COMMERCE BANK ANNOUNCES OFFICER PROMOTIONS AND ELECTIONS

(Kansas City, MO, April 5, 2002) - The Board of Directors of Commerce Bank, Kansas City, announced the following officer promotions and elections.

Nick Marasco has been promoted to Vice President of The Commerce Trust Company, a division of Commerce Bank. Marasco's primary area of responsibility includes new business development in the area of Institutional Trust. He has approximately 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. Marasco earned his Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College and his Masters of Business Administration from Drake University.

Denise Sanders has been promoted to Vice President, Equipment Leasing, in the Commercial Services division of Commerce Bank. Sanders works with Commerce Bank customers to provide lease financing for equipment acquisitions. She has 12 years of industry experience and holds a Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University.

Gene Lucas, Jr. has been promoted to Assistant Vice President in the Remittance Processing department of Commerce Bank. Lucas is responsible for system software maintenance, new customer set up and customer service, as well as managing two shifts of retail lockbox processing. Lucas has been with Commerce Bank for more than 18 years and was awarded the Above and Beyond award for work done to prepare for Y2K and the Operations Award for Excellence in Management. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Park University.

Bianca Stechman has been elected Officer in the Retail Department. Stechman is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Mission Hy-Vee Branch. She has been with Commerce Bank for more than 16 years.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is an affiliate of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bancshares is a registered bank holding company with assets of $12.9 billion and affiliates offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in more than 340 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.

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For further information contact:
Eliza Hamlet
Public Relations Representative
(816) 234-1930

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