BYBEE JOINS COMMERCE BANK AS VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL LENDING

SPRINGFIELD, MO - March 28, 2003 - John Himmel, chairman, Commerce Bank, Springfield Region, today announced that Mark Bybee has joined Commerce as Vice President, Commercial Lending. His background includes experience in commercial lending and credit analysis and, prior to joining Commerce, Bybee served as a commercial lender with the Springfield offices of a national bank franchise. At Commerce, Bybee is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank's commercial lending and business banking products.

A graduate of Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Bybee received his B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1997, and his Master's degree in Business Administration in 1999. He is active in civic and charitable initiatives serving as an account representative for United Way and past board member of Springfield Finance and Development Corporation.

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:
Susan Kirkman
Regional Marketing Manager
417-837-5333

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

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