Curtis C. Farmer
Chairman, President and Chief Executive OfficerComerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank
Curtis C. Farmer is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank. He also serves as a director of both organizations and leads Comerica’s Management Executive Committee.
Curt joined Comerica as Executive Vice President of Wealth Management in 2008. He was named Vice Chairman of Comerica’s Retail Bank and Wealth Management divisions in 2011, and President, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank in 2015. Curt was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in April 2019 and assumed the role of Chairman on Jan. 1, 2020.
Curt joined Comerica from Wachovia Corporation of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he served as Executive Vice President, Wealth Management. During his 23 years with Wachovia, he held a variety of positions of increasing scope and responsibility.
Curt holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, where he also earned his master’s degree in business administration.
Curt’s board affiliations are Circle 10 Council of the Boys Scouts of America, SMU Tate Lecture Series, SMU Cox School of Business Executive Board, The Clearing House, Crystal Charity Ball Advisory Board, Methodist Health System Foundation and Wake Forest University Board. In addition, he is a member of the Bank Policy Institute and Dallas Citizens Council.
Meet the Laureates Q&A Series: Curtis C. Farmer
Read on to learn how Curtis Farmer’s thoughtful leadership, dedication to mentorship, and vision for Dallas’ continued growth have defined his exceptional career and contributions to our community.
What’s one key decision or moment that shaped your career?
Curtis Farmer: Leaving my former company in North Carolina to join Comerica Bank in Dallas at the height of the financial crisis in 2008. This was a huge leap of faith and one that greatly impacted every aspect of my life. It was a major transition for my entire family, but one that opened many doors for my career, allowed me to grow as a leader, and has been a great move for my family.
How do you approach mentoring the next generation of leaders?
Curtis Farmer: Mentoring requires that you be accessible and provides opportunities for growth and honest feedback. Another important aspect of mentorship is authenticity and vulnerability – sharing my experience and being honest about my own strengths and weaknesses with my mentees encourages self-awareness and builds trust.
How has giving back to the community influenced your leadership and your approach to business?
Curtis Farmer: Supporting youth and nonprofit organizations is very important to me because providing access and opportunity can change someone’s life. What I’ve learned through community involvement over the years is just how unique everyone’s story is. Seeing the perspectives and experiences of so many people has taught me a lot about empathy and having an open mindset – both of which have influenced my approach to business and leadership.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
Curtis Farmer: I have two favorite pieces of advice, both of which I learned from my late father. The first is: If you prioritize your faith, family and your work, your career will take care of itself. I believe this to be true for my life, and we have tried to create a work environment for our employees to have the resources and support they need to take care of their full selves. The second piece of advice is: Once you compromise your personal integrity, it’s very difficult to build it back. I think this is true for every aspect of our lives and it’s something I take to heart.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Curtis Farmer: Slow down and enjoy the journey. Throughout my life and career, I often tended to focus on the next thing, the next challenge, the next position. Things have a way of working out how they’re supposed to, so take the time to slow down, savor the wins and big moments in life, and enjoy where you are today.
What are you most excited about for the future of Dallas and its business community?
Curtis Farmer: The Dallas metroplex is an amazing economic engine. We have continued to see record corporate relocations, population growth and economic success that you don’t see anywhere else thanks to the pro-business environment. It’s also an incredible business community where leaders and organizations truly want to work together to drive positive change in our city. And this momentum is not slowing for Dallas and that is really exciting to see.