Comerica Is Now Fifth Third — What Does That Mean for Your Estate Plan?

For generations of Michigan families, the Comerica name has been a familiar one—from the neighborhood bank branch, to trusts and estate plans, and, of course, to the home of the Detroit Tigers. That name is now changing.

Fifth Third and Comerica formally merged earlier this year, and over Labor Day weekend the former Comerica accounts, banking centers and technology systems were converted to Fifth Third. The two banks are now operating under a single Fifth Third brand. For many of our estate-planning clients, that raises an important question:

If my trust names Comerica Bank as successor trustee, do I need to change my estate plan? In most cases, no.

Comerica Named as Trustee? No Change Is Needed Just Because of the Merger

Many estate plans prepared by our office name Comerica Bank, N.A. as trustee or successor trustee. Fifth Third has confirmed to our office that, as the successor to Comerica, there is no need to amend those estate-planning documents merely to replace the Comerica name with Fifth Third.

Legally, Comerica Bank and Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association merged into Fifth Third Bank, National Association, with Fifth Third continuing as the surviving bank. Accordingly, if your trust names Comerica as a trustee or successor trustee, you do not need to update your trust simply because Comerica has become Fifth Third. Of course, a merger can still be a good reminder to review whether a corporate trustee remains the right choice for your family. But the name change itself does not require an amendment.

Check Your Will and Power of Attorney

There is one area where some clients should take a closer look. Fifth Third has advised our office regarding limitations on the fiduciary appointments it will accept following the transition. In particular, clients who have named Comerica or Fifth Third as attorney-in-fact under a financial Power of Attorney, or as Personal Representative under a Will, should contact our office so that we can review those appointments and determine whether a change is appropriate. This is different from naming the bank as trustee of a trust. If you are not sure which positions Comerica holds in your estate plan, we can quickly review your documents and let you know whether anything needs attention.

A New Name, but Many Familiar Faces

Although some former Comerica branches have closed or consolidated during the transition, we are pleased that many of the Private Bankers and Trust Advisors with whom we worked at Comerica have continued with Fifth Third.

That continuity is important. Estate and trust administration frequently involves relationships that last for many years, and we are glad to continue working with many of the same professionals who have assisted our clients in the past.

If you are experiencing a problem following the conversion—or simply are not sure whom to contact at Fifth Third—please feel free to call us. We can often help connect our clients with the appropriate person at the bank.

Even the Ballpark Is Getting a New Name

Detroiters will see one particularly visible reminder of the merger next baseball season. After more than a quarter-century as Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers will officially become Fifth Third Park beginning with the 2027 season.

It may take some time for those of us who have been saying “Comerica Park” since it opened in 2000 to get used to the new name. We will be sorry to see the Comerica name disappear from the ballpark—and from a banking institution that has been part of Michigan for so many years—but we look forward to continuing our relationship with Fifth Third and with the many familiar bankers and trust professionals who continue to serve our clients.

And if your estate plan still says Comerica Bank, don't worry: when it comes to your successor trustee, the old name does not, by itself, mean you need a new estate plan.