In Huntington Beach, we're blessed with a lot of choices when it comes to managing our money. But Comerica Bank, which prides itself on community involvement, is going out of its way to become the number one choice for Surf City residents. "We have two local, full-service branches: one at 17011 Beach Boulevard, Suite 100 (in Charter Center at Warner Avenue) and the one that I manage at 10111 Adams Avenue (in the Ralphs' shopping center at Brookhurst Street)," offers banking center manager Ted Nguyen. What makes Comerica unique is that it seeks to be a true relationship bank. "When we hire a manager, the first thing we look at is whether they live in the community because we want them to have a vested interest in it - our managers are also very involved in the communities that they work in," says Nguyen, an 18-year Huntington Beach resident who volunteers as an American Youth Soccer Organization referee.

The bank itself maintains a presence in the area via participation in the Chamber of Commerce and by sponsoring youth sports via the Huntington Beach Sand Soccer Tournament and the Seaview Little League, whose majors field they have dubbed Comerica Park after the similarly monikered Big League ballpark in Michigan. "Seaview Little League had never had a Detroit Tigers team before, but since we began that sponsorship two years ago, each division of players now has one," Nguyen reveals proudly.

Step inside a Comerica Bank branch and you might immediately notice what makes it different. "We tailor fit products and services to meet our clients' needs," Nguyen explains. "Whereas a lot of [other] financial institutions have certain set products, and you either fit the cookie-cutter type mold or you don't." From estate planning to insurance to personal wealth management and investments, they go above and beyond basic banking. "Helping out small businesses is one of our fortes. We're a Small Business Administration-preferred lender, and we're actually the fourth largest one in the nation," Nguyen adds.

But when it comes to customer relations, Comerica knows that sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference. "We open up five minutes before 9 a.m., and we stay open five minutes after 5 p.m.," the bank manager enthuses. "Also, calls are usually returned on the same business day, and we answer the phone within three rings." In this difficult economy, we could all use a break sometimes. Whether it's working with clients regarding non-sufficient funds fees or covering bounced checks and working it out with them afterwards, Comerica is able to help. "We can do that because we actually know our clients - that's the benefit of personalized service," Nguyen maintains.

To learn more, visit www.comericabank.com or stop in and visit.