COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. DECLARES DIVIDEND

(St. Louis, MO – February 5, 2010) – Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.235 per share on the company's common stock, which compares to the prior dividend of $0.229 as adjusted for the 5 percent stock dividend that was paid on December 15, 2009. This represents an increase in the quarterly dividend per share of 2.8% and marks the 42nd consecutive year that the company has increased total dividends per adjusted shares. The dividend is payable on March 26, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2010.

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is an $18.1 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 140 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, financial planning, and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce operates in the Midwest, primarily in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado with more than 370 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For additional information contact:

Email: mymoney@commercebank.com†