COMMERCE BANK CHAIRMAN OPENS NASDAQ, HOSTS FIRST NEW YORK INVESTORS' CONFERENCE

Due to space constraints and security at the NASDAQ MarketSite, attendance to the investor presentation is by invitation only. However, the PowerPoint presentations will be available on October 9, 2003 on the Company's website (www.commercebank.com). Additionally, the investor meeting will conclude with a 20 minute Q&A session starting at 2:00 p.m. (EDT), which will be open to the public for listen-only by going to the Company's website (www.commercebank.com/webcast).

The Company is the largest independent banking company in the Lower Midwest generating nearly 90% of its earnings from its five key markets (St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Mo., Peoria, Ill., and Wichita, Kan.). Over the past ten years, the Company's earnings per share have expanded at a compounded annual growth rate of 10.5%. The company paid its ninth consecutive 5% stock dividend in December 2002 and increased its cash dividend 36% in July 2003.

About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a registered bank holding company with $14 billion in assets offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in over 330 banking locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. The Company also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital, and real estate activities. For additional information, please visit www.commercebank.com or email mymoney@commercebank.com.

For more information contact:
Jeffery Aberdeen
Controller
816-234-2081

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

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