Comerica Earns Outstanding CRA Rating with $8.3B Loans, Tops Q4 EPS
Comerica Bank earned an 'Outstanding' 2025 CRA rating after underwriting 7,200 mortgages ($1.8 bn), 11,500 small business loans ($2.8 bn), 800 community development loans ($3.7 bn) and $250 mn in investments. In Q4 2025, earnings surpassed EPS estimates on higher net interest income and fee revenue despite loan declines and rising expenses.
1. CRA Outstanding Rating
Comerica Bank received the highest possible "Outstanding" rating in its 2025 Community Reinvestment Act Performance Evaluation by the Federal Reserve Board. The review covered the bank’s Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and small business lending data for 2023 and 2024, as well as community development loans, investments and services from July 1, 2023, through March 31, 2025. Key achievements include 7,200 mortgage loans totaling $1.8 billion and 11,500 small business loans totaling $2.8 billion within its assessment areas; 800 community development loans amounting to $3.7 billion, of which 84% by count were designated for economic development; over $250 million in community development investments complemented by $10.9 million in donations across 1,000 initiatives; and 19,000 volunteer hours providing financial education and technical assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals. The bank’s Dallas-based Comerica BusinessHQ, launched in early 2023, has served more than 4,387 entrepreneurs with free coworking spaces, mentorship and technical resources as part of the Southern Dallas small business ecosystem.
2. Q4 Earnings Top Estimates
In the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Comerica Incorporated reported net interest income growth driven by an expanded loan spread and higher deposit rates, alongside record fee income from wealth management and commercial banking services. Noninterest income rose by double digits year-over-year, reflecting increased transaction volumes and advisory fees. These gains offset a 4% decline in average loan balances, largely in the energy and commercial real estate portfolios, and a 6% increase in noninterest expense due to technology investments and branch enhancements. Despite these headwinds, the bank exceeded consensus earnings expectations, with return on assets improving by 5 basis points compared to the prior year. Total assets stood at $80.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, underscoring continued balance sheet strength ahead of the pending merger with Fifth Third Bancorp.