COMMERCE BANK NAMES RETAIL BANKING CENTER MANAGERS

COLUMBIA, MO - March 3, 2003 - Teresa Rouse Maledy, president and market manager of Commerce Bank, Central Missouri Region, today announced the following:

Michael Ireland has joined Commerce as Retail Banking Officer in the Retail/Branch Management division of the bank. Ireland has four years of experience in consumer banking and financial services and is responsible for managing sales and customer service at Commerce Bank's Business Loop Banking Center, 500 Business Loop 70 West. He is a graduate of Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Active in civic and community organizations, Ireland is a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers for American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Show Me State Games.

Joanie Mains, assistant vice president in the Retail/Branch Management division of the bank, has transferred from Branch Manager at the Business Loop facility to Branch Manager of Commerce Bank's Bernadette Banking Center, Stadium and Bernadette. Mains has 21 years of consumer banking and lending experience and is responsible for managing retail sales and customer service at the Bernadette location. Mains is a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and an active volunteer for Commerce Bank initiatives that support local chapters of the United Way, American Cancer Society and Children's Miracle Network.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $13.3 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 135 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 Bancshares operates across three states with more than 340 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For more information contact:
Teresa Rouse Maledy
President, Commerce Bank, Central Missouri Region
573-886-5200

Susan Kirkman, Regional Marketing Manager
417-837-5333
Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH

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