DAVID A. CROSS RECEIVES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SPONSORED BY COMMERCE BANK

Kansas City, MO --August 28, 2002 -- David A. Cross was awarded the Lee's Summit Community Award sponsored by Commerce Bank at a luncheon held at noon, Wednesday, August 28 at Garozzo's Banquet Room. As recognition for his community service, an $8,000 grant in David's name was given to Hope House.

Jonathan M. Kemper, chairman of Commerce Bank, Kansas City, presented the award, "David exemplifies the community spirit we are seeking when making this award. David's efforts over the years have contributed to making the Lee's Summit area a wonderful community in which to live, work and raise a family."

A Lee’s Summit resident since 1960, David Cross began his career at his father’s car dealership at the age of eight. The young man that stood on a bench to dust off the cars on the showroom floor grew into a teenager with the dream of continuing his father’s legacy. David graduated from Lee’s Summit High School and spent two years at Graceland College, where he met his wife, Arta. In 1973, he graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Business Administration and spent the next 19 years learning the family business and helping to raise his own family of four children. Upon the death of his father in 1993, David became president and owner of Dave Cross Motors.

Founded on January 1, 1983, Hope House has provided a safe-haven for thousands of women and children fleeing from abuse. Its mission then, as it continues to be, is to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing safe refuge and supportive services that educate and empower women and their children. Hope House has grown to provide a full complement of services that are critical to meeting the needs of victims of family violence. These services include a 24-hour crisis line; emergency, temporary shelter; outreach therapy; community awareness; transitional living; crisis intervention; individual and group therapy; advocacy; daycare; a life skills program which is designated to promote self-sufficiency and community referrals to aid women in accessing services needed to become self-sufficient

The William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, was established in 1989 following Mr. Kemper's death. The foundation is dedicated to continuing Mr. Kemper's lifelong interest in improving the human condition and quality of life. The Foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvement and the arts.

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:
Rebecca Freetly-Graber
Marketing Officer
Regional Marketing Rep.
(816) 234-2308

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

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