COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. NAMES DAN CALLAHAN CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER

(St. Louis, MO – November 15, 2010) – David W. Kemper, chairman, president and CEO of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced today that Dan Callahan has been named chief credit officer for Commerce Bancshares, Inc., effective December 1st. As chief credit officer, Callahan will be a senior member of the executive management team for the company and will be responsible for overseeing credit administration and lending policies and portfolio management processes to ensure the overall quality and credit culture of Commerce’s lending portfolio. Callahan replaces Bob Matthews who will continue as chief risk officer pending his retirement next year. Matthews will be retiring after 41 years with the company, including the last 21 years as chief credit officer and chief risk officer.

In making the announcement, Kemper commented, “We are pleased to have Dan in this very important leadership role for Commerce. In his current capacity as senior credit officer for our Community Markets and St. Louis Region, Dan has shown strong leadership around our lending and credit function and is well qualified to provide oversight and discipline in this area for our company.”

Callahan has more than 27 years of banking and credit experience and has been with Commerce Bank for 7 years. Prior to Commerce, he held various credit administration positions with Bank of America and Boatmen’s Bancshares.

Callahan holds a BSPA from the University of Missouri - Columbia, a Masters of Business Administration from St. Louis University and is a graduate from the Stonier School of Banking. He serves on the board of directors for a number of organizations including the Business Finance Corporation, St. Louis Society for Adults with Physical Disabilities, Missouri College Fund, Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, serves as Trustee for the St. Louis Science Center and is a director for the Western Golf Association.

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is an $18.8 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 145 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†