 The methanol project included a five-year, preferential crude oil supply contract for Japan that was signed with the Saudi government during the 1973 oil crisis.In 1976, Tamraz moved into United States financial markets with his acquisition of Bank of the Commonwealth, a Michigan-based bank with 50 branches.He strengthened and expanded the bank until 1983, when it was merged into the founding of Comerica, Inc., now one of the largest super-regional U.S. bank holding companies.