Comerica Inc., a Dallas-based banking giant, has announced executive moves on both the national and local level.

Larry Franco has been named executive vice president, national director of Retail Banking & Operations, succeeding Rhonda Davenport, who is expected to retire in April following more than 36 years with Comerica. Franco will report to Cassandra McKinney, Executive Vice President, Executive Director of the Retail Bank.

Comerica Bank also named Tim Maiden senior vice president, group manager for its Southern Dallas Business Banking Team. He will report to Corey Bailey, Executive Vice President, Executive Director, Middle Market & Business Banking.

Extensive retail banking expertise

According to the company, Franco will oversee the development and leadership of its more than 400 banking centers that span across five states and employ approximately 2,200 employees. He also will have oversight for the operational execution and risk management of the banking centers.

“Larry is a proven leader with a deep appreciation and understanding for the collaborative efforts that are essential in delivering a first-class customer experience,” McKinney said in a statement. “The retail banking landscape continues to evolve with the changing needs of our customers and communities, and the addition of Larry’s leadership will be a tremendous asset as we continue to elevate the retail banking experience for our customers and colleagues that enable growth.”

McKinney also lauded Davenport’s contributions to the company.

“Throughout her career, Rhonda has distinguished herself as someone who can align teams with an organizational vision and lead with empathy and integrity while delivering on business objectives always with a focus on the customer,” McKinney said. “She has been instrumental in the strength of the retail division, and we wish her the best as she prepares for retirement.”

Franco joins Comerica from PNC Bank in Houston

Franco brings more than 25 years of retail banking experience to his new role at Comerica. He joins Comerica following his tenure with PNC Bank in Houston, where he was the Southwest Territory executive, executive vice president, leading a team of 3,200 team members across 501 retail bank branches.

Before PNC Bank, he spent 14 years at BBVA, starting as a district retail executive, moving into positions of increasing scope and responsibility in banking center management, then culminating in his leadership role over the retail network of 644 branches and more than 4,000 team members as SVP, head of Retail Banking.

Davenport has spent more than 36 years with Comerica, joining the bank in 1987. She has held positions of increasing responsibility in banking center management, including regional manager in Michigan, new business development in small business banking, national sales/service management and retail operations.

As the director of the Comerica Bank Loan Center (CLC), she oversaw CLC operations for all consumer and small business loans generated through Comerica’s national operations, the company said. In that role, Davenport spearheaded a consumer loan origination redesign project with redefined roles and responsibility, as well as implemented extensive training and continuous improvement initiatives which, among others, significantly reduced loan processing time resulting in a significant increase in loan growth. She is a member of the Retail Operation Committee and contributes valuable insights to organizational effectiveness.

‘Highly regarded in the banking industry and the Southern Dallas community’

Comerica said that Maiden will lead a team of commercial bankers that delivers tailored solutions to middle-market and business banking clients across various industries. He will serve the southern sector of Dallas by cultivating key local relationships, finding access to capital solutions for underserved entrepreneurs and offering customized lending solutions that meet clients’ specific needs.

“Tim is highly regarded in the banking industry and the Southern Dallas community,” Bailey, Maiden’s supervisor, said. “He has fostered robust relationships in this largely underserved market, and his expertise in the footprint will be instrumental in leading Comerica as we continue to heighten our support for customers in the southern sector.”

Maiden has more than two decades of banking industry experience, and he has a proven track record of driving sales, credit analysis, business banking, commercial real estate, and nonprofit lending.

Previously, Maiden was SVP, director of Market Development for Simmons Bank. Prior to that, he was SVP, community leader for Frost Bank.

Comerica is one of the 25 largest commercial U.S. financial holding companies and focuses on building relationships and helping people and businesses be successful, providing more than 400 banking centers across the country with locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas.

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