COMMERCE BANK PROMOTOES NOBLE TO MANAGER, COMMERCIAL BANKING DIVISION

SPRINGFIELD, MO, May 6, 2003 - John Himmel, chairman, Commerce Bank, Springfield Region, announced today that Keith Noble has been promoted to Manager, Commercial Banking Division. In his new position, he is responsible for managing the Commercial Banking and Treasury Services departments of the bank, overseeing employee management, business development and customer service.

Noble joined Commerce Bank in January 2002 as Executive Vice President in the Commercial Division. A seasoned lending professional, his background includes 24 years of banking and bank management experience in Springfield.

A 1978 Hillcrest High School graduate, Noble received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Southwest Missouri State University in 1982. In 1986, he received his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Drury University.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $13.4 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 330 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For more information contact:
John Himmel
Chairman, Commerce Bank, Springfield Region
417 837-5258

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

# # #