Ann Marie Prohaska to lead Commerce Bank Real Estate Lending following Jeff Gerner’s retirement
Kansas City, MO – Effective January 1, 2024, Ann Marie Prohaska became the Mortgage President at Commerce Bank to lead the bank’s mortgage and home equity lending business. She succeeds Jeff Gerner who will continue to work with Prohaska as Chairman of real estate lending, until his retirement in December.
Gerner has been with Commerce Bank for more than 38 years in various roles throughout the bank. He has served as the president of Real Estate Lending for 10 years and has successfully grown the business by implementing new technologies and resources to navigate the everchanging real estate market.
“Jeff’s contribution in leadership and innovative solutions will continue to help the bank grow for many years to come,” said Paula Petersen, executive director of consumer segment and strategic services. “He has been an incredible mentor to so many at the bank, including Ann Marie, and his guidance through this transition sets this team up for success.”
Prohaska brings 30 years of mortgage experience to her new role, nearly 20 years of that time at Commerce Bank. Most recently, she was responsible for credit functions across mortgage and home equity products and has deep experience in all aspects of Real Estate lending including sales, operations and secondary marketing.
“Ann Marie is a strategic and creative leader whose contributions to our team through the mortgage industry’s many volume and credit cycles have been invaluable,” said Gerner. “Her deep experience, commitment to our culture, our team and our strategy, and the amazing leadership shadow she casts perfectly position her to lead our team forward.”
Prohaska is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where she earned degrees in business administration and marketing.
About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
With $31.7 billion in assets1, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services through its subsidiaries, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. One of its subsidiaries, Commerce Bank, leverages nearly 160 years of proven strength and experience to help individuals and businesses solve financial challenges. In addition to offering payment solutions across the U.S., Commerce Bank currently operates full-service banking facilities across the Midwest including the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Springfield, Central Missouri, Central Illinois, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Denver. It also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial offices, ATMs, online, mobile and through a 24/7 customer service line. Learn more at www.commercebank.com.
1As of December 31, 2023
