COMMERCE BANK ANNOUNCES OFFICER PROMOTIONS

COLUMBIA, MO - July 29, 2002 - Teresa Rouse Maledy, president and market manager of Commerce Bank, Central Missouri Region, today announced the following officer promotions:

Mendy Diel has been promoted to Vice President in the Residential Real Estate division of the bank. Diel has 17 years of banking and lending experience and is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank's mortgage loan products for Columbia and surrounding area. She is a 1990 graduate of Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO, with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Active in the community, Diel is an associate member of the Columbia Board of Realtors; member, Women's Council of Realtors, Women's Network, Columbia Chamber of Commerce; and committee member, Toastmaster Corporate Challenge benefiting Show Me State Games.

Barbara Winfrey has been promoted to Vice President in the Retail/Branch Management division of the bank. Winfrey has 12 years of consumer banking and lending experience and is responsible for managing sales and customer service at Commerce Bank's Rockbridge Banking Center. She earned an Associates degree in Business Administration in 1990 from Central Texas College, Killeen, TX. Winfrey's background includes service in the United States Army from 1980 until 1990 where she received numerous awards including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. She is a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce; past treasurer, P.E.O. Chapter G.K.; and volunteer for the Commerce Bank, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life team.

Judy Hibbs has been promoted to Assistant Vice President in the Residential Real Estate division of the bank. Hibbs has more than 30 years of banking experience and is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank's mortgage loan products for Columbia and surrounding area. Active in civic and charitable initiatives, Hibbs is a member of the Women's Council of Realtors and Columbia Chamber of Commerce; team coordinator, Columbia College annual Community Campaign; team member, Stephens College Campaign; and board member, Altrusa International.

Joanie Mains has been promoted to Assistant Vice President in the Retail/Branch Management division of the bank. Mains has 20 years of consumer banking and lending experience and is responsible for managing sales and customer service at Commerce Bank's Business Loop Banking Center. Mains is a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and an active volunteer for Commerce Bank initiatives that support local chapters of the United Way, American Cancer Society and Children's Miracle Network.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $12.3 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 135 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management and estate planning and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce Bancshares operates across three states with more than 330 locations and 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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