Comerica Bank Appoints Kevin Watkins National African American Business Development Manager
Comerica Bank has appointed Kevin Watkins as National African American Business Development Manager, supporting Comerica’s steadfast commitment to developing and growing relationships with African American business leaders, entrepreneurs and communities across all markets. These responsibilities are an extension of Watkins’ current role as vice president, marketing manager of external affairs in Southeast Michigan.
As National African American Business Development Manager, Watkins will work with Comerica’s African American Business Resource Groups and Chief Diversity Officer Nate Bennett to build external partnerships with African American nonprofits across the bank’s national footprint.
“Kevin’s expertise and understanding of our diverse communities will prove valuable in helping African-American entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Wendy Bridges, Comerica Bank’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Responsibility. “Having worked closely with customers and small businesses through Comerica banking centers, he brings a wealth of experience that will enrich our efforts to promote economic development.”
In February, Watkins was named Southeast Michigan External Affairs Market Manager, where he helps guide Comerica’s community engagement and engagements throughout metro Detroit. Watkins cultivates relationships among philanthropic organizations as well as civic, community and government leaders. He assists the bank’s reinvestment activities, community investments and financial education initiatives, which include the wide-ranging Comerica Money $ense programs (Business $ense, Money $ense, Education $ense, Sports $ense, Senior $ense and Church $ense). In addition, Watkins advises Comerica’s Michigan Market President on external matters.
“Supporting and engaging with businesses, and providing resources to help them succeed, remains at the heart of how we strive to increase opportunity in our communities,” Watkins said. “I look forward to continuing our efforts alongside community leaders to deliver vital resources and technical assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Previously, Watkins served as vice president and banking center manager for Comerica’s Ford Road-Beech Daly Banking Center in Dearborn Heights. He began his career with Comerica in June 2005 as a Management Trainee and has held various Assistant Banking Center Manager roles of increasing responsibility in a variety of locations since then. In 2012, Watkins was promoted to Banking Center Manager / Assistant Vice President.
Watkins earned both Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees from Eastern Michigan University.
Watkins’ community involvement includes serving as a board member of the Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation and actively volunteering with various non-profit organizations, including neighborhood and school beautification projects and financial education. Previously, he served on the boards of the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan and the Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation, mentored through the Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund, and volunteered with Operation Hope’s Banking On Our Future, which teaches children and youth about financial empowerment principles. . Additionally, he has served as Comerica team captain for the UNCF Detroit Walk for Education and co-chair of Comerica’s African American Business Resource Group.
Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back nearly 174 years to its founding in Detroit in 1849. It is the largest banking employer in metro Detroit and has approximately 4,500 employees (FTE) over the whole country. With one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, Comerica nurtures lifelong relationships with unwavering integrity and financial prudence. Comerica positively impacts the lives of Michigan residents by helping customers succeed, providing financial support that helps hundreds of charitable organizations, and actively participating in Detroit’s downtown revitalization. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company that is strategically aligned around three business segments:
