COMMERCE BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

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

Brad Clay has been promoted to Commercial Lender. In his new position, he is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank's commercial lending and business banking products. A 1999 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. degree in Financial Management, Clay has eight years of business and financial services experience and, prior to his promotion, held the position of credit analyst. He is active in civic and charitable initiatives serving as Board Member, Columbia Jaycees; and Speaker's Bureau Co-Chair, The United Way.

Kelley Englert has been promoted to Cash Management Specialist. In her new position, she is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank's treasury services products and information reporting services for corporate and small business customers. A 2000 graduate of Columbia College, Columbia, MO, with a B.A. degree in Finance & Management, Englert has four years of experience with Commerce and, prior to her promotion, held the position of credit analyst. She is a fall 2002 Loaned Executive volunteer for The United Way.

Cindy Sommerville has been promoted to Residential Lending Specialist. In her position, she is responsible for business development and customer service related to the bank's full line of mortgage loan products including fixed rate, adjustable rate, jumbo, VA, FHA, re-finances and more. Sommerville earned her degree in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Finance and Management from Columbia College, Columbia, MO, in 1999. She has seven years of experience in insurance and banking and, prior to her promotion, served as Senior Financial Services Representative. Sommerville has served as fundraiser for the Columbia College Community Campaign and volunteer for the American Cancer Society and United Way. She received Commerce Bank, Central Missouri Region's Retail Sales Award for three consecutive years in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

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:
Teresa Rouse Maledy
President, Commerce Bank, Central Missouri Region
(573) 886-5200

or

Susan Kirkman
Regional Marketing Manager
(417) 837-5333

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

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