COMMERCE BANK PROMOTES JATHO TO MANAGER OF SMS CAMPUS BANKING CENTER

(SPRINGFIELD, MO May 21, 2002) -- John Himmel, chairman and market manager of Commerce Bank, Springfield Region, announces that Debbie Jatho has been promoted to financial services manager of the company's SMS Banking Center located in the Plaster Student Union on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University. In her position, Jatho is responsible for managing retail sales and customer service at the SMS location, which offers a full line of banking products to students, faculty and visitors on-campus.

Jatho has 11 years of banking experience and prior to her promotion, was a teller supervisor at Commerce Bank's Sunshine Banking Center.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is an affiliate of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. Commerce Bancshares 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 more information contact:
Susan Kirkman
Regional Marketing Manager
(417) 837-5333

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

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