ICB AWARDS BURK NATIONAL CERTIFICATION DESIGNATION

(SPRINGFIELD, MO May 22, 2002) -- Kay Burk, vice president and trust officer, The Commerce Trust Company, was recently awarded the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB), a nonprofit organization sponsored by the American Bankers Association.

Burk has 28 years of financial services and investment experience with Commerce, including seven years experience in trust administration. She attended Drury University and is a graduate of Cannon Financial Institute's Cannon Trust School.

The CTFA designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of personal trust banking. To qualify for certification, individuals must have certain levels of experience and knowledge in the trust banking profession, pass an exam and sign an ethics statement. The exam covers many areas including fiduciary responsibilities and trust activities, personal finance, insurance and estate planning, tax and investment management.

Bankers initiated this certificate to establish a meaningful standard of knowledge and competency in the financial services industry, to give formal recognition to those who meet prescribed standards and to promote continuing professional education and development.

The ICB is dedicated to promoting high standards of performance and ethics in all segments of the financial services industry. With eight certificate programs, ICB has over 7200 certified members nationwide. The American Bankers Association, the only national trade and professional association serving the entire banking community, from small community banks to large bank holding companies sponsors ICB.

About The Commerce Trust Company
The Commerce Trust Company, a division of Commerce Bank, N.A., is responsible for more than $16 billion in assets, including nearly $10 billion of assets under active management. The Commerce Trust Company offers a full range of fully integrated private client services, including financial advisory, investment management, brokerage, trust, lending and banking services. It also provides institutional trust and investment services to corporations, foundations, endowments, employee benefit plan sponsors, public funds and Taft-Hartley plans, as well as corporate debt administration services.

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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