Credit Rating

Morningstar is maintaining our issuer credit rating of BBB+ for Comerica CMA , a $55 billion company with more than 400 banking branches primarily in Michigan, California, and Texas. These states are home to roughly 35%, 30%, and 15% of Comerica's loans, respectively. Comerica is primarily a commercial lender, with more than 80% of its loans in the commercial market. While several of its regional banking peers continue to face significant credit quality challenges and remain indebted to the government, Comerica redeemed its entire $2.25 billion of Troubled Asset Relief Program preferred shares in March 2010. Comerica funded it with cash on hand and $880 million in new common equity. From a credit perspective, the equity issuance improved Comerica's capital ratios significantly. It also improved its deposit mix dramatically, benefiting margins.

In our Stress Test analysis, we assigned an average underwriting rating for most of Comerica's loans and securities, as credit quality has held up well relative to peers. We assigned a below-average rating to its construction and commercial real estate loan portfolios, primarily to reflect its California and Michigan exposure. Comerica received a good Stress Test score despite burning capital under our assumptions, as its capital raise boosted its starting position. Comerica also achieved a good Solvency Score thanks to its strong credit quality, improved capital position, and earnings power. We awarded the company a good Business Risk score because of its deposit-funded balance sheet, size, business line, and geographic diversification, in addition to its narrow economic moat. These factors led to a rating of BBB+.