Comerica Bank adds regional directors for small business banking [Logo: Comerica]
Dallas-based Comerica Bank is strengthening its small business banking segment with the appointment of three regional directors and announced the debut of several digital solutions during the year, focusing on payments and access to convenient capital.
The new regional directors are Brent Haraman of Sugar Land, Sandra Feleghi of Los Angeles and Megan Storey of Detroit, who are responsible for the overall leadership and success of all small business banking activities within their markets and will oversee a team of small business group managers and small business relationship managers in the execution of Comerica’s small business strategy.
“Comerica has made significant investments in our small business segment over the past year,” Omar Salah, Comerica Bank executive vice president, director of small business banking, said in a statement. “Our commitment to expanding our small business banking division is reinforced through these new leadership roles and enhanced digital capabilities to help small business owners access capital as they seek to grow their businesses.”
Comerica said its hiring initiative is focused on placing small business bankers in a national footprint by ensuring that small business experts are in close proximity to 80% of the banking center network.
Small Business Banking Experts
The new small business regional directors lead efforts to grow market share in collaboration with their counterparts in retail banking, commercial banking and private wealth.
Led by Salah, Comerica’s three small business regional directors are affiliated with the bank’s core markets of Texas, California and Michigan.
Haraman, Texas Senior Vice President, Small Business Director, is a 12-year veteran of Comerica and previously served as Senior Vice President, Group Manager, Small Business Banking Specialists. He joins Comerica with more than 25 years of experience at various financial institutions such as Sterling Bank, First Bank, Southwest Bank of Texas and Bank of America. Haraman will also be responsible for Comerica’s Arizona and Florida markets.
Feleghi, California Senior Vice President, Director of Small Business, comes to Comerica with more than 20 years of proven experience in the banking industry. Most recently, she spent 13 years at MUFG Union Bank building the small business relationship management channel and virtual sales model.
Storey, Michigan Senior Vice President, Director of Small Business, has more than 20 years of experience in small business and business banking in the Michigan market. She has held leadership positions at Fifth Third Bank and Citizens Bank, serving as market manager for business banking, regional sales manager for business banking and senior client relationship manager.
Digital tools for entrepreneurs
In addition, Comerica said it is introducing new digital tools for entrepreneurs that emphasize increased access to capital.
In the second quarter, Comerica said it will launch a new digital small business lending platform nationwide that speeds access to capital for small business owners with needs up to $100,000, providing faster approvals and funding.
Comerica said it also has new digital payment tools for small businesses, including Zelle for Small Business and a suite of financial products designed to effectively meet small businesses’ cash flow management needs.
“Comerica has the leadership and technology capabilities to not only support small businesses, but to impact them across the country,” Salah said. “With all of our recent achievements in this segment, we are entering our next evolution in small business banking.”
Comerica Small Business Banking’s national expansion follows the launch of an innovative program to support small businesses in North Texas – Comerica SmallBizCo-OpTM. This concept supports the bank’s small business customers by providing them with a range of refined experiences and unique benefits at no cost.
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