auction rate. At December 31, 2018, the weighted-average rate on the FHLB advances was 2.55%. Each note may be prepaid in full, without penalty, at each scheduled reset date. Borrowing capacity is contingent upon the amount of collateral available to be pledged to the FHLB. At December 31, 2018, $15.7 billion of real estate-related loans were pledged to the FHLB as blanket collateral for current and potential future borrowings of approximately $5.0 billion.
In the third quarter 2018, the Corporation issued $850 million of 3.70% senior notes maturing in 2023, swapped to a floating rate at 30-day LIBOR plus 80 basis points.
Unamortized debt issuance costs deducted from the carrying amount of medium- and long-term debt totaled $8 million and $5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
At December 31, 2018, the principal maturities of medium- and long-term debt were as follows:
(in millions)
 
Years Ending December 31
  
2019
$
350

2020
675

2021

2022

2023
850

Thereafter
4,550

Total
$
6,425

NOTE 13 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On July 6, 2018, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued a statement announcing that, consistent with the recently enacted Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (EGRRCPA), bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total assets are no longer subject to certain regulations and reporting requirements, such as Dodd-Frank Act stress testing and the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, effective immediately.
Repurchases of common stock under the equity repurchase program authorized in 2010 by the Board of Directors of the Corporation totaled 14.8 million shares at an average price paid of $89.21 in 2018, 7.3 million shares at an average price paid of $72.44 per share in 2017 and 6.6 million shares at an average price paid of $46.09 per share in 2016. There is no expiration date for the Corporation's equity repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Corporation repurchased $1.3 billion under the equity repurchase program.
At December 31, 2018, the Corporation had no outstanding warrants as all remaining warrants to purchase common stock expired during the fourth quarter of 2018. Approximately 585,000, 1.8 million and 2.3 million shares of common stock were issued upon exercise of warrants in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
At December 31, 2018, the Corporation had 4.0 million shares of common stock reserved for stock option exercises and restricted stock unit vesting and 869,000 shares of restricted stock outstanding to employees and directors under share-based compensation plans.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 14 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The following table presents a reconciliation of the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and details the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, including the amount of income tax expense (benefit) allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss).
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Accumulated net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
$
(101
)
 
$
(33
)
 
$
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
1

 

 

Net unrealized holding losses arising during the period
(69
)
 
(81
)
 
(70
)
Less: Benefit for income taxes
(16
)
 
(27
)
 
(26
)
Net unrealized holding losses arising during the period, net of tax
(53
)

(54
)

(44
)
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized losses included in net securities losses
(20
)
 

 

Less: Benefit for income taxes
(5
)
 

 

Reclassification adjustment for net securities losses included in net income, net of tax
(15
)
 

 

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Net losses realized as a yield adjustment in interest on investment securities

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Less: Benefit for income taxes

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses realized as a yield adjustment included in net income, net of tax

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Change in net unrealized losses on investment securities, net of tax
(38
)
 
(52
)
 
(42
)
Reclassification of certain deferred tax effects (a)

 
(16
)
 

Balance at end of period, net of tax
$
(138
)
 
$
(101
)
 
$
(33
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans adjustment:
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
$
(350
)
 
$
(350
)
 
$
(438
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actuarial (loss) gain arising during the period
(191
)
 
72

 
(134
)
Prior service credit arising during the period

 

 
234

Net defined benefit pension and other postretirement adjustment arising during the period
(191
)
 
72

 
100

Less: (Benefit) provision for income taxes
(44
)
 
17

 
37

Net defined benefit pension and other postretirement adjustment arising during the period, net of tax
(147
)

55


63

Amounts recognized in other noninterest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of actuarial net loss
61

 
51

 
46

Amortization of prior service credit
(27
)
 
(27
)
 
(7
)
Total amounts recognized in other noninterest expense
34

 
24

 
39

Less: Provision for income taxes
8

 
8

 
14

Adjustment for amounts recognized as other components of net benefit cost during the period, net of tax
26

 
16

 
25

Change in defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans adjustment, net of tax
(121
)
 
71

 
88

Reclassification of certain deferred tax effects (a)


 
(71
)
 

Balance at end of period, net of tax
$
(471
)
 
$
(350
)
 
$
(350
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period, net of tax
$
(609
)
 
$
(451
)
 
$
(383
)
(a)
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings due to early adoption of ASU 2018-02. For further information, refer to Note 1.
NOTE 15 - NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic and diluted net income per common share are presented in the following table.
(in millions, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Basic and diluted
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,235

 
$
743

 
$
477

Less: Income allocated to participating securities
8

 
5

 
4

Net income attributable to common shares
$
1,227

 
$
738

 
$
473

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic average common shares
168

 
174

 
172

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per common share
$
7.31

 
$
4.23

 
$
2.74

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic average common shares
168

 
174

 
172

Dilutive common stock equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
Net effect of the assumed exercise of stock options
2

 
3

 
2

Net effect of the assumed exercise of warrants
1

 
1

 
3

Diluted average common shares
171

 
178

 
177

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per common share
$
7.20

 
$
4.14

 
$
2.68

The following average shares related to outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share because the options were anti-dilutive for the period. There were no anti-dilutive options for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(shares in millions)
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2016
Average outstanding options
0.2
 
3.3
Range of exercise prices
$95.25
 
$37.26 - $59.86
NOTE 16 - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Share-based compensation expense is charged to salaries and benefits expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The components of share-based compensation expense for all share-based compensation plans and related tax benefits are as follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Total share-based compensation expense
$
48

 
$
39

 
$
34

Related tax benefits recognized in net income
$
11

 
$
14

 
$
13

The following table summarizes unrecognized compensation expense for all share-based plans.
(dollar amounts in millions)
December 31, 2018
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense
$
40

Weighted-average expected recognition period (in years)
2.5

The Corporation has share-based compensation plans under which it awards shares of restricted stock units to executive officers, directors and key personnel, and stock options to executive officers and key personnel of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Additionally, the Corporation has awarded restricted stock and restricted stock units to executive officers, directors and key personnel under previous share-based compensation plans that remain unvested. Restricted stock and restricted stock units fully vest after a period ranging from three years to five years, and stock options fully vest after four years. The maturity of each option is determined at the date of grant; however, no options may be exercised later than ten years from the date of grant. The options may have restrictions regarding exercisability. The plans provide for a grant of up to 6.1 million common shares, plus shares under certain plans that are forfeited, expire or are canceled, which become available for re-grant. At December 31, 2018, over 6 million shares were available for grant.

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Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The Corporation used a binomial model to value stock options granted in the periods presented. Option valuation models require several inputs, including the expected stock price volatility, and changes in input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates. The model used may not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of stock options. The risk-free interest rate assumption used in the binomial option-pricing model as outlined in the table below was based on the federal ten-year treasury interest rate. The expected dividend yield was based on the historical and projected long-term dividend yield patterns of the Corporation’s common shares. Expected volatility assumptions considered both the historical volatility of the Corporation’s common stock over a ten-year period and implied volatility based on actively traded options on the Corporation’s common stock with pricing terms and trade dates similar to the stock options granted. Expected option life was based on historical exercise activity over the contractual term of the option grant (10 years), excluding certain forced transactions.
The estimated weighted-average grant-date fair value per option and the underlying binomial option-pricing model assumptions are summarized in the following table:
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per option
$
30.32

 
$
19.61

 
$
9.94

Weighted-average assumptions:
 
 
 
 
 
 Risk-free interest rates
2.63
%
 
2.47
%
 
2.01
%
 Expected dividend yield
3.00

 
3.00

 
3.00

Expected volatility factors of the market price of
   Comerica common stock
36

 
34

 
38

Expected option life (in years)
7.4

 
7.0

 
6.9

A summary of the Corporation’s stock option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2018 follows:
 
 
 
Weighted-Average
 
 
  
Number of
Options
(in thousands)
 
Exercise Price
per Share
 
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)
Outstanding-January 1, 2018
4,173

 
$
40.06

 
 
 
 
Granted
196

 
95.25

 
 
 
 
Forfeited or expired
(24
)
 
49.75

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(1,402
)
 
37.86

 
 
 
 
Outstanding-December 31, 2018
2,943

 
44.70

 
5.6

 
$
76

Exercisable-December 31, 2018
1,707

 
$
38.62

 
4.3

 
$
51

The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options shown in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value at December 31, 2018, based on the Corporation’s closing stock price of $68.69 at December 31, 2018.
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $81 million, $104 million and $46 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
A summary of the Corporation’s restricted stock activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2018 follows:
 
Number of
Shares
(in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair 
Value per Share
Outstanding-January 1, 2018
1,243

 
$
43.59

Forfeited
(44
)
 
44.05

Vested
(330
)
 
41.55

Outstanding-December 31, 2018
869

 
$
44.34

The total fair value of restricted stock awards that fully vested was $14 million, $19 million and $22 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
A summary of the Corporation's restricted stock unit activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2018 follows:

F-81

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


 
Service-Based Units
 
Performance-Based Units
 
Number of
Units
(in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair 
Value per Share
 
Number of
Units
(in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair 
Value per Share
Outstanding-January 1, 2018
199

 
$
43.00

 
718

 
$
42.39

Granted
194

 
96.55

 
184

 
92.80

Forfeited
(26
)
 
86.54

 
(1
)
 
93.26

Vested

 

 
(239
)
 
41.59

Outstanding-December 31, 2018
367

 
68.14

 
662

 
56.64

The total fair value of restricted stock units that fully vested was $10 million, $10 million and $11 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Corporation expects to satisfy the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock units and future grants of restricted stock by issuing shares of common stock out of treasury. At December 31, 2018, the Corporation held 68.1 million shares in treasury.
For further information on the Corporation’s share-based compensation plans, refer to Note 1.
NOTE 17 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Corporation has a qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plan. Prior to January 1, 2017, the plans were in effect for substantially all salaried employees hired before January 1, 2007. In October 2016, the Corporation modified its defined benefit pension plans to freeze final average pay benefits as of December 31, 2016, other than for participants who were age 60 or older as of December 31, 2016, and added a cash balance plan provision effective January 1, 2017. Active pension plan participants 60 years or older as of December 31, 2016 receive the greater of the final average pay formula or the frozen final average pay benefit as of December 31, 2016 plus the cash balance benefit earned after January 1, 2017. Employees participating in the retirement account plan as of December 31, 2016 were eligible to participate in the cash balance pension plan effective January 1, 2017. Benefits earned under the cash balance pension formula, in the form of an account balance, include contribution credits based on eligible pay earned each month, age and years of service and monthly interest credits based on the 30-year Treasury rate.
The Corporation’s postretirement benefit plan provides postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for retirees as of December 31, 1992. The plan also provides certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for a limited number of retirees who retired prior to January 1, 2000. For all other employees hired prior to January 1, 2000, a nominal benefit is provided. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2000 and prior to January 1, 2007 are eligible to participate in the plan on a full contributory basis until Medicare-eligible based on age and service. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2007 are not eligible to participate in the plan. The Corporation funds the pre-1992 retiree plan benefits with bank-owned life insurance.

F-82

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following table sets forth reconciliations of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, the weighted-average assumptions used to determine year-end benefit obligations, and the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plan at December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Corporation used a measurement date of December 31, 2018 for these plans.
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
 
 
 
 
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Postretirement Benefit Plan
(dollar amounts in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Change in fair value of plan assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at January 1
$
2,747

 
$
2,453

 
$

 
$

 
$
60

 
$
62

Actual return on plan assets
(167
)
 
396

 

 

 
(1
)
 
2

Employer contributions

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Benefits paid
(122
)
 
(102
)
 

 

 
(4
)
 
(5
)
Fair value of plan assets at December 31
$
2,458

 
$
2,747

 
$

 
$

 
$
56

 
$
60

Change in projected benefit obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation at January 1
$
2,061

 
$
1,902

 
$
212

 
$
201

 
$
51

 
$
55

Service cost
29

 
29

 
2

 
2

 

 

Interest cost
75

 
78

 
8

 
8

 
2

 
2

Actuarial (gain) loss
(142
)
 
154

 

 
12

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Benefits paid
(122
)
 
(102
)
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
 
(4
)
 
(5
)
Projected benefit obligation at December 31
$
1,901

 
$
2,061

 
$
211

 
$
212

 
$
46

 
$
51

Accumulated benefit obligation
$
1,893

 
$
2,052

 
$
209

 
$
209

 
$
46

 
$
51

Funded status at December 31 (a) (b)
$
557

 
$
686

 
$
(211
)
 
$
(212
)
 
$
10

 
$
9

Weighted-average assumptions used:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.37
%
 
3.74
%
 
4.37
%
 
3.74
%
 
4.26
%
 
3.55
%
Rate of compensation increase
4.00

 
3.75

 
4.00

 
3.75

 
n/a

 
n/a

Healthcare cost trend rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost trend rate assumed for next year
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
6.50

 
6.50

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
4.50

 
4.50

Year when rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
2027

 
2027

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
(687
)
 
$
(548
)
 
$
(76
)
 
$
(85
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(19
)
Prior service credit
140

 
159

 
34

 
42

 
1

 
1

Balance at December 31
$
(547
)
 
$
(389
)
 
$
(42
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(18
)
(a)
Based on projected benefit obligation for defined benefit pension plans and accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement benefit plan.
(b)
The Corporation recognizes the overfunded and underfunded status of the plans in accrued income and other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
n/a - not applicable
Because the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan has no assets, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
The following table details the changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Postretirement Benefit Plan
 
Total
Actuarial (loss) gain arising during the period
$
(190
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(191
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
51

 
9

 
1

 
61

Amortization of prior service credit
(19
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(27
)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(158
)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
(157
)

F-83

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Components of net periodic defined benefit cost and postretirement benefit cost, the actual return on plan assets and the weighted-average assumptions used were as follows:
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
(dollar amounts in millions)
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Service cost (a)
$
29

 
$
29

 
$
31

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other components of net benefit (credit) cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
75

 
78

 
87

 
8

 
8

 
10

Expected return on plan assets
(165
)
 
(159
)
 
(163
)
 

 

 

Amortization of prior service credit
(19
)
 
(19
)
 
(2
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
(5
)
Amortization of net loss
51

 
43

 
38

 
9

 
8

 
7

Total other components of net benefit (credit) cost (b)
(58
)
 
(57
)
 
(40
)
 
9

 
8

 
12

Net periodic defined benefit (credit) cost
$
(29
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
11

 
$
10

 
$
15

Actual return on plan assets
$
(167
)
 
$
396

 
$
200

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

Actual rate of return on plan assets
(6.21
)%
 
16.48
%
 
8.66
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

Weighted-average assumptions used:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.74
 %
 
4.23
%
 
4.53
%
 
3.74
%
 
4.23
%
 
4.53
%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
6.50

 
6.50

 
6.75

 
n/a

 
n/a

 
n/a

Rate of compensation increase
3.75

 
3.50

 
3.75

 
3.75

 
3.50

 
3.75

(a)
Included in salaries and benefits expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(b)
Included in other noninterest expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
n/a - not applicable
(dollar amounts in millions)
Postretirement Benefit Plan
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Other components of net benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
3

Expected return on plan assets
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
Amortization of net loss
1

 
1

 
1

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$

 
$

 
$

Actual return on plan assets
$
(1
)
 
$
2

 
$
2

Actual rate of return on plan assets
(2.05
)%
 
3.52
%
 
2.83
%
Weighted-average assumptions used:
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.55
 %
 
3.92
%
 
4.53
%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
5.00

 
5.00

 
5.00

Healthcare cost trend rate:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost trend rate assumed
6.50

 
6.50

 
7.00

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
4.50

 
4.50

 
5.00

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
2027

 
2027

 
2027

The expected long-term rate of return of plan assets is the average rate of return expected to be realized on funds invested or expected to be invested over the life of the plan, which has an estimated duration of approximately 11 years as of December 31, 2018. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is set after considering both long-term returns in the general market and long-term returns experienced by the assets in the plan. The returns on the various asset categories are blended to derive one long-term rate of return. The Corporation reviews its pension plan assumptions on an annual basis with its actuarial consultants to determine if assumptions are reasonable and adjusts the assumptions to reflect changes in future expectations.
The estimated portion of balances remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that are expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Qualified
 
Non-Qualified
 
Postretirement
Benefit Plan
 
Total
Net loss
$
34

 
$
8

 
$
1

 
$
43

Prior service credit
(19
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(27
)

F-84

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement benefit plan. A one-percentage-point change in 2018 assumed healthcare and prescription drug cost trend rates would result in a two-percentage-point change in the postretirement benefit obligation.
Plan Assets
The Corporation’s overall investment goals for the qualified defined benefit pension plan are to maintain a portfolio of assets of appropriate liquidity and diversification; to generate investment returns (net of operating costs) that are reasonably anticipated to maintain the plan’s fully funded status or to reduce a funding deficit, after taking into account various factors, including reasonably anticipated future contributions and expense and the interest rate sensitivity of the plan’s assets relative to that of the plan’s liabilities; and to generate investment returns (net of operating costs) that meet or exceed a customized benchmark as defined in the plan investment policy. Derivative instruments are permissible for hedging and transactional efficiency, but only to the extent that the derivative use enhances the efficient execution of the plan’s investment policy. The plan does not directly invest in securities issued by the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Corporation’s target allocations for plan investments are 45 percent to 55 percent for both equity securities and fixed income, including cash. Equity securities include collective investment and mutual funds and common stock. Fixed income securities include U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and notes, municipal bonds, collateralized mortgage obligations and money market funds.
Fair Value Measurements
The Corporation’s qualified defined benefit pension plan utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments and to determine fair value disclosures. The Corporation’s qualified benefit pension plan categorizes investments recorded at fair value into a three-level hierarchy, based on the markets in which the investment are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. Refer to Note 1 for a description of the three-level hierarchy.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure the fair value of the Corporation’s qualified defined benefit pension plan investments, including an indication of the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the investments are classified.
Mutual funds
Fair value measurement is based upon the net asset value (NAV) provided by the administrator of the fund. Mutual fund NAVs are quoted in an active market exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, and are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Common stock
Fair value measurement is based upon the closing price quoted in an active market exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 common stock includes domestic and foreign stock and real estate investment trusts.
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices in an active market exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 2 securities include debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored entities. The fair value of Level 2 securities is determined using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or pricing models based on observable market data inputs, primarily interest rates and spreads.
Corporate and municipal bonds and notes
Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or pricing models based on observable market data inputs, primarily interest rates, spreads and prepayment information. Level 2 securities include corporate bonds, municipal bonds, foreign bonds and foreign notes.
Mortgage-backed securities
Fair value measurement is based upon independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security's credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors, such as credit loss and liquidity assumptions, and are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Private placements
Fair value is measured using the NAV provided by fund management as quoted prices in active markets are not available. Management considers additional discounts to the provided NAV for market and credit risk. Private placements are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

F-85

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


 Collective investment funds
Fair value measurement is based upon the NAV provided by the administrator of the fund as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. There are no unfunded commitments or redemption restrictions on the collective investment funds. The investments are redeemable daily.
 Fair Values
The fair values of the Corporation’s qualified defined benefit pension plan investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2018 and 2017, by asset category and level within the fair value hierarchy, are detailed in the table below.
(in millions)
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
3

 
$
3

 
$

 
$

Common stock
803

 
803

 

 

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
496

 
482

 
14

 

Corporate and municipal bonds and notes
679

 

 
679

 

Mortgage-backed securities
29

 

 
29

 

Private placements
60

 

 

 
60

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
2,070


$
1,288


$
722


$
60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments measured at net asset value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collective investment funds
392

 


 


 


Total investments at fair value
$
2,462

 


 


 


December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Mutual funds
$
1

 
$
1

 
$

 
$

Common stock
961

 
961

 

 

Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government agency securities
456

 
451

 
5

 

Corporate and municipal bonds and notes
765

 

 
765

 

Mortgage-backed securities
25

 

 
25

 

Private placements
80

 

 

 
80

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
2,288

 
$
1,413

 
$
795

 
$
80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments measured at net asset value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Collective investment funds
455

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investments at fair value
$
2,743

 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below provides a summary of changes in the Corporation’s qualified defined benefit pension plan’s Level 3 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
Balance at
Beginning
of Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
End of Period
 
 
Net Gains (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Realized
 
Unrealized
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private placements
$
80

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
70

 
$
(82
)
 
$
60

Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private placements
$
71

 
$
2

 
$
3

 
$
77

 
$
(73
)
 
$
80

There were no assets in the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan at December 31, 2018 and 2017. The postretirement benefit plan is fully invested in bank-owned life insurance policies. The fair value of bank-owned life insurance policies is based on the cash surrender values of the policies as reported by the insurance companies and is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Cash Flows
The Corporation currently expects to make no employer contributions to the qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plan for the year ended December 31, 2019.
 
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
(in millions)
Years Ended December 31
Qualified
Defined Benefit
Pension Plan
 
Non-Qualified
Defined Benefit
Pension Plan
 
Postretirement
Benefit Plan (a)
2019
$
125

 
$
12

 
$
5

2020
125

 
14

 
5

2021
128

 
14

 
5

2022
131

 
14

 
5

2023
133

 
14

 
4

2024 - 2028
672

 
73

 
18

(a)
Estimated benefit payments in the postretirement benefit plan are net of estimated Medicare subsidies.
Defined Contribution Plans
Substantially all of the Corporation’s employees are eligible to participate in the Corporation’s principal defined contribution plan (a 401(k) plan). Under this plan, the Corporation makes core matching cash contributions of 100 percent of the first 4 percent of qualified earnings contributed by employees (up to the current IRS compensation limit), invested based on employee investment elections. Employee benefits expense included expense for the plan of $21 million for both of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and $22 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Through December 31, 2016, the Corporation also provided a retirement account plan for the benefit of substantially all employees who worked at least 1,000 hours in a plan year and were not accruing a benefit in the defined benefit pension plan. Under the retirement account plan, the Corporation made an annual discretionary allocation to the individual account of each eligible employee ranging from 3 percent to 8 percent of annual compensation, determined based on combined age and years of service. The allocations were invested based on employee investment elections. Employees participating in the retirement account plan as of December 31, 2016 were eligible to participate in the cash balance pension plan effective January 1, 2017. Final retirement account plan balances were transferred to the Corporation's 401(k) plan in the first quarter of 2017. Contributions to the retirement account plan ceased for periods beginning after December 31, 2016. The Corporation recognized $10 million of employee benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The Corporation offers optional deferred compensation plans under which certain employees may make an irrevocable election to defer incentive compensation and/or a portion of base salary until retirement or separation from the Corporation. The employee may direct deferred compensation into one or more deemed investment options. Although not required to do so, the Corporation invests actual funds into the deemed investments as directed by employees, resulting in a deferred compensation asset, recorded in other short-term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets that offsets the liability to employees under the plan, recorded in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The earnings from the deferred compensation asset are recorded in interest on short-term investments and other noninterest income and the related change in the liability to employees under the plan is recorded in salaries and benefits expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
NOTE 18 - INCOME TAXES AND TAX-RELATED ITEMS
The provision for income taxes is calculated as the sum of income taxes due for the current year and deferred taxes. Income taxes due for the current year is computed by applying federal and state tax statutes to current year taxable income. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial accounting basis of assets and liabilities. Tax-related interest and penalties and foreign taxes are then added to the tax provision.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The current and deferred components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
227

 
$
371

 
$
224

Foreign
10

 
5

 
5

State and local
39

 
36

 
15

Total current
276

 
412

 
244

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
29

 
(26
)
 
(49
)
State and local
3

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Remeasurement of deferred taxes
(8
)
 
107

 

Total deferred
24

 
79

 
(51
)
Total
$
300

 
$
491

 
$
193

Income before income taxes of $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 included $38 million of foreign-source income.
The provision for income taxes included a $107 million charge for the year ended December 31, 2017 to adjust deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and an $8 million downward revision to the impact recorded in 2018. Refer to Note 1 for further details.
The provision for income taxes for 2018 and 2017 included a benefit of $23 million and $35 million, respectively, related to employee stock transactions as a result of new accounting guidance for stock compensation. For the year ended December 31, 2016, tax effects of employee stock transactions of $4 million were recorded in shareholders' equity.
The provision for income taxes does not reflect the tax effects of unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale or the change in defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans adjustment included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Refer to Note 14 for additional information on accumulated other comprehensive loss.
A reconciliation of expected income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the Corporation’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate follows:
(dollar amounts in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Years Ended December 31
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
Tax based on federal statutory rate
$
323

 
21.0
 %
 
$
432

 
35.0
 %
 
$
235

 
35.0
 %
State income taxes
35

 
2.3

 
22

 
1.8

 
8

 
1.2

Employee stock transactions
(23
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(35
)
 
(2.8
)
 

 

Capitalization and recovery positions (a)
(17
)
 
(1.1
)
 

 

 

 

Affordable housing and historic credits
(12
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(21
)
 
(1.7
)
 
(22
)
 
(3.3
)
Bank-owned life insurance
(9
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(16
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(15
)
 
(2.3
)
Remeasurement of deferred taxes
(8
)
 
(0.5
)
 
107

 
8.7

 

 

FDIC fees (b)
8

 
0.5

 

 

 

 

Other changes in unrecognized tax benefits
4

 
0.3

 

 

 

 

Tax-related interest and penalties
(3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
4

 
0.3

 
3

 
0.5

Lease termination transactions

 

 
(2
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(15
)
 
(2.2
)
Other
2

 
0.1

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(0.1
)
Provision for income taxes
$
300

 
19.5
 %
 
$
491

 
39.8
 %
 
$
193

 
28.8
 %
(a)
Tax benefits from the review of tax capitalization and recovery positions related to software and fixed assets included in the 2017 tax return.
(b)
Beginning January 1, 2018, FDIC fees are no longer deductible as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The liability for tax-related interest and penalties included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $7 million and $10 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation enters into certain transactions that have tax consequences. From time to time, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may review and/or challenge specific interpretive tax positions taken by the Corporation with respect to those transactions. The Corporation believes that its tax returns were filed based upon applicable statutes, regulations and case law in effect at the time of the transactions. The IRS or other tax jurisdictions, an administrative authority or a court, if presented with the transactions, could disagree with the Corporation’s interpretation of the tax law.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of net unrecognized tax benefits follows:
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at January 1
$
10

 
$
15

 
$
22

Increase as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period
9

 
4

 

Decrease related to settlements with tax authorities
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
(7
)
Other
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

Balance at December 31
$
14

 
$
10

 
$
15

The Corporation anticipates it is reasonably possible settlements with tax authorities will result in a $1 million decrease in net unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
After consideration of the effect of the federal tax benefit available on unrecognized state tax benefits, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the Corporation’s effective tax rate was approximately $11 million and $8 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The following tax years for significant jurisdictions remain subject to examination as of December 31, 2018:
Jurisdiction
Tax Years
Federal
2014-2017
California
2006-2017
Based on current knowledge and probability assessment of various potential outcomes, the Corporation believes current tax reserves are adequate, and the amount of any potential incremental liability arising is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Probabilities and outcomes are reviewed as events unfold, and adjustments to the reserves are made when necessary.
The principal components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
(in millions)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
141

 
$
150

Deferred compensation
68

 
49

Deferred loan origination fees and costs
9

 
6

Net unrealized losses on investment securities available-for-sale
42

 
31

Other temporary differences, net
42

 
57

Total deferred tax asset before valuation allowance
302

 
293

Valuation allowance
(3
)
 
(3
)
Total deferred tax assets
299

 
290

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Lease financing transactions
(74
)
 
(76
)
Defined benefit plans
(41
)
 
(72
)
Allowance for depreciation
(18
)
 
(1
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(133
)
 
(149
)
Net deferred tax asset
$
166

 
$
141

Deferred tax assets included state net operating loss carryforwards of $4 million at both December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, which expire between 2018 and 2027. The Corporation believes it is more likely than not the benefit from certain of these state net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized and, accordingly, maintained a valuation allowance of $3 million at both December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. For further information on the Corporation’s valuation policy for deferred tax assets, refer to Note 1.

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Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 19 - TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The Corporation’s banking subsidiaries had, and expect to have in the future, transactions with the Corporation’s directors and executive officers, companies with which these individuals are associated, and certain related individuals. Such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business and included extensions of credit, leases and professional services. With respect to extensions of credit, all were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with other customers and did not, in management’s opinion, involve more than normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features. The aggregate amount of loans attributable to persons who were related parties at December 31, 2018, totaled $66 million at the beginning of 2018 and $109 million at the end of 2018. During 2018, new loans to related parties aggregated $716 million and repayments totaled $673 million.
NOTE 20 - REGULATORY CAPITAL AND RESERVE REQUIREMENTS
Reserves required to be maintained and/or deposited with the FRB are classified in interest-bearing deposits with banks. These reserve balances vary, depending on the level of customer deposits in the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries. The average required reserve balances were $599 million and $572 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Banking regulations limit the transfer of assets in the form of dividends, loans or advances from the bank subsidiaries to the parent company. Under the most restrictive of these regulations, the aggregate amount of dividends which can be paid to the parent company, with prior approval from bank regulatory agencies, approximated $108 million at January 1, 2019, plus 2019 net profits. Substantially all the assets of the Corporation’s banking subsidiaries are restricted from transfer to the parent company of the Corporation in the form of loans or advances.
The Corporation’s subsidiary banks declared dividends of $1.1 billion, $907 million and $545 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Corporation and its U.S. banking subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies. The U.S. adoption of the Basel III regulatory capital framework (Basel III) became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2015. Basel III sets forth two comprehensive methodologies for calculating risk-weighted assets (RWA), a standardized approach and an advanced approach. The Corporation and its U.S. banking subsidiaries are subject to the standardized approach under the rules. Under the standardized approach, RWA is generally based on supervisory risk-weightings which vary by counterparty type and asset class. Under the Basel III standardized approach, capital is required for credit risk RWA, to cover the risk of unexpected losses due to failure of a customer or counterparty to meet its financial obligations in accordance with contractual terms; and if trading assets and liabilities exceed certain thresholds, capital is also required for market risk RWA, to cover the risk of losses due to adverse market movements or from position-specific factors.
Under Basel III, there are three categories of risk-based capital: CET1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital. CET1 capital predominantly includes common shareholders' equity, less certain deductions for goodwill, intangible assets and deferred tax assets that arise from net operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Additionally, the Corporation has elected to permanently exclude capital in accumulated other comprehensive income related to debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale as well as for defined benefit postretirement plans from CET1, an option available to standardized approach entities under Basel III. Tier 1 capital incrementally includes noncumulative perpetual preferred stock. Tier 2 capital includes Tier 1 capital as well as subordinated debt qualifying as Tier 2 and qualifying allowance for credit losses. Total capital is Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital. In addition to the minimum risk-based capital requirements, the Corporation is required to maintain a minimum capital conservation buffer, in the form of common equity, in order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. The required amount of the capital conservation buffer is being phased in and ultimately increasing to 2.5% on January 1, 2019.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios of CET1, Tier 1 and total capital (as defined in the regulations) to average and/or risk-weighted assets. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporation’s financial statements. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Corporation and its U.S. banking subsidiaries exceeded the ratios required for an institution to be considered “well capitalized” For U.S. banking subsidiaries, those requirements were total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, CET1 risk-based capital and leverage ratios greater than 10 percent, 8 percent, 6.5 percent and 5 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2018 and 2017. For the Corporation, requirements to be considered "well capitalized" were total risk-based capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios greater than 10 percent and 6 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2018 and 2017. There have been no conditions or events since December 31, 2018 that management believes have changed the capital adequacy classification of the Corporation or its U.S. banking subsidiaries.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


The following is a summary of the capital position of the Corporation and Comerica Bank, its principal banking subsidiary.
(dollar amounts in millions)
Comerica
Incorporated
(Consolidated)
 
Comerica
Bank
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
CET1 capital (minimum $3.0 billion (Consolidated))
$
7,470

 
$
7,229

Tier 1 capital (minimum $4.0 billion (Consolidated))
7,470

 
7,229

Total capital (minimum $5.4 billion (Consolidated))
8,855

 
8,433

Risk-weighted assets
67,047

 
66,857

Average assets (fourth quarter)
71,070

 
70,905

CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum-4.5%)
11.14
%
 
10.81
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum-6.0%)
11.14

 
10.81

Total capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum-8.0%)
13.21

 
12.61

Tier 1 capital to average assets (minimum-4.0%)
10.51

 
10.20

Capital conservation buffer
5.14

 
4.61

December 31, 2017
 
 
 
CET1 capital (minimum $3.0 billion (Consolidated))
$
7,773

 
$
7,121

Tier 1 capital (minimum $4.0 billion (Consolidated))
7,773

 
7,121

Total capital (minimum $5.3 billion (Consolidated))
9,211

 
8,378

Risk-weighted assets
66,575

 
66,447

Average assets (fourth quarter)
71,372

 
71,181

CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum-4.5%)
11.68
%
 
10.72
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum-6.0%)
11.68

 
10.72

Total capital to risk-weighted assets (minimum-8.0%)
13.84

 
12.61

Tier 1 capital to average assets (minimum-4.0%)
10.89

 
10.00

Capital conservation buffer
5.68

 
4.61

NOTE 21 - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Legal Proceedings
Comerica Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, was named in November 2011 as a third-party defendant in Butte Local Development v. Masters Group v. Comerica Bank (the case), for lender liability. The case was tried in January 2014, in the Montana Second District Judicial Court for Silver Bow County in Butte, Montana. On January 17, 2014, a jury awarded Masters $52 million against the Bank. On July 1, 2015, after an appeal filed by the Corporation, the Montana Supreme Court reversed the judgment against the Corporation and remanded the case for a new trial with instructions that Michigan contract law should apply and dismissing all other claims. The case was retried in the same district court, without a jury, in January 2017, and the Corporation awaits a ruling. Management believes that current reserves related to this case are adequate in the event of a negative outcome.
The Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to various other pending or threatened legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of business or operations. The Corporation believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against it in its other currently outstanding legal proceedings and, with respect to such legal proceedings, intends to continue to defend itself vigorously, litigating or settling cases according to management’s judgment as to what is in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders. Settlement may result from the Corporation's determination that it may be more prudent financially to settle, rather than litigate, and should not be regarded as an admission of liability. On at least a quarterly basis, the Corporation assesses its potential liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. On a case-by-case basis, reserves are established for those legal claims for which it is probable that a loss will be incurred either as a result of a settlement or judgment, and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving these claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved. Based on current knowledge, and after consultation with legal counsel, management believes current reserves are adequate, and the amount of any incremental liability arising from these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Legal fees of $17 million, $15 million and $19 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were included in other noninterest expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
For matters where a loss is not probable, the Corporation has not established legal reserves. The Corporation believes the estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of reserves established, for all legal proceedings in which it is involved is from zero to approximately $33 million at December 31, 2018. This estimated aggregate range of reasonably

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Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


possible losses is based upon currently available information for those proceedings in which the Corporation is involved, taking into account the Corporation’s best estimate of such losses for those cases for which such estimate can be made. For certain cases, the Corporation does not believe that an estimate can currently be made. The Corporation’s estimate involves significant judgment, given the varying stages of the proceedings (including the fact many are currently in preliminary stages), the existence in certain proceedings of multiple defendants (including the Corporation) whose share of liability has yet to be determined, the numerous yet-unresolved issues in many of the proceedings (including issues regarding class certification and the scope of many of the claims) and the attendant uncertainty of the various potential outcomes of such proceedings. Accordingly, the Corporation’s estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may be more or less than the current estimate.

In the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these matters, if unfavorable, may be material to the Corporation's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
For information regarding income tax contingencies, refer to Note 18.
NOTE 22 - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
The Corporation launched an initiative in 2016 designed to reduce overhead and increase revenue (the "GEAR Up" initiative). The actions in the initiative include, but are not limited to, a reduction in workforce, a new retirement program, streamlining operational processes, real estate optimization including consolidating banking centers as well as reducing office and operations space, selective outsourcing of technology functions, reduction of technology system applications, enhanced sales tools and training, expanded product offerings and improved customer analytics to drive opportunities.
Certain actions associated with the GEAR Up initiative resulted in restructuring charges. Generally, costs associated with or incurred to generate revenue as part of the initiative were recorded according to the nature of the cost and were not included in restructuring charges. The Corporation considers the following costs associated with the initiative to be restructuring charges:
Employee costs: Primarily severance costs in accordance with the Corporation’s severance plan.
Facilities costs: Costs pertaining to consolidating banking centers and other facilities, such as lease termination costs and decommissioning costs. Also includes accelerated depreciation and impairment of owned property to be sold.
Technology costs: Impairment and other costs associated with optimizing technology infrastructure and reducing the number of applications.
Other costs: Includes primarily professional fees, as well as other contract termination fees and legal fees incurred in the execution of the initiative.

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Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Restructuring charges are recorded as a component of noninterest expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table presents changes in restructuring reserves and cumulative charges incurred to date:
(in millions)
Employee Costs
 
Facilities Costs
 
Technology Costs
 
Other Costs
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
8

 
$

 
$
6

 
$
1

 
$
15

Restructuring charges
10

 
4

 
37

 
2

 
53

Payments
(13
)
 
(3
)
 
(39
)
 
(3
)
 
(58
)
Balance at end of period
$
5

 
$
1

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
10

 
$
4


$


$
4

 
$
18

Restructuring charges
10

 
2

 
26

 
7

 
45

Payments
(12
)
 
(6
)
 
(15
)
 
(10
)
 
(43
)
Adjustments for non-cash charges (a)

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Balance at end of period
$
8

 
$

 
$
6

 
$
1

 
$
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Restructuring charges
52

 
15

 

 
26

 
93

Payments
(44
)
 
(6
)
 

 
(22
)
 
(72
)
Adjustments for non-cash charges (a)
2

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(3
)
Balance at end of period
$
10

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total restructuring charges incurred (b)
$
72

 
$
21

 
$
63

 
$
35

 
$
191

(a)
Adjustments for non-cash charges primarily relate to impairments of previously capitalized software costs in Technology Costs.
(b)
Restructuring activities were completed as of 12/31/2018.
Restructuring charges directly attributable to a business segment are assigned to that business segment. For example, facilities costs pertaining to the consolidation of banking centers primarily impacted the Retail Bank. Restructuring charges incurred by areas whose services support the overall Corporation are allocated based on the methodology described in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements. Total restructuring charges assigned to the Business Bank, Retail Bank and Wealth Management were $30 million, $16 million and $7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018, $24 million, $15 million and $6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017 and $43 million, $38 million and $12 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016.
NOTE 23 - BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Corporation has strategically aligned its operations into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank and Wealth Management. These business segments are differentiated based on the type of customer and the related products and services provided. In addition to the three major business segments, the Finance Division is also reported as a segment. Business segment results are produced by the Corporation’s internal management accounting system. This system measures financial results based on the internal business unit structure of the Corporation. The performance of the business segments is not comparable with the Corporation's consolidated results and is not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other financial institution. Additionally, because of the interrelationships of the various segments, the information presented is not indicative of how the segments would perform if they operated as independent entities. The management accounting system assigns balance sheet and income statement items to each business segment using certain methodologies, which are regularly reviewed and refined. From time to time, the Corporation may make reclassifications among the segments to more appropriately reflect management's current view of the segments, and methodologies may be modified as the management accounting system is enhanced and changes occur in the organizational structure and/or product lines. During the 2018, the Small Business component was reclassified from Retail Bank to Business Bank. For comparability purposes, amounts in all periods are based on business unit structure and methodologies in effect at December 31, 2018.
Net interest income for each segment reflects the interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities plus the net impact from associated internal funds transfer pricing (FTP) funding credits and charges. The FTP methodology allocates credits to each business segment for deposits and other funds provided as well as charges for loans and other assets being funded. This credit or charge is based on matching stated or implied maturities for these assets and liabilities. The FTP crediting rates for deposits reflect the long-term value of deposits and other funding sources based on their implied maturity. FTP charge rates for funding assets reflect a matched cost of funds based on the pricing and duration characteristics of

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Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


the assets. For acquired loans and deposits, matched maturity funding is determined based on origination date. Accordingly, the FTP process reflects the transfer of interest rate risk exposures to the Corporate Treasury department within the Finance segment, where such exposures are centrally managed. Effective January 1, 2016, in conjunction with the effective date for regulatory Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) requirements, the Corporation prospectively implemented an additional FTP charge, primarily for the cost of maintaining liquid assets to support potential draws on unfunded loan commitments and for the long-term economic cost of holding collateral for secured deposits. The allowance for loan losses is allocated to the business segments based on the methodology used to estimate the consolidated allowance for loan losses described in Note 1. The related provision for loan losses is assigned based on the amount necessary to maintain an allowance for loan losses appropriate for each business segment. Noninterest income and expenses directly attributable to a line of business are assigned to that business segment. Direct expenses incurred by areas whose services support the overall Corporation are allocated to the business segments as follows: product processing expenditures are allocated based on standard unit costs applied to actual volume measurements; administrative expenses are allocated based on estimated time expended; and corporate overhead is assigned 50 percent based on the ratio of the business segment’s noninterest expenses to total noninterest expenses incurred by all business segments and 50 percent based on the ratio of the business segment’s attributed equity to total attributed equity of all business segments. Equity is attributed based on credit, operational and interest rate risks. Most of the equity attributed relates to credit risk, which is determined based on the credit score and expected remaining life of each loan, letter of credit and unused commitment recorded in the business segments. Operational risk is allocated based on loans and letters of credit, deposit balances, non-earning assets, trust assets under management, certain noninterest income items, and the nature and extent of expenses incurred by business units. Virtually all interest rate risk is assigned to Finance, as are the Corporation’s hedging activities.
The following discussion provides information about the activities of each business segment. A discussion of the financial results and the factors impacting 2018 performance can be found in the section entitled "Business Segments" in the financial review.
The Business Bank meets the needs of small and middle market businesses, multinational corporations and governmental entities by offering various products and services, including commercial loans and lines of credit, deposits, cash management, capital market products, international trade finance, letters of credit, foreign exchange management services and loan syndication services.
The Retail Bank includes a full range of personal financial services, consisting of consumer lending, consumer deposit gathering and mortgage loan origination. This business segment offers a variety of consumer products, including deposit accounts, installment loans, credit cards, student loans, home equity lines of credit and residential mortgage loans.
Wealth Management offers products and services consisting of fiduciary services, private banking, retirement services, investment management and advisory services, investment banking and brokerage services. This business segment also offers the sale of annuity products, as well as life, disability and long-term care insurance products.
The Finance segment includes the Corporation’s securities portfolio and asset and liability management activities. This segment is responsible for managing the Corporation’s funding, liquidity and capital needs, performing interest sensitivity analysis and executing various strategies to manage the Corporation’s exposure to liquidity, interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk.
The Other category includes the income and expense impact of equity and cash, tax benefits not assigned to specific business segments, charges of an unusual or infrequent nature that are not reflective of the normal operations of the business segments and miscellaneous other expenses of a corporate nature.

F-94

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Business segment financial results are as follows:
(dollar amounts in millions)
Business
Bank
 
Retail
Bank
 
Wealth Management
 
Finance
 
Other
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Earnings summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (expense)
$
1,613

 
$
548

 
$
181

 
$
(46
)
 
$
56

 
$
2,352

Provision for credit losses
6

 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Noninterest income
547

 
136

 
266

 
27

 

 
976

Noninterest expenses
847

 
602

 
293

 
(4
)
 
56

 
1,794

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
283

 
18

 
36

 
(14
)
 
(23
)
(a)
300

Net income (loss)
$
1,024

 
$
65

 
$
121

 
$
(1
)
 
$
26

 
$
1,235

Net credit-related charge-offs (recoveries)
$
52

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected average balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
43,207

 
$
2,633

 
$
5,214

 
$
13,705

 
$
5,965

 
$
70,724

Loans
41,618

 
2,067

 
5,081

 

 

 
48,766

Deposits
30,116

 
20,812

 
3,941

 
941

 
125

 
55,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statistical data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (b)
2.37
%
 
0.31
%
 
2.32
%
 
N/M

 
N/M

 
1.75
%
Efficiency ratio (c)
39.22

 
87.47

 
65.60

 
N/M

 
N/M

 
53.56

(dollar amounts in millions)
Business
Bank
 
Retail
Bank
 
Wealth Management
 
Finance
 
Other
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Earnings summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (expense)
$
1,513

 
$
453

 
$
169

 
$
(111
)
 
$
37

 
$
2,061

Provision for credit losses
69

 
2

 
1

 

 
2

 
74

Noninterest income
639

 
154

 
255

 
49

 
10

 
1,107

Noninterest expenses
918

 
615

 
285

 
(4
)
 
46

 
1,860

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
410

 
(4
)
 
51

 
(35
)
 
69

(a)
491

Net income (loss)
$
755

 
$
(6
)
 
$
87

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(70
)
 
$
743

Net credit-related (recoveries) charge-offs
$
96

 
$
1

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected average balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
42,653

 
$
2,626

 
$
5,401

 
$
13,954

 
$
6,818

 
$
71,452

Loans
41,241

 
2,061

 
5,256

 

 

 
48,558

Deposits
31,999

 
20,775

 
4,081

 
241

 
162

 
57,258

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statistical data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (b)
1.77
%
 
(0.03
)%
 
1.61
%
 
N/M

 
N/M

 
1.04
%
Efficiency ratio (c)
42.67

 
100.72

 
67.06

 
N/M

 
N/M

 
58.64

(Table continues on following page)

F-95

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


(dollar amounts in millions)
Business
Bank
 
Retail
Bank
 
Wealth Management
 
Finance
 
Other
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Earnings summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (expense)
$
1,506

 
$
393

 
$
158

 
$
(283
)
 
$
23

 
$
1,797

Provision for credit losses
254

 
(2
)
 
(4
)
 

 

 
248

Noninterest income
608

 
153

 
243

 
43

 
4

 
1,051

Noninterest expenses
963

 
643

 
301

 
(4
)
 
27

 
1,930

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
284

 
(34
)
 
36

 
(90
)
 
(3
)
 
193

Net income (loss)
$
613

 
$
(61
)
 
$
68

 
$
(146
)
 
$
3

 
$
477

Net credit-related charge-offs
$
155

 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected average balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
43,373

 
$
2,675

 
$
5,232

 
$
13,993

 
$
6,470

 
$
71,743

Loans
41,954

 
1,994

 
5,048

 

 

 
48,996

Deposits
32,930

 
20,332

 
4,126

 
88

 
265

 
57,741

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statistical data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (b)
1.41
%
 
(0.29
)%
 
1.32
%
 
N/M

 
N/M

 
0.67
%
Efficiency ratio (c)
45.52

 
116.63

 
75.03

 
N/M

 
N/M

 
67.62

(a)
Primarily reflected discrete tax items, including a benefit of $48 million in 2018 and a net charge of $72 million in 2017.
(b)
Return on average assets is calculated based on the greater of average assets or average liabilities and attributed equity.
(c)
Noninterest expenses as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and noninterest income excluding gains (losses) from securities and a derivative contract tied to the conversion rate of Visa Class B shares.
N/M – not meaningful
The Corporation operates in three primary markets - Texas, California, and Michigan, as well as in Arizona and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, and in Canada and Mexico. The Corporation produces market segment results for the Corporation’s three primary geographic markets as well as Other Markets. Other Markets includes Florida, Arizona, the International Finance division and businesses with a national perspective. The Finance & Other category includes the Finance segment and the Other category as previously described. Market segment results are provided as supplemental information to the business segment results and may not meet all operating segment criteria as set forth in GAAP. For comparability purposes, amounts in all periods are based on market segments and methodologies in effect at December 31, 2018.
A discussion of the financial results and the factors impacting performance can be found in the section entitled "Market Segments" in the financial review.
Market segment financial results are as follows:
(dollar amounts in millions)
Michigan
 
California
 
Texas
 
Other
Markets
 
Finance
& Other
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Earnings summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
727

 
$
788

 
$
475

 
$
352

 
$
10

 
$
2,352

Provision for credit losses
30

 
31

 
(53
)
 
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Noninterest income
296

 
164

 
130

 
359

 
27

 
976

Noninterest expenses
577

 
424

 
365

 
376

 
52

 
1,794

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
90

 
122

 
64

 
61

 
(37
)
(a)
300

Net income
$
326

 
$
375

 
$
229

 
$
280

 
$
25

 
$
1,235

Net credit-related charge-offs
$
7

 
$
27

 
$
12

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected average balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
13,207

 
$
18,532

 
$
10,389

 
$
8,925

 
$
19,671

 
$
70,724

Loans
12,531

 
18,283

 
9,821

 
8,131

 

 
48,766

Deposits
20,772

 
16,964

 
8,993

 
8,141

 
1,065

 
55,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statistical data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (b)
1.52
%
 
2.02
%
 
2.20
%
 
3.14
%
 
N/M

 
1.75
%
Efficiency ratio (c)
56.16

 
44.58

 
60.28

 
52.95

 
N/M

 
53.56

(Table continues on following page)

F-96

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


(dollar amounts in millions)
Michigan
 
California
 
Texas
 
Other
Markets
 
Finance
& Other
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Earnings summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (expense)
$
657

 
$
711

 
$
451

 
$
316

 
$
(74
)
 
$
2,061

Provision for credit losses
8

 
104

 
(72
)
 
33

 
1

 
74

Noninterest income
324

 
171

 
131

 
423

 
58

 
1,107

Noninterest expenses
589

 
404

 
375

 
450

 
42

 
1,860

Provision for income taxes
137

 
145

 
104

 
71

 
34

(a)
491

Net income (loss)
$
247

 
$
229

 
$
175

 
$
185

 
$
(93
)
 
$
743

Net credit-related (recoveries) charge-offs
$
(1
)
 
$
33

 
$
46

 
$
14

 
$

 
$
92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected average balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
13,395

 
$
18,264

 
$
10,443

 
$
8,578

 
$
20,772

 
$
71,452

Loans
12,677

 
18,008

 
9,969

 
7,904

 

 
48,558

Deposits
21,823

 
17,533

 
9,625

 
7,874

 
403

 
57,258

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statistical data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (b)
1.09
%
 
1.24
%
 
1.61
%
 
2.14
%
 
N/M

 
1.04
%
Efficiency ratio (c)
59.84

 
45.82

 
64.30

 
60.99

 
N/M

 
58.64

(dollar amounts in millions)
Michigan
 
California
 
Texas
 
Other
Markets
 
Finance
& Other
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Earnings summary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (expense)
$
616

 
$
678

 
$
444

 
$
319

 
$
(260
)
 
$
1,797

Provision for credit losses
9

 
21

 
225

 
(7
)
 

 
248

Noninterest income
320

 
162

 
129

 
393

 
47

 
1,051

Noninterest expenses
618

 
435

 
408

 
446

 
23

 
1,930

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
99

 
138

 
(21
)
 
70

 
(93
)
 
193

Net income (loss)
$
210

 
$
246

 
$
(39
)
 
$
203

 
$
(143
)
 
$
477

Net credit-related charge-offs
$
9

 
$
26

 
$
118

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected average balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
$
13,105

 
$
18,012

 
$
11,101

 
$
9,062

 
$
20,463

 
$
71,743

Loans
12,457

 
17,731

 
10,637

 
8,171

 

 
48,996

Deposits
21,777

 
17,438

 
10,168

 
8,005

 
353

 
57,741

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statistical data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets (b)
0.93
%
 
1.33
%
 
(0.32
)%
 
2.24
%
 
N/M

 
0.67
%
Efficiency ratio (c)
65.65

 
51.84

 
70.93

 
62.67

 
N/M

 
67.62

(a)
Primarily reflected discrete tax items, including a benefit of $48 million in 2018 and a net charge of $72 million in 2017.
(b)
Return on average assets is calculated based on the greater of average assets or average liabilities and attributed equity.
(c)
Noninterest expenses as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and noninterest income excluding gains (losses) from securities and a derivative contract tied to the conversion rate of Visa Class B shares.
N/M – not meaningful

F-97

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 24 - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BALANCE SHEETS - COMERICA INCORPORATED
(in millions, except share data)
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
2017
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from subsidiary bank
$
1,524

 
$
1,059

Other short-term investments
88

 
92

Investment in subsidiaries, principally banks
7,429

 
7,467

Premises and equipment
1

 
2

Other assets
169

 
127

Total assets
$
9,211

 
$
8,747

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Medium- and long-term debt
$
1,459

 
$
602

Other liabilities
245

 
182

Total liabilities
1,704

 
784

Common stock - $5 par value:
 
 
 
Authorized - 325,000,000 shares
 
 
 
Issued - 228,164,824 shares
1,141

 
1,141

Capital surplus
2,148

 
2,122

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(609
)
 
(451
)
Retained earnings
8,781

 
7,887

Less cost of common stock in treasury - 68,081,176 shares at 12/31/18 and 55,306,483 shares at 12/31/17
(3,954
)
 
(2,736
)
Total shareholders’ equity
7,507

 
7,963

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
9,211

 
$
8,747

STATEMENTS OF INCOME - COMERICA INCORPORATED
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Income
 
 
 
 
 
Income from subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends from subsidiaries
$
1,135

 
$
915

 
$
549

Other interest income
13

 
3

 
1

Intercompany management fees
228

 
136

 
138

Other noninterest income

 
8

 
3

Total income
1,376

 
1,062

 
691

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on medium- and long-term debt
29

 
13

 
10

Salaries and benefits expense
140

 
127

 
114

Net occupancy expense
5

 
5

 
5

Equipment expense
1

 
1

 
1

Restructuring charges
2

 
6

 
33

Other noninterest expenses
75

 
80

 
72

Total expenses
252

 
232

 
235

Income before benefit for income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
1,124

 
830

 
456

Benefit for income taxes
(5
)
 
(26
)
 
(28
)
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
1,129

 
856

 
484

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, principally banks
106

 
(113
)
 
(7
)
Net income
1,235

 
743

 
477

Less income allocated to participating securities
8

 
5

 
4

Net income attributable to common shares
$
1,227

 
$
738

 
$
473

 

F-98

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - COMERICA INCORPORATED
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,235

 
$
743

 
$
477

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, principally banks
(106
)
 
113

 
7

Depreciation and amortization
1

 
1

 
1

Net periodic defined benefit cost (credit)
4

 
(2
)
 
1

Share-based compensation expense
21

 
16

 
14

Benefit for deferred income taxes
(1
)
 
(10
)
 
(3
)
Other, net
10

 
59

 
6

Net cash provided by operating activities
1,164

 
920

 
503

Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Medium- and long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
Issuances
850

 

 

Common Stock:
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchases
(1,338
)
 
(560
)
 
(320
)
Cash dividends paid
(263
)
 
(180
)
 
(152
)
Issuances of common stock under employee stock plans
52

 
118

 
157

Net cash used in financing activities
(699
)
 
(622
)
 
(315
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
465

 
298

 
188

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,059

 
761

 
573

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,524

 
$
1,059

 
$
761

Interest paid
$
11

 
$
12

 
$
9

Income taxes recovered
$
(155
)
 
$
(331
)
 
$
(139
)
NOTE 25 - SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
The following quarterly information is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the information reflects all adjustments, which are necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations, for the periods presented.
 
2018
(in millions, except per share data)
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
Interest income
$
704

 
$
675

 
$
650

 
$
590

Interest expense
90

 
76

 
60

 
41

Net interest income
614

 
599

 
590

 
549

Provision for credit losses
16

 

 
(29
)
 
12

Net securities (losses) gains

 
(20
)
 

 
1

Noninterest income excluding net securities losses
250

 
254

 
248

 
243

Noninterest expenses
448

 
452

 
448

 
446

Provision for income taxes
90

 
63

 
93

 
54

Net income
310

 
318

 
326

 
281

Less income allocated to participating securities
2

 
2

 
2

 
2

Net income attributable to common shares
$
308

 
$
316

 
$
324

 
$
279

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.91

 
$
1.89

 
$
1.90

 
$
1.62

Diluted
1.88

 
1.86

 
1.87

 
1.59

Comprehensive income
312

 
296

 
290

 
178


F-99

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


 
2017
(in millions, except per share data)
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
Interest income
$
578

 
$
579

 
$
529

 
$
496

Interest expense
33

 
33

 
29

 
26

Net interest income
545

 
546

 
500

 
470

Provision for credit losses
17

 
24

 
17

 
16

Noninterest income
285

 
275

 
276

 
271

Noninterest expenses
483

 
463

 
457

 
457

Provision for income taxes
218

 
108

 
99

 
66

Net income
112

 
226

 
203

 
202

Less income allocated to participating securities

 
2

 
1

 
2

Net income attributable to common shares
$
112

 
$
224

 
$
202

 
$
200

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.65

 
$
1.29

 
$
1.15

 
$
1.15

Diluted
0.63

 
1.26

 
1.13

 
1.11

Comprehensive income
107

 
228

 
221

 
206



F-100

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries


NOTE 26 - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Revenue from contracts with customers comprises the noninterest income earned by the Corporation in exchange for services provided to customers. The following table presents the composition of revenue from contracts with customers, segregated from other sources of noninterest income, by business segment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business
Bank
 
Retail
Bank
 
Wealth Management
 
Finance & Other
 
Total
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from contracts with customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Card fees (a)
$
201

 
$
39

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
244

Service charges on deposit accounts (a)
134

 
72

 
5

 

 
211

Fiduciary income

 

 
206

 

 
206

Commercial loan servicing fees (b)
18

 

 

 

 
18

Brokerage fees

 

 
27

 

 
27

Other noninterest income (c)
12

 
19

 
17

 
1

 
49

Total revenue from contracts with customers
365

 
130

 
259

 
1

 
755

Other sources of noninterest income
182

 
6

 
7

 
26

 
221

Total noninterest income
$
547

 
$
136

 
$
266

 
$
27

 
$
976

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Card fees
$
285

 
$
43

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
333

Service charges on deposit accounts
143

 
79

 
5

 

 
227

Fiduciary income

 

 
198

 

 
198

Commercial lending fees
84

 

 
1

 

 
85

Letter of credit fees
44

 

 
1

 

 
45

Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

 
43

 
43

Foreign exchange income
43

 

 
2

 

 
45

Brokerage fees

 

 
23

 

 
23

Other noninterest income
40

 
32

 
20

 
16

 
108

Total noninterest income
$
639

 
$
154

 
$
255

 
$
59

 
$
1,107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Card fees
$
257

 
$
42

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
303

Services charges on deposit accounts
136

 
79

 
4

 

 
219

Fiduciary income

 

 
190

 

 
190

Commercial lending fees
90

 

 

 
(1
)
 
89

Letter of credit fees
49

 

 
1

 

 
50

Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

 
42

 
42

Foreign exchange income
39

 
1

 
2

 

 
42

Brokerage fees

 

 
19

 

 
19

Other noninterest income
37

 
31

 
23

 
6

 
97

Total noninterest income
$
608

 
$
153

 
$
243

 
$
47

 
$
1,051

(a)
Adoption of Topic 606 resulted in a change in presentation which records certain costs in the same category as the associated revenues. The effect of this change was to reduce card fees by $140 million and service charges on deposit accounts by $5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Refer to Note 1 for further information.
(b)
Included in commercial lending fees on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(c)
Excludes derivative, warrant and other miscellaneous income.
Adjustments to revenue during the year ended December 31, 2018 for refunds or credits relating to prior periods were not significant.
Revenue from contracts with customers did not generate significant contract assets and liabilities.


F-101

Table of Contents

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
The management of Comerica Incorporated (the Corporation) is responsible for the accompanying consolidated financial statements and all other financial information in this Annual Report. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts which of necessity are based on management’s best estimates and judgments and give due consideration to materiality. The other financial information herein is consistent with that in the consolidated financial statements.
In meeting its responsibility for the reliability of the consolidated financial statements, management develops and maintains effective internal controls, including those over financial reporting, as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Corporation; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Corporation are made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Corporation; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Management assessed, with participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as of December 31, 2018. The assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Based on this assessment, management determined that internal control over financial reporting is effective as it relates to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as of December 31, 2018.
Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their accompanying report.
The Corporation’s Board of Directors oversees management’s internal control over financial reporting and financial reporting responsibilities through its Audit Committee as well as various other committees. The Audit Committee, which consists of directors who are not officers or employees of the Corporation, meets regularly with management, internal audit and the independent public accountants to assure that the Audit Committee, management, internal auditors and the independent public accountants are carrying out their responsibilities, and to review auditing, internal control and financial reporting matters.
Ralph W. Babb Jr.
 
Muneera S. Carr
 
Mauricio A. Ortiz
Chairman and
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Chief Accounting Officer


F-102

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Comerica Incorporated

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Comerica Incorporated and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Comerica Incorporated and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes of the Company and our report dated February 12, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Dallas, TX
February 12, 2019



F-103

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Comerica Incorporated

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Comerica Incorporated and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 12, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1992.
Dallas, TX
February 12, 2019



F-104

Table of Contents

HISTORICAL REVIEW - AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
1,135

 
$
1,209

 
$
1,146

 
$
1,059

 
$
934

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
4,700

 
5,443

 
5,099

 
6,158

 
5,513

Other short-term investments
134

 
92

 
102

 
106

 
109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities
11,810

 
12,207

 
12,348

 
10,237

 
9,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
30,534

 
30,415

 
31,062

 
31,501

 
29,715

Real estate construction loans
3,155

 
2,958

 
2,508

 
1,884

 
1,909

Commercial mortgage loans
9,131

 
9,005

 
8,981

 
8,697

 
8,706

Lease financing
470

 
509

 
684

 
783

 
834

International loans
1,021

 
1,157

 
1,367

 
1,441

 
1,376

Residential mortgage loans
1,983

 
1,989

 
1,894

 
1,878

 
1,778

Consumer loans
2,472

 
2,525

 
2,500

 
2,444

 
2,270

Total loans
48,766

 
48,558

 
48,996

 
48,628

 
46,588

Less allowance for loan losses
(695
)
 
(728
)
 
(730
)
 
(621
)
 
(601
)
Net loans
48,071

 
47,830

 
48,266

 
48,007

 
45,987

Accrued income and other assets
4,874

 
4,671

 
4,782

 
4,680

 
4,443

Total assets
$
70,724

 
$
71,452

 
$
71,743

 
$
70,247

 
$
66,336

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits
$
29,241

 
$
31,013

 
$
29,751

 
$
28,087

 
$
25,019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market and interest-bearing checking deposits
22,378

 
21,585

 
22,744

 
24,073

 
22,891

Savings deposits
2,199

 
2,133

 
2,013

 
1,841

 
1,744

Customer certificates of deposit
2,092

 
2,471

 
3,200

 
4,209

 
4,869

Foreign office time deposits
25

 
56

 
33

 
116

 
261

Total interest-bearing deposits
26,694

 
26,245

 
27,990

 
30,239

 
29,765

Total deposits
55,935

 
57,258

 
57,741

 
58,326

 
54,784

Short-term borrowings
62

 
277

 
138

 
93

 
200

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,076

 
996

 
1,273

 
1,389

 
1,016

Medium- and long-term debt
5,842

 
4,969

 
4,917

 
2,905

 
2,963

Total liabilities
62,915

 
63,500

 
64,069

 
62,713

 
58,963

Total shareholders’ equity
7,809

 
7,952

 
7,674

 
7,534

 
7,373

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
70,724

 
$
71,452

 
$
71,743

 
$
70,247

 
$
66,336



F-105

Table of Contents

HISTORICAL REVIEW - STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(in millions, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
2,262

 
$
1,872

 
$
1,635

 
$
1,551

 
$
1,525

Interest on investment securities
265

 
250

 
247

 
216

 
211

Interest on short-term investments
92

 
60

 
27

 
17

 
14

Total interest income
2,619

 
2,182

 
1,909

 
1,784

 
1,750

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
122

 
42

 
40

 
43

 
45

Interest on short-term borrowings
1

 
3

 

 

 

Interest on medium- and long-term debt
144

 
76

 
72

 
52

 
50

Total interest expense
267

 
121

 
112

 
95

 
95

Net interest income
2,352

 
2,061

 
1,797

 
1,689

 
1,655

Provision for credit losses
(1
)
 
74

 
248

 
147

 
27

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
2,353

 
1,987

 
1,549

 
1,542

 
1,628

NONINTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Card fees
244

 
333

 
303

 
276

 
81

Service charges on deposit accounts
211

 
227

 
219

 
223

 
215

Fiduciary income
206

 
198

 
190

 
187

 
180

Commercial lending fees
85

 
85

 
89

 
99

 
98

Letter of credit fees
40

 
45

 
50

 
53

 
57

Bank-owned life insurance
39

 
43

 
42

 
40

 
39

Foreign exchange income
47

 
45

 
42

 
40

 
40

Brokerage fees
27

 
23

 
19

 
17

 
17

Net securities losses
(19
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 
1

Other noninterest income
96

 
108

 
97

 
102

 
129

Total noninterest income
976

 
1,107

 
1,051

 
1,035

 
857

NONINTEREST EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits expense
1,009

 
961

 
989

 
1,000

 
972

Outside processing fee expense
255

 
366

 
336

 
318

 
111

Net occupancy expense
152

 
154

 
157

 
159

 
171

Equipment expense
48

 
45

 
53

 
53

 
57

Restructuring charges
53

 
45

 
93

 

 

Software expense
125

 
126

 
119

 
99

 
95

FDIC insurance expense
42

 
51

 
54

 
37

 
33

Advertising expense
30

 
28

 
21

 
24

 
23

Litigation-related expenses

 


 


 
(32
)
 
4

Gain on debt redemption

 

 

 

 
(32
)
Other noninterest expenses
80

 
84

 
108

 
169

 
181

Total noninterest expenses
1,794

 
1,860

 
1,930

 
1,827

 
1,615

Income before income taxes
1,535

 
1,234

 
670

 
750

 
870

Provision for income taxes
300

 
491

 
193

 
229

 
277

NET INCOME
$
1,235

 
$
743

 
$
477

 
$
521

 
$
593

Less income allocated to participating securities
8

 
5

 
4

 
6

 
7

Net income attributable to common shares
$
1,227

 
$
738

 
$
473

 
$
515

 
$
586

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
7.31

 
$
4.23

 
$
2.74

 
$
2.93

 
$
3.28

Diluted
7.20

 
4.14

 
2.68

 
2.84

 
3.16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
1,076

 
762

 
523

 
504

 
572

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared on common stock
309

 
193

 
154

 
148

 
143

Cash dividends declared per common share
1.84

 
1.09

 
0.89

 
0.83

 
0.79


F-106

Table of Contents

HISTORICAL REVIEW - STATISTICAL DATA
Comerica Incorporated and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Average Rates
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
1.94
%
 
1.09
%
 
0.51
%
 
0.26
%
 
0.26
%
Other short-term investments
0.96

 
0.64

 
0.61

 
0.81

 
0.54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities
2.19

 
2.05

 
2.02

 
2.13

 
2.25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
4.64

 
3.82

 
3.25

 
3.06

 
3.11

Real estate construction loans
5.21

 
4.18

 
3.63

 
3.48

 
3.41

Commercial mortgage loans
4.69

 
3.97

 
3.49

 
3.41

 
3.75

Lease financing
3.82

 
2.63

 
2.64

 
3.15

 
2.30

International loans
4.97

 
4.07

 
3.63

 
3.58

 
3.65

Residential mortgage loans
3.77

 
3.70

 
3.76

 
3.77

 
3.82

Consumer loans
4.41

 
3.70

 
3.32

 
3.26

 
3.20

Total loans
4.64

 
3.85

 
3.34

 
3.19

 
3.27

Interest income as a percentage of earning assets
3.99

 
3.29

 
2.88

 
2.75

 
2.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic deposits
0.45

 
0.16

 
0.14

 
0.14

 
0.14

Deposits in foreign offices
1.19

 
0.64

 
0.35

 
1.02

 
0.82

Total interest-bearing deposits
0.46

 
0.16

 
0.14

 
0.14

 
0.15

Short-term borrowings
1.90

 
1.14

 
0.45

 
0.05

 
0.03

Medium- and long-term debt
2.42

 
1.51

 
1.45

 
1.80

 
1.68

Interest expense as a percentage of interest-bearing sources
0.82

 
0.38

 
0.34

 
0.29

 
0.29

Interest rate spread
3.17

 
2.91

 
2.54

 
2.46

 
2.56

Impact of net noninterest-bearing sources of funds
0.41

 
0.20

 
0.17

 
0.14

 
0.13

Net interest margin as a percentage of earning assets
3.58
%
 
3.11
%
 
2.71
%
 
2.60
%
 
2.69
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average common shareholders’ equity
15.82
%
 
9.34
%
 
6.22
%
 
6.91
%
 
8.05
%
Return on average assets
1.75

 
1.04

 
0.67

 
0.74

 
0.89

Efficiency ratio (a)
53.56

 
58.64

 
67.62

 
67.03

 
64.26

Common equity tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk weighted assets (b)
11.14

 
11.68

 
11.09

 
10.54

 
n/a

Tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets (b)
11.14

 
11.68

 
11.09

 
10.54

 
10.50

Total capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets
13.21

 
13.84

 
13.27

 
12.69

 
12.51

Common equity ratio
10.60

 
11.13

 
10.68

 
10.52

 
10.70

Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets (c)
9.78

 
10.32

 
9.89

 
9.70

 
9.85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per Common Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value at year-end
$
46.89

 
$
46.07

 
$
44.47

 
$
43.03

 
$
41.35

Market value at year-end
68.69

 
86.81

 
68.11

 
41.83

 
46.84

Market value for the year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
102.66

 
88.22

 
70.44

 
53.45

 
53.50

Low
63.69

 
64.04

 
30.48

 
39.52

 
42.73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Data (share data in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average common shares outstanding - basic
168

 
174

 
172

 
176

 
179

Average common shares outstanding - diluted
171

 
178

 
177

 
181

 
185

Number of banking centers
436

 
438

 
458

 
477

 
481

Number of employees (full-time equivalent)
7,865

 
7,999

 
7,960

 
8,880

 
8,876

(a)
Noninterest expenses as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and noninterest income excluding net securities gains (losses) from securities and a derivative contract tied to the conversion rate of Visa Class B shares.
(b)
Ratios calculated based on the risk-based capital requirements in effect at the time. The U.S. implementation of the Basel III regulatory capital framework became effective on January 1, 2015, with transitional provisions.
(c)
See Supplemental Financial Data section for reconcilements of non-GAAP financial measures.
n/a - not applicable

F-107

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized as of February 12, 2019.
 
COMERICA INCORPORATED
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Ralph W. Babb, Jr.
 
 
 
Ralph W. Babb, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated as of February 12, 2019.
/s/ Ralph W. Babb, Jr.
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
Ralph W. Babb, Jr.
 
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Muneera S. Carr
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Muneera S. Carr
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Mauricio A. Ortiz
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Mauricio A. Ortiz
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Michael E. Collins
 
 
Michael E. Collins
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Roger A. Cregg
 
 
Roger A. Cregg
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ T. Kevin DeNicola
 
 
T. Kevin DeNicola
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Curtis C. Farmer
 
 
Curtis C. Farmer
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Jacqueline P. Kane
 
 
Jacqueline P. Kane
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Richard G. Lindner
 
 
 Richard G. Lindner
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Barbara R. Smith
 
 
Barbara R. Smith
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Robert S. Taubman
 
 
Robert S. Taubman
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Reginald M. Turner, Jr.
 
 
Reginald M. Turner, Jr.
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Nina G. Vaca
 
 
Nina G. Vaca
 
Director
 
 
 
/s/ Michael G. Van de Ven
 
 
Michael G. Van de Ven
 
Director


S-1