COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. DECLARES DIVIDEND

(St. Louis, April 17, 2002) -- Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has approved a regular quarterly dividend of $.1625 per share on the Company's common stock payable June 27, 2002, to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 7, 2002.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a registered bank holding company with assets of $12.3 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.

For further information contact:
Jeffery D. Aberdeen
Controller
(816) 234-2081

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

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