COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. DECLARES DIVIDEND

(Kansas City, MO, July 28, 2006) — Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.245 per share on the company's common stock payable September 27, 2006, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 13, 2006.

About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is a $14.3 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 140 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management and estate planning and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce operates across three states in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois with nearly 340 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For additional information contact:

Jeffery Aberdeen, Controller
PO Box 419248, Kansas City, MO
816.234.2081
Web Site: www.commercebank.com
Email: mymoney@commercebank.com