LOU CLENNAN RECEIVES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SPONSORED BY COMMERCE BANK

El Dorado, Kan. - November 26, 2003 - Lou Clennan was awarded the 2003 Community Service Award sponsored by Commerce Bank at a breakfast held on Wednesday, November 19. A grant of $6,500 funded by the William T. Kemper and Commerce Bancshares Foundations was given in Clennan's name to the Partners in Education Foundation.

Mark Utech, Commerce Bank President, presented the service award and grant. "Lou exemplifies the community spirit we seek when making this award. Her dedication to serving the organizations that help make a positive difference in our community, makes her an ideal choice for this award."

Lou Clennan is well known for her many contributions to the community. She is a successful businesswoman, having retired this October from ICI Insurance after 22 years of service. Despite her demanding schedule, she has always found time to volunteer for countless causes which enhance the lives of others. She is currently serving El Dorado Main Street, Tour Butler County, Partners in Education, Soroptimist, The Community Development Organization and the Freedom Memorial. She is active in St. John's Catholic Church and is married to Jim Clennan. She has five children and thirteen grandchildren.

"This is an honor that someone receives only once in a lifetime. I am proud to receive this and grateful to the Kemper Foundation and the Commerce Bancshares Foundation for their generous gift to Partners in Education."

The Partners in Education Foundation exists to provide resources to help enhance the quality of education in the El Dorado Public Schools, USD 490. They support and stimulate innovation which fosters efforts to enhance the learning environment, encourages effective instruction, challenges students, supports faculty, and nurtures interaction between the schools and the community. Partners in Education Foundation became a private, nonprofit organization in the spring of 1989. The original impetus for starting the Foundation came from a group who believed that the quality of life in a community is directly related to the quality of its educational system.

The Community Service Award is dedicated to recognizing individuals who make an exceptional contribution to their communities and the people who live there. A special grant given in the name of the honoree is awarded to the nonprofit agency of the honoree's choice. The potential award recipients are identified through a thoughtful consultation process with Commerce Bank officers and advisory board members.

The William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, was established in 1989 following Mr. Kemper's death. The foundation is dedicated to continuing Mr. Kemper's lifelong interest in improving the human condition and quality of life. The Foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvement and the arts.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $14.0 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 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:
Dana Haynes
Marketing Specialist
316-261-4703

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

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