Commerce VISA Check Card Customers Have a New Chance to Win; Popularity of 2000 Promotion Prompts Bank to Sponsor New Contest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 6, 2001) - It's not often that banks give money away, but it's happening -- again -- at Commerce Bank. Commerce is drawing the attention of both non-customers and customers in order to promote awareness of the many benefits of using the Commerce Bank VISA(R) Check Card. All are welcome to learn more about what Commerce offers and enter the contest to win cash. The Bank's customers are automatically entered in a $1,000 weekly drawing and a $25,000 grand-prize drawing each time they use their Commerce VISA Check Card and sign for their purchase rather than enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN).

The process is simple. Customers are automatically entered in the "Skip the PIN - and Win!" contest every time they make a purchase with their Commerce Bank Check Card and select "credit" at the checkout. They simply sign the receipt for their purchases rather than enter a PIN. Using the card this way is convenient, it avoids the customer having to enter their PIN in front of a line of people - and every purchase gives customer another chance to win.

"We first held this contest last year, and the response was incredible," says Carl Bradbury, Vice President, Check Card Manager for Commerce Bank. "Commerce awarded approximately $86,000 to more than 60 lucky winners."

Mr. Bradbury says money is only one of the promotion's rewards - every customer who uses the check card and signs for the purchase also receives extended warranty, and price and purchase protection - benefits that aren't available with transactions involving a PIN.

According to Mr. Bradbury, there are additional benefits including consumer protection rules and the security of "back-up" authorization limits through VISA, based on the customer's account balance.

The encore promotion began May 1, 2001, and will run through the end of the year. All Commerce Bank VISA Check Card customers who select "credit" and make signature-based purchases during this period are eligible; there is no waiting period for eligibility after a card is issued.

In addition to the current weekly $1,000 prizes and the final $25,000 grand prize, Commerce will award $1,000 daily prizes during the 2001 holiday season. Alternative means of entry are described at the Commerce Bank website at www.commercebank.com. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Commerce Bank is an affiliate of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBSH), a registered bank holding company with assets of $11.7 billion offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in over 330 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:
Christy Campbell
816/234-7267

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

SYMBOL: CBSH

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