COMMERCE BANK CONFIRMS WICHITA HEADQUARTERS MOVING TO THE WATERFRONT

WICHITA, KS - March 18, 2003 - John Clevenger, President of Commerce Bank, announced today that the bank's Wichita headquarters will be moving to the Waterfront Development at 13th and Webb.

Groundbreaking for the new 125,000 square foot facility, which Commerce will own, is planned for early this summer, with operations moving to the new location beginning in early 2005.

"We are excited about putting our mark on the Wichita landscape. The Wichita market is very important to Commerce Bank and we believe this building will clearly communicate that importance," said Clevenger.

The bank will occupy approximately one-third of the multi-tenant facility. The new headquarters will have a small branch on site, but Commerce's Tallgrass Branch at 21st and Webb will remain its main retail banking location on Webb Road.

"We are building with the future in mind. This facility will accommodate our needs at present and give us room to grow in the future," said Clevenger noting that the vast majority of the 105 employee positions now at the bank's headquarters in downtown will move to the Waterfront.

The new location will replace Commerce's current headquarters at First and Main. The Commerce Bank Center opened as the Union Center in 1956. Commerce will continue to have a downtown presence after other operations move to the Waterfront.

"We are very excited about this new location and the opportunities it will give us to serve our customer base. We feel the Waterfront is going to be a premier Wichita development," said Clevenger. Commerce has selected Howard & Helmer Architects, P. A. to perform architectural services and Dondlinger & Sons Construction Co., Inc. as the general contractor.

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:
Jody Donohue
Regional Marketing Manager
316.261.4717

Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH

# # #