COMMERCE BANK AND THE KANSAS CITY ZOO OFFER NEW CREDIT CARD - Cardholders can now show support for the Zoo with their purchases

(Kansas City, MO – June 8, 2009) – While the sign may say "Don’t feed the animals," fans of the Kansas City Zoo can now support the animals every time they make a purchase with the new Kansas City Zoo^SM Visa^®, credit card from Commerce Bank. Friends of the Zoo will earn $20 for each card activated on the Zoo grounds or on the Zoo’s web site, plus one percent of all Net Merchandise Purchases. Proceeds will support programs and activities sponsored by the Friends of the Zoo.

Kansas City Zoo Visa cardholders will receive promotional discounts on their annual Friends of the Zoo memberships, and will be given access to special Zoo activities conducted exclusively for cardholders.

"We are excited to make the Kansas City Zoo Visa credit card part of our regular fundraising efforts. Our relationship with Commerce Bank will allow continuous donations without making a dent in our supporters’ wallets," said Randy Wisthoff, Kansas City Zoo Director. "It’s fast, easy and will greatly benefit the Zoo’s conservation and education mission."

Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank focuses on providing value to its customers through a variety of consumer credit products. In 2008, Commerce created the Affinity Business Development Team to respond to numerous co-brand and affinity inquiries it received over the years from organizations that desire to offer their patrons a credit card product.

"Commerce is proud to offer the first credit card to benefit the Kansas City Zoo," said Kevin Barth, president and chief operating officer, Commerce Bank, Kansas City. "Our new Affinity Business Development Team carries out Commerce’s commitment to creating credit card programs for organizations that may have been overlooked or underserved."

The Zoo card features no annual fee, an introductory annual percentage rate for six months, and is designed to benefit the day-to-day operational activities, and growth for the entire Kansas City Zoo. Applicants can apply for an account through an application completed on the Zoo grounds, at any Kansas City area Commerce Bank branch, or at www.commercebank.com. Applicants can choose from two designs, a lion and a cheetah.

  

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $17.9 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 currently operates in 370 locations in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Commerce also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, leasing, credit-related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For additional information contact:

Email: mymoney@commercebank.com†